Westin Hotels & Resorts has opened the brand’s first hotel in the Republic of Maldives, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. The property was developed by Belluna Co. in Japan and Asia Capital in Sri Lanka.
Mike Fulkerson, VP of brand and marketing, Marriott International Asia-Pacific. “The opening of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is a significant addition to our portfolio underscoring a transformative and meaningful wellness proposition for travelers, who are increasingly prioritizing well-being even while on the road.”
Located on a coral island in the Baa Atoll, a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, the resort has views of both the ocean and the lagoon. The property also is close to landmarks such as Hanifaru Bay, which is known for the largest gathering of manta rays globally.
Led by Milan-based architects PEIA Associati, the resort’s design was inspired by the ocean with focus on environmental sustainability. The design incorporates natural materials, such as unique shells, to reflect the movement and flow of marine life, including sea turtles and whale sharks. An aerial view of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort reveals an outline in the shape of a fish, while the arrival jetty is structured to resemble clamshells and waves.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has 70 villas and suites—41 on island and 29 overwater. Each villa is shaped with eco-friendly double roofing to create natural ventilation. Each villa includes outdoor rainforest showers. Poised over the sea on stilts and each with an area of almost 200 square meters, the overwater suites reportedly are some of the largest in the Baa Atoll region.