Mirihi Island Resort

Run by a Swiss owner with two Maldivian partners, Mirihi first opened in the early 2000s. In 2014, the entire resort underwent a complete renovation which brought in lighter woods and the resort's massive, two-bedroom overwater suite. The lobby area was also opened up through the use of moveable glass walls that allow for more natural light, and additional plants were brought in to help create a more natural island feel. The island itself, only 164 feet by 1,148 feet, is one of the smaller islands in the Maldives; you can ride a boat around the island in around 10 minutes. 

While it has a relaxed stylish decor made up of light colors, upscale wicker furniture, and predominately sand-covered floors, Mirihi manages to maintain an upscale (although perhaps not full-on luxe) vibe; guests are encouraged to remain barefoot at all times, if they please. From the name plates on the outside of guest villa doors to the paintings made by a previous employee that hang in the rooms and lobby, Mirihi pays close attention to detail. The U-shaped island is even on its own time, Mirihi time, which is one hour ahead of Male so that guests may make the most of the sunlight hours. 

Mirihi Island Resort is located in the South Ari Atoll on Mirihi Island. The small island is only a 30-minute seaplane journey from Male, though guests will most likely fly to a nearby resort (like Angaga or Conrad Maldives) and then jump on a 10-minute boat ride to Mirihi. A bonus for those interested in catching a glimpse of the world's largest fish, the island's location is privy to year-round whale shark sightings -- and some great dive spots. 

Outside of your standard expected features from a luxury property, all 37 villas at Mirihi have high-quality designer decor and furniture, polished wooden floors, BOSE sound systems, Nespresso machines, fresh fruit baskets, and fully stocked minibars and snack areas. There are also nice touches like wine glasses and bottle openers, kettles, flashlights, rain umbrellas, and personalized name cards on the front doors. You'll also find universal adapters, beach bags and towels, hairdryers, lightweight robes, and personal outdoor decks with wooden loungers, umbrellas, and beach or sea views. Bathrooms are modern and stylish with rainfall showers and nondescript shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. 

The hotel's lowest category is the Beach Villa; each features an iPod connector, open-air showers, and direct access to the beach with villa-dedicated loungers. These units are given indigenous plant names that correspond to the paintings above the beds, as well as the plants you'll find within the immediate landscaping. Bump up to a Water Villa, the most common category, and you'll trade the beach for an over-lagoon location and direct ocean access (with a fresh water rinse on the deck stairs). The bedrooms open up to roped-off, private deck with straight out-to-sea views. These units are named after local fish with above-the-bed paintings to match. 

There's only one Water Suite at Mirihi and it's a doozy. This huge overwater villa has its own jetty and prime position overlooking the best part of the house reef. It's a two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with a large living room and huge outdoor deck that interconnects to the decks off each bedroom. This unit is ideal for families or couples traveling together. Like the other rooms, it's got polished wood floors and vaulted A-frame ceilings, but it's the only unit with a television. However, the flat-screen is not likely to get used since its odd placement prevents it from being seen from the couch. This is also the only room where guests can order room service. The open-plan bathrooms feature frosted glass and fourth-wall glass showers.

Rooms have two free glass bottles of water, one still and one sparkling, produced on the island. 

While beach area surrounds most of the island, the best equipped portion is just out back from the spa. Here guests will find super soft white sands that empty directly into crystal clear waters, a few padded wooden loungers and umbrellas, bean-bag style loungers, and hammocks. However, if you want food or drink, there's no service on the sands here, so you'll have to pop back over to the Anba Bar. 

Mirihi's main restaurant, Dhonveli, is a casual sand-floor spot that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style. While it's not uncommon to find slightly subpar items across many Maldivian resort buffets, Mirihi manages to have a high-quality selection and good variety of delicious dishes. International dishes are served side-by-side with local seafood, and thanks to the Thai background of the Swiss chef's wife, there ends up being a heavy selection of Asian dishes for guests to choose from. The buffet features themed nights filled with Italian, Maldivian, barbecue, and seafood cuisine. There's also an all-day a la carte menu with easy bites like bruschetta, curries, homemade pastas, vegetarian dishes, and desert. 

The overwater a la carte restaurant Muraka is only open for dinner and features a terrace deck with a handful of tables, surf and turf cuisine, a la carte, and vegetarian menus. Twice weekly themed menus, like a four-course lobster dinner where three of five dishes contain locally caught Maldivian lobster and a wine-and-dine meal with wine pairings, are also available. Reservations are not required, but are recommended because of limited seating. 

The hotel has a few meal plans from breakfast-only to full-board. All meal plans only include meals in the buffet restaurant, though those on half- and full-board get discounts at Muraka. 

Anba Bar is the resort's main bar. Open all day, this beachside spot serves up wine, beer, cocktails, mocktails, smoothies and light snacks on cushy bean bag chairs right beneath the palms, within its sand-floored palapa hut, or from a polished wooden deck covered with contemporary cushioned wicker chairs. There's a wide variety of rums (with a huge collection from the Maldives and Indian Ocean area) that guests can mix directly into cocktails or taste test during one of Mirihi's rum and chocolate tastings; a selection of cigars are also for sale here. Every now and again, the Anba's quiet and casual vibe gets livened up with a dose of live music or an event. Food-wise, you'll find the same all-day a la carte menu from the main restaurant, as well as bar snacks like sandwiches, wings, tempura, salads, and spring rolls.

Mirihi also has a chilled wine bar that seats just about a handful around a long, center table. Ruhgandu Wine Bar's fridges are stocked with a selection of over 300 international wines, champagnes, and specialty alcohols from around the globe. This is a private dining space that serves a small three-course cheese and tapas menu with wine pairings for a fee. It's also home to the occasional wine tasting or wine-paired dinner. 

Aside from the sprawling ocean views off Mirihi's soft-sand beaches, the resort also has a slew of ways to experience the surrounding sea. Guests can visit over 40 dive sites (including a trip to the house reef's own shipwreck site) with the multi-lingual team from the island's Ocean Pro Dive Center. Dives include drift dives, night dives, and shark dives, with a choice between air or nitrox diving, and beginners can take PADI certification courses. Day and night snorkeling tours are also available, and thanks to the island's location, snorkelers and divers have year-round possibilities to spot whale sharks. Other excursions include trips to nearby picnic islands, fishing trips, swimming with Manta Rays, or private boat charters. Mirihi also gives guests free-use of it's windsurf gear, kayaks, and snorkel equipment. There are no motorized water sports on the island in order to avoid damage to the house reef that is teeming with eagle rays, baby reef sharks, and colorful fish. 

For a more passive time on the island, there's the Duniye Spa. This Balinese-themed spot has two treatment rooms with beach access, deep soaking tubs, showers, and an assortment of Balinese massage instruments. 

Fun and games wise, the resort also packs in a library, ping-pong table, selection of board games, a modern fitness center, and a sports field with bleacher seating. Guests can also stare at the stars either on one of the full moon cruise excursions, through the lens of one of the Maldives' largest telescopes, or on screen at one of the island's beach cinema screenings. There are also organized events on the island ranging from barbecue nights, to cooking classes, rum and chocolate tastings, and cocktail classes. 

Wi-Fi is free and guests can request to borrow iPads during their stays.