Tourism boom in Maldives continues with Westin opening Miriandhoo Resort

Maldives tourism continues unabated. Figures comparing February 2017 to the same month in 2018, for example, show a near 20 per cent growth.

Latest to the beach party is the Westin brand of hotels with its Maldives debut, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. And like most, if not all resorts in the Indian Ocean destination, it's a destination unto itself.

On the Baa Atoll in a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve site, the resort was conceived by award-winning Milan-based architects PEIA Associati, with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and a marine motif that extends to the whole resort forming the shape of a fish.

Of the 70 villas and suites, 29 are overwater and these offer an area of almost 200 square metres.

Guests choose from three restaurants and dining styles: refined Japanese at Pearl, Chinese, Indian and Maldivian all-day dining at Island Kitchen and Asian street food at Hawker. There's also the Sunset Bar, serving tapas-style snacks with a strong cocktail list.

An extensive Heavenly Spa by Westin plus fitness facilities including outdoor pool and recreation ground with tennis, volleyball and basketball options plus a Westin Family Kids Club offering nature walks, family runs and water activities plus a PADI dive centre and a boutique complete a thorough resort offering.

From $US650 for island villa with pool. See Marriott.com.au