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Westin Hotels & Resorts has opened The Westin Maldives Mariandhoo Resort, the first of the Westin brand in the Maldives.

The resort is on an island in the Baa Atoll, located close to Hanifaru Bay, known for the largest gathering of manta rays in the world.

An aerial view of the resort reveals an outline of the shape of a fish, inspired by the surrounding environment and natural materials. The arrival jetty is built to resemble clamshells and waves.

The resort offers 70 villas and suites, 41 of which are on the island, while the remaining 29 are overwater. Each villa boasts eco-friendly double roofing to create natural ventilation. The overwater villas are among the largest at any resort in the Baa Atoll region at around 200 square metres each.

The resort offers a number of dining options. The Pearl is the resort’s speciality restaurant, offering Japanese cuisine with a focus on seafood, while overlooking the water. The Island Kitchen is an all-day dining option offering a balanced menu combining Chinese, Indian and Maldivian fare. Hawker is a more casual dining experience with a live kitchen serving authentic Asian street food and Sunset Bar is adjacent to the library, overlooking the Indian Ocean, and serves tapas and cocktails.

The resort also features the Heavenly Spa by Westin, offering the latest beauty treatments with panoramic ocean views. The WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio is open 24 hours a day for guests to use the two-level facility featuring weight machines, free weights and cardio equipment. An outdoor pool, tennis volleyball and basketball are also on offer.

The Westin Family Kids’ Club provides activities for kids between the ages of four and 12 including nature walks, family-style runs and water activities. Directly off the beach lies a coral reef for guests to explore. A PADI dive centre is also available on-site as well as a boutique store.

Source: tourismupdate.co.za