Mirihi Island Resort

Great little Island, excellent service, great food and fantastic staff. If you are looking for a place to do nothing for a while, THIS IS IT.

I used Trip Advisor meticulously to plan our trip to the Maldives last Summer and after reading some of the poor reviews about Mirihi I feel very passionately about giving a (another) positive view. We booked to go to Mirihi through Hayes & Jarvis and flew with First Choice who I would really recommend (even though we don't normally book package holidays). The direct flight is well worth it and very comfortable. The resort itself is out of a desert island fantasy. From the time you step off the plane at Male, are ushered into the air conditioned lounge at the sea plane terminal and taken on the speedboat from the pontoon to the island you know you're in safe hands. We booked last minute and realised afterwards we were very lucky as they get booked up months in advance with many repeat visitors. After getting to know the staff and visiting several other resorts on our travels (see below) you also realise that Mirihi is a very well respected resort and a highly prized place to work. The staff are friendly, helpful and can't do enough for you. We got the opportunity to stay on their amazing sailing boat for two days in our second week (normally costs something like £1000 a day to rent out) because they were fully booked. We got an all expenses paid trip around the South Atoll with our own private chef, captain and the nights we spent fishing off the side of the boat under the stars are something that will stay with us forever. We went B&B which meant we ate in the Muraka restaurant most nights as the food is so good and you can just have a main if you want. The main restaurant is also fantastic and if you have a large appetite then this will be right up your street, but some days we just lived off the huge breakfasts and snacks from the bar. The rooms are huge, the bathrooms lovely with their glass doors opening onto the sea. We spent most days walking up and down the beach and snorkelling and didn't bump into a single other person - even though it was full. The Balinese girls in the spa were fantastic - amazing 90 minute massages for about £50 - something that would cost well over £100 in the UK. So in summary, I'm really disappointed that some people had a bad time. We had an amazing time and would recommend it to anyone wanting to go to the Maldives to escape the rat race and find their perfect desert island. This isn't the place to come if you want jet skiing, kareoke and over-priced underwater restaurants you have to book three months in advance (you can go to the Hilton for that :-). Mirihi offers understated elegance, fantastic service and a beautifully designed island where you feel you're existing with the wildlife and surroundings.

We were just back from a week of honeymoon in Mirihi. We loved it pretty much although the weather wasn't too good, just 2 days of sunny days during the week and the rest were either cloudy or stormy. We stayed in water villa and it was very good. It was cleaned up 3 times and we never meet cockroaches that was mentioned in a review before. Snorkeling was really good, really nice house reef with good coral, tons of fishes and we saw 2 turtles, whitetip and blacktip sharks when snorkeling. Diving was also quite good. We saw one Whale Shark, one eagle ray and stingray and tons of fishes, but there were no Manta ray. Maybe it just passed the season for Manta Ray. However, we found that food was not too good here. Maybe as most of the guest here are Germans, food was specialized for them. We are from Asia and we found food not very suitable for us. Yes, there are different menus for each day during the week but we found only the "South America and Mexico special" and "South east asia special" a bit more tasty. "Continental & Mediterrian special" was really not suitable for us. On the other hand, we found the other restaurant - Muraka really good, especially the Lobster dinner. So we think it is a good idea to have HB only (but we took FB) For the massage, we tried a Balinese Massage but it wasn't too good. Since most of the guest here are Germans, We found that we were a bit ignored. Thanks very much for the Japanese DM - Naoko taking care of us during diving. She was really helpful. All in all, we still enjoyed our stay in this resort very much but we probably won't go back again as there are still many other resorts in Maldives in this price range. We can have a week of stay in water bungalow in Sipadan/Mabul of Malaysia with similar accommodation, better diving but less than half of the cost.

We stayed at Mirihi in November 2006 for 2 weeks and we had a fantastic time with no complaints whatsoever. If you read any negative comments at Mirihi please take them with a pinch of salt. They are completely unfounded in my opinion. My husband and I are used to staying in 5 star accommodation and Mirihi was as good as anywhere we have stayed. I did lots of research into where we were going to stay when we decided to go to the maldives. We wanted something small and relaxed and chilled out. Mirihi was perfect for what we were looking for. It is quite up market but not stuffy. It is not cheap to go but not as expensive as resorts such as the Hilton, Taj Exotica, One and Only etc. The food was fantastic. We went half board which I would definitely recommend on doing. We ate in the Muraka over water restaurant one night but didnt go back again as it was extra to eat in there and the normal restaurant is so good. This is a buffet which is great. Loads of choice but too much temptation to try a little bit of everything! They have different nights, eg seafood night, maldivian night etc so it is very varied. We also paid extra to have our own barbecue on the beach which was lovely and very romantic! Drinks we found the same price as the UK. Not over priced at all. The spa is great and again very reasonable. Cheaper than the UK in fact. We went in there alot as the first 5 days of our holidays it rained. Our only complaint but there was nothing the Manager, Martin, could do about the weather! Apparently it was bad for the time of year as November is supposed to be the start of their high season. However, it did get better and we got a great tan. As you are right on the equator you dont need to stay in it for long. Take a high factor sun cream! All the staff at Mirihi are fantastic. Very friendly and we had some personal favourites. They are not 'in your face at all'. If you want a very private, quiet and romantic holiday then I would recommend Mirihi with no hesitation. We would definitely go back.

5 weeks ago we spent very relaxing and extreme satisfying holidays at Mirihi. We both, my wife and myself, are very experienced travellers (age 50 and 60) looking twice yearly for a professional, comfortable resort combined with good cuisine - we found it once more! Holidays started already with a very warm welcome. Before I go deeper into details I want to point out very clearly, that we cannot identify us at all with the two negative reviews written in September 2006, for our taste very far away from facts and reality - reports, which Mirihi do not deserve by far! Due to the fact, that the resort is very small, it gave us overall a very cosy impression, which was topped by the circumstances, that no children were around. We were located in a water villa, which was appropriate furnished with a great bathroom and shower very well kept and clean due to the excellent performance of the housekeeping, who did everything to feel comfortable twice a day in attentive way. Our two requests concerning shortcomings were solved prompt and efficient. Cuisine started already in the morning with a great, fresh and high standard bakery assortment besides the rest of the very rich breakfast buffet and ended in the evening with daily changing theme-buffets in a very professional and approaching manner and last but not least in an absolute high quality. At that stage we have to mention also another possibility for high standard dinner namely the Muraka Restaurant, where you were served in a great atmosphere. For small snacks and drinks you were served always in an utmost friendy and helpful manner by the staff of Anba Bar. Spa and staff deserved the name in all respects and the treatments where of high value and relaxation for the soul. The house reef was extraordinary - we saw sharks, turtles and even an manta!

First of all, let me say that I am relieved that the latest reviews of Mirihi are positive again. Six weeks ago we came back from our honeymoon at Mirihi. Since then, not a day has gone by in which I did not think back to the most incredible time we have spent there. Mirihi truly is paradise on earth. Having said that, my wife and I were bewildered to read the recent negative comments. It was like these people were describing another resort, especially since we were there at about the same time. Let me tell you about some of our experiences. We arrived by plane in Male. We were taken to the water plane terminal building were we were received in the Mirihi lounge by Miriyam, who welcomed us very warmly. We stayed in the pleasant lounge for an hour and then took the water plane to Mirihi. Upon arrival we were welcomed by the Jasmin and the manager, Martin Vossen. There welcome was very friendly and felt really personal. Right from the moment we set foot on the island, we were struck by the overwhelming beauty of the island and the relaxed atmosphere it radiates. It just immediately felt extremely good to be there and that feeling didn't go away for the whole week we stayed there. After we finished our coconut cocktail Jasmin showed us to our room, while giving a little tour around the island. She took us to our water villa (nr. 13). The room was exactly like you can see on the pictures, just beautiful and very spacious. From the bedroom you can access the private sun deck and the bathroom. The bathroom is half open, so from the shower you have direct ocean view. Amazing! The sun deck is perfect as well. There is a little staircase that leads directly into the ocean. I will never forget the first time I descended the staircase, wearing my goggles. I put my head under water and immediately saw an abundance of beautiful tropical fishes. Not only the island is beautiful, underwater is just as special. We aren't divers, but we took our own snorkeling gear, and we spent several hours a day snorkeling around the island. The house reef is stunning and it was yet another bonus in this little paradise. We saw many, many beautiful fishes, reef sharks and sting rays (see some of our underwater pictures). The natural beauty of the island already would be enough to make you totally happy to be there, but what made it extra special were the people who take care of you. The whole staff was very friendly in a genuine way. They were really doing their best to make you feel at ease and nothing was too much. Absolute highlight was the private lobster bbq we booked. We were served by Abdulla and one of the cooks prepared our private meal. Are table was set on our favourite spot on the island, behind the Marukka restaurant. Abdulla and Ali decorated our table beautifully with lovely flowers. The whole evening was like a dream. Sitting there during sunset and having wonderful food (a whole lobster!), it was the highlight of our honeymoon. Like Tony (one of the senior staff members at the resort who was unbelievably helpful) said so rightly: "All those blessings upon you." The food was also first class. We took half board (more than enough for us). Everyday there was an extensive choice of dishes, without exception of the highest quality (fresh, well prepared and very tastefull). Breakfast and dinner were a feast everyday! About some of the criticism: - cockroaches: we haven't seen them, so I can't comment on that. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the absence of mosquito's. Not a single bite the whole week. - Cleaning of the room: impeccable. Just unbelievable when the level of cleaning is called "low standard". It was the highest standard I ever experienced, we didn't have a single complaint about it. - Manager: Martin must be one of the most accessible hotel managers you can find. We talked to him everyday and he was always interested if everything was going well, so I simply cannot believe that the management was lax in solving the problems mentioned in the earlier posts. - Staff: as stated before, everybody was very helpful and friendly and the service was on the highest possible level. All in all, we had an absolutely wonderful time at Mirihi. From the first to the last minute it was a dream come true. Mirihi exceeded all of our expectations! Very highly recommended.

We've just returned from two weeks on the beautiful island of Mirihi and wanted to reassure you that the island is fantastic and we saw nothing of the previously reported complaints. Mirihi is a paradise. You are welcomed personally onto the island by the Manager, Martin Vossen, given a cold towel and coconut drink on arrival. You are then given a short (the island is small afterall!!) tour and taken to your room. From thereon in you are left to relax and enjoy yourselves. However, if you do have any queries or requests, you only have to mention it to any of the staff and its sorted. We stayed in one of the water villas - very comfortable with modern, lovely furnishings. Room boy comes twice a day. Snorkelling is probably the best available in the Maldives. Saw turtles, reef sharks and a whole array of beautiful fish daily. Even die-hard divers were impressed by snorkelling!! Saw a dolphin too!! Food was very good - good selection. Not one night we could fault the food. Something for everyone's tastes. We stayed on half board basis which was enough for us. To give you an idea on drinks approx $4 will get you a beer or large bottle of water or coke. You can add everything to your room and settle on departure. Note: 10% is added to everything whether drinks were from mini bar in room or Anba bar. As weather was a bit poor, we tried the spa and glad we did. Very reasonable on price and spent an excellent 2 hours being totally pampered. Just one complaint from us ............. having to leave!!

Had the absolute pleasure to stay here for a week in September and it was fabulous. It exceeded all expectations from Accomodation, Service, Natural Beauty and Peace and Quiet. Best of all though was the food. Cooked and served with great expertise. Many thanks to Martin and his staff for a wonderful experience. Have been to the Maldives 5 times now. But Mirihi is head and shoulders above all. Will definately be back.

I totally agree with the comments in the last review and was shocked to read that some people had a bad experience at Mirihi. After extensive research into the islands, we decided to stay at Mirhi for our honeymoon in mid-September and Mirihi lived up to and even exceeded our expectations. The staff provide excellent service, the rooms are spacious and beautiful and they provide lots of little extras....for example complimentary welcome drink, beach cinema and invite to manager's cocktail party at sunset. The only time you will disappointed at Mirihi is when your holiday is over and you have to leave!

We have just returned from our honeymoon at Mirihi with a week at the Hilton as well. ( I'll post a separate review for the Hilton). Just before we left for our trip I read the two latest reviews dated September 2006 and have to say we were both a bit apprehensive as they were both quite scathing. However having been to the resort and having experienced nothing but an exceptional level of service I have to say I found the last two reviews really unfair and inaccurate and am posting in an attempt to make sure people aren't put off by the reviews as I might have been had I been in the process of deciding where to book! The resort itself is very small and has a lovely intimate feeling about it. We chose it because we wanted complete relaxation for our first week somewhere quite personal and without children.We usually stay in 4* plus accomodation and also wanted a good standard of luxury accomodation but still with a "desert island" feel to it. Mirihi fitted the bill perfectly. There are only 36 villas ( 30 water and 6 beach). There are 2 restaurants, a bar, a spa, a gym and a dive centre. The house reef at the Island has some of the best snorkelling in the Maldives - it was certainly better than the Hilton's reef. We saw sharks, turtles and an octopus! The guests are a mix of europeans and some japanese. The staff are mainly Maldivian or Sri Lankan . We spent a night in a beach villa and the rest of our stay in the water villa we had booked. The beach villa was very nice and spotlessly clean. The water villa was lovely and was not small by any standard - and I balance this against our deluxe beach villa at the Hilton which is the largest room type they have! The rooms were cleaned several times a day and the standard was excellent if not better than the Hilton- which was also very good! Every member of staff was friendly and courteous and they were genuinely interested in you and ensuring that you had a perfect stay with them. Nothing was too much trouble. Some resorts make you feel as if you are simply "wages on legs" but this was most certainly NOT the case at Mirihi where the level pf personal attention was unsurpassed. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff could not have done any more for us! They truly are the jewel in the crown of this resort and I cannot understand how the previous two reviewers could have experienced such allegedly poor service as I saw no evidence of anything remotely like it! (Having re-read the reviews though I do wonder about a review where the major gripe is that their name wasn't written correctly on the door!! ) My husband broke our digital camera on day 4 and the resort manager Martin lent us his own camera so we could use it with our memory stick to make sure we could have photos of our stay. He even offered to let us take it to the Hilton and use it there but we declined as we felt he had already been more than generous!! Truly above and beyond the call of duty! All of the catering and hotel staff were fanatastic and the food was first class. Both my husband and I are very particular about our food so this was quite an achievement! We had the private beach barbecue and ate at the Muraka restauarant as well as the main restaurant. All meals were superb and I cannot see why the previous reviewers complained. The standard of cooking ( and hygiene) was first rate. The spa was excellent and the treatments were exceptional and really good value. Special mention would go to Tony Quyn, one of the senior staff members at the resort who was unbeliveably helpful and ensured that our stay was just perfect. There are too many staff to mention but Jasmine, Raja and Latiff were also all excellent, and I have already mentioned the resort manager Martin. I would say to anyone thinking of booking Mirihi to do so - most of the guests we spoke to were returning visitors which speaks for itself. We actually enjoyed Mirihi more than the Hilton ( although that was lovely too) ! It is a perfect honeymoon destination although it is not full of honeymooners! We met some lovely people ( staff and guests) but still felt that we were on a desert island. We definitely intend to go back! Mrs Rouse