What's New

In partnership with astronomy expert Valerie Stimac, guests can now experience Milaidhoo Maldives’ brand new retreat series ‘Milky Way from the Maldives’. Valerie has teamed up with the resort to tap into the trend of ‘Astrotourism,’ which sees travellers choose destinations with low light pollution in order to enjoy the beauty of the galaxy. Together, they are launching a series of retreats to allow guests to discover the incredible dark skies of the Maldives.

The retreats will take place 15 – 21 May 2023 and include a Healing Space Massage, dinner under the stars and stargazing on a secluded sandbank, Wayfinding / sailing by stars on a traditional Maldivian Dhoni, astrophotography sessions, night-sky mythology sessions focused on the history of the night sky from various cultures in the Maldives, including Tamil, Sinhalese, and India as well as the opportunity to name a star.

Guests who wish to take the retreat to new heights can even opt to spend the night as castaways under the stars on their very own private sandbank. Transformed with the luxury facilities of a Milaidhoo Villa, the sandbank comes with a canopied four- poster bed draped in muslin and a private yacht anchored nearby, complete with a dressing room and bathroom with all the amenities guests would expect to find back at the hotel. After dinner, as the crew sail away, couples are left to enjoy post- dinner drinks before heading off to sleep under the stars surrounded by candles and lanterns that have been scattered across the sandbank.

Dates for the retreats will be selected in accordance with the weather, moon phases and other astronomical events to allow for good conditions for clear skies throughout. In case of any unpredictable weather, Milaidhoo will offer guests the opportunity to see the ‘stars of sea’ with their unique Fluo Night Snorkeling – an adventure to see the reef in an entirely ‘different light’ due to the resort’s close proximity to the sheltered waters on the house reef.

Speaking of the partnership, Valerie said: ‘I am delighted to partner with the hotel and I look forward to sharing my knowledge of the night sky with guests. These retreats offer a rare opportunity to truly disconnect from the stresses of daily life, when looking at the stars your problems quickly seem insignificant compared to the vast magnitude surrounding us. They also offer the chance to learn something – a trend which has quickly accelerated since the global pandemic. The Maldives is 90% water meaning there is virtually no light pollution – making it the perfect destination for guests interested in astronomy. Milaidhoo further enhance this by ensuring all lights around the resort are switched off during stargazing sessions for an almost pristine ‘dark sky’ experience.’

Maldivian-owned Milaidhoo Maldives opened in December 2016 and is set over 13 acres atop the Baa Atoll’s beautiful UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The resort is proudly rooted in the local island traditions and provides a sense of Maldivian local island living, complete with 50 villas, three restaurants and stylish, thoughtful décor designed and created by local designers and artisans using responsibly- sourced materials, offering the ultimate laidback island luxury.

HOW: Milaidhoo can be easily reached via a 35-minute seaplane from the international airport in Male or a 15- minute domestic flight to Dharavandhoo domestic airport in Baa Atoll, followed by a 15-minute speedboat to Milaidhoo Island Maldives. Rates start from $1,625 per night in a Water Pool Villa on a half board basis, based on two sharing. The ‘Milky Way from the Maldives’ retreats will launch 15 – 21 May 2023 and start from $5,950 per person for a 7-day retreat, for more information and full inclusions please visit: https://www.milaidhoo.com/special-offers/Astro-Retreat-at-Milaidhoo or contact: [email protected]. www.milaidhoo.com