Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is the perfect paradise escape for families - review

Thinking of a winter break in the Maldives? Add the new Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives to your list, says Stacey Marcelo

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - the stunning resort has heaps for families

Waking up on your birthday to the crystal-clear waters of a turquoise lagoon is pretty magical. I can vouch for this, as it was exactly this pleasant situation in which I found myself earlier this summer.  

Kicking off my special morning with a dip in the lagoon, I swim, snorkel in hand, across to the small house reef in front of my villa. Floating over the coral just metres from my room, I watch curious parrotfish and a school of clownfish go about their own morning routines. It’s a quiet, personal spectacle, a birthday greeting from the Maldives.

I have flown in at the invitation of Thai hospitality group, Centara, who have now opened two resorts at multi-destination complex The Atollia in the country’s North Malé atoll. Super-easy to access, the resorts are no more than a breezy 30-minute speedboat transfer from the Maldives’ international airport at Malé.

Family first

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - floating away with the family

Celebrating its first anniversary in November, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is an underwater-themed family resort and the first stop on my five-day Maldivian getaway. The resort proudly wears its family-friendly badge, offering a vibrant, activity-packed contrast to its more premium and serene sister, the Centara Grand Lagoon. Here, the focus is on fun, with a huge aqua-play zone complete with twin slides and a lazy river, kids’s club, and even a spa for little ones. With a private beach, water sports, snorkelling excursions, and more, it’s designed to deliver an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages. 

After a warm welcome, check-in is as swift and seamless as the rest of the arrival process. The adventure begins with a buggy ride through the island’s heart, trundling along powdery sand paths flanked by swaying palms. Then, you see it - the wooden boardwalk stretching over the impossibly turquoise lagoon leading out to the overwater villas. I’d always dreamed of staying in an overwater villa in the Maldives; celebrating my birthday in paradise was the icing on the cake. Just over an hour after landing, I am in my swimsuit and stepping into the warm, turquoise water, snorkel at the ready.

Roomy accommodation

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - all family rooms have fun bunks for kids

Centara Mirage Lagoon’s 145 rooms and villas feature eight distinct configurations, ranging from a 45 sqm Beachfront Room to a sprawling 196 sqm Beach House with a private patio. Key for families, all dedicated family rooms include bunk beds. For larger groups, interconnecting rooms are available. Every accommodation category, which also includes Overwater Villas and Overwater Pool Villas, is designed in a contemporary beach style and featuring a private outdoor amenity, be it a bathtub, jacuzzi, or pool.

My 54 sqm overwater villa’s interiors are fresh and airy with accents of sea blue and crisp white linens. The aesthetic is beautifully simple and designed to draw your gaze straight through the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to the turquoise waters beyond. Out on the private deck, there’s a rope hammock, a large Jacuzzi for sunset soaks (pro tip: book a sunset-facing overwater villa) and direct steps into the crystal-clear lagoon.

Loads of action

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - from kids' club to adventures on the water, there's plenty to keep busy

The genius of the Centara Mirage concept lies in its understanding of modern family dynamics. Parents crave a mix of relaxation and active pursuits, while children need engagement and adventure. This resort delivers both, simultaneously.

For an active traveller like me, the resort ticked all the boxes. I dive headfirst into every adventure, from jet skiing and Seabob gliding to kayaking and paddleboarding.

The highlights, however, are the breathtaking parasailing and the magical dolphin excursion. I also tag along on a snorkelling trip to a nearby reef, although the seasonal conditions mean visibility isn’t at its best - a small reminder that even in paradise, nature has its own rhythm.

When the kids need a break from the water activities, the Kids Club keeps them endlessly entertained with creative crafts, exciting treasure hunts, and playful activities designed just for them. Youngsters can scramble through a stingray-themed playground, explore a wild orchid garden in the Nurture Zone and be hosted for meals by the whimsical ‘Mr. & Mrs. Jellyfish’ at one of the resort’s dining venues.

Delicious dining

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - there are plenty of restaurant options for filling rumblling tums

The resort indeed offers a diverse culinary experience with options ranging from an international buffet at The Sailhouse and Thai dishes at Suan Bua, to Italian classics at open-air Acqua and casual bites at poolside bars.

The Sailhouse is the vibrant heart of the resort, serving up international cuisine all day in a relaxed, airy setting. I loved the local Maldivian dishes, particularly the spicy curries on the breakfast buffet. There’s also a dedicated kids section set up on the breakfast buffet which was popular with younger guests.

My personal favourite was Suan Bua, Centara’s signature Thai restaurant serving authentic dishes that kept me coming back for more. The air-conditioned dining room offered a cool reprieve from the Maldivian heat. However, the real magic can be found at its charming outdoor rum bar where guests can enjoy pre-dinner cocktails with a view.

Candy Spa

For children aged four to 12 years, the award-winning Candy Spa makes its Maldivian debut. This wonderland of oversized lollipops and sweet scents offers kid-friendly spa treatments like bubble gum body scrubs or a strawberry shortcake massage. While the little ones are being pampered with edible treats and nail art, parents can sneak off guilt-free for some much-needed quiet time or a massage at the adult-only spa. 

For older families

Having soaked up the incredible, family-friendly energy of Centara Mirage Lagoon, the second half of my Maldivian journey promises a shift in pace. My next stop is the newly launched Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, which opened its doors in April this year.

Geared more toward adults and families with older children, this photogenic property offers a noticeably more refined and tranquil vibe. The transition is palpable the moment our buggy crosses the bridge. Where the Mirage buzzed with vibrant, youthful energy, the Grand Lagoon welcomes us with an atmosphere of hushed elegance and instant calm. My home for this leg is not one, but two of their 142 elegantly designed villas. Ranging from a sprawling 78 to a vast 290 sqm, each beachfront or overwater sanctuary is a masterclass in understated luxury. Every single villa features a private pool, a Jacuzzi, or both.

Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives review - stunning accommodation at neighbouring Centara Mirage Lagoon

I am hosted in a spacious 88 sqm one-bedroom beach pool villa with direct beach access and a private plunge pool. The villa, which comfortably sleeps up to three adults or two adults and one child, is perfectly equipped for relaxation and I am delighted to find Thai wellness brand Panpuri amenities in the spacious bathroom, which includes both a bathtub and a separate shower. The next day I move to a stunning one-bedroom overwater pool villa where the wow factor is undeniable. The villa blends luxury with practicality, boasting a private pool and a spacious deck with uninterrupted views of the lagoon. Even the bathroom is thoughtfully designed to maximize the incredible scenery, with a freestanding tub positioned before floor-to-ceiling windows. 

The Gallery is the vibrant all-day dining hub with killer views, featuring live tandoor ovens and teppanyaki grills. Bluefin is giving sophisticated Mediterranean beach club vibes with fresh seafood and live music. At sunset, guests gather at the overwater Sunset Social champagne bar, enjoying drinks from net seating over the lagoon. The Club offers exquisite raw bar and wine-paired tapas, while Coco Drift serves relaxed poolside cocktails and light bites. For an unforgettable evening, be sure to book a private dinner on the beach. The team prepares a beautiful setup right on the sand, accompanied by a specially curated menu of traditional Maldivian cuisine. 

A soak at sunset followed by a 60-minute massage at Spa Cenvaree Retreat was just what the doctor ordered after a busy day of water sports.

Travel stats

I flew with Singapore Airlines from Hong Kong to Malé, with a connecting flight in Singapore. The best time to visit the Maldives is between December and April when the climate is drier, hotter and less windy. The country hovers between 25 and 30 degrees year-round.

Asia Family Traveller was a guest of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives.