The vibe: This idyllic 120-villa resort, a part of AccorHotels, is a 50-minute seaplane ride from Malé. Check into one of their luxurious Tented Jungle Villas, which are set amid lush surroundings, and take in the starlit sky from the privacy of your plunge pool or the large outdoor bathtub built for two.
The activities: Spend your days kayaking or snorkelling off the resort’s reef, where you can spot sea turtles and manta rays as they lazily swim by. Or take off for a private picnic on one of the resort’s neighbouring islands, where you’ll be left alone to spend the day on a sandbank and swim to your heart’s content, before tucking into a gourmet meal. And if you want to immerse yourself in local culture, visit the neighbouring island of Utheemu, where you can learn about the island nation’s history.
The food: The overwater Japanese restaurant Kata serves Kaiseki set menus, Robatayaki-style fare, and of course, sushi and sashimi. Azure is all about fresh seafood, and a meal here entails the daily catch paired with fine wine (the Maldivian tuna curry is a must try). After dinner, make a pit stop at the gorgeous all-bamboo poolside bar Onu Onu for a nightcap and a walk on the beach.
Don’t leave without: A little self-indulgence at Willow Stream Spa, which offers massages, facials and Ayurvedic treatments. Try the Coconut Experience, an authentic Maldivian therapy that begins with full-body exfoliation, followed by a rub-down, warm healing stones, and finally, a wrap. Or opt for the Caviar Marine Facial, which harnesses the anti-aging potential of caviar protein, coupled with an algae-based sheet mask that will leave you radiant.
