The Maldives is an archipelago of more than 1,100 islands, so it may be difficult to pick a resort. Nick Easen gives a round-up of the top spots
With more than 80 Maldivian resorts to choose from it’s difficult to know which one is best.
They can be broken down into three main categories: dive, holiday and luxury resorts. Dive resorts are often found in the far-flung atolls and are aimed at people who want to spend time underwater. However, facilities on land can be limited.
Holiday resorts are designed primarily for families and have more facilities, including crèches and a number of restaurants. You can also expect less privacy and not as much luxury. Most are located on Kaafu, with easy access to the capital Male and the main airport, and this region covers North and South Male Atoll.
Then there are luxury resorts for the jet-set crowd and honeymooners. Think bungalows by the beach, secluded spots, infinity pools, gourmet food, large LCD TVs
and price tags to match.
Here is our pick of the bunch.
J Resort Handhufushi
Perfect for: Maldivian culture
Why? You can either try a resort that’s a quick boat ride from Male, which has narrow alleyways, the decorative Grand Friday mosque and cafes that serve spicy fish soup – or you can visit J Resort Handhufushi, which is a 70-minute flight from the capital.
This resort is as far south as you can go, near the island of Gan. Here there’s a Second World War base put up by the British and the longest road in the Maldives – 11 miles.
Thomson Worldwide programme director Lesley Rollo said: “There is a causeway linking many islands together and it’s great for cycling and visiting local villages.” The resort is also on the same island as a fishing village.
Sample product: Thomson Worldwide offers seven nights from £1,479 per person. The price includes half-board accommodation and flights from Heathrow with Qatar Airways (020 8939 5408, thomsonworldwide.co.uk).
Iru Fushi Beach and Spa Resort
Perfect for: Getting active
Why? Think wakeboarding, windsurfing, waterskiing, catamaran sailing and canoeing. Iru Fushi is one of the few registered kitesurfing schools in the Maldives.
It’s also the first tourist development on Noonu Atoll and only opened this year. If you want a fresh take on an old destination, this could be it. There are 180 rooms, two pools, five restaurants and a kids’ club. There is top-notch diving with untouched reef and coral at virgin dive sites.
Zulaikha Manik, general manager sales and marketing for the resort, said: “At rush hour, passing traffic can include large jack fish, turtles, eagle rays, tuna, barracuda and schooling red snappers.”
Sample product: First Choice is offering 14 nights’ half-board accommodation for £1,815 per person. Price includes return flights from Gatwick and seaplane transfers (0871 200 4455, firstchoice.co.uk).
Conrad Maldives Rangali
Perfect for: Loved-up couples
Why? It’s got to be Conrad Maldives Rangali because of the sheer number of options for those who want to get married, renew their vows or just be romantic.
There’s a dedicated ‘island host’ to help you choose one of the four ‘Renewal of Love’ ceremonies. Try an underwater wedding complete with white dress, or an undersea ceremony in the world’s only glass underwater chapel, or you san simply be showered with rice on the beach.
The resort general manager Carsten Schieck said: “There are also lots of private dining options, including sunset cruises, as well as desert island excursions for
those who want to get away.”
Sample product: Tropical Sky offers seven nights here for £1,999 per person. The price includes bed and breakfast, flights from Heathrow with SriLankan Airlines, seaplane transfers, including access to an exclusive airport lounge at Male (0870 9079 605, tropicalsky.co.uk).
Kuredu Island Resort
Perfect for: Golf lovers
Why? The second largest tourist island has a six-hole golf pitch and putt course with a driving range – a rare commodity in an archipelago of tiny islands.
The good thing is that Kuredu Island Resort has a variety of facilities for families so they can keep themselves occupied while their significant other practises their golf swing.
There is a library, tennis courts and nightly entertainment. “This resort is also popular with divers and is within easy reach of 45 spectacular sites,” said Kuoni product manager for the region Linda Pedler.
Sample product: Kuoni offers seven nights on an all-inclusive basis in a garden bungalow from £1,110 per person, including flights with SriLankan Airlines from Heathrow (01306 740 888, kuoni.co.uk).
Banyan Tree Madivaru
Perfect for: Barefoot luxury
Why? The Banyan Tree name conjures up luxury and that’s exactly what you get, from in-villa dining to a Turkish sailing yacht that takes you out to uninhabited islands.
Mohamed Jihad, general manager of Banyan Tree Madivaru, said: “Island hosts are naturally available around the clock to attend to guests’ needs.”
Sample product: Carrier offers seven nights’ full-board accommodation from £6,195 per person including return flights on Qatar Airways and seaplane transfers (0161 491 7600, carrier.co.uk).
