Discover the Luxury of Maldives through villas, lush nature and tropical beaches

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This Indian Ocean paradise provides holidaymakers with a pampered castaway experience

As I snorkelled across the lagoon, our guide, Ali, beckoned us towards a school of vibrant oriental sweetlips, their yellow fins and monochrome stripes providing a stark contrast against the turquoise sea.

And as we drifted past the coral reef, we were enchanted by a display of brightly coloured parrotfish, surgeonfish and clownfish before being circled by an inquisitive spotted eagle ray.

But the highlight was the sudden appearance of a sea turtle, swimming gracefully below me – the first of many magical moments on this trip of a lifetime to the Maldives.

This Indian Ocean paradise, comprising more than 1,000 coral islands, grouped in a double chain of 26 atolls, provides holidaymakers with a pampered castaway experience.

My partner and I arrived by speedboat at the Amari Havodda resort in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the south of the Maldives, and were greeted by friendly staff who attended to our every need during our blissful
It’s the perfect choice for romantic getaways – especially for honeymooners and those wanting to pop the question. But it’s also ideal if, like me, you’re looking for an excuse to slow down, bask in the sunshine and indulge in some much-needed R&R.

The resort, which opened earlier this year, has 120 villas with six different types to choose from, so there’s something to suit everyone. We opted to stay in a Sunset Beach Pool Villa, enjoying the combination of being a stone’s throw away from the sea but with our own plunge pool for added privacy.

You can also divide your stay between two villa types (overwater and beach) to experience the best of both worlds. Whatever you choose, all of the villas are contemporary, spacious, comfortable and air-conditioned – much needed when the sun is at its highest.

Due to its tropical climate, the Maldives is blessed with warm temperatures all year round. The dry season officially runs from January to March, but people flock here at all times.

This is the perfect choice for romantic getaways

The small island, which you can walk around in about 15 minutes, is lush with natural fauna and palm trees – the national tree of the Maldives. Such is their abundance that coconuts feature in many dishes at the Amaya Food Gallery.

Menus change daily and there are a variety of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including vegetable tempura, exotic curries and grilled meats. The waiters are genuinely the kindest I have ever met – ours, Ismail, demonstrated his talents by making me a beautiful starfish necklace out of palm leaves.

For an extra special treat, book a table at Ember Robatayaki, a Japanese restaurant on the northern shore (you can book a buggy to take you there but it’s not necessary, as everything is within walking distance). As we arrived, our chef informed us that he was, in fact,

Sri Lankan, but you would never have guessed it from the authenticity of the dishes. Snapper and Wagyu beef were charcoal-grilled to perfection in front of us, and sushi platters were also served. We somehow managed to find room for a delicious green tea chocolate parfait with mango, coconut and green tea jelly.

There’s a gym at the Fit Centre if you need to work off some extra pounds, but we opted for sunset yoga instead. While looking out over the horizon, we attempted to stretch into the vinyasa yoga positions with the encouragement of our teacher. Afterwards, we rewarded our hard work with astrology-themed cocktails at Thari Bar while gazing at the stars.



You’ll be spoilt for choice with a plethora of water sport activities, too. Spot dolphins on a sunset cruise aboard a traditional Maldivian dhoni, or, if you’re a thrill-seeker, feel the wind in your hair during a jet ski ride.

We decided to flex our arm muscles and paddled out in a glass-bottom kayak for two, catching sight of angelfish when we stopped for a breather.

If you overdo the water sports and need to soothe away any aches and pains, then book a treatment at the Breeze Spa. Choosing a serene mood massage, I lay back and let my body and mind unwind as my therapist kneaded away my knots.

Afterwards my partner and I soaked in a petal-strewn Jacuzzi before being served a healthy vegetarian dinner for two.

While sipping a peach Bellini at Iru Bar on our last night, I said my goodbyes to this little piece of paradise as the sun disappeared into the horizon. It’s a destination that had me completely under its spell.

Luxury villas, lush nature and tropical beaches: Discover the Maldives

Ten things you must do in the Maldives

1. Dip your feet in the water while dining under the stars at Amari Havodda’s sunken pool.
2. Book a cooking lesson and learn how to make authentic Maldivian food.
3. Make a splash in the infinity pool, one of the largest in the Maldives.
4.  Learn how to make a “fresh fit” cocktail at a cocktail-making class and sip the finished result from a coconut shell.
5. Watch a romantic movie, eat popcorn and feel the sand beneath your feet during weekly movie nights.
6. See the wonders of the deep from the comfort of a glass-bottom kayak.
7. Lie back and relax during a massage at the Breeze Spa and come away feeling tip top.
8. Pop on a wetsuit and go scuba diving on the beautiful house reef.
9. Catch the wind during a windsurfing lesson or have a go at stand-up paddling. 
10. Sit on a sun lounger and read a book without any interruptions.