REVIEWS
The Maldives
LOCATION: A 40-minute seaplane ride south of Malé in the bright, topaz-ringed Dhaalu Atoll.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Touching down in a seaplane on the shores of this remote isle had me feeling a little like James Bond. Visually, it was stunning: all tropical palms edging glaring white sand and glowing turquoise waters, with forested, sandy trails leading to secluded villas.
THE FACTS: The resort is split across two interconnected islands, with 134 villas and pavilions, including beachfront and overwater options. One of the islands, aptly called ‘Chill’, focuses on relaxation, with a spa featuring six overwater spa treatment rooms; the other, ‘Play’, is all about fun, with tennis courts, a Padi dive centre, surf school and other water sports. My beach villa on Chill was ultra-modern, with shiny wooden furnishings, Bose surround speakers and an open-air bathroom with outdoor shower. French doors opened out onto private decking with its own little infinity pool, and the beach was metres from my bed.
EXPLORE: There’s a lot to do here. I tried everything from parasailing to jetskiing, sunset-sailing to dolphin watching, fun- tubing to sea bobbing. There’s also windsurfing, kitesurfing,
kayaking and waterskiing, and the resort lays claim to being the only island in the Maldives with surfable waves that break directly onto the beach. For the less energetic, there are cooking classes, cocktail-making lessons and excursions. Most guests get around on bike, and I quickly got used to cycling along the trails, breeze in my face, barefoot and carefree.
WOW: As well as the activities, the food was a highlight. There’s a real emphasis on the experience, with standouts including an Afro-Latin themed restaurant where you’re welcomed by a Maasai warrior; an underwater eatery where you dine surrounded by colourful fish; and a fine-dining restaurant set half a kilometre out in the ocean. There’s also a cool, chilled-out surf shack serving Caribbean cocktails, and other trendy bars that draw a hip crowd. But my favourite spot was Nest, an Asian-fusion restaurant serving sushi, spicy-sweet satay and other dishes in a romantic, lit-up setting that has long lingered in the memory – much like this resort as a whole.
BOOK IT: Room rates start at $483 per room per night for a Beach Villa with breakfast, based on two sharing.
NIYAMA.COM Laura French
114 ASPIRE FEBRUARY 2019
aspiretravelclub.co.uk
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