If you and your partner are in need of a well-earned break to escape the rat run and switch off from everyday life, then the Maldives could be just for you. With crystal clear waters, beautiful sunsets and palm-fringed beaches, it's the perfect place to unwind, relax and catch up on a few Z’s. There are an estimated 1200 coral islands to choose from in the Indian Ocean, which is why we’ve whittled it down to our favourite resort so all the hard work is done for you. All you need to do is arrive and put your feet up.
THE PLACE TO STAY: The luxurious Club Med’s Finolhu Villas. This couples only resort is located on the beautiful (and tiny) island of Gasfinolhu which is only a half an hour boat ride from Male airport. There are only 52 villas on the island, and you can go an entire day without seeing another soul if you so wish, making it the perfect place to spend some serious one on one time with your other half. The villas are Eco-friendly and there are three tiers: sunrise, sunset and water villas. We stayed in a sunset villa, which had its own private beach and plunge pool, where we enjoyed a G&T or two every night while we watched the sun go down. And the sun sets are really something to behold. If you want a more lively vibe one night, Club Med’s Kani resort is only a five minute boat ride away where there are two more restaurants and lots going on.
THE VIBE: The name of the game here is to relax. From the moment you step foot on the island you will feel completely detached from everyday life and as if you are in the middle of nowhere – which you are! On arrival we were whisked off to our villa by our private butler Ryan, who was on hand the entire week to help with our every need. This included everything from taking our breakfast order (which we ate private plunge poolside every day), getting some complimentary glasses of champagne delivered to our room and even organising a spa treatment. You can have treatments in the comfort of your own villa, but we’d recommend going to the spa on site. Massages take place in a treatment room which has a glass floor so you can watch the fish swimming about below! You can then relax on a sunbed looking out to sea while enjoying a cup of jasmine tea. The chilled vibe doesn’t end there. There are twice daily yoga classes on the beach – at sunrise and at sunset – which anyone can take part in. And each villa has its own plunge pool, outdoor and indoor bathrooms, and king size bed. If you can tear yourself away from your private villa for an hour, the island also has an infinity pool where drinks are complimentary and afternoon tea is served every day.
MUST DO: The sea in the Maldives is like nothing you will have experienced before. The cobalt blue water is so clear that you can see wildlife swimming about in the shallows when you’re standing on the beach minding your own business. You will definitely see schools of tropical fish as well as sharks – FYI they are not dangerous, we checked! You will also almost definitely see a ray, and you might even see an eel or a turtle. The best way to get a glimpse of the sealife is to go on one of the twice daily snorkeling trips, which are complimentary. We’d recommend going first thing when the water is clearer. Unbelievable. Finolhu also offers scuba diving as well as jet skiing which costs from £144 for 30 minutes.
THE WEATHER NOW: Seriously hot. The Maldives are warm all year round. Peak season is December – April when it can reach 30°C. The rainy season begins in May and carries through to November.
EAT AND DRINK: Being a Club Med resort, the resort is all-inclusive. So you can drink and eat to your heart’s content. Great, hey? All drinks are complimentary at the poolside bar – even champagne in the evenings. The island’s restaurant is called Motu which is set on stilts over the water. At lunch there are four different stations serving amazing sushi, various fish courses, meat dishes and pastas. By night it has a four-course a la carte menu which changes daily. If you fancy something a bit different, head over to Kani where they have a buffet restaurant as well as its own a la carte venue.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MY RETURN: To feel totally and utterly relaxed, with an amazing tan. You'll also have a desperate urge to get back there as soon as you can!
THE LOWDOWN: A seven-night stay in a one-bedroom (maximum two adults) villa at The Finolhu Villas costs from £3,362 in July including international flights from London and transfers for two people. Transfers to and from Malé airport take 40 minutes by boat and are included if you book a package.
