The Maldive Islands’ promotional script describes the area thus:

“ The Maldives consist of a myriad of little islands, about two hundred of which are inhabited, and these are engulfed into twenty six natural atolls.  They straddle the equator with the appearance of a garland of little gems haphazardly abandoned in the crystal clear waters on the Indian Ocean.  The concept is one resort per island, each resort has a shallow yet brilliant blue lagoon and is surrounded by a coral reef.  The islands themselves are blessed with relatively deserted beaches of the softest powder white sand, with a backdrop of gently swaying palms.  Below the ocean is a world apart, truly amazing with over nine hundred species of exotic fish.  The splendours of the underwater life include turtles, sharks, dolphins, whales, stingrays, moray eels, and manta rays.  Anyone seeking the ultimate island hideaway, then the Maldives is for them. “

A little flowery, but very accurate!  The Maldives is a truly beautiful place.

The educational trip comprised seven nights on the islands, and I made the following observations, and hotel / resort reports.

If organised nightlife is what you are looking for, you are unlikely to find it here.  Some hotels have an occasional band or cultural show, but if it is peace you seek you won't find a better location.

Whilst the hotels do serve alcohol, you are prohibited from bringing this into the Maldives even for personal consumption.  Nudism and topless sunbathing are prohibited throughout the Maldives.

The Maldives are popular year round, but the peak season is November to April, when the days are generally bright and sunny and the seas are calm.  May to July can have higher rainfall and sea swells, but days without sun are rare.

Two centre holidays are popular, either two islands on different atolls or with Sri Lanka or even Dubai.

Transfers – depending on the location island, the transfer from Male Airport will be either seaplane or speedboat, both of which would be on a shared basis.  Sea planes only operate in daylight hours.

British Airways operate a direct service from Gatwick three times a week using a Boeing 777;  there is a choice of three cabins:  Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (enhanced economy), and World Traveller (economy).

• World Traveller offers seat back video screens and a seat pitch of 31”.
• World Traveller Plus gives a quieter and more spacious cabin with 7” more leg room and greater seat recline.
• Club World:  your time is your own, you have the flexibility to sleep in a fully flat bed, work or simply relax.

Interesting Fact:  some islands are an hour in advance of Male – this is called Holiday Time.  It is used to give a later sunset, and also helps with the timings of some of the longer transfers.

Hotel report:  Banyan Tree – Vabbinfaru

Aptly referred to as a sanctuary for the senses, the accommodation consists of forty eight conical, thatched roofed villas each on has a four poster bed, open terrace, private garden and a recessed sitting area with day bed.  A member of the leading hotels of the world, the Banyan Tree is a wonderfully exclusive tropical hideaway with charm.  Attention to detail is second to none.  Our group spent one night here and we all felt a great fondness for this little boutique island.  Note however that there is no swimming pool.

Location:                    Vabbinfaru on North Male Atoll

Transfer:                     20 minutes by speedboat.

Rooms:                       48: Beachfront Villas, Deluxe Beachfront Villas, Oceanview Villas, Deluxe Ocean View Villa and a Vabbinfaru Villa.

Restaurants:              2

Bars:                           1

Water activities:              windsurfing, canoeing, snorkeling, Hobie Cats, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, water skiing, catamarans, fun tubes, glass bottom boats and sea plane excursions.

Land activities:             Volleyball, table tennis and board games.

Spa:                            Banyan Tree Spa.

The Banyan Tree also has a yacht – the Banyan Velaa.  One or two night Itineraries can be arranged taking in parts of North and South Male Atoll.

Interesting Fact:  you can travel light, because all of the following are supplied by the hotel – flip flops, all toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion of the highest standards, toothbrushes and toothpaste, beach bags.

Hotel report:  Angsana Ihuru

One of the most picturesque islands in the Indian Ocean, Ihuru is a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered.  With palm-fringed beaches surrounded by one of the most vibrant and well preserved coral house reef. The resort encourages guests to be involved in turtle monitoring, reef cleaning or barnacle building, or marine biology classes. The hotel is based on a fusion of Asian, Mediterranean and Maldivian tastes. No swimming pool

Location:                    Ihuru on North Male Atoll

Transfer:                     20 minutes by speedboat

Rooms:                       45 Villas dotting the circumference of the island, open directly onto the beach. All villas are furnished with thatched roofs and private gardens, 25 of the villas have an open air jet pool.

Restaurants:              1

Bars:                           1

Water activities:            Scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and canoeing, island hopping, night fishing.

Land activities:            Cooking School

Spa:                            Angsana Spa.

Hotel report:  Constance Halaveli Resort.

Opened in 2009, it is a place where you can relax and regenerate in overwhelming peacefulness.  You are near three of the best diving sites in the Maldives.  All villas have their own plunge pool and are located on the beach, sea facing or over the water.  Hotel has a complimentary Childrens Club and operates a golf cart taxi service, very useful if you are staying in the water villas.

We spent two nights here.  This was very different from the first night;  we were all very tired, and I did struggle to settle in at first.  The hotel is very modern, including a ‘state of the art’ audio / visual system in the room which I dare not touch!

Location:                    North Ari Atoll, west of the main atoll of Male

Transfer:                     25 minutes by seaplane from Male

Rooms:                       86, Water Villas, Beach Villas, Double Storey Villas and a Presidential Beach Villa.

Restaurants:              3

Bars:                           3

Water activities:            Diving, fishing, non-motorised water sports.

Land activities:            Gym, yoga, meditation point and tennis.

Spa:                            Spa with Jacuzzi, chill pool, and hair salon.

Interesting Fact:  the snorkeling around the resort was not that good.

Hotel report:  Constance Moofushi Resort

Newly opened in November 2010, regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world.  Due to the newness of the hotel I felt it needs a little extra time to weather in.  It looked a little spartan, with not much shade, however in time it will weather and the plants will grow and it will look as though it belongs on the Atoll.  This resort is All-Inclusive.

Location:                    South Ari Atoll

Transfer:                     25 minutes by seaplane from Male

Rooms:                       110 – Beach Villa, Water Villa and Senior Water Villa.

Restaurants:              2

Bars:                           3

Water activities:            Non-motorised water sport, top cat, pedal boats, windsurfing, Kayak and snorkeling, excursion with equipment included.  Payable Sunset Cruise on a traditional Dhoni, dolphin Search, night fishing and scuba diving.

Land Activities:            Gym, Yoga Pavilion.

Spa:                            Spa de Constance – 8 treatment rooms.

Children:                     Baby sitting, childrens’ menu in all restaurants.

Hotel report:  Filitheyo

Filitheyo is a tranquil resort and has a particular appeal to the diving fraternity and those yearning for peace and privacy.  The resort exudes rustic charm and blends harmoniously into the natural habitat.

Location:                    Faafu Atoll

Transfer:                     35 minutes by seaplane and a short speedboat of ten minutes to the island.

Rooms:                       125:  Superior Villas, Family Villas, Deluxe Villas and Water Villas.

Restaurants:              2

Bars:                           2

Water activities:            Big game and night fishing, windsurfing, sailboats, catamarans, canoeing, snorkeling and diving.

Land activities:            Gym, beach volley ball, snooker, table tennis.

Spa:                            The Filitheyo Spa.

All-Inclusive is available.

Hotel report:  Medhufushi Island Resort

This elongated island is surrounded by dazzling white beaches and guests can find welcome shade among the untouched tropical vegetation of palm trees and mangroves.  The resort is an ideal setting for first-time time divers.  The thatched roof villas crafted in traditional Maldivian style, bedroom designed in natural timber, guest have a choice between Beach and Water Villas.  There is also an over water spa that specialises in Asian-inspired treatments.

Location:                    Meemu Atoll

Transfer:                     40 minutes by seaplane from Male

Rooms:                       112: Beach Villas, Family Villas, Beach Villas Suites, Water Villas, and 2 Lagoon Suites (Honeymoon).

Restaurant:                2

Bar:                             1

Water activities:            Diving, waterskiing, surfing, catamaran sailing, is snorkeling.

Land activities:            Gym, table tennis, beach volleyball, board games, disco twice a week.

Spa:                            Over Water Spa.

We spent two nights here, and were looked after very well.  However this hotel is at best Four Star, or more like 3.5.  The service was not as good as the others we saw, and you were allocated a table to eat at in the restaurant which had a canteen feel.  However, the food was very good.  Filitheyo is in the same group and the ambience is very similar.

Hotel report:  Huvafen Fushi by Per Aquum

On arrival at Male airport after being greeted by your ‘Thakura’ or Maldivian Butler, a quick cruise, skimming across the azure sea will prepare you for a magnificent escape into paradise.  Huvafen Fushi is a naturalists wonderland where the stunning environment above and below water is an attraction in itself. The resort is dedicated to delivering an experience beyond each customer’s wildest dream whilst remaining dedicated to the sustainable development of the resources of the Maldives.

Location:                    North Male Atoll

Transfer:                     30 minutes by speedboat from Male

Rooms:                       43: Beach bungalows, Ocean Pavilion, Beach Pavilion and the Cube.

Restaurant:                5

Bar:                             1

Water activities:            Lonu Veyo – outdoor saltwater flotation pool, private sand bank, Water Sports centre, complimentary non motorized water sports.

Land activities:            Yoga Pavilion, over water gym, library.

Spa:                            LIME – The world first underwater spa.

We visited Huvafen Fushi for lunch and a hotel show-around.  I was instantly taken with the hotel from the moment we were met at Male Airport, and the underwater spa is out of this world.

Hotel Report:   Taj Coral Reef

Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef reopened in August 2009 with a new makeover.  Chic and comfortable with levels of service you would expect from the Taj group. Vivanta is a lead in Five Star product.  The hotel boasts one of the best spots for diving and snorkeling with its own in house reef and shipwreck.

Location:                    Hembadhu North Male Atoll

Transfer:                     50 minutes by speedboat from Male.

Rooms:                       62: Beach Villa, Deluxe Beach Villa, Deluxe Water Villa and Beach suite.

Land activities:            Table Tennis Football, pool, tennis.

Spa:                            Jiva Spa

We spent one night at this hotel enjoyed my time here and wished it could have been longer.

Hotel report:  Taj Exotica Resort and Spa

Recently refurbished, the Taj Exotica offers a level of luxury rarely found in today’s world, an exclusive retreat just 20 minutes from Male.  There is a choice of stunning lagoon Villas with private sun deck luxuriously styled Beach Villas. Their catch phrase is, ‘Yes bliss could be a place’!

Location:                    On Emboodhu Finolhu Island, South male Atoll.

Transfer:                     15 to 20 minutes by luxury speedboat.

Rooms:                       64 : Lagoon Villa, Deluxe Lagoon Villa with Pool, Deluxe Beach Villa with Pool, Premium Beach Villa with Pool, Lagoon Suite with Pool, Beach Villa Suite and the Rehendi Presidential Villa.

Restaurant:                2

Bars:                           1

Water activities:            Diving, snorkeling, water skiing, wind surfing, catamarans, fishing.

Land activities:            Volleyball, billiards, indoor games room, football.

Spa:                            Jiva Grande Spa

Our last night was spent in this resort and although the whole resort is out of this world, I was concerned at the close proximity to Male and its airport.  Although the airport is not busy, you are on the flight path and as you can clearly see the sky line of Male, it rather spoils the desert island feel.