7 Reasons To Visit Dusit Thani Maldives

Of all the resorts I've reviewed in the Maldives (and that's most of them), Dusit Thani is in my personal Top Five. Here I'll tell you what makes it so special...

A stunning resort offering a unique combination of Thai and Maldivian hospitality! Photo: Dusit Thani

The other day I wrote about why Four Seasons Maldives has a special place in my heart but although it's considerably less pricey than FS, Dusit Thani Maldives has very good game if you're looking for a five-star resort in the Maldives. Let me tell you why: 

1) You don't need to be a Kardashian to afford to stay at Dusit Thani Maldives

It's a more affordable option for those who don't want to compromise on world-class luxury and service. 'But wait', you might be asking, 'Aren't all Maldives resorts basically the same: white sand, turquoise sea, luxury water villas...'. Sure, choosing between Maldives resorts can sometimes feel like choosing your favourite KitKat out of a box of KitKats (or something funnier)...But hopefully in this blog I can help explain the nuances. Here's the thing with Dusit Thani. It's in the lower half of five star range (compared to the $50,000 a night suite at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, for example). But it's still a very solid Maldives five star resort. I'll tell you why in more detail this post. 

Contemporary Thai decor in one of Dusit Thani Maldive's beach villas. Photo: Dusit Thani

2) Thai Charm and Hospitality, in the Maldives

‘Sawasdee Kaa!’-  this is how the personal butlers greet you at the seaplane jetty with the classic Thai hand gesture and a slight bow. It's the start of a unique journey where guests experience a combination of Asian cultures: Thai hospitality meets the natural beauty of the Maldives, with everything running like clockwork thanks to the excellent Thai, Maldivian and international staff. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming, the management clearly made an effort to train everyone. (You'd be surprised how many big resorts fail on this).

The stunning beach and water villas are in mint condition, since the resort only opened in 2012 (I was lucky enough to be amongst the media invited along to road-test it and revisted many times since). The villas are decorated in a contemporary Thai style - subdued tones with subtle nods to the resort's Thai ownership (Dusit Thani is a well-respected brand in Thailand), such as beautiful Thai silk curtains and traditional artwork on the walls. 

The accommodation also delivers exactly what you want from a Maldives resort: private sundecks, infinity-edge plunge pools with wow factor, beautiful bathrooms and the obligatory romantic bathtubs big enough for two. Artwork in the restaurants and bars provide hints of Thai culture, but the thatched roofs pay homage to Maldivian traditions.

It's hard to find a better spa in the region than the Devarana Spa and its super-talented, lovely staff. Photo: Dusit Thani

3) One of the best spas in the region

Wait, while I'm still on the subject of Thai hospitality, did you know they have one of the most beautiful spas in the Maldives? And it's not a case of style over substance either, the Devarana Spa at Dusit Thani is the only spa in the Maldives entirely staffed by Thai massage therapists, who are some of the best in the country. 

Devarana Spa is a highly-regarded Thai spa chain. The actual building is an extensive private treehouse. The heavenly-looking white treatment rooms are linked by wooden walkways high up in the trees. Inside they are gleaming havens of tranquility. If you can, try the Devarana Signature Massage that combines Thai, Shiatsu and Ayurveda techniques with Swedish and Aromatherapy influences...I'm drooling just thinking about it! 

Benjarong Restaurant: A real treat for anyone who loves Thai food! Photo: Dusit Thani

4) While we're talking about indulgences: Thai cuisine!

As we all know, Thai cusine is some of the most delicious in the world. At Dusit Thani Maldives you can find a range of restaurants with international cusine but the jewel in its crown is the stunning Thai signature restaurant suspended over the ocean, named Benjarong.

Benjarong is staffed by Thai chefs and waiters and offers truly authentic Thai cusine and service. All of the classic Thai dishes we all love, such as chicken with cashew nuts and green curry are available, as well as some less well-known options. Benjarong hangs directly over the ocean, and above it on the next deck is the Sala Bar. You can head there for an after-dinner cocktail such as a lychee mojito to enjoy the incredible views over the ocean and a hip lounge atmosphere. 

So many restaurants and bars in the Maldives stand on platforms over lagoons but at Dusit Thani there are no less than four separate spacious dining decks over the water. 

The beautiful infinity swimming pool is lit up by LEDs at night. Photo: Dusit Thani

5) Infinity pool and gourmet steaks 

I'm putting these two together as one because they relate to the same location. If you enjoy a quality steak, then you must check out Sea Grill, which is next to the beautiful freeform infinity pool (I didn't know what a freeform pool was either before I started writing about the Maldives for a living: It means it's a soft shape; not a square or rectangle). 

The interior of Sea Grill - or better yet, catch the breeze on the terrace

One of the prides of Dusit Thani Maldives is the 750sqm freeform infinity swimming pool, which is built around an ancient banyan tree. It was one of the largest infinity swimming pools in the Maldives and the only one with a beautiful tree in it (before Amilla Fushi arrived on the scene a couple of years later) and at night the water is brought to life by dozens of twinkling LED lights.

Sea Grill serves fresh seafood but in my opinion the superbly-grilled, juicy, grass-fed Wagyu Australian steaks are incredible. During the day time, you can chill at Sea Grill and watch the infinite turquoise ocean and at night the tiny colourful lights in the bottom of the pool create some magic.

The house reef is in pretty good condition and diving/snorkeling in the Baa Atoll area is excellent. Photo: Dusit Thani

6) An eco-friendly ethos

A lot of 'greenwashing' happens around the world but a few years ago I investigated what luxury resorts in Baa Atoll, including Dusit Thani Maldives, are doing in terms of conservation and environmental work. The good news is that Dusit Thani is doing a lot of genuinely impressive work on that front. 

The main focus of all of the eco-initiatives at Dusit Thani Maldives is on the marine environment. The resort’s marine biologist offers guests regular talks about the huge range of marine species like turtles, rays and dolphins in the area, and leads guided turtle and manta-spotting trips where she informs guests about the species and the importance of conservation. The marine biology team is experimenting with coral-planting in the lagoon to mitigate the impact of coral bleaching in the immediate area and a small amount of damage which was an inevitable result of the resort’s construction.

They also grow vegetables and herbs on the site and have their own desalinated water bottling plant  to reduce the amount they have to import (almost everything in the Maldives is flown in or shipped in), plus they recycle bottles and glass and re-use them on pathways and as mosaics. 

The island's natural beauty is another thing that makes it special. Photo: Dusit Thani

7) The beautiful natural environment

As I said earlier, I'm hoping to explain some of the nuances. There are 26 atolls in the Maldives, and Baa Atoll is one of my favourites. How do they differ? In more ways than you can imagine! From the depth of the water in the atolls (which affects many things including the diving and marine life) to how close they are to Male (you may notice more planes overhead, commercial boats passing by out at sea, etc). 

 A unique feature of the oval-shaped island is that the vibrant coral reef completely surrounds it, unbroken by a natural lagoon.Small, delicate paintings on the walls and contemporary works of art in the restaurant and bars give subtle hints of Thai artistry in the resort, but the thatched roofs and wooden walls pay homage to the Maldivian traditions.

Baa Atoll, where Dusit Thani is located, is a UNECO World Biosphere Reserve, recognised for the importance and diversity of its marine life and protected for future generations. And just around Dusit Thani's vibrant house reef itself you'll find abundant marine life including Hawksbill turtles, brilliantly-coloured fish, soft corals and some huge table corals too. 

As for the island, it's a perfectly oval-shaped island encircled by a beach of icing-sugar soft sand. (Again, nuances! Some beaches are full of dead coral and one in the far north is really rocky!). The beach stretches all the way around the island (again, not all of them do), and you can walk all the way around the island uninterrupted (some resorts block off part of the beach for a private staff area). 

Some final points about Dusit Thani Maldives: 

This was my private open-air bathroom on one occasion I visited, complete with plunge pool. Photo: Sarah Harvey

• The villas are full of modern technology including complimentary Wi-Fi, cable TV and a Bose surround sound entertainment system, not to mention private wine coolers filled with wine and champagne. The minibar snacks include some Thai treats, including delicious spicy lemongrass crackers!

• 15 of the 46 Beach Villas have small private pools in the outdoor bathrooms but they are rather tight on space, as there is no-where to lie after a soak. However, the huge pools of the two-bedroom Beach Residences are impressively large; perfect for a big family.

• The Lagoon Villas and Ocean Villas all provide incredible sea views and the fantastic reef is just a stone’s throw away. Those who prefer to be closer to the sand will find the Lagoon Villas are a better bet.

• Activities and excursions include wine tasting on a sandbank, fishing, sunset champagne cruises, monitoring turtles nesting, yoga classes, and snorkeling with resident marine biologist.

One last look! Photo: Dusit Thani

Loama Resort Maldives: From History to Whale Sharks!

Hooray! A Maldives resort that genuinely showcases the cultural heritage of the country in a way that's interesting to guests! What's more, Loama Maldives Resort at Maamigili has something else up it's sleeve and the clue is in the name: Maamigili is one of the top spots in the country for observing whale sharks. 

Culture and sun-worshipping don't usually go hand in hand!

I don't know about you but just those two facts alone were enough to get me excited about Loama. And it gets better...

This is teardrop-shaped island lying in Raa Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane ride from the international airport. It's 100 hectares of a delightful paradise. The island tapers off into a stunning sandbank you can stroll along. If you're looking for a balance between luxury and culture, look no further.

The resort has all usual the trappings of an entry-level five star Maldives resort. By saying 'entry-level' I don't intend to sound condescending, what I mean is it has a high level of amenities and service but in the Maldives there can be a great deal of disparity between five stars, this is the country where you can pay $200 a night or $50,000 a night for a five star resort.

The colours really are this amazing in reality...

So, at Loama you can find luxurious beach and water villas, excellent service and superb cuisine, just like one might expect at any five-star resort. However, Loama offers a cultural experience currently unlike anything else in the Maldives, which is excellent for anyone wanting to see a new side of the Maldives.

Starting at the beginning...Accommodation

Very attractive interiors

The water villas fan out across the water, each with private direct access into the sea, while the beach villas are nestled on the powdery white sand, surrounded by lush tropical foliage. All of the villas are beautifully furnished with contemporary amenities, local artwork and the modern facilities including Nespresso machines, flatscreen TVs and DVD players. A few of the features, such as the room decor and main dining pavilion, seem to have been inspired by the villas at Four Seasons (in my mind anyway) and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. One of the nice features of the water villas is a hammock slung over the water.

The range of restaurants include a spectacular poolside dining venue, Iru Café, all-day beachside dining with flavours from around the world at Fazaa and the gorgeous fine dining restaurant, Thundi, featuring authentic Thai cuisine accompanied by wines from the adjacent wine cellar...













The juicy bit...History!

Loama Resort is the only place outside of the capital city with a licence from the government for a museum, packed full of fascinating artefacts discovered on the island and surrounding area, from 17^th Century Chinese pottery brought by ancient traders; traditional clothing and even drinking tankards used by the Portuguese during their time governing the Maldives. 

One of the highlights is the archaeological remains of two traditional Buddhist ceremonial baths dating back to before the 11^th Century (which was when the country converted to Islam). There are very few surviving Buddhist relics in the Maldives so this is really unique and rare. 

A traditional Maldivian home with carved wooden wall panels and a coconut thatch roof has been recreated to give guests a taste of how islands used to look centuries ago. There are also fascinating cultural tours to neighbouring islands where guests can discover about the way of life in Maldivian communities, and the Loama Art Gallery featuring work by talented local artists.

A lot of thought and care was put into all of these cultural offerings (unlike some other resorts which merely pay lipservice to them), so it's refreshing and exciting to see that Loama is unlike any others. 

The ancient bath from the Maldives' Buddhist days...

Back to the usual resort stuff...

For a change of pace, check out the Watersports Centre which offers a host of exciting watersports including jet-skiing, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling. The attractive house reef is home to all kinds of colourful tropical fish, with the occasional stingray or baby shark gliding through from time to time. 

Adjacent to the Watersports Centre is the TGI Dive Centre, offering a five star diving service. Guests can book full day or half-day scuba diving excursions or learn to dive in the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon. The beautiful infinity-edge swimming pool provides further entertainment for water-lovers.

The Sunset Champagne Cruise

Other excursions available include fishing trips and a romantic sunset dolphin cruise, accompanied by glasses of champagne and canapés. I checked this one out and it was really fantastic. Romantics will also enjoy the private dining option, where a private meal for two can be set up on the sandbank under the stars (although all resorts offer this).

For the ultimate in relaxation, experience the Loama Spa. The skilful spa therapists are on hand to offer relaxing and revitalising massages, scrubs and other treatments using essential oils and natural plant extracts. They really do know their stuff and there's nothing like ended a day with a massage...

Days always end with stunning sunsets but this one was even better than normal

The Lowdown on Amilla Fushi Maldives

Treehouses for grownups. Gourmet fish 'n'chips. Dinner in the swimming pool. Amilla Fushi Maldives is all about fun...

I wasn't joking about dinner in the pool...

Since opening its doors in December 2014 Amilla Fushi resort Maldives has been making waves in the Maldives. It was the first resort created by newcomers, The Small Island Company. They wanted to blaze a trail by creating a resort which was fresh, fun and un-stuffy. And it certainly is an innovative resort; combining raw natural beauty with contemporary architecture and their ‘island home’ concept. 

The main ethos behind Amilla Fushi resort in the Maldives is to make each guest feel as though they are at home, in fact the name ‘Amilla Fushi’ means ‘your island home’. 

So how do they achieve a homely feeling within the confines of a luxury Maldives resort? Through a combination of factors. For starters, the accommodation is called ‘houses’ rather than ‘villas’, the idea is that guests associate them with being their own property so they feel less like visitors and more like insiders. Although the service is excellent, the atmosphere is laid-back, so they deliver everything you want or need but it all feels very comfortable and normal.  

An infinity pool with a view...

More innovations

Amilla Fushi is the first resort in the Maldives to have a grocery store, 'the Emperors’ General Store'. This may not sound like much but if you've ever been to the Maldives you'd already know that most resort stores sell little more than souvenirs, clothing and jewellery. But this shop sells everything from Frosties to foie gras. Guests staying in the larger ‘residences’ can utilise the self-catering option if they wish to, as they are actually given private kitchens. Again, this is totally new to the Maldives' resorts, because no other resort in the Maldives offers self-catering options as yet, even though this is a familiar concept at high-end villas in other island destinations such as Mauritius. You can even pick up some fine wines from the Cellar Door wine shop next-door. 

The international dining venues at the Bazaar alongside the pool (with the exception of Luke Mangan’s signature restaurant, Lonu) are laid out adjacent to each other to create the impression of the hub of the neighbourhood. These elements help to create a distinctive resort experience.

Lonu is the jewel in the crown of the resort's dining venues, with striking contemporary architecture set above the lagoon, facing the sunset. Australian celebrity chef Luke Mangan’s concept is to provide the kind of food travellers want to eat on holiday at affordable prices. Relaxed yet stylish, Lonu offers barbeque flavours, tropical ingredients and cocktails. Another highlight is the Maldives’ first British-style fish and chip restaurant, serving everything from traditional cod and chips to wahoo with wasabi mayonnaise. (Mushy peas are optional!)

I LOVE the Treehouses!

The ‘houses’ are very distinctive, and I absolutely fell in love with the Treehouses, which come complete with plunge pools towering 12m above the ground. I brought my seaplane pilot friend Tracy to check them out with me on a girl's weekend, and we both agreed they have major wow-factor. They are surrounded by lush foliage, and they look nothing like anything else you can find in the Maldives. These spacious and elegant retreats offer unbeatable levels of seclusion and a genuinely atmospheric island experience. 

The view from up in the Treehouse

If you don't like heights, try the sleek, brilliant-white Lagoon Houses and Ocean Reef Houses. They offer bright and breezy over-water living and are perfect for those who can't get enough of the ocean. 

The funky over-water accommodation

Nautical themes are subtly woven into the contemporary design, which incorporates a unique layout to maximise on space. The beach villas have a similar design but with the addition of some extra space, and of course direct access to the powdery white sand of the beach.

Inside the over-water house

The attractive Balinese spa offers a wide variety of Balinese massages as well as other massages from around the world. Pampering treatments including body scrubs and facials are also available. A free 50-minute spa session is available for every guest every single day; possibly another first in the Maldives. 

Zero bill-shock

Non-motorised watersports like kayaking as well as childcare services are complimentary, in order to reduce ‘bill shock’ when guests check out. On this note, it's worth mentioning that Amilla Fushi is an all-inclusive resort, and the aim of this is to make everything as simple as possible for guests, so when you check out everything should be as easy as pie. 

All in all, Amilla Fushi offers a well thought out, genuinely fun and breezy concept. Thank goodness for a fresh take on the luxury Maldives resort experience! 

Velaa Private Island Maldives: Art and Innovation

The first time I went to Velaa Private Island was for a special pre-opening sneak preview - only close friends and families of the owners plus a handful of media professionals were invited to road-test the amenities and services...

The view when you arrive

My first impressions? Arty and luxurious; a collage of some of the best resorts in the Maldives with a some innovative, original features for good measure. 

I liked the use of the sea turtle motif throughout the island. The ‘velaa’ means 'green turtle' in the Maldivian language (Dhivehi). See how many places you can spot them on the island. From above, the island has been developed to resemble the shape of a turtle so that when guests arrive by seaplane they can admire the turtle shape created by the water villas and the island (the island is the body and the villas and jetties constitute its head and fins.)

The geometric patterns of a turtle’s shell also appears in décor and furnishings around the resort, including in some nice photographs in the villas. And it doesn't end there. The owner also created a dedicated in-house baby turtle hatchery and turtle conservation project.

Velaa Private Island also goes out of its way to pioneer exciting new concepts. Aside from the stunning white sand beach and azure waters, elegant villas, mouth-watering cuisine and great service the design and amenities have been carefully conceived and crafted to exceed guests’ expectations. These are the highlights:

Tavaru Tower

Tavararu tower

The striking Tavararu tower is the centrepiece of the island. Unlike anything else in the Maldives, this remarkable-looking tower is the setting for the Teppanyaki kitchen, with sweeping 360-degree views across the treetops towards the sparkling ocean. It's really rare to be able to have any views at this kind of elevation in the Maldives, being as the highest point is 3m above sea level and resort buildings can only be built as high as the tallest trees on the island under Maldivian law. At the base of the tower, the wine cellar houses an impressive collection of vintage and rare labels, organic and biodynamic wines, boutique wines and grand marques from the 30-page wine list. 

One of the most elevated viewpoints in the Maldives

Champagne showers

Another gastronomic highlight is the vintage champagne lounge, Cru, and the adjacent signature restaurant, Aragu.

Snow joke!

The Clarins Spa, a first in the Maldives, also features the country’s first Snow Room (conveniently located next-door to the sauna and steam room), alongside a wide variety of massages and therapies as well as the Cloud 9 relaxation pod.

Unique activities in and out of the water

Some of the unique activities available at Velaa include archery, a climbing wall and a Golf Academy designed by Jose Maria Olazabal and offering one-on-one tuition. A whole spectrum of watersports is also available including snorkelling, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, kite-surfing, catamaran sailing and windsurfing. 

The public areas aren't bad either!

The Life Aquatic 

Alongside the typical dolphin cruises and manta cruises, the semi-submarine excursions provide another unique diversion. These three-person mini submarines operated by a trained skipper allow you to explore the underwater world of Noonu Atoll without getting a single hair wet.    

The 43 villas, houses and residences mirror the rest of the resort’s cool, contemporary style with tropical touches such as bamboo and mahogany complimented by black and white photographs of turtles on the walls. 

A glimpse inside the gorgeous villa, even the bathrooms are photo-worthy!

The Romantic Pool Residence certainly lives up to its name. This gloriously exotic one bedroom water villa is suspended over the turquoise water in a quiet corner of the lagoon, only accessible by a boat which can be summoned on request of the villa occupants to ferry them between the villa and the island. A private chef and butler are on hand to ensure couples have everything they need to hand, while the Jacuzzi, gym, private spa, pool, sundeck and sunken bath ensure guests have plenty to keep them occupied.

Why I Fell in Love with Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru

I'm supposed to be impartial when it comes to reviewing resorts in the Maldives but the Four Seasons in Baa Atoll found its way into my heart...

The amazing over-water spa. The 90-minute signature massage is a must!

OK, admittedly the first time I ever went to Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru (in 2012) I was accompanied by a rather dashing Swiss scuba-diving instructor/photographer (which may have affected my perception of the place) HOWEVER I've been back many time since and L.G. can still do no wrong in my eyes.

How do I sum it up in just a few words? Breath-taking views. Stylish but unpretentious architecture/decor/furnishings. Psychic butlers. Excellent cuisine. And if you've ever stayed at a Four Seasons before, you'll know the levels of service excellence they are famed for. It's the closest thing you can get to having family when you're thousands of miles from home. (And no, I'm not being paid by them to write this, haha.)

Some quick facts:

• There are two Four Seasons resorts in the Maldives, Four Seasons Kuda Hura in Male' Atoll and Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru in Baa Atoll

• Kuda Hura is easier to access from the international airport than its Baa Atoll counterpart in one way because you can be there in just 35 minutes by luxury speedboat (with wifi!)

• Landaa Giraavau may be further away (30 minutes by seaplane if they fly directly there and don't stop at other resorts on the way) but the benefit of being further from the international airport is that it feels less congested (few planes flying overhead, fewer boats passing by etc).

• If you've never been to the Maldives before, don't worry about transfers, the resort/agent takes care of arranging them when you make your booking

David took this pic of me admiring the water (back when I was experimenting with dark brown hair!). Barely another island or boat in sight! Another reason why I love Baa Atoll.

So let's dive in: Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. When you swoop in by seaplane, a hand-carved sign greets you on the landing platform: 'Welcome to Baa Atoll…Altitude 0m. Population: Friendly.' And yes, that’s a hallmark of a Four Seasons Maldives resort – impeccable five star service from genuinely friendly staff. Every member of staff has a wide smile for you, even if you’re just passing by them on one of the sandy pathways; this goes a long way towards making you instantly feel relaxed and welcome. I know it's all part of the Four Seasons brand but it's something you don't forget.

Breakfast with your toes in the sand, anyone?

Natural beauty

The island itself is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s blessed with an abundance of mature coconut trees, their slender boughs arching skywards, not to mention pink and white hibiscus, red bougainvillea and exotic pandanas. Sandy pathways snake their way around the island past bursts of thick vegetation, attractive dining venues and elegant villas. The wide path from the main arrival jetty is lined by dizzyingly-tall coconut trees, almost like a natural colonnade. It leads to an imposing two-storey reception building with a coconut-thatch roof. The stylish reception area is filled with flowers and furnished with inviting-looking lounge seats, candles and romantic drapes.

Stunning villas

There are several room categories to choose from but generally speaking the beach villas offer slightly more space and the water villas are newer and slightly fresher. We stayed in an amazing beach villa which came with a large private pool, private garden and a  kind of pool house/relaxation area with a hammock. All of the accommodation is elegant and understated; decorated in soft hues and natural materials in harmony with the tropical environment. The four poster beds with sheer drapes are not only romantic but also some of the most comfortable in the Maldives. The bathrooms are cavernous and include an outdoor shower screened behind a Maldivian coral stone wall.

The enormous beach villa with pool

While the interiors are undeniably gorgeous, the spacious outdoor areas of the beach villas are the absolute icing on the cake. Stepping through the floor-to-ceiling glass door panels to the private beach and garden area, I discovered a beautiful pool complemented by a day bed with a canopy and two sunloungers laid out with fluffy clean towels and pillows. 

Just steps away from the pool was a raised cabana furnished with a sofa and dining table – the perfect spot for a romantic al fresco dinner. And just beyond the cabana was yet more private beach to enjoy, shrouded by thick vegetation for the utmost in privacy. It unfolded to a view of a pristine beach of powdery white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Hardly any islands were to be seen on the horizon; just a vast expanse of glittering ocean, which added to the sense of total seclusion.

The water villas, choose from sunrise or sunset views

The water villas are equally attractive and are furnished in a similar style. They have spacious private sundecks and some have pools or hammocks. A nice feature is the winding staircase leading to a semi-open air mezzanine level, where guests can relax on a day bed and drink in the incredible watery vista.

Paradise for foodies

The quality of the cuisine at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru does not disappoint either. The resort has a variety of dining venues offering exquisite delicacies, each with a distinctive atmosphere. Al Barakat transports guests to Arabia, with a shisha bar decorated with colourful glass lanterns on the ground floor and a breezy rooftop terrace overlooking the lagoon for dining. The authentic cuisine can be enjoyed while you sit on the comfortable lounge seats under the starlight overlooking the water.

Another highlight is the Mediterranean-themed restaurant, Blu. By contrast to Al Barakat, the breezy semi-open air pavilion comes into its own on a bright, sunny day as you overlook the brilliant white sandbank. It’s set around a pool and painted in white, with rustic chandeliers, driftwood and painted starfish adding character to the surroundings.

Blu restaurant, on the beach

Activities above and below the surface

There's plenty to do on the island. Well, what I mean by that is as with anywhere in the Maldives, there's plenty to do as long as you like water! Other than cycling around the resort on a free bike with the breeze in your hair and the sun on your back, there’s a fully-equipped five star PADI dive centre. The friendly multi-lingual team can show you some of the amazing dive sites in the area. Or if you somehow end up visiting on your own, you can do as I do when I travel solo and just drop by for a chat. 

If you enjoy snorkelling, then definitely go to Hanifaru Bay between June and October. The bay is famous the world over for a spectacular natural phenomena which occurs when the weather conditions, tide, moonlight and other conditions are just right. At certain times of the year Hanifaru Bay comes alive with zooplankton which attracts large aggregations of manta rays and even some whale sharks in a filter-feeder feeding frenzy. The rare spectacle of so many mantas and whale sharks together in one place is extremely unique, and visitors are allowed to visit the bay to snorkel alongside them on request, as long as they behave respectfully towards the gentle giants of the ocean.

This is one of the rescued turtles

Manta On Call!

The resort also offers a ‘Manta On-Call’ service, whereby if any staff spot any  mantas in the area they will contact you while you’re busy enjoying the resort. The dive centre is complemented by the adjacent Marine Discovery Centre, which is great for guests of all ages. You can see baby turtles or rescued turtles, learn about the resort’s anenomefish (aka ‘Nemo’) and seahorse breeding programmes and generally discover what Four  Seasons Resorts Maldives is doing to help with conservation in the area. Side-note: Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and ingest them, then because their bodies can't get rid of it the plastic stays inside them and inhibits them from being able to dive for food so they can starve to death. The amazing team tries to remove as much plastic as they can and nurse them back to health.

Watersports and James Bond gadgets

The watersports centre offers a range of fun activities including wakeboarding, Seabob rides, dolphin-spotting cruises, kayaking and fishing. There is also a range of land-based activities including tennis, beach volleyball, badminton, yoga and jogging. On one occasion I joined a session of zero-gravity yoga, aka 'flying yoga' and ended up hanging upside down in the jungle pavilion, surrounded by fruit bats doing the same thing! But if that all sounds too energetic, the resort also boasts four fantastic swimming pools where you can laze the day away accompanied by a delicious tropical cocktail or chilled glass of wine.

There is not one ugly corner of this island!

One final point: I'll briefly mention that on the third or fourth occasion I visited I fell sick after a late dinner with the Assistant Manager (nothing to do with the food or the amazing Celeste Crianza he recommended, it was something else I'd rather not share with the world right now) and the way they reacted was incredible. I texted the PR guy early in the morning to explain I unfortunately wouldn't be able to take part in the day's activities they had planed for me; they always drew up a list of things they thought I'd find fun and had arranged scuba diving, a jet pack and an underwater scooter for me to play with that day! He sent the on-site GP straight over to my villa with some antibiotics. Since Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru also has an Ayurvedic Village, the GP was trained in Ayurvedic medicine as well, so he also prescribed me some Ayurvedic tea. 

It didn't stop there. I was feeling a little better a few hours later, so the doctor accompanied me on my scuba dive too, to ensure I was OK, and also the General Manager dropped by to see how I was feeling. Sometimes when you're far from home and you get sick all you want is your mum to look after you. Well, unfortunately she was some 5,330 miles away but the way everyone treated me at L.G. when I was ill briefly was the closest thing I could feel to having family looking after me, albeit on a luxury island in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Yet another reason why this resort is still in my heart.