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! 

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives: Great for Kids and Scuba Divers

Before I begin, I don't have kids but Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives certainly appealed to the kid in me. Not just because of the gaming equipment in some of the villas, but also because of the real shipwreck on the house reef. To top it off, there are also two separate clubs for kids and teens (respecting the fact there's a vast difference between what a six-year-old wants and what a 13-year-old wants). This certainly seems like a company that has it all figured out.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives: I snapped this from the seaplane window

The island itself is a typically beautiful Maldivan one: Tropical vegetation and coconut trees line the shady paths linking the beach villas. The majority of the resort comprises of water villas stretching out across the lagoon from three separate jetties.

The shallow, turquoise lagoon boasts an excellent house reef in close proximity to the shore. Not only is the coral in pretty decent condition, but also the submerged shipwreck is easy to access (unlike others in the area such as Kuda Giri shipwreck, which goes down to 40m and there can be a very strong current there). Parts of the Centara wreck are shallow enough for snorkellers or freedivers to check out while scuba divers can explore the deeper areas. Baby reef sharks, turtles and all kinds of colourful reef fish are lurking in it. 

Beyond the resort's lagoon, the waters of South Ari Atoll are also a dream for divers to explore. The atoll is renowned for having fantastic dive sites and also being an excellent location for spotting whale sharks during the right season. Don't let the name out you off, whale sharks eat zooplankton and aren't aggressive. But yes, they are massive.

Just look at the colour of the lagoon...

What's in a name?

Centara Grand Island Resort and Spa brands itself as a ‘premium four star resort’, which essentially means it offers a pretty high standard of accommodation and services not far off a five-star. In fact the ‘Island Club’ option at Centara is a ‘resort within a resort’ concept, leaning more towards a five-star option.  

The Island Club villas are the highest category of villas at the resort, and Island Club guests are offered various exclusive services, such as use of the island clubhouse and a wider choice of beverages including premium spirits. Furthermore, Island Club guests get exclusive use of an extra swimming pool, served by staff who can bring cold towels, fresh fruit, sorbets and almost anything else you desire while you relax in the sun.

Guests are offered the option of booking their holiday on an all-inclusive basis, which includes dinner at three out of the resort’s four restaurants and a range of beverages including cocktails.

Every villa at the resort has a living room area, rain shower, bathtub or Jacuzzi, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, internet access and terrace. They are all colourfully furnished in a mix of colonial and modern styles which captures the holiday island atmosphere perfectly.

The Beach Suites have two floors connected by a staircase, while one of the key features of the Deluxe Water Villas is a Jacuzzi spa. The Deluxe Water Villas – Island Club have slightly different décor and offer access to the exclusive Island Club facilities and services. 

Villas with games consoles

Deluxe Family Water Villa

The Deluxe Family Water Villas are spacious and contain a separate area for kids, complete with a games console. The Luxury Sunset Water Villas are split over two levels and have romantic four-poster beds, while the Luxury Sunset Water Villas - Island Club are also split over two levels but have slightly different décor. 

Guests staying in these villas also have access to Island Club facilities and services. The Two Bedroom Beach Front Pool Villas are the largest villas at the resort and highlights include a beautiful 21.6 square metre pool.

The bright and airy Reef restaurant, with panoramic views of the ocean, offers a range of Asian and European cuisine, while the atmospheric Lotus Restaurant, specialising in delicious Thai cuisine, is hidden amongst the exotic vegetation. Obviously the Thai food here is top-knotch. The Italian restaurant, Azzure Mare, is a romantic and atmospheric spot overlooking the turquoise lagoon. Entertainment is regularly put on at the Coral Bar, while the quieter Aqua Bar is the ideal place for a sunset cocktail. 

Kids and teens clubs

This is the E-Zone teens club-house

You can drop the kids off at the kids or teens club too while you enjoy some quality time. The kids club is typical of most kids clubs, they offer arts, crafts and activities. The teens club (E-Zone) is more of a chill-out lounge for 13-17s with some games, computer games and beanbags to relax in. It's really nice to see teens given that level of respect and consideration as they are often overlooked. 

The kids club is a  supervised tropical play centre with a programme of activities

Centara enjoys a very good reputation in Thailand, where it is headquartered, as well as overseas. No Thai-owned resort would be complete without a good spa, and Spa Cenvaree does not fail to deliver. The attractive spa offers a wide range of treatments and is the perfect way to unwind.

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.

Affordable Fun at Sheraton Full Moon Maldives

If you thought you couldn't find affordable villas in the Maldives, think again. The Sheraton Full Moon is a competitive mid-range choice...

The lagoon side of the island

The Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is only 15 minutes by speedboat from the international airport, which is a relief if you've just stumbled off a long-haul flight. You can faintly see the shape of Male’, the capital of the Maldives, on the horizon from one side of the island and there is the occasional sound of a plane heading to or from the airport, which occasionally bothers a handful of guests. But despite that, the resort is peaceful a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

It was refurbished and re-branded as a Sheraton several years ago with an exclusive Shine Spa on an adjacent islet, linked by a small bridge. Another refurbishment followed in 2016.

There are one or two relics of the resort’s previous ownership, such as a few concrete seawalls in the water (which are tough to remove, although many resorts now opt for more subtle-looking anti-erosion solutions). Both sides of the long, tapering island have a beautiful beach offering safe and sheltered bathing.

The Anchorage Bar

One of the highlights of the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is the recently-refurbished Anchorage Bar, which is partially suspended over the beach and the ocean. The spacious wooden sundeck is adorned with four-poster beds for lounging on during the day and several comfortable sofas. They make for an impressive first sight, with the bright turquoise of the fabrics echoing the shades of the ocean and contrasting with the deep brown of the decking. 

Nightlife

During the day, you can watch baby black tip reef sharks glide underneath the platform. After sunset, the roof of the bed can be folded down so you can lie back and look at the stars. But once a week it jumps into life for a DJ night which is amongst the best in the Maldives (Kurumba also has a great one). The bar provides all the international branded beverages you would expect, as well as a range of cocktails served with complimentary snacks.   

This could be your next Instagram selfie

Another of the highlights is Baan Thai, the Thai restaurant. Here you can get noodles, rice plates, curries, soups, stir-fries and salads are customized to your taste – the flavours are very authentic. 

The Anchorage Bar is in a prime position between the lagoon and the attractive freshwater swimming pool with waterfall with most restaurants close by. There’s a wide selection available for the breakfast buffet available at Feast. 

The lagoon is extremely nice, shallow and clear

Heaps to do

There are plenty of activities and excursions including day trips to Male’, dolphin-spotting, sunset fishing, sunrise picnics and more. The resort also has a fully-equipped watersports centre and small dive centre. 

Windsurfing, wakeboarding, snorkelling and scuba diving are amongst the most popular activities. Snorkelers may prefer to book a boat excursion to one of the superb snorkeling spots in the area rather than snorkelling in the lagoon, which doesn’t have much coral, although there are baby black tip reef sharks swimming close to shore and occasionally bigger reef sharks come in if there's a strong incoming current. We were lucky enough to catch sight of some big ones and went to snorkel very close to the pregnant reef sharks but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a strong swimmer because the currents in the Maldives are brutal. 

This atoll is perfectly situated for easy-access to the international airport either by speedboat or seaplane charter. Guests can island-hop around local island communities including the capital city, a compact 2.2square mile island. North Male’ Atoll is also home to several famous dive sites including Manta Point and Banana Reef. 

Shine On

The Shine Spa is a haven of tranquillity set on a pretty island of its own and features separate private treatment rooms. You get to it by walking over a little footbridge. It's one of the only spas in the Maldives on an island of its own. The fourth ‘wall’ of each room is missing, and is instead replaced by attractive views of the open ocean, so guests can watch dozens of tiny hermit crabs scuttling across the sand as they receive their massages.

This was our Deluxe Beachfront Room

The entry-level Deluxe Beachfront Rooms are part of a two-storey four-room block. Although this isn’t the classic 'Maldives villa style', from the interior of the island they look surprisingly pretty for multi-storey accommodation; with a thatched roof, surrounded by hibiscus and bougainvillea. 

A glimpse of the interior

We stayed in one of these and it was nicely furnished with everything you'd expect at a Sheraton: under-stated quality and an un-fussy style. Some of the rooms only have indoor showers (unlike most resort rooms in the Maldives which have open-air showers in private gardens). However, the private terraces and views help to compensate. 

The other villa categories provide more of an intimate atmosphere. Overall, the rooms and villas are  spacious and attractive enough, with fairly simple décor but good quality furniture. The higher category villas are also furnished in a contemporary and fairly un-fussy style with hints of turquoise and brown, some with private plunge pools. 

The water villas

Busy but fun!

The Sheraton Full Moon may have a higher concentration of villas per square metre of the island than similar resorts in the area but it offers a good level of amenities and service and a more lively atmosphere than many other resorts in the country. 

The guests are a mix of nationalities but they are also more friendly here than at other resorts in the Maldives, so if you are a people-person you probably won't have any difficulties finding other people to chat to over dinner. And by 'people' I mean couples. 99.9% of resort guests in the Maldives are couples, although that could be changing. A handful of resorts are trying to encourage groups of friends to holiday together there, and the Small Island Company is trying particularly hard to break down the couples-only environment at the funky new Finolhu resort. 

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.