Huvafen Fushi, North Male Atoll

Huvafen Fushi, or the dreaming island is the last word in beachside luxury. It is located just 20 minutes from Male, and is the place for those who like their comforts immediate and apparent, but laid back and informal. Huvafen Fushi has been deftly crafted with simple whites and dark woods to create a cool, modern and luxurious effect beloved of its loyal clientele. The island itself is attractive with nothing built to detract from the magnificence of the natural vistas and island bliss.

Guests at Huvafen are there to indulge and enjoy themselves. The luxury is neither understated nor hidden... The televisions are huge and the Bose sound system perfect for lazy afternoons spent enjoying the plunge pool on the sun deck or lazing on the cushions in your living area. The bathrooms are magnificently sumptuous: in the Ocean Villas the jaccuzi bath gazes out to sea: just another glorious spot to call your own.

The beach bungalows are spacious and feature a bounteous garden with a plunge pool coming as standard. They are certainly not the poor cousins in the island and some guests prefer the privacy and access to the beach they offer. For many, the Maldives are all about the over-water bungalows and these do not disappoint. Your dream pontoon of cajun thatched bungalows are beautifully laid out in a flowing, cantilevered pattern, ensuing privacy from the sun deck and serenity within. Again, the rooms are spacious, the bedroom and living room inviting and the sun deck and pool a blissful treat.

Every resort of this nature has its own special feature. Huvafen has three. Firstly the infinity swimming pool is becoming something of an industry standard at this level of accommodation. Here however, its elegance and poise takes your breath away every time you arrive poolside, ipod and book in hand. Secondly, the hotel boasts an underwater spa. Enjoy the complete spa experience while watching the underwater world drift by. Thirdly, for those seeking inner peace, or at least a glimpse of it, a yoga platform stands serenely out to sea at the end of an elegant wooden platform.

Each guest is assigned their own personal Thakura or Butler - think beautiful, barefoot and smiling rather than thestiff, starchy British version. You can phone to make requests or ask questions at any time and they are more than happy to arrange whatever is needed , whenever.

The communal spaces are designed with guest comfort firmly in mind. The bar area and restaurants are cool and the atmosphere relaxed and informal. The attire is casual and the bar stuffed with comfortable cushions and bean bags for those sunset drinks. A den in the islands centre is another great touch. It has a cosy cinema and an impressive library of classic films and music albums which guests can borrow. The world can be kept at bay until called upon internet access is free, wireless or otherwise.

Guests have a choice of 3 restaurants; Celsius, Raw and Salt, while they the wine cellar, Vinum, is the pride and joy of the manager, Tom, with its 6000 bottles. Wine tasting meals are held regularly in its cool cavernous surroundings. The food is naturally superb and of course the island has a full complement of water sports, diving and snorkeling activities.

A 30min speedboat transfer or 15 mins by sea-plane.