Naladhu, South Male Atoll The Maldives, Central Islands

Guests are spoiled for choice at Anantara Naladhu - you not only benefit from the fabulous facilities and dining on-site, there are two other islands just a few laps away and you can feel free to take advantage of their facilities and dining too. If you don’t feel like getting wet, you can take a bridge or a boat to Anantara Dighu or Veli instead. The resort and island is just a 35-minute speedboat ride from Male - just far enough away to feel like a different world. The vibe here is elegant English colonial, rather unique to the Maldives, and the housemasters assigned to every room will go out of their way to enhance your stay.

There are sweeping ocean pool villas, beach pool houses, ocean pool houses and a rather grandiose two-bedroom residence. Whichever accommodation option you pick, you’ll have oodles of space to stretch out in (300 square metres at least), your own private infinity pool and housemaster, al fresco bathing pavilions, steam rooms, luxurious modern facilities and wonderful furnishings. You might even have your own private kayak.

The Living Room is the main restaurant on-site, offering modern fusion cuisine paired with truly great service from attentive staff. An unexpected highlight? All-day breakfasts. Baan Huraa serves Thai cuisine for lunch and dinner. Guests are also welcome at the adjoining island restaurants: Anantara Dhigu in particularly has a very large selection of dining venues: everything from Italian to Maldivian and Japanese to barbecued specialties. Talk to Experience Travel Group about incorporating a meal plan into your booking.

This resort is classy, elegant and unique and really seems to have found a great recipe for satisfied guests and plenty of return visitors. The service is friendly and warm, the accommodation is just beautiful and elegant and the proximity to plenty of great dining is icing on the cake. It’s not geared at kids: better to come here for secluded adult time.