MALDIVES
/Sumptuous suites sit on stilts over the warm indigo waters, stylish à la carte restaurants serve up gastronomical delights and luxurious spas are primed to rejuvenate your body and soul. Each resort is on its own private island for that added touch of shipwrecked bliss, so this is the perfect place to come and unwind with that pile of books you never get round to reading. It’s an enchanting destination for honeymooners and couples, and a safe haven for families looking for watersports, beachfront living and warm hospitalitySprinkled across the Indian Ocean like precious gemstones, the 1,200 or so islands that make up the 26 coral atolls of the Maldives are a blaze of pure white sands, Tiffany-blue waters and decadent resorts. As your seaplane touches down, or you arrive by speedboat, it’s quite clear that this is going to be a special holiday.
Sumptuous suites sit on stilts over the warm indigo waters, stylish à la carte restaurants serve up gastronomical delights and luxurious spas are primed to rejuvenate your body and soul. Each resort is on its own private island for that added touch of shipwrecked bliss, so this is the perfect place to come and unwind with that pile of books you never get round to reading. It’s an enchanting destination for honeymooners and couples, and a safe haven for families looking for watersports, beachfront living and warm hospitality
PER AQUUM HUVAFEN FUSHI, MALDIVES
We know no more awe-inspiring a setting in the Maldives than the veritable dreamland that is PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, where every view, every experience, and all the small little touches make this paradise escape stand out from the crowds. The beautiful Ocean Villas are incredibly popular, but why not splash out on the ultimate comfort in the form of the exceptionally large Two Bedroom Ocean Pool Residences; take a late night dip in your private fibre-optic lit infinity pool, laze around on your spacious outdoor deck and marvel at unparalleled views across the azure waters. Your Thakuru (butler) will take care of anything that you might desire during your stay. For a once in a lifetime experience, set out on the crystal clear water on your luxury Maldivian Dhoni (traditional sail boat), with dolphins arching from sea to sky in front of you in a race with the bow as the white sails billow gently in the breeze.
7 nights from £3,099 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Beach Pool Villa on Full Board. OFFER: Save 30% + complimentary upgrade to Full Board + complimentary transfers.
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ONE&ONLY REETHI RAH, MALDIVES
One of the world’s most exclusive resorts, the idyllic One&Only Reethi Rah will astound, promising a luxurious hotel experience in an exceptionally beautiful island location. Spacious villas are carefully positioned for the utmost privacy, and 12 divine beaches offer something a little different for each day of your holiday.
Perfect for Families
For families, we recommend the large, comfortable and modern villas. The superb, complimentary KidsOnly Club, OneTribe Club and Teens’ Club offer a myriad of activities for children, whilst for adults there’s also plenty to keep you occupied, from windsurfing to deep sea fishing and sailing. There is also a variety of gentler pursuits for families of all ages to enjoy, such as dolphin watching and desert island picnics.
7 nights from £3,629 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Beach Villa on Half Board. OFFER: Stay 7 pay 5 + complimentary Half Board + complimentary speed boat transfers between now - 15 Oct 2017.
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BAROS, MALDIVES
Our expert Travel Adviser, Helen Baker, came back from the Maldives completely bowled over
by Baros. Here’s why she recommends it as the ultimate romantic escape for a once in a lifetime honeymoon: “You’ll be hard pushed to find a more romantic bolthole than Baros, where simple pleasures are elevated into something truly special. Think sinking your toes in sugar-soft white sand whilst rustling palm fronds blow overhead; private yoga lessons on a deserted sandbank at sunrise; this boutique private island, which exudes style and charm by the bucket load. Baros is so catch-your-breath spectacular I’m struggling to find a box it
doesn’t tick. While it’s ringed by sun-kissed shores and turquoise water, for a tropical island it’s surprisingly green. And the diving is superb, with a fabulous house reef. Or how about simply chilling out in the brand new infinity pool? Villas are dotted amongst the lush vegetation: I loved the Deluxe Beach Villas with their exotic open-air bathrooms nestled amongst your very own walled tropical garden – perfectly private for honeymooners. I’ve also got to recommend the Water Pool Villas, complete with expansive decks and private sunken pools. Your own ‘villa host’ will make sure everything runs smoothly from the moment they scoop you up at the airport (it’s just a 20-minute speedboat transfer) to advising you on the best daytrips to experience. Make time to slope off to the small but stylish spa for couples’ pampering before sampling one of the three mouth-watering restaurants on off er. Then hit Sails Bar for a nightcap – think live music, cocktail in hand and feet in the sand. I guarantee this is a honeymoon you’ll be talking about for the rest of your lives.”
ROMANTIC TOUCHES: Enjoy a private dinner on your own Piano Deck. Shaped like a grand piano, it is poised above the translucent lagoon – totally unique and a dining experience to remember.
7 nights from £1,899 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Deluxe Villa including breakfast. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save 25% + complimentary sunset cruise between 01 May - 30 Sep 2017.
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ANANTARA DHIGU RESORT, MALDIVES
You have found yourself in paradise as you approach the gentle shores of this tropical island, with a honeymoon of a lifetime awaiting you. Chic, simple and relaxed, your intimate overwater bungalow looks out to visions of natural beauty, surrounded by soft white sand and azure water, with spectacular marine life below. The atmosphere here is tranquil through and through; it’s an adult-only hideaway where you can spend valuable time together. Of course getting out on the water is what the Maldives is famed for, and the multitude of watersports here allows you to do just that. Honeymooners will also revel in the soothing treatments at the Sundari Ayurvedic Spa where you will feel compelled to relax and unwind - just what a honeymoon should be all about.
7 nights from £2,239 per person based on 2 adults sharing an Over Water Bungalow including breakfast. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save 30% + complimentary 60 minute massage per person between now - 27 Dec 2017.
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ANANTARA DHIGU RESORT, MALDIVES
The beautiful Maldivian beaches at Anantara Dhigu seem naturally
designed to set the scene for your dream honeymoon. Each day you can pick a new spot to enjoy blissful peace and quiet. The Over Water Suites offer a romantic sunken bath with stunning ocean vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows, marrying luxurious accommodation with the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean. Your honeymoon can be dreamily relaxed, but the natural lagoon is right there to explore on daily guided snorkelling trips.
We recommend diving on the house wreck, a short boat ride away, or trying the underwater rocket which will have you zipping along like a dolphin at 20km per hour! With three sensational restaurants here and access to three more at Anantara’s sister hotel, Anantara Veli, foodies will love the variety of cuisines to indulge in.
7 nights from £2,229 per person based on 2 adults sharing a Sunrise Beach Villa on Half Board. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save up to 50% + complimentary Half Board + complimentary 60 minute massage per person between now - 27 Dec 2017.
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LILY BEACH, MALDIVES
Lily Beach on the stunning Huvahendhoo Island brings a premium all-inclusive concept to the Maldives – perfect for spending precious time together without having to lift a finger. Relax on powder white sands and make the most of the excellent house reef just metres from the shore, great for snorkellers or divers to spot stingrays and manta rays.
OUR INDULGENCE GUIDE
Stay: The Sunset Water Suites off er the ultimate treat for a restful holiday, with breathtaking ocean views, direct lagoon access and a larger Jacuzzi pool.
Dine: Expect fresh lobster at Lily Maa, Indian and Chinese Fusion Dishes at Tamarind and a culinary spectacle at AQVA Bar watching skilled teppanyaki chefs prepare fresh Japanese cuisine right before your eyes.
Experience: There’s an abundance of watersports to try, but we particularly love the trips to the local fishing village, sunset cruises, or taking kayaks onto the clear waters to spot marine life below.
Indulge: For something extra-special, indulge in the Tasting Menu by Moonlight at Les Turquoise D’Aqua – you won’t regret it!
7 nights from £2,919 per person on All-Inclusive. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Save 25% + complimentary room upgrade + 2 kids stay free between 01 May - 31 Oct 2017.
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MILAIDHOO, MALDIVES
Recently opened, Milaidhoo is an intimate tropical island in the stunning Baa Atoll, already making a name for itself as one of the most stunning island getaways in the Indian Ocean. The dazzling open-living spaces are the perfect fusion of traditional design with a modern twist - we love the over-water villas that look like classic chalets on stilts, with tall ceilings letting the light pour in. Laze on your private sundeck, taking leisurely dips in the ocean directly from your private ocean staircase - you are floating in paradise.
There’s no place better to completely immerse yourself in local Maldivian culture through the array of unique experiences on off er, such as visiting a local Maldivian island, or setting sail to your own private sandbank where a feast awaits you. Or experience a sunset dolphin cruise, and sit watching the beautiful majestic creatures, champagne in hand.
Cuisine at Milaidhoo is spectacular, the Ba’theli Lounge & Restaurant is set on the shimmering lagoon with a completely unique design of a traditional Maldivian sailing boat. An indulgent dinner out on the deck of this charming restaurant will not disappoint. We also love the holistic treatment menu at the Spa, which incorporates the power of botanicals combined with entrancing healing traditions from Africa, using local herbs and plants.
DIVING HIGHLIGHTS:
- Located in the stunning Baa Atoll, the Maldives’ only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, teeming with marine life from manta rays to dolphins.
- With two resident Marine Biologists you can learn so much more about what you see in the dazzling ocean, and for the marine enthusiasts the resort offers a ‘be a marine biologist’
programme where the curious can shadow the biologists and learn more about what they do.
- There’s a 5-star PADI dive centre off ering an abundance of diving options including reef, boat, night, and manta ray dives.
7 nights from £4,435 per person on Half Board.
OFFER: Save 25% between now - 31 Oct 2017.
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THE RESIDENCE, MALDIVES
Situated in the very south of the Maldives, the area is completely unspoilt and you really do feel like you are staying in the middle of nowhere. There’s no better a spot for an incredible sunset than the overwater villas, where you can watch the ever-changing colours sparkling on the ocean. You’ll immediately feel at home here, with the friendliest staff taking incredible care of your every need. The turquoise water and white beaches make the quality of the diving and snorkelling here some of the best in the world, and we love the Spa by Clarins – you’ll be blown away by the amazing views from the overwater pavilions as you enjoy a relaxing massage.
DIVING HIGHLIGHTS:
- A secluded location in one of the largest atolls in the world, Gaafu Alifu, means the marine life and coral are abundant and spectacular. The atoll is home to over 1,200 species and you can spot sharks in schools of up to 200, turtles, bottlenose dolphins and much more.
- The Residence boasts a 5-Star PADI dive centre with a variety of options for beginners and experienced divers to explore nearby reefs or take open water courses.
- The beautiful house reef, Falhumaa, is a great starting point, but nearby there are several more stunning sites to discover, the most impressive being Vilingili Kandu, Ekkala Thila and Nilandu Kandu.
7 nights from £1,869 per person including breakfast.
OFFER: Stay 7 pay 5 + save 40% + complimentary transfers between now - 21 Dec 2017.
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