The Maldives - the ultimate in Crusoe chic

The Maldives is an archipelago of almost 1,200 coral islands southwest of India. The main atolls aptly named north and south are home to many of the worlds most luxurious beach resorts and no matter how I try, I can’t get past a thousand text book clichés to describe the place – pristine, turquoise waters, white sand etc! The vibe is definitely one of barefoot chic but don’t be fooled into thinking this destination has no action - the stunning diving and snorkeling makes it an adventure holiday as well as chill out.
This remote and staggeringly beautiful part of the world is kept going by tourism and is not just for honeymooners – it ticks all the balmy night tropical boxes offering adults seclusion, lovers, romance, scuba lovers, shoals and jet setters exclusive resorts.
The season is just starting over there and the resort holiday collections are have landed in the shops over here so packing won’t be a problem – what better time to get away to the sun and come back in time for Christmas looking bronzed and feeling smug!

Most of the islands lie just 1.5 meters above sea level and the Maldivian people are grappling with the very likely possibility that they will go under water if the current pace of climate change keeps raising sea levels. To highlight the problem and create more awareness, government officials held a ministerial debate and conference in scuba gear underwater!

WHERE TO STAY

THE ONE & ONLY – REETHI RAH

Part of the One & Only group as you would expect this resort is spectacular. There is a choice of accommodation – beach villas nestled between lush vegetation and swaying palm trees or water villas perched on stilts over the aqua sea. Both are equally private and spoiling. The villas are sleek with clean lines, thatched roofs and outside showers and baths that allow you to star gaze whilst getting ready for supper. There are many activities to choose from including a state of the art dive school that is as far away from the place you learned at in Thailand on your gap year as is possible to imagine. It may look barefoot chic but the dress code is smarter than elsewhere – gentlemen may be required to wear long trousers etc! No wonder that Juliet Dunn sells to their exclusive boutique!

HUVAFEN FUSHI

Huvafen Fushi is small, simple and dressed-down: it is also mightily expensive! Everything is within strolling distance and barefoot is how you are expected to travel. That said, here the aesthetic is very urban: there are decorative pieces from modern-design luminaries such as Philippe Starck and Bang & Olufsen wall-mounted CD players. If you are a young, urban couple looking for a week of hedonistic bliss, this is the ideal place. It has that Jade Jagger-lifestyle, no dress code, no formality and virtually no one around.

KARAMATHI ISLAND RESORT HOTEL

This resort is located on a much larger island which has a variety of budget options and holiday styles. Originally run as three separate resorts on the same island, one three star, one four start and one luxury it is now run as one but you can chose a villa and ‘package’ to suit individual needs. There are families here, there are honeymooners here and because the island is a little larger than most (1.5 km long!)there are more activities and facilities including sailing, tennis courts, spas, diving and various restaurants to boot. It is laid back and decorated in a Maldivian style with teak furniture – we would recommend this a island as a way to see the beauty of the Maldives but not break the bank.

WHERE TO EAT

Not much to say here as it will depend on where you stay but… fresh fish galore and a bit off local aromatically spiced, coconut softened, curry mixed in with chefs trained all over the world and all sorts of delicacies being flown in via Dubai everyday. Stick to local foods if you are worried about your carbon footprint.

Not a lot to complain about but as the Maldives is a Muslim republic, pork dishes are understandably a bit of a rarity – but we think you can cope without bangers for breakfast for a few weeks.

Particular delights are the creamy fish curries, tuna steaks, marinated Maldivian lobster and grilled fresh snapper.

FANDITHA - REETHI RAH HOTEL

This exotic, beachside spot serves a Middle Eastern influenced menu of mezzehs, chargrills and salads – accompanied by the finest selection of chilled rosés and champagnes. Guests laze on divan-style bolsters and Arabic carpets, on bamboo loungers or in woven hammocks., creating a chill-out ambiance amidst chandeliers dangling from trees.

TAPASAKE – REETHI RAH HOTEL

Modern Japanese in the most sensational location – sitting on high chairs, hanging over the water. The chef hand-picks ingredients ensuring the sushi and sashimi meet the highest standard and using seafood fresh from the Indian Ocean transformed into Indian-Japanese tapas.

UM BAR – HUVAFEN FUSHI

Vodka bar that looks on to the sea and brings everyone together to watch the sun set into a million different pinks, purples and golds – a little bit of Ibiza with live DJ sets on occasions.

RAW - HUVAFEN FUSHI

An Eastern-influenced restaurantt serving a fusion of dishes that are healthy and delicious. The big pull is the wine cellar – the largest in the Maldives with over 6000 bottles

All the resorts will have restaurants that have a good Mediterranean selection of dishes and endless beach bbqs and bars all focusing on a global cuisine or particular ambience

WHAT TO WEAR:

Do we really need to tell you? … Juliet Dunn all day and all night!! This really is where our clothes make the most sense and the Spring Summer 2010 collection was totally inspired by the colours of the aquatic flora and fauna of this fabulous destination. That said, we think it only fair to suggest a few additions that will complement our new Resort 2011 collection.

Breakfast – Aladdin trousers
Beach – Kaftan sarong cotton maxi
Lunch – kaftan over bikini
Evening – silks in jewel colours

WHAT TO DO

DIVING AND SNORKELING

This is a must – even if you don’t dive and don’t want to get certified through PADI on your holiday, you must go snorkeling. There is such a wealth of underwater life and it is no more apparent than around these coral reefs. The reefs give protection from the ocean so it is gentle and safe. The equipment also seems to be kept very well and dive schools are usually headed up by Westerners. Diving or snorkeling you will come face to face with Napoleon fish looking like Billy Bunter and parrot fish in all their colourful glory. Rays will astound you as they flap past and turtles will lollop away from you wide eyed and nervy. All in all you will feel incredibly lucky and Attenborough like.

SPAS/ RELAX

Every hotel has some sort of wellness centre with treatments galore. A whole range of holistic therapies and indulgences from Indian Ayuvedic to western contouring wraps, waxes and manicures. This is an island destination with a pace of life to match so leave your hectic life behind you and just relax. Read some books, listen to music...just lounge around and enjoy it!

DESTINATION DINNING

This concept is common in the Maldives so ask your hotel. It involves being whisked off on a traditional long boat to some wonderful tiny island where a picnic will be laid out or a bbq prepared. Sometimes the boat may even just stop in the middle of the ocean and it’s only when, slightly confused, you jump overboard and realize there is a sand spit and that lunch will be served on it in the middle of the sea!

MARKETS

Most hotels will have a once a week excursion to Male city, there is not an awful lot to see in Male and is rather hot and bothering but if you feel a tremor of island fever and need some space jump on the boat and go and wander through the markets. Jeweelry seems to be big business but otherwise it is just extremely interesting to see the fish markets and wander the streets absorbing island life at the other end of the scale.

HOW TO GET THERE

By plane: either bag a place on a charter flight or to get some deals look at stop overs in the middle east.
Once you land in Mali, the capitol, it is either by boat or seaplane that you reach your final destination. This will be arranged by your hotel.