It might possibly be as close as you are going to get to paradise on earth, but if you want to visit the Maldives, you need to get a move on. Thanks to their low level, the islands are expected to be the first country wiped out by rising sea levels.
Former president Mohamed Nasheed told The Guardian recently that he believed there was only a 50-50 chance that his grandchildren would be able to inhabit the Maldives. If you are planning a visit, here are four of the best hotels.
Ayada
If you worry that a desert island holiday might be rather boring, this is the resort (pictured above) for you. At 15 hectares, the island is "big enough to get lost on, and the more walking or cycling about you do, the more surprises keep popping up", says Cond Nast Traveller.
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"Take a stroll after dinner (there are six restaurants) andhello, what's this? A wine-and-cheese station for a glass of rouge and a sliver of Brie will be sitting on a bench fashioned from a fishing boat."
Other things you may find include Zuzuu (the children's club), or the Ottoman Lounge, where you can "settle in for a coffee with a squidge of Turkish delight and a shisha pipe". For more active guests there are "dive sites, snorkelling with whale sharks and (unusually for the Maldives) surf breaks".
Prices start from $856 per night for a beach villa (Ayadamaldives.com).
Cheval Blanc Randheli
This is one of the Maldives more flashy resorts. The hotel is "taking Maldives opulence to new heights", says Sarah Gilbert in The Sunday Times. It is where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge chose to take their first holiday without George and it is a luxury "dream".
"My experience alchemist' Laura phoned me at home to prepare for my every whim. Did I prefer feather or foam, white or red? Would I rather go snorkelling or diving, wakeboarding or water-skiing?" Upon arrival you'll be greeted by your personal butler ready to wait on you hand and foot.
"My villa felt less like a hotel room, more like an aspirational apartment, with 20ft-high ceilings. It was gorgeous, a skilful mix of island chic teak, rattan, bamboo, coconut shell and European style."
Isn't it a bit pricey? "Yes, it's expensive," says Gilbert. "Yes, it's worth it. I challenge anyone not to love a holiday at Cheval Blanc Randheli."
Island Villas start from £779 a night, including breakfast (Chevalblanc.com).
Cocoa Island by Como
"Cocoa's design is simple and the pool is understated, just a sliver of concrete and a smattering of pebbles sitting directly on a sand spit." There is a spa and the food is "delicious". The focus here is on "chic holistic living, so all there is to do is forget to attend the daily yoga classes".
This is a good choice if you want to enjoy the Maldives without adding to the environmental issues that threaten the islands. The resort has been designed to minimise its impact on the local environment, so there are no swimming pools and "to discourage the use of air-con, the beds are draped in gauzy white canopies", says Cond Nast Traveller.
"Of course, there is no shortage of comforts a 100-plus cocktail menu at the bar, a cheese-and-wine tower, a sensational sushi restaurant but the vibe is very laid back compared to some of the Maldives' more flashy resorts."
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Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.
Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.
Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.
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