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Three island resorts in the Maldives
For fans of crystal clear water and blue skies, Chris Carter looks at three resorts in the Maldives from which to escape winter.
The BlueTribe dive centre is one of the big draws at Constance Moofushi in the Maldives
Soneva Fushi
"It takes a long time to get from England to Kunfunadhoo Island, home of Soneva Fushi," says model Sophie Dahl in The Sunday Times. "But that adds to the feeling of true escape: an overnight flight, followed by arrival into the steamy morning heat of the Maldivian capital, Mal, and a transfer on to a tiny, whirring beetle of a seaplane." The "generous" wooden houses that make up the guest accommodation are reached by a long walkway on stilts.
"The interiors are surreal, whitewashed but with great slabs of azure recycled glass set in the wooden floors, through which you see the fish below." There is also a spa, restaurant, bar, cheese room and library "all housed in this citadel above the water". The location is "singularly lovely", but it is the "warmth of the people" that will have you coming back year after year. They seemed genuinely to want us to love their islands as much as they did, says Dahl. "And we do."
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Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
I've been barefoot for four days now, on the private island that is Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, says Christopher Hooton in The Independent. "I couldn't tell you what day of the week it is and frankly, I don't care." My daily routine: wake up at sunrise in my beach villa and wander to one of the resort's restaurants. Go snorkelling with the turtles and manta rays. Return for lunch and "get repeatedly stroked against the white shore by the sea out the back of my villa, surrounded by a staggering variety of luminous fish".
Bathe outside for the evening before sticking on a smart shirt and trousers ("which is fun when you are barefoot making you look like a shipwreck victim"). Then drinks at the beach bar, formally a lagoon, and fresh barbecued lobster and fish for dinner.
The first time I visited the Maldives20 years ago, "children were a surprise, usually not warmly welcomed", says Michelle Jana Chan in The Daily Telegraph. "How different it is today." Travelling with her three-year-old daughter, Chan tested six hotels in search of the country's most family friendly destinations, including Constance Moofushi.
This resort is all-inclusive, even down to the minibar, which means you don't need to worry about teenagers racking up a big bill on drinks and snacks. The big draw is the BlueTribe dive centre, "one of the best places to notch up skills, get qualified and experience the local marine life, from whale sharks to manta rays".
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
