The Maldives: paradise? I should Cocoa!
We were welcomed with the traditional coconut drink, before being taken to our new home for the next few days. All the accommodation is over water, and we were staying in a Loft Suite, with the bedroom on the mezzanine level. The design is inspired by the local fishing Dhoni boats, very quirky and individual – see the photos. No need for a plunge pool on our deck – we just slipped into the shallow warm water of the lagoon and swam out.
Again, we had a tour of the other larger accommodation, including Loft Villas and 1-bedroom Villas plus the amazing Como Villas, which have a bedroom in each of the 2 wings, so plenty of space and privacy. You also get butler service!
The island’s restaurant and bar by the infinity pool have a very relaxed feel. Breakfast was the usual array of tempting items, and we alternated between the healthy COMO Shambhala Cuisine and waffles! The cooking of our evening meals was just excellent – I have fond memories of the Wagyu beef sirloin - and at lunch time, the staff brought us the very tasty COMO pizzas while we were sunning ourselves on the beach.
You can sunbathe on the beach near the infinity pool, or walk around to the beach on the other side of the island, nearer the Spa. It takes just 5 minutes. The views everywhere are amazing and it reminded me very much of Bora Bora. There is a sandbank where the staff will arrange a private, romantic dinner or a sunrise champagne breakfast. Some lovely touches can be found on the island, such as a hammock secreted among the trees, where you can chill out with a book.
In the evenings, we loved to drink our cocktails on the loungers, while watching the sunsets and the crabs scuttling to the sea – although sometimes they did seem to get confused, and scuttled towards us!
I recommend the complimentary guided snorkelling trip at the House Reef. However, by snorkelling from our room or the beach, we saw lots and lots of sea life in very tranquil conditions, which was just fantastic. And by venturing as far as the drop off, you can enjoy the coral garden teeming with colourful fish. Even walking back from dinner, we could see small manta rays swimming in the lagoon, while a baby reef shark accompanied us as we went along the wooden walkways to breakfast. In our room we had a pamphlet showing the various fish, so we could pick out which we’d seen each day. The Maldives are one of the most coral reef dependent countries in the world, and the resort has a coral nursery, and also participates in a project where you can contribute to the regeneration of the reef by sponsoring a frame of coral. A great idea for a present!
The Spa offers lots of lovely treatments and on our last day, we took advantage of an offer on the deep tissue massage, which was the best ever experienced.
All too soon it was time to leave, taking with us a farewell gift as a reminder of a wonderful stay. Waved off by our room boy, our early morning speedboat took us to Male Airport and home – with a lot of lovely memories.
If the paradise that is The Maldives is on your list, please contact me on 020 3432 2510 I’ve got lots of great contacts, as well as advice, hints & tips. Having visited 3 very different resorts on this trip, I'm well placed to help you find the perfect holiday.