Coco Bodu Hithi ★★★★★

Exotic tropical gardens crossed by natural sandy walkways, ringed by golden beaches and coconut palms set off by a paradisiacal backdrop of crystal-clear seas and isolated sand banks… just another day at Coco Bodu Hithi *****.

Our romantic break began when we touched down on the island of Malé, where we were escorted in a seaplane to our secluded island and met by the friendly staff who showed us to our room. We’d gone for a Water Villa, set on stilts on a wooden walkway poised over the turquoise lagoon, offering panoramic ocean views. Spread over more than 100 square metres, our villa harmoniously blended traditional architecture with contemporary fixtures including a private pool, sundeck and designer bathroom. We enjoyed our first sample of seclusion with a dip in the crystal-clear ocean followed by our infinity pool, before feasting on beautifully prepared fruit, fresh juice and coffee alongside fusion cuisine from the à la carte menu – the perfect start to the day.

Feeling energetic from our hearty breakfast, we spent our first morning trying out some of the activities. The Maldives is recognised as one of the best destinations in the world for diving and snorkelling and better still, Coco Bodu Hithi is renowned for its spectacular and well-preserved coral reef. Next on the agenda was a trip to Coco Spa, set in glass-sided thatched villas on stilts over the soft tides of the lagoon, offering a sumptuous selection of traditional and Ayurvedic-inspired treatments to leave you feeling completely rejuvenated.

After a few lazy hours soaking up the sun under the shady palms, it was time to make the difficult decision of where to eat. Would it be Aqua, for alfresco dining in a romantic setting over the water, offering freshly caught seafood with a touch of Asian spice? Or perhaps Tsuki, where expert Japanese chefs use traditional ingredients to create mouth-watering sushi, sashimi and maki mono rolls. We decided to opt for something a bit more casual – set on the beach, Breeze is a barbeque restaurant with a unique ‘cook it yourself’ approach, a perfect introduction to the culinary delights we would discover during our stay. We finished our evening with a cocktail in Latitude, a stunning bar next to the infinity pool serving an assortment of classics and exclusive creations, accompanied by panoramic lagoon views and relaxing music… pure island paradise.