Made up of 1,192 coral islands looping around 26 shimmering atolls in the Indian remote Ocean, there are few destinations more closely associated with aspirational A-list-level travel than the Maldives. Unique experiences come as standard - hopping on seaplanes flown by barefoot pilots, swimming with four-metre-wide manta rays, jet-skiing across empty lagoons in shades of blue you didn't know existed - but that's just the start. In a bid to attract big spenders, luxury hotels across the country have invested millions of dollars into one-of-a-kind facilities, from zip-lines zooming through the jungle and underwater restaurants to cutting-edge spa facilities, award-winning wine cellars and research-grade observatories. Here's our pick of the most OTT things to do should your credit limit allow it.
VIP stays at the Private Reserve
All of Gili Lankanfushi's villas are set over the water, including six extra special 'Robinson Crusoe' villas that can only be reached by tender, leaving the jungly island and its luminous white beaches undisturbed. But the star of the show is Gili's Private Reserve, an over-water aqua-fantasy of multi-level rooms, floating walkways and sprawling sundeck. Aside from two enormous bedrooms (complete with glass panels in the floor) the Reserve also has an infinity pool, a waterslide into the ocean, a cinema, a gym, steam room, sauna and a private speedboat to use whenever you like. gili-lankanfushi.com.
Zip-line to dine at Soneva Fushi
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
A stunning success another calming experience in the capital
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox