Beach, Please!

It’s unarguably the ultimate paradise on Earth, for honeymooners, babymooners, singletons not mooning for anybody (now don’t go thinking dirty here!) and family folks alike. The Maldives makes your heart sing, spirits soar, and generally allows you to feel how mer-people do in water—at home. We have captured two distinct flavours of this archipelago. Choose wisely, but do know that you can hardly ever go wrong with the Maldives

WHERE LUXURY PREVAILS

A home away from home. Albeit an uber luxuriant one. Our main pick is the island property where stingrays come visiting in the evening, aqua waves splash magic around, and the flavour of India keeps emerging as its signature hospitality

From the overwhelming welcome at your arrival to the villa with a pool to the personal butler, this experience spells luxury with a capital L. The Taj Exotica Resort and Spa at the Emboodhu Finolhu Island, barely a 10-minute speedboat ride away from the Male airport, gives you all the thrills that a Maldivian luxury holiday must come with, and then ties a ribbon around it with Indian hospitality and service.

First, the grand entry. As soon as the speedboat closes in on the destination, a drum starts playing in the background, you’re welcomed with seashell garlands and the customary photo on the jetty (which will then be added to a quaint personalised Maldivian photo album to be handed over before you leave).

For a picturesque getaway, they offer 64 sea view villas and suites that are all-out decadent covering the gamut in eight varied catgeories. If you choose to stay in the premium villa with a pool, you will be opting for a haven with a private oversized plunge pool, deck with sunbeds, hammock, lounge chairs, and an outdoor shower in a private walled garden. A buggy ride away is your breakfast hotspot.