Waldorf Astoria Maldives

The Waldorf Astoria has solidified itself as one of the Maldives’ very best resorts, delivering an end-to-end luxury experience which begins with a blissful yacht transfer and ends with an ultra-flexible check-out time. Restaurants are a highlight: climb up to the private pods in the treetop restaurant or head underground to the sleek cheese and wine bar. Villas, meanwhile, are bumper size and each one has a generous private pool.

Getting to the resort is a breeze. Simply walk out of the airport and stroll about 20 paces to the Waldorf’s private yacht, which comes complete with sun-deck, complimentary champagne, and a crew with a surprisingly rich knowledge of the Premier League. The boat even has four below-deck bedrooms – not that you’ll need them, the journey to the island is only around 40 minutes. Proximity to the incongruously built-up capital Malé is usually considered a negative, but the resort feels totally far flung, and there’s no evidence of any other life around. Paradise may be an overused word, but this island is more than worthy of the term. The sand really is that dazzling white; the water that clear; the sunsets that hypnotic.

Although there’s plenty of thatched roofing and wooden decking, the hotel has opted fora sleeker look than the Robinson Crusoe-chic vibe of many Maldives resorts. From the splashes of blush pink with the sofas in the arrival pavilion to the low-hanging lamps, the style is modern without being too trend-focused. The 11 restaurants and bars each have a different theme, from the treehouse-style bamboo pods at Terra, to Li-Long, which is styled like a traditional Shanghai residence. Someone has had great fun designing these distinctive venues, and each feels like a mini film set.

Staff line up to applaud guests as they arrive off the boat, which, depending on your constitution, could have you basking in your VIP status or running back on the boat. However, in general, from your personal concierge (each villa has its own) to the snorkeling instructors, the staff are thankfully friendly and efficient rather than overly fawning.

The facilities at the Waldorf are what you would expect from a top-tier resort. Two huge infinity pools (one adults-only) and a glass-walled gym, yoga pavilion, and super-size watersports center compete for guests’ attention, and there is also a huge kids’ club. The array of restaurants and bars means that a couple of weeks could be spent here without exploring every corner.

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