One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah

Located on one of the largest islands in the North Male’ Atoll, this ultra-chic all-villa resort offers unrivalled privacy amidst its 109 acre expanse of lush forest. Hailed for its six kilometres of stunning coastline and a remarkable twelve powder-soft white sand beaches, the island is just 75 minutes by luxury yacht from Male’.

Sleek and spectacular, and included in Tatler Travel Guide’s ‘101 Best Hotels for 2006’, One&Only at Reethi Rah boasts 130 private villas discreetly positioned along the shore – either on the beach secluded by the tropical greenery – or over the clear, protected waters of the lagoon. Light and airy, and designed in an elegant contemporary style, these villas are amongst the largest resort villas in the world – with incredibly generous exterior spaces – many with private pools. Each villa is a personal sanctuary – with an oversized bath for two, flat-screen LCD television, CD and DVD player and broadband internet access – not to mention the attentive services of a dedicated villa host.

Choose between the magnificent Beach Villas which each occupy their own stretch of sand (some even have their own private swimming pool) – or the equally opulent Water Villas which have split verandahs with netted ocean hammocks suspended from the deck – perfect for ‘overwater’ sun-worshipping!

Families will enjoy the six Duplex Beach Villas (three with private pools) which comprise two adjacent villas adjoined by a 5 metre walkway.

For that added decadence, there are also two one-bedroom Grand Water Villas, two one-bedroom Grand Beach Villas (each with a separate dining and sitting room) – and three two-bedroom Grand Beach Villas – all with private pools.

Secluded from the rest of the resort and nestled within tranquil gardens, the exclusive One&Only Spa by ESPA offers luxurious individual treatment villas overlooking the ocean where you can indulge in relaxing holistic therapies based on Ayurvedic traditions infused with western luxuries.

The energetic will revel in the abundance of activities... there’s a variety of watersports, a PADI Dive Centre, cycling, a Fitness Studio, tennis at the Peter Burwash Tennis Centre, a KidsOnly Club and even specific programmes for teenagers. The lap pool extends 30 metres out into the lagoon and there is also a freeform infinity-edge swimming pool and a children’s pool. Yoga, Tai Chi and Pilates are available in the Chi Pavilion set above the lagoon.

Not surprisingly, the culinary creativity is unsurpassed. Choices include the eclectic Reethi Restaurant, contemporary Japanese cuisine at Tapasake or the ‘chill-out’ ambience of Fanditha with its divan-bolsters and Arabian carpets in the sand – as you can imagine, magical evenings linger well into the night!

PRICES Prices per person for 7 nights in a Beach Villa range from £1285 in low season (£161 per person per night) to £1537 in high season (£197 per person per night) including breakfast and the return yacht transfer. A minimum 7 night stay applies over Christmas and New Year. Flights from the UK from £493 (including £140 tax) with Qatar Air