Soneva Gili by Six Senses

All the accommodation is in stunning and highly original villas perched on stilts over the aquamarine waters of the lagoon and reached via wooden walkways, to us, probably the best rooms in the islands. For the ultimate in privacy, there are seven ‘Crusoe Residences’ that are like private islands adrift in these turquoise seas and only accessible by boat. The villas are spacious and feature rooftop sundecks with panoramic views, comfortable daybeds to laze away the days, and personal entertainment centres.

Guests come ashore to enjoy a range of excellent facilities and the resort’s renowned food and wine. The award-winning Six Senses Spa offers numerous treatments, with glass floor-panels beneath the massage tables that allow you to watch the fish swimming by. Maldivian, Balinese, Thai and Ayurvedic therapies are all available, and the spa also features a steam room, sauna and gym.

The Maldives is one of the world’s finest destinations for snorkelling and diving, and Soneva Gili has its own fully-equipped PADI diving centre run by Ocean Paradise which is a very professional outfit. Russ, the dive leader, has been on the island for a while so knows the waters well and can guide you to the right sites. You will never be in a group of more than four people and the centre, perched next to the turquoise blue lagoon, is a stunning place to start and end a dive.

A variety of other watersports are on offer, such as windsurfing and sailing, and there are tennis courts and a large freshwater swimming pool. Beyond the island, deep-sea fishing and excursions to nearby atolls are available.

In the evenings, guests can choose between eating at the restaurant or dining on the resort’s boat as it cruises in the lagoon under the stars. Alternatively, meals can be delivered direct to your villa.