Maldives Holidays

Nowhere does belting beaches better than the Maldives – they outnumber the inhabitants here. From above, the archipelago looks like blue and white paint that’s been flicked across the Indian Ocean. There are a whopping 1,000-plus islands in total. Some are Robinson Crusoe types, while others are luxury hotel turf – we're talking private islands with their own house reefs. Either way, you’re guaranteed bath-like lagoons and suncream-white sands.

‘No news, no shoes’ is the Maldives mantra. That should give you some idea of its chilled vibe. This neck of the woods – or ocean – is famous for its over-water villas, so you can tip-toe from bed to sea in seconds. And the la-di-da resorts are pampering pros. Think sunset meals on the sand, desert island cruises and ocean-view massages. The Hard Rock Hotel Maldives has a stash of Fender^® guitars you can get a lend of, and the ROBINSON Noonu has an infinity pool that melts into the lagoon. If you don't fancy sorting and spending money, loads of the properties around here are All Inclusive specialists, too. Long story short, this place is honeymoon heaven.

A bunch of Maldives hotels come with their own house reefs, so you don’t need to leave your little bubble for a snorkelling sesh. Depending on the season, you can also head out on trips to meet the local manta rays and whale sharks – the biggest fishes on the planet. If you’re more of a dry land dweller, you can still gawp at pods of playful dolphins on a boat trip. Or, while away the days doing nothing at all – these dinky islands are so secluded, the decibel metre feels like it's been turned down to a new low.