Best of the Maldives

Q: My wife and I want to take a holiday in the Maldives, but are overwhelmed by the selection of resorts on offer. How does one choose? We hope that you can assist by narrowing down the choice for us. We are looking for an intimate resort, with less than 20 rooms, but offering five-star comfort and facilities. We would prefer one with a good beach rather than a resort specialising in diving and snorkelling. Help, please! - John Wetherley

A: I can sympathise with your dilemma, as the Maldives certainly has a magnificent range of resorts. One that may appeal to you is the Banyan Tree Maldives. With only six suites, privacy is guaranteed here. You stay in luxurious safari-styled tents, but you certainly won't be roughing it. You have a personal butler, a private plunge pool and massage beds. The room rate includes all meals, water activities, use of a Turkish sailboat and a spa treatment. (www.banyantree.com) If your image of a tropical paradise is more conventional, you can opt for the Naladhu Resort, which offers accommodation in Bahamas-inspired white lacquered houses. Watch the sun go down from a pillow-topped sunbed or take a stroll on your private wooden sundeck that stretches into the ocean. If you feel the need to socialise, you can head for the Living Room, where alfresco dining tables are set around a glassed-in wine cellar. Or have a private dinner on a traditional Maldiviandhoni sailboat. (www.naladhu.com)
If you really want to get away from the throng, you can choose one of the seven "Robinson Crusoe" residences at the Soneva Gili Resort. Accessible only by your private rowboat or pontoon shuttle, these villas stand alone in the shallow lagoon, perfect for living out your shipwreck fantasies. However, your personal butler, dubbed Mr Friday, is only a few minutes away. You'll probably want to dine in isolated splendour, with room service orders arriving by boat. But if you feel the need to join fellow guests, back on the main island there is a sand-floor cafe, an underground gourmet cellar and an Italian eatery in the organic garden. The most romantic option is a private meal on One Palm Island, 500 metres offshore. (www.sixsenses.com/soneva-gili/)
Finally, if money is no object and you want the ultimate in private holidays, you can hire your own island. Known as the Rania Experience, the island comes with its own 86-foot yacht, accommodations for up to 15, around-the-clock butler service, private dive instructor and unlimited spa treatments in the open-air overwater pavilion. As you pay for the entire seven-acre island with its three-bedroom mansion and three beach villas, you may want to take a few friends along. A full staff, including chefs and butlers, are on hand to fulfill your every wish. All this comes with a hefty price tag, of course. Count on at least 10,000 US dollars a day. (www.raniaexperience.com)