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Como Maalifushi hotel is the first luxury resort to open on Thaa Atoll. Guests can choose stay in a selection of 65 land and overwater villas or suites, and all in a distinctive chic wooden design.
The lone island is almost entirely surrounded by coral, which equals a wondrous house reef; pulsing with vibrant flowerpot, mushroom and branching corals, parrotfish, butterflyfish and octopus, among dozens of other species. There's also a gorgeous strip of beach for lolling on and some excellent dive sites in the area, including a whale shark hangout.
Island hop between the islands by private yacht and watch the manta rays or take a 'family castaway picnic' for the younger guests. The Shambhala Spa offers a whole range of holistic Asian therapies and beauty treatments to ensure that you relax and rewind. Choose to dine privately on your own villa pool deck or enjoy the wide range of high standard cuisine on offer in the restaurants - from japanese dishes to traditional menus using local produce.
Tropical minimalism done to perfection; clean lines, thatched roofs, bleached woods and billowing white muslin, allowing that 50-shades-of-blue ocean to take centre stage. The vibe is sophisticated yet easy and unpretentious, with high-flying guests scooting around the island on bicycles, making sand angels on the beach and congregating over cocktails at sunset.
Start your day by cycling to the spa for some sunrise yoga with an Indian guru. After breakfast, swing by the watersports centre, pick up some snorkelling gear and play in the house reef – or go kayaking, windsurfing or stand-up paddleboarding (all complimentary). The team can also arrange an array of extraordinary experiences, including deep sea fishing on a £1m 68 Hatteras convertible yacht, splash-net dolphin-spotting cruises (where you sit in the net of a dhoni and get dragged through the ocean) and soul-stirring night swimming with three-metre-wide whale sharks.
Discreetly positioned around the island are 65 villas, ranging from capacious beach suites fronted by perfect-white sands, to sweeping over-water beauties, with rambling decks, infinity pools and waterside cabanas. The interiors are soothing in the extreme; vaulted ceilings, pale woods, white-netted beds, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto dreamy views. Bathrooms are huge, with enormous Japanese-style soaking tubs, indoor and outdoor showers and impossible-not-to-pinch Como Shambala toiletries.
Children are very welcome. There's a full children's menu, a terrific kids' club (suitable for youngsters aged four to 12) with daily activities including the likes of crab racing, nature walks and sand-castle building.