1. NORTH ISLAND
The Seychelles
Described as the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’, the Seychelles is one of the most picturesque places on earth, with its 115 islands scattered over 1,300,000sqm of azure blue waters. In tandem, North Island is one of the world’s leading private island hideaways, offering a sustainble, fertile, natural paradise to guests determined to immerse themselves in something different. With its Noah’s Ark conservation and island rehabilitation programme promising to help protect its surroundings, guests can revel in the beauty of both setting and experience. Whether you’re in search of rest or play, recuperation of exhiliration, indulgence or wellness... North Island is the perfect destination that beautifully fuses of all of life’s little luxuries. Available to hire in its entirety, North Island can also be your own private playground for anyone who seeks absolute seclusion and serenity.
www.north-island.com
2. THE RESIDENCE MAURITIUS
Belle Mare, Mauritius
Beyond its beautiful symphony between modernity and tradition, the allure of The Residence Mauritius lies in its all-embracing family-centric vibe, allowing the dreams and desires of children to take centre stage. With the resort’s Family Concierge waiting in the wings, kids will be given tailor-made itineraries that make every day a different adventure. Bespoke experiences include yoga classes, child-friendly cultural excursions and mini-massages, replete with a personal butler who’ll help with everything from booking trips to unpacking suitcases to running a bath. Here, nothing is ever too much trouble.
www.cenizaro.com
3. JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI
South Atoll, Maldives
Plumped pretty in the South Malé Atoll and just a speedy 20-minute boat ride from Malé, the island paradise of Jumeirah Vittaveli awaits, where extraordinary levels of accommodation raise the bar. Having carefully considered all the nuanced needs of its clientele. With nine different room categories, an over-water, two-storied Private Ocean Retreat is the best place to bed down for families with an adventurous spirit. Recently refurbished, each 420sqm villa now boasts a 23-metre water slide that stretches from the balcony upstairs into the blue lagoon below, and is a serious USP for the trained eye of gung-ho kids. With an infinity pool, hammocks and your private over-water beach, water babies only need apply.
For further elevated luxury, and for those travelling en masse, the resort’s ultra-secluded Royal Residence truly steals show. The five-bedroom retreat is laid out over 3,500sqm and features a main ‘Sanctuary’ for its host, two guest villas and a two-storey guest house. The retreat also claims bragging rights with a private beach, two swimming pools, spa pavilion, gym, overwater bar, dedicated restaurant and fully-stocked professional kitchen for on-demand fine dining. The Sanctuary’s mod-cons include a state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen sound system, Life Fitness gym equipment and a private spa by Talise.
The resort’s game-changer accommodation option, however,
is its all-new MY Vittaveli – an 85-foot Aizmut super-yacht and the first of its kind in the Maldives. The ‘floating villa’, as it’s fondly referred to, means you can live out your Robinson Crusoe fantasy whisked away on an over-night adventure. Sleeping eight guests across two master cabins and two twin cabins (all with en-suites), or 20 guests for leisurely day-time cruises, your days will be filled with snorkelling, Maldivian handline fishing, BBQs on deserted islands, and starlit sandbank dinners. Be it on land, over-water or at sea, at Jumeirah Vittaveli beauty, elegance and adventure combine to create the perfect island hideaway.
www.jumeirah.com
4. GRAND PARK KODHIPPARU
North Atoll, Maldives
If there was paradise on earth, Grand Park Kodhipparu would certainly come close.
An ultra-luxurious resort in the North Atoll of the Maldives, where the beauty of laid-back, barefoot living runs through its veins, the focus here is on tailor-making experiences that create out-of-this-world memories. From scuba diving to catamaran sailing to sunset cruises on a traditional dhoni, Grand Park Kodhipparu’s roster of activities hits all the right notes, while its tailor-made ‘private dining’ experiences sing from a different song sheet altogether. A secluded sunrise breakfast on the shore, followed by an intimate picnic on a sandbank, by way of a private BBQ on the beach and ending with a Pergola dinner served al fresco under the stars, all while you drift away to work on creating memories to last you a lifetime. Once you’ve sated your cravings, nights spent in the Grand Residence will elevate your vacation all the more. With
a private infinity pool and hammocks that look out over the big blue, this is certainly a grand getaway.
www.parkhotelgroup.com
5. CHEVAL BLANC RANDHELI
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
Impossibly tranquil and undeniably divine, LVMH’s Cheval Blanc Randheli has to be one of the most beautiful Maldivian outposts. Celebrating the Art de Recevoir, the Maison’s specially-trained Alchemists and Ambassadors curate a thoughtful approach where service is tailored to every individual need. Privacy is paramount here, amid the crisp wood, yellow and white interiors of its 46 villas that each seek seclusion, or in the four-bedroom villa on Cheval Blanc Randheli’s Private Island, accessible only by boat. It’s blissfully relaxing in every way. Elegance is customary, with chic décor paving way to luxury experiences that sate every sense, from suite to spa to bespoke dining and beyond. The triumvirate of must-tries is an afternoon whiling away the hours on Spa Island, followed by sunset sailing aboard the hotel’s Azimut Leonardo 98 luxury yacht, then dinner at Le 1947. Drink it in.
www.chevalblanc.com
6. ONE&ONLY LE SAINT GÉRAN
Belle Mare, Mauritius
The land of waterfalls, rainbows and shooting stars, Mauritius is renowned for being one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. That sense of awe is the same on arrival at One&Only Le Saint Géran at the northern tip of the iconic Belle Mar coastline, where tropical luxury is abound, and a sense of escaping it all prevails. Well-known for its location, the resort is flanked by lush tropical rainforests on one side and the crystal clear azure waters of the Indian Ocean on the other,
a destination where peace, tranquillity and privacy come uninterrupted. Take your pick of suites, family suites or Villa One, One&Only Le Saint Géran’s unparalleled home-from-home. Arguably the most exclusive retreat in Mauritius, the two-bedroom villa, also boasts a spectacular swimming pool and divine private terrace with undistributed views of the ocean. For those seeking luxury, incomparable seclusion and
a truly exquisite island adventure, here your dreams are answered.
www.oneandonlyresorts.com
7. CONSTANCE HOTELS & RESORTS
Mauritius, Maldives and the Seychelles
With six luxury hotels under its Indian Ocean belt, Constance Hotels & Resorts has a monopoly on natural, human-centric, indulgent destinations perfect for winter sun pursuits. True experiences lie at the heart of each hotel’s ethos, allowing guests to live and feel every moment of their exotic island adventure, while the savoir-faire in curating unique family-friendly adventures gives Constance an important USP. In Mauritius, guests can experience a ride in a glass-bottom boat at Constance Le Prince Maurice, or kayak, swim or snorkel through the crystal clear waters at Constance Belle Mare Plage. Two properties in the Seychelles promise the perfect blend of rest and relaxation, where Constance Lemuria will welcome you with a cocoon of luxury amidst vibrant nature, and Constance Ephelia is located on two of the most beautiful beaches on Mahé, with views over the marine national park of Port Launay. The Maldives offers the best of both worlds, with the family-friendly Constance Moofushi and its all-inclusive offering, or the more private, kitted-out experience of Constance Halaveli, which allows families to make the most of being together.
www.constancehotels.com
8. KIHAA MALDIVES
Baa Atoll, Maldives
Nestled in Baa Atoll, home to Hanifaru Bay, the only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, there is much to explore at Kihaa Maldives. With its impeccably appointed suites and villas, the 310sqm two-bedroom beach suite with private pool takes the prize for most desirable des-res. Island life means days are spent languishing between the resort’s infinity pool, the treatment rooms of the exotic Kihaa Spa,
or exploring the rich house reef that encircles the island. What makes this property stand out is its Hanifaru Bay Experience, where you’ll snorkel in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by the gentle giants of the ocean, Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. A truly once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
www.kihaamaldives.com
9. SUN SIYAM IRU FUSHI
Noonu Atoll
An exhilarating 45-minute seaplane from Malé, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi lies in splendour in the heart of the stunning Noonu Atoll. The resort has 221 luxury rooms and villas, plus three exclusive retreats, with favourites including: the Hidden Retreat, which oozes both style and seclusion and is ideal for family and friends; the Beach Villas that are soothing sanctuaries that open up directly onto the beach; and the Sunset Horizon Water Villas that are perfectly situated for end-of-day sun viewing. With the largest food and beverage options in one resort in the Maldives, with 15 outlets, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi makes itself known as a destination for both globetrotters and gourmands. An additional USP for families, is when two parents book a room, two children under 15 can stay and eat for free, making it one of the most family-orientated luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean.
www.sunsiyam.com
10. TAJ EXOTICA
Emboodhu Finolhu Island, Maldives
Situated in the middle of one of the largest natural lagoons in the world, the tropical isle of Emboodhu Finolhu, also known as ‘Three Coconut Island’, is home to the award-winning Taj Exotica. Just a 15-minute speedboat ride from Malé airport, with 24-hour transfers, the lush, natural beauty of the island is rare to find in the Maldives and immediately evokes a leisurely, laid-back ambience to echo the surrounds. With 64 luxury villas and suites, it’s the Rehendi Presidential Overwater Suite that courts the most discerning of travellers.
The two-bedroom suite also features two salas, a glassed bathroom, a 15-foot freshwater pool with private sundeck and hammocks suspended over the beautiful lagoon below.
A destination for foodies, another USP of Taj Exotica is its array of dining experiences, from Teppanyaki at 24 Degrees restaurant, to beautiful Mediterranean cuisine at Deep End restaurant,
to tailor-made dinners just for you, experiential dining is brought to the fore. With personalised butler service throughout the resort,
a five-star PADI Dive Centre and sublime Jiva Spa on tap too,
a stay here is as authentic as it can be adventure-filled.
www.tajhotels.com