One&Only Reethi Rah review, Maldives: The resort that will ruin you

My beach villa with pool is a high-ceilinged sanctuary of regal reds and purples and natural materials such as wood and coconut shell. Sliding glass doors open onto a large plunge pool, a hammock built for two, sun lounges and my own stretch of beach. The bathroom has his and hers vanities, indoor and outdoor rainwater showers and an enormous sunken stone bath under a window, with bath salts, loofah and essential oil burner; there's an aromatherapy menu as well as a pillow menu. There's a yoga mat to use, a beach bag to keep and a mobile phone for making restaurant and spa bookings or for calling my villa concierge. The minibar includes an Illy espresso machine and gourmet teas.

THE FOOD

There are six restaurants: Reethi Restaurant where the breakfast buffet has to be seen to be believed; the organic Chef's Garden, surrounded by its own living produce; Tapasake over-water Japanese restaurant with outdoor teppanyaki bar; Beach Club, where you can dine on fresh seafood and salads with your toes in the sand; Rah Bar, which stays open late; and the Arabic Fanditha, where you can lounge on giant cushions or in curtained cabanas beside the sea, flanked by hurricane lanterns and shisha pipes. There's also 24-hour room service.

STEPPING OUT

Marine outings are a must in the Maldives and there are plenty of offerings, from whale shark swims and dive trips to day-cruises on dhoni (traditional fishing boats) and sunset sandbank experiences. Terrestrial offerings include climbing (on the Maldives' first climbing wall) and tai chi and yoga classes – including aerial yoga where you can swing like a low-flying acrobat

in an over-water pavilion. You could spend an entire day in the temple-like spa complex, which has an idyllic garden with wicker swings, fountains and hammocks under the coconut palms.

THE VERDICT

With its dreamy location, private apartment-sized villas and first-class service, One&Only Reethi Rah is the kind of resort that spoils you for all others.

ESSENTIALS

Singapore Airlines flies from Sydney to Male via Singapore with same-day connections daily; see http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/home. One&Only Reethi Rah is 45 minutes by speed boat from Male airport. Villa rates start at $US1190 a night plus taxes. See reethirah.oneandonlyresorts.com.

The writer was a guest of One&Only Reethi Rah, Singapore Airlines and Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation.

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