BLISSFUL BEACHES
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KANDOLHU ISLAND, The Maldives
Idon’t think I really ever knew the true meaning of the phrase ‘holiday of a lifetime’ until one bleak day back in January, still mourning the end of Christmas, I took a plane, seaplane and speedboat and arrived in paradise. It was easy to forget the journey when we found ourselves standing, suitcases in hand, on a floating landing platform in the middle of the Indian Ocean, watching our private speedboat whizz towards us for a transfer to Kandolhu, the idyllic island resort that would be our home for the week. No holiday I’ve ever had has started so glamorously.
Kandolhu is a tiny resort (you can stroll around it in 10 minutes) in the Maldives’ North Ari Atoll, surrounded by a perfect circle of pure, soft white sand and a lagoon so warm and crystal clear you can practically see the colourful fish, reef sharks and turtles from your lounger.
The hotel has 30 luxury villas – a few on stilts over the water, the others nestled discreetly around the edge of the island, all with a view that will be imprinted on my mind forever. Imagine a warm breeze, the sound of gently lapping waves, sand so soft you can’t bear to wear shoes (and you don’t, not even for dinner, so don’t pack any), and nothing on the horizon except sparkling sea as far as the eye can see and a huge expanse of sky that fills with layer upon layer of stars at night.
We stayed in a duplex Pool Villa, a two-storey space with its own private section of beach, sitting room, plunge pool and outdoor garden bathroom so we could shower under the night sky. As if that wasn’t luxurious enough, extra details like an ipad, underwater Gopro camera (for capturing the tropical sealife when diving or snorkelling) and a Nespresso machine made us feel utterly spoilt.
The resort is all-inclusive, which had never appealed to me before, but any fears about repetitive meals, buffet queues and limited menus were quelled by the five outstanding and unique à la carte restaurants all offering something delicious, from the cosy romantic sea grill (our favourite) to the Japanese teppanyaki
restaurant Banzai, that seats just six guests at a time and where I eat the most delicious Wagyu steak I’ve ever tasted. You can also book a candlelit beach dinner for two, the waves drifting up to your feet as you sip champagne: a must.
Despite being a very small resort, Kandolhu never felt crowded, and we were often the only people in the spa on our daily visits for a steam and sauna – in fact, we rarely saw any other guests until dinner. The resort manages to strike the perfect balance between casual luxury and glossy five-star service without being overly fussy, formal or claustrophobic. The dress code is laid-back glamour (I lived in a Dodo Bar Or maxi dress and a Marysia Swim bikini – and wore nothing else). It’s very Robinson Crusoe – but if Robinson Crusoe had won the lottery. We’d go back in a heartbeat.
OONAGH BRENNAN TRIP NOTES Stay seven nights all-inclusive in a Pool Villa, including economy flights from London Heathrow on Emirates and transfers in resort, from £4,269 per person – a saving of up to £1,092 per couple. Price is for selected dates in October 2018 based on two adults sharing. Seven nights all-inclusive in an Ocean Villa, including economy flights from London Heathrow on Emirates and transfers in resort, from £4,639 per person – a saving of up to £1,124 per couple. Price is for selected dates in October 2018 based on two adults sharing.
Book with Kuoni; kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008.