Newly-weds stuck on £600-a-night island

RAUL and Olivia De Freitas were looking forward to the trip of a lifetime when they booked their honeymoon in the Maldives.

Now, however, their tropical island idyll is losing its appeal, after Covid-19 left the South African couple stranded as the sole guests at the luxury Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, where the room rate starts at $750 (£611) a night.

Ms De Freitas said they had planned the trip, which was supposed to last only six days, as a special extravagance.

They arrived on March 22, pressing ahead as countries around the world were imposing travel restrictions.

The couple had been reassured by their travel agent that the South African government would get its citizens home if necessary, The New York Times reported.

By the time South Africa said it was closing its airports last week, other guests, including Americans and Russians, were able to escape.

But the 27-year-old teacher and 28-year-old butcher were not so lucky.

Stranded on a remote island, they had no chance of getting home on a scheduled airline. Plans for a private charter flight for around 40 South Africans also fell through.

With only two guests, rather than the normal 180, hotel staff are lavishing attention on the couple.

In the morning, nine waiters are on hand to provide breakfast, and in the evening staff put on a candlelit dinner on the beach.

But as the bills mount – the couple had been saving for a house – paradise seems far less attractive.

“Everyone says they want to be stuck on a tropical island, until you’re actually stuck,” Ms De Freitas said.

“It only sounds good because you know you can leave.”