Discover your Indian Ocean paradise
The desert island castaway experience comes as part of a unforgettable luxurious package when you book an all-inclusive holiday to the Maldives
If you’ve ever dreamed of holidaying on a desert island, you were probably thinking of the Maldives. The 1,192 sand-circled islands that make up this archipelago sprawl across more than 870km of Indian Ocean, so flying into the atolls is quite an experience – as you descend over endless ocean, fishing boats seem almost close enough to touch. You’ll need to dig a little deeper for a Maldives break, compared to a beach holiday closer to home, but stylish all-inclusive resorts bring the experience within reach of ordinary mortals. With your meals, drinks, room and activities (and fun for the kids) all taken care of, you can let stress slip away and focus on that endless horizon melting into a cloudless sunset.
ENJOY BLISSFUL ISOLATION
South of the Maldivian capital, Kedhigandu Island is the merest sliver of sand on an endless expanse of sea. At the five-star RIU Palace Maldives – All Inclusive 24H, a white-sand beach encircles a tiny islet, topped by a verdant garden of palm trees. This is where you’ll find the pools and airy rooms that face straight onto the sand. Privacy is dialled up even higher in the overwater bungalows, which splay out from the sandbars on curving boardwalks. All-inclusive is a 24/7 concept at RIU Palace Maldives, so you can feast on lavish buffet spreads, Japanese sushi and novel-thick steaks, then sip cocktails infused with tropical juices in three bars, watching the waves break at the edge of the lagoon.
Though the resort has a tiny land footprint, lodges and villas are separated by stands of vegetation or open stretches of boardwalk, creating an overriding air of peace and privacy. Spend your days snorkelling or paddleboarding, or de-stress in the spa while the little ones get active in the kids’ club.
FLOAT OVER THE WATER
An elevated boardwalk extends across the lagoon to the serene island of Maafushi, home to the four-star RIU Atoll – All Inclusive 24H, pictured above left. Should you need a break from the equatorial temperatures, the lagoon
here is beautifully blue, with reef-edged channels offering superior snorkelling and diving.
Overwater suites are spacious, airy and with direct access to diamond-clear turquoise waters. And with the 24-hour, all-inclusive package, you can pace the days to your own schedule, so a midnight moonlight stroll followed by a
room-service cocktail on the terrace is very much on the cards.
GET ACTIVE ON THE LAGOON
Away from your sunbed, there are plenty of ways to keep active, from kayaking to fitness classes and dolphin-spotting boat trips. End the day with a top-class buffet meal or à la carte steaks and seafood,
then settle in for an epic sunset – something the Maldives does better than almost anywhere.
All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your all-inclusive holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/riu-atoll or ba.com/riu-palace