Fun in the sun or peace in paradise?

With wildly different styles of holiday on offer in the Maldives, Sally Peck and family sample the best of both worlds

As unimaginable as it sounds now, what we were after pre-pandemic was a self-imposed isolation. “What do we get for 15 years of marriage?” I had asked my husband. The internet will tell you: crystal. But for our anniversary, what we most wanted was some relaxing time with our children, then aged eight and six. It was dark and cold in Britain; a Maldivian atoll seemed just the thing: no distractions but nature; time to reflect on what we had built together.

But travel choices, like other life decisions – city vs country, tea vs coffee – come laden with the baggage of our childhoods. Some families – the outsourcers – won’t go anywhere unless guaranteed entertainment for their young. Others – the cynics –

would rather eat worms than participate in anything with even the faintest whiff of organised fun.

You probably think you know which camp you would most happily slot into. But in the interests of research, or perhaps in a moment of greed, we decided to trial both options, organising half a week at the (literally) all-singing, all-dancing Club Med Kani, followed by half a week at Constance Halaveli, an 86-villa island a short seaplane ride away in the North Ari atoll, which has a discreet kids’ club and sounded like more of a honeymooners’ spot (with a price tag to match).

What we wondered was this: do you prioritise children or parents in paradise? Would everyone’s focus be on activities, or do kids crave serenity, too?

Can’t beat it: Constance Halaveli’s kids’ club has a relaxed vibe