CONSTANCE HALAVELI BAREFOOT BOUTIQUE CHIC

When you arrive at Club Med, your rep talks you through the programme of events on offer; arrival at Constance Halaveli is a bit more like what I imagine it would feel like to be a celebrity checking into an elective medical facility – they know it’s you, and they know that topping your agenda is the need to shrug off the weight of responsibility. Any details can be worked out later.

When I tell you that my husband and son spent a few afternoons of our anniversary trip playing giant chess on the Halaveli beach beside the turquoise water, it sounds pretentious. But that’s how Halaveli rolls. Nothing is loud or showy; meals in the dining areas (there are four restaurants and two bars) are leisurely affairs, with buffet and à la carte options. Sommeliers offer superb advice and the quality of the meat, fish and vegetables is high, if themed nights – including raclette – seem out of place.

The spa is well staffed and perfectly designed: as you lie face down on the bed, you’ll be grateful for a circular window below the table, allowing you to watch the passing marine life.

My children preferred the kids’ club here over the one at Club Med, in part because the lingua franca was English, but more because with such small groups on the island, the charming staff are liberated and motivated to foster friendships. They embarked on thrilling swimming and snorkelling trips around the island, played games and hunted crabs with peers. The only rub at Halaveli is that the excellent-quality snorkelling excursions, lunch and supper, come at an additional cost.

So which was better? Club Med represents great value for money. With delicious food, a spacious island, and superb included water activities, it is an excellent way to access the beauty of the Maldives at a keen price for the region. Constance is a different proposition: it would be easy to spend quite a bit on extras. But its barefoot boutique chic was the perfect formula for my family.

Given the size of islands in the Maldives, I would definitely structure my next trip to the Indian Ocean in a similar fashion: dividing time between two different hotels meant we never got bored. The week away reset us and we’ve had fun trying to re-create some of the Halaveli cocktails, though without hammocks or serene turquoise waters. But the adventure, embarked upon together, brought us closer – and that, it turns out, is far more valuable than crystal.

A week at Club Med Kani costs from £6,937 all-inclusive for a family of four in one room with children aged under six, who stay free; interconnected rooms with older children from £9,710, including return flights from London Gatwick and transfers (clubmed.co.uk/kani). Turquoise Holidays is offering seven nights at Constance Halaveli with breakfast from £10,499 for a family of four (two children aged under 12) in a family water villa, including international flights and seaplane transfers (turquoiseholidays. co.uk; constancehotels.com). Prices based on Easter holidays.