insideKENT Magazine Issue 54 - September 2016 | Page 106

GETAWAYS
The Maldives cont
and oceanside decking which serves the nearby
Beach Villa guests.
In the middle of the island are the cleverly hidden
Sultan Pool Villas, complete with private pool,
the island’s newest rooms are tucked away in
the lush vegetation, offering complete privacy
and guests are free to use any restaurant they
choose.
Whilst at the South West tip is the Over-18 Sangu
resort, with the beachside Sangu restaurant and
bar (and impressive wine cellar) and inspired
sleek infinity pool affording breathtaking views
by day and lit by colour changing underwater
lights by night, available for those guests staying
in the much heralded Water Villas and the island’s
Honeymoon Water Villa – my far from humble
abode.
Located at the end of the wooden decked jetty
(and the only place where shoes are
recommended on the island) – with a view of the
sand bank, where guests appear to be walking
on water to the left, a plethora of fish and even
a shark in the shallow waters below and just the
Indian Ocean to the right – stood the large
Honeymoon Water Villa. Inside was a tranquil

haven of a vaulted wooden ceiling, dark wood
four-poster bed, cosy lounge and mini bar area,
bathroom with rainforest shower and access to
the outdoor Jacuzzi and all around floor to ceiling
balcony doors leading to an expansive private
deck area with steps into the ocean, offering the
best sunset view in the house – it was incredible!
And then of course you can make your holiday
your own from tea at the end of the jetty in the
Sai Kotari Tea House, ice-cream from the cold
stone, upgraded dining options in the à la carte
restaurants – Franco’s, whose pizzas are
legendary; The Fast East with its specialist
Japanese teppanyaki and sushi (the beef teriyaki
and sashimi were amazing); and The Beach
where fresh local seafood (tuna and fresh reef
fish is a must!) and glorious steaks are served to
diners at their tables in the sand – to blissful
treatments at one of two Duniye Spas. I highly
recommend the Oriental Massage which offers
a restoring and balancing treatment that combines
Balinese, Thai and Indian head massage, and if
you opt for the overwater spa, all of this comes
with the sound of the ocean and views of the
fish swimming below – pure bliss!
www.kuredu.com

Hesitant to leave the action and that sunset, but inspired to experience
more of the Maldives, I headed back to Male for another seaplane transfer,
this time to the most Southern C&C Resort.

steak or seafood upon a molten rock, and the impressive Asian Wok situated
on stilts above the ocean offering not only a range of tasty inspired Asian
cuisine but also an amazing view of the rays, sharks and fish beneath.

Located in the South Ari Atoll and just 25 minutes by seaplane is the 4*
Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa.

But the main draw here is that Vilamendhoo is home to the best house reef
in the group, even the seaplane lands at a floating dock so as to not damage
the incredible coral and your transfer is completed by boat – what a way
to arrive!

Vilamendhoo is the little brother resort measuring just 900m long and 250m
wide and with just 184 rooms in four categories: Jacuzzi water villas, Jacuzzi
beach villas, beach villas and garden rooms. It has the feel of a larger resort
but with an air of quiet, subdued charm.

It didn’t take long for me to find my bearings from the protruding Water
Villas to the west to the oversea Asian Wok to the east. My Jacuzzi Beach
Villa, a comfortable affair of dark wood, flat screen tv and complete with
traditional Maldivian outside garden bathroom (definitely a new experience!)
was primely situated on the north of the island allowing me to walk from
my room, snorkel in hand, into the sea where, following the marked buoys
which show where it is safe to enter the reef I was able to snorkel at the
best reef I have ever seen! Just a few feet from the shore, the shallows give

Activities here are more low-key; a family pool and children's playground,
football pitch, a stunning sunset infinity pool, watersports and laid back
evening entertainment. There are two restaurants offering an all-you-caneat buffet, with variety added through a range of theme nights, as well as
two à la carte restaurants: the Hot Rock where you can cook your own

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