MALDIVES

ALIFU ALIFU ATOLL
Hotels
●Constance Halaveli Resort – 011-960-666-7000 or 011-230-402-2777; halaveli.com; 25 stellar dive sites make this premier diving resort; rent 1 of 8, 2-story family-friendly beach villas.



BAA ATOLL (UNESCO Biosphere Preserve)
Hotels
●Anantara Kihavah Villas – Dhigufinolhu (South Male Atoll); 011-960-66-44-111; kihavah-maldives.anantara.com.
Bataa Atoll; 011-960-660-0888 or 800-819-5053; fourseasons.com/maldives/; December-April are driest months; Water Villas on island’s northwest corner have both sunrise and sunset views.
●Huvafen Fushi – North Male Atoll; huvafenfushi.com.
●Milaidhoo – Milaidhoo Island; 011-960-665-4441; milaidhoo.com; individual infinity pools that blend seamlessly into mirror flat sea; gourmet restaurant set in 3 Dhoni sailing boats; beautiful villas & endless wooden walkways stretching over water; can stay in either lodge nestled between palm trees or villa standing over water.
●Soneva Fushi – Kunfunadhoo Island; 011-960-660-0304; 62 villas; excellent diving; ask for villas 37 (Crusoe Villa) or 42 (Soneva Fushi Villa) or skip Crusoe residences and opt for less expensive Residence Suite off Jetty 3.
●Voavah – Voavah Island; 011-960-660-0888; fourseasons.com/maldivesvoavah; among world’s most luxurious hideaways; accommodates up to 22 guests in 7 bedrooms at $46,360 per night; flanking either island end are 2 separate villas with private pools – 1 is 3-bedroom abode on beach & other is 2-bedroom property set over water; world’s biggest known population of manta rays inhabits surrounding area, as do hawksbill & green turtles & dolphins.

Sights & Sites
●Hanifaru Bay – mantatrust.org; good manta ray-watching.



COCOA ISLAND
Hotels
●Cocoa Island Private Resort – 011-960-441-818; cocoa-island.com; 4 1-bedroom villas, 2 2-bedroom villas, and 30 thatch-roof cottages with wooden walkways out into water; healthy resort; affordable (relatively speaking).



DHAALU ATOLL
Hotels
●Niyama – Embudhufushi & Olhuveli Islands; 011-960-689-3577; niyamamaldives.net; 40-minute seaplane flight from Male; 86 Studios and Pavilions; Beach Studios have stunning, outdoor bathrooms, large deck areas and secluded beach views; Deluxe Beach Studios have private, fiber-optic-lit pool; Beach Pavilions have 24-hour butler service, private pools; Water Studios and Deluxe Water Studios both offer private pools, stunning Indian Ocean views, spacious living areas, and latest entertainment technology; underwater restaurant.
●St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort – Vommuli Island; 011-960-676-6333; starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=4315&language=en_US; far-flung tropical island resort offering daringly designed environment in deliciously secluded location; over-water spa, sunken wine cellars & bar that looks like whale shark; family villas line beachfront like fleet of wooden dhoni boats setting out to sea.



FAAFU ATOLL
Hotels
●Rania Experience – Boduthakurufaanu Magu; 011-960-675-0555; slh.com/maldives/male/malran.html; pampering at new level; exclusive access to 86' yacht for pleasure cruising; private 17-acre island; 3 bedroom suite and 3 beach villas; high price tag; private dive instructor; December-April are driest months; $10K per couple per night.



LAAMU ATOLL
Hotels
●Six Senses Laamu – Olhuveli Island; 011-960-680-0800; sixsenses.com/SixSensesLaamu.



NOONU ATOLL
Hotels
●Soneva Jani – Medhufaru Island; 011-91-124-451-1000; soneva.com/soneva-jani; around-clock butler service, strong environmental code & determination to disconnect from noisy outside world (guests are gently asked to remove their shoes on arrival, which are then slipped into linen bag until their departure).



NORTH MALE ATOLL
Dives
●HP Reef (Girifushi Thila or Rainbow Reef) – sits beside narrow channel where currents nourish corals and large variety pelagics & reef fish; formations include large blocks, spectacular caves & 25 m vertical, swim-through chimney; Protected Marine Area.

Hotels
●Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa – Kuda Huraa; 011-960-664-4888; fourseasons.com/maldiveskh; classic.
●One&Only Reethi Rah – 011-960-664-8800; oneandonlyresorts.com.

Services
●Maldives Aggressor – 209 Hudson Trace (Augusta, Georgia); 706-993-2531 or 800-348-2628; aggressor.com/maldives.php; live-aboard dive accommodations that are luxurious and perfect for dive vacations.



NORTH ARI ATOLL (Fesdu Island)
Hotels
●W Retreat & Spa Maldives – Fesdu Island; 011-960-666-2222; starwoodhotels.com.



RAA ATOLL (Vaadhoo)
Sights & Sites
●Sea of Stars – ; bioluminescence generated by phytoplankton known as dinoflagellates creates effect; wort special trip; more prevalent in late summer through new year.


RANGALI ISLAND
Hotels
●Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – 011-960-668-0629; conradhotels1.hilton.com; spread out over 2 private islands.



SHAVIYANI ATOLL
Hotels
●Viceroy Maldives – Vagaru Island; 011-960-654-5000; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/maldives; 1^st choice in Maldives.



SOUTH ARI ATOLL
Hotels
●Hilton Rangali Island Resort & Spa – 25-minute flight from Male; 011-960-450-629 or 800-774-1500; hilton.com; ask for 1 of 2 Sunset Water Villas; on stilts above water with glass floor; each has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, flat-screen televisions, and butler.



SOUTH MALE ATOLL
Hotels
●Anantara Dhigu – Dhigufinolhu Island; 011-960-664 4100; dhigu-malidives.anantara.com; 110 overwater suites and beach villas on 10-acre private island; luxurious outdoor bathing areas come standard in Beachfront villas; picnic on secluded islet in Anantara's lagoon.
●Naladhu – Veligandhu Huraa; 011-960-664-4100; naladhu.com; 19 expansive guest quarters; private gardens and infinity pools; open-air bathrooms; sea-facing tubs for 2; all aspects exceed expectations; most convenient, exclusive destination; December-April driest months; Ocean Houses enjoy breaking wave sounds.
●Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives – 011-960-664-2200; although location is close to airport and may be noisy, has best restaurants on island.

Restaurants
●Deep End – at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives; 011-960-664-2200.
●24 Degrees – at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives; 011-960-664-2200.