Kanuhura, The Maldives, barefoot luxury

You also will not be alone as the occupancy level of the 100 guest villas is high and the communal swimming pool area is a major draw for guests with its water-circuit, bar and two restaurants.

Originally built in 1999 the Kanuhura has been under the management of the One&Only since 2002, and the quality of service and management is readily apparent. Things happen with effortless ease and no detail is too small.

Your villa host is a personal butler who will bring you champagne or a bottle of fresh milk for tea, as well as serving the sundowners at the appropriate hour. Every guest is a VIP.

Al fresco bathrooms

The villas come complete with traditional al fresco bathrooms, and showering in the open air with the sky above you is an unusual experience but you soon get used to it. Bedrooms are to the best five-star standards with large LCD TVs and DVDs in the water villas which also boast the nicest views and the opportunity to swim from your terrace.

Fish love the lagoons that surround the islands of The Maldives and explain why this is one of the world's top scuba diving locations. But it is also great for casual snorkeling with warm and clear water. Breakfast onboard a small boat floating around the island is easily arranged though it can be an odd sight first thing in the morning.

The main Thin Rah restaurant has three open sided pavilions and the central buffet area is used for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a stress on Asian and Middle Eastern fare. Or choose the nearby Olive Tree restaurant with its open pizza oven and Mediterranean specialties.

The final resort restaurant is the Veli Cafe offering Asian fusion cuisine and using fresh seafood from the Moldavian atolls. And if you want more then a small boat can take you to the uninhabited adjacent island of Jehunuhura for lunch at Coves which honeymooners can also book for a private dinner under the stars.

Spa delights

Also recommended is the spa with more than 40 different treatments available from expert therapists and the adjacent beauty salon for women. For children the KidsOnly play centre is open from 9am to 10pm with babysitters available.

The Maldives airport at Male is just four hours flight away from Dubai and has become a popular destination for UAE residents looking to escape the pressures of city life.

Emirates Airline flies to Male eight times a week from Dubai and service standards have recently shown a great improvement with increased competition among Gulf carriers. Fly in Emirates' Business Class to maintain the five-star experience until you get home.