The Daily Telegraph - Constance Halaveli, Maldives
May 5, 2016

A classic Maldivian island-resort with 86 villas, some overwater and some on the beach, all with individual plunge pools. The hotel caters for families as much as honeymooners with some of the world’s best diving, watersports, a tennis court and kids’ club.

Location

Situated in the North Ari atoll and surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the hotel is a 25-minute flight by seaplane from Male, the capital. As is the norm in the Maldives, the resort takes up the entire island. Sister property Moofushi is a 30-minute boat transfer away; both resorts are part of the French-owned Constance group which also has hotels in Mauritius and Madagascar.

Style & character

A classic barefoot-style Maldivian resort built upon an island of coconut palms latticed by sandy lanes, with one long overwater jetty. The design is polished wood and thatch with architectural lines echoing the curved traditional Dhoni boat.

Service & facilities

Service is generally good and housekeeping is stand-out excellent. Public spaces are clustered around the reception area with a dive centre, watersports facility, infinity pool, gym and artificial-grass tennis court with a pro available for coaching. The spa has 11 treatment rooms and a hair salon.

Rooms

Unusually the 57 entry-level rooms are the overwater villas, each 100 square-metres with a private plunge pool and deck. The 28 beach villas are extremely private and good for families: some have a master bedroom with adjoining bunk room, and the double-storey villas have a second-level bedroom with separate outdoor access suitable for older children. All come with an iMac entertainment system and a well-stocked minibar and wine cooler.

Food & drink

There is fine Asian dining at Jing on the overwater jetty with octopus sashimi, Wagyu beef tenderloin and seabass with peppered calamari; the neighbouring bar is the best place for cocktails. Back on land is a buffet-style restaurant, sushi bar and poolside grill serving seafood and steaks. The breakfast buffet has tropical fruit platters and live cooking stations with waffles and eggs, as well as charcuterie and Chinese dumplings.

Access for guests with disabilities?

Challenging. Public spaces are connected by sandy lanes.

Family-friendly?

A kids' club is open daily from 9am to 9pm, unusually long hours in the evening and free of charge, offering supervised free play and structured activities including treasure hunts, face-painting and hermit crab-racing. Under-fours must be accompanied by a parent or babysitter. There is a dive school, snorkelling and kayaks, as well as a resident doctor on site.