I am currently in The Maldives on a trip to celebrate 30 years of marriage to Helen, and we are having the time of our lives. Although I am supposed to be completely out of office for this personal trip, I have found the minutes (with Helen's blessing) to report back.
The Maldives offers unparalleled white sands, year-round sunshine, vibrant underwater life easily accessible from shore, and unique coastal experiences. Luxury hotel enthusiasts will discover iconic overwater bungalows, world-class resorts (almost 150 x 5-star properties) with exceptional service, ultimate privacy on secluded islands, and indulgent amenities. It's a unique destination where pristine natural beauty meets exquisite luxury, creating an unforgettable escape for both beach and high-end travel aficionados, and that's before we talk about snorkeling and diving. Here are the highlights of just our journey...
1. Getting Here
From the US, it's certainly a commitment to reach The Maldives, but it's completely worth it. Our outbound legs were Charlotte - Dulles (Washington) - Doha - Male and then the seaplane to Kothaifaru!
If ever there was a journey to splurge on Business Class then this is it, and we were lucky enough to fly, again, what is generally still considered the world's best Business class with Qatar Airways. Their renowned Q-Suites are amazingly starting to be upgraded this year while still holding the crown of being the best out there. As a couple, if you choose select middle seats these can be transformed into a comfortable double bed by lowering the dividing partition. This allows you to sleep next to each other, a rare and highly valued feature in business class.
2. Doha Airport
When I last flew through Doha, it struck me as being enormous, both spacious but also intelligently laid out. Now it has been considerably expanded and it's a palace in the world of airports. We had a choice of 4 different lounges to visit in our fairly long layover. If I'd been on my own, my airline lounge nerdiness may have taken over and I'd have sneaked in all 4, but we decided to go for one, the brand new Al Mourjan Lounge The Garden.
Great decision! Here's why:
- 79,500 sq ft
- Spa
- Gym
- Showers
- Sushi Bar
- 24-hour Buffet
- A La Carte Restaurant
- Quiet Room with Beds
3. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
With over 150 resorts it would be very easy to recommend, how do you pick the right one? By talking through the following...
- Size - super quiet (under 10 rooms), boutique, medium, large?
- DIning - do you need multiple dining options, is all-inclusive important?
- Accommodation - beach villa (our choice) or the iconic over-the-water bungalows?
- Activities - diving and snorkeling, how important are these? Spa and other activities? Are you traveling with children?
- Getting here - are you comfortable flying on a seaplane or do you need a speedboat transfer.
We landed on Alila because we wanted a smallish resort with more than 2 dining options, that focused on sustainability and wellness, plus we wanted an excellent house reef for snorkeling. It's all about the research and honing in on your preferences.
4. Boat to Table
Currently held twice a week here at Alila Maldives, their signature culinary event is in direct collaboration with local fishermen, who arrive by boat with their fresh catch for all to see. The freshly delivered seafood is then prepared by the resort's chefs via BBQ and grills allowing the natural flavors of the ocean's freshest ingredients to shine through. Beyond the freshness and sensational preparation, the experience highlighted the resort's initiative to source seafood responsibly, supporting marine conservation efforts and local livelihoods.
5. The Anniversary
The resort is taking amazing care of us and I cannot speak highly enough of the staff, all the way down from the General Manager Tomas, to our butler Azim and an incredible team in the kitchens.
I now need to publicly thank my wife Helen, who has been on the 10-year journey of J5Travel with the highs and indeed some lows. We realized just this morning that we had never sat still in one place for 7 days throughout our whole 30 years together. After all our travel adventures, we are finally discovering the sheer, unadulterated joy of doing absolutely nothing all in one place for a whole week. It's like discovering tea goes rather well with (English) biscuits – a simple truth, yet profoundly satisfying. Consider us thoroughly convinced; the "simply chill" holiday is clearly the dark horse of the travel world.
Whether you're dreaming of overwater villas in the Maldives, a private island anniversary celebration, or a luxury getaway tailored just for you—we’re here to make it effortless and unforgettable. Let us take care of every detail so you can focus on the magic. Click the button below to start planning.
Hi, I'm John, and I'm told I have a cool accent. I absolutely love travel and I am proud to have built a team as passionate about exploring the world as myself. It took me a very long time to align my career with my undeniable passion for exploring, but now I and the team are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and luxury custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
