You

You
don’t need us to tell you about the Maldives. A place that
is such an archetypal paradise it’s almost cliché – powder-white
sands, glittering azure waters and gently swaying palms – you can
hardly describe it as an under-the-radar destination. But
if you’re burnt out and a tropical island with little to do beyond
sunbathe and sip cocktails is what the doctor ordered, it’s a
pretty unbeatable location.

Coco Bodu Hithi – one of three
properties from Coco Resorts in the Maldives – is a smart hotel
choice just a 30-minute speedboat ride from the airport. Built in a
way that has become typical to the Indian Ocean archipelago, with
horseshoes of thatched bungalows jutting out into the water (each
with a private swimming pool that doubles up as launchpad for
plunging into the bath-like ocean) it’s plucked straight from the
pages of a glossy travel brochure. We felt somewhat guilty being
here when we dedicate ourselves to discovering new places and novel
experiences, but sometimes, all you want is a bloody good beach –
and Coco Bodu Hithi has that and then some.

What’s for breakfast?

What would you like for breakfast? Chances are they’ve got it.
We were particularly impressed by the proper coffee – a far cry
from the cat’s pee served in an alarming number of five-star
establishments. If you’re feeling flush, get them to set you up a
table on the beach.

How about lunch and dinner?

Head to the beach bar for pizza, salads or a club sandwich (when
else do you order those?) at lunch. Come dinner, go casual at Stars
(this is also the place for an aperitif) or tuck into seafood on
tables that sit over the water at fine-dining restaurant Aqua. If
you’re a sushi obsessive, Japanese restaurant Tsuki will meet all
your nigiri needs.

Is there are bar?

Of course. It’s Latitude for sundowners on the beach, while the
Wine Loft has a selection of over 200 international wines at
varying price points. Look out for weekly wine dinners too.

Amenities

An infinity pool on the beach and spa complete with steam room,
sauna, jacuzzi and treatment rooms. There’s also a fantastic gym
suspended over the sea, a dive centre, sports pitches and water
sports activities. But you’ll probably spend most of the time
lording about your villa.

Things I should know…

The number of couples (many on their honeymoon) will either
leave you feeling left out or smug that you’ve not yet succumbed to
the ties of matrimony.

Within a short walk I can find…

The sea.