27 July, 2018
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The sea.