Find your own island in the sun amid the blissful atolls of the Maldives – Evening Standard

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f youve ever dreamed of holidaying on a desert island, you were probably thinking of the Maldives. The 1,192 sand-circled islands that make up this exquisite archipelago sprawl across more than 870km of Indian Ocean. Indeed, this island nation is more sea than land, so flying into the atolls is quite an experience as you descend over endless ocean, fishing boats seem almost close enough to touch, before the Maldives international airport appears suddenly outside the windows.

The Maldives tourism model is utterly unique. Each resort nestles on its own private island, ensuring utter peace and seclusion. Stay offshore, in one of the islands exclusive overwater bungalows, and the rest of the world fades every further from view. Its the holiday Robinson Crusoe might have planned if he had the means and opportunity to enjoy the finer things in life.

RIU Palace Maldives, built into a tiny islet in a breathtaking setting

British Airways Holidays

Watch the sun go down from an overwater junior suite at RIU Atoll

British Airways Holidays

Experience a fitness class with a difference

British Airways Holidays

In the Maldives youll feel a million miles from the outside world,

British Airways Holidays

Youll need to dig a little deeper for a Maldives break, compared to beach holiday destinations closer to home, but some very stylish all-inclusive resorts bring the experience within reach of ordinary mortals. With your meals, drinks, room and activities (and fun for the kids) all taken care of, you can let stress slip away and focus on that endless horizon melting into a cloudless sunset.

Be an elegant castaway on Kedhigandu Island

South of the Maldivian capital, Kedhigandu Island is the merest sliver of sand on an endless expanse of sea. At the five-star RIU Palace Maldives All Inclusive 24H (main image, above), a white-sand beach encircles a tiny islet, topped by a verdant garden of palm trees. This is where youll find the pools and airy wood-lined rooms that face straight onto the sand. Privacy is dialled up even higher in the overwater bungalows, which splay out from the sandbars on curving boardwalks.

All-inclusive is a 24/7 concept at RIU Palace Maldives, so you can feast on lavish buffet spreads, Japanese sushi and novel-thick steaks, then sip cocktails infused with tropical juices in three bars, watching the waves break at the edge of the lagoon. Youll feel a million miles from the outside world, though in reality, it might really be just a few thousand miles

Though the resort has a tiny land footprint, lodges and villas are separated by stands of vegetation or open stretches of boardwalk, creating an overriding air of peace and privacy. Spend your days snorkelling or paddleboarding on the lagoon, or de-stress in the spa while the kids get active in the kids club. Either way, youll get the full castaway-with-extras experience.

Float over the water on Maafushi Island

Watch the sun go down from an overwater junior suite at RIU Atoll

An elevated boardwalk extends across the lagoon to the serene island of Maafushi, home to the equally appealing four-star RIU Atoll All Inclusive 24H. This is the larger of the two islands, meaning more of that white sugar sand to sprawl on. Should you need a break from the equatorial temperatures, the lagoon here is beautifully blue, with reef-edged channels offering superior snorkelling and diving.

Overwater suites are the big lure spacious, airy and with direct access to diamond-clear turquoise waters. If you fancy ending the day in front of theatrical sunsets, youve come to the right resort. And with the 24-hour, all-inclusive package, you can pace the days to your own schedule, so a midnight moonlight stroll followed by a room-service cocktail on the terrace is very much on the cards.

Get active out on the lagoon

Experience a fitness class with a difference

While youll want to devote a fair share of your time to the sand, there are plenty of ways to keep active on the lagoon, from kayaking and paddleboarding to fitness classes, boat trips to spot dolphins and swim on outlying islands. End the day with a top-class buffet meal or la carte steaks and seafood, then settle in for a memorable sunset something the Maldives does better than almost anywhere.

All holidays with British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected and come with a 24-hour holiday helpline. Secure your all-inclusive holiday now with a low deposit at ba.com/riu-atoll, ba.com/riu-palace

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Find your own island in the sun amid the blissful atolls of the Maldives - Evening Standard