Baros Maldives

Located a convenient 20-minute speedboat ride from the airport, this small, all-natural island is haloed by soft white sand, bath-warm waters and one of the largest house reefs of any resort in the Maldives – just pull on your complimentary flippers and snorkel and paddle 50 feet offshore straight into a blizzard of tropical fishes and mounds of ancient corals as big as houses. The capital, Malé, twinkling in the distance may break the spell for some, but there's not much in the way of passing sea or air traffic, which ensures the resort feels peaceful. 

From humble beginnings in 1973, when the resort comprised just 28 sandy-floored beach cabanas and a thatched roof bar, Baros has evolved into one of the most sophisticated resorts in the Maldives while staying true to its roots. Maldivian architects are behind the current iteration, an elegant tropical-modern vision board of soaring teak wood villas, rugged coconut thatching, and lush tangles of vegetation. An adults-only resort, Baros has a more louche vibe than many of its newer contemporaries, with guests wafting between the beach and the bar in designer kaftans and enormous sunglasses.               

With 50 years of experience behind them, the staff are unfailingly warm, courteous, kind and charming. Dive valets can arrange cave dives, thila dives and night dives with glowing squid; dedicated butlers can arrange everything else, from private yacht charters to private candle-lit dinners on the beach and hours-long wellness rituals at the aptly-titled Serenity Spa. Other facilities include a 24-hour gym, complimentary yoga, a library with a pool table, and a gorgeous infinity pool studded with hundreds of fibre optics lights for a stars above stars below effect in the evening.

Baros' 75 villas are arranged with 30 overwater and 45 on the beach. All feature  a pared-back palette complemented by vaulted ceilings, creamy fabrics and warm tropical woods, with televisions popping up from wooden cabinets at the bottom of the bed; a few also have private plunge pools or outdoor whirlpool tubs. All have huge bathrooms (with outdoor showers, indoor bathtubs and twin sinks), and retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors bring the outdoors in and ensure you're always in touch with the beauty of the surrounding environment. 

Breakfast is served poolside at Lime, and comprised of buffet items – tropical fruit, cereals, cold cuts, pastries – and á la carte dishes, such as soufflé pancakes with macha cream, coconut and kiwi acai bowls, and Arabic shakshuka eggs with hummus and halloumi cheese. Elsewhere, the Cayenne Grill offers Japanese beef, fish pulled fresh-from the Indian Ocean and vegetables cooked teppanyaki-style by the beach. But, most noteworthy of all is The Lighthouse for its sophisticated blending of local flavours and fine French dining.

Lagoon water villas start from US$650 (£525) in low season; and from US$990 (£799) in high-season, including breakfast. Free Wi-Fi. 

Yes. Baros has a couple of villas which have been adapted for visitors with mobility issues and special beach wheelchairs with air-filled wheels are supplied.     

Not particularly. Only children over the age of eight are allowed and there's no kids' club or special facilities.