When you’re picking a holiday in paradise, what are your priorities? White sand beaches, guaranteed sunshine and food you know you’ll love?
Do you go for peaceful seclusion or somewhere with plenty of stuff to do?
What about that satisfying feeling of bagging a fabulous room at a price that’s not outrageous for such a high level of all-inclusive luxury?
Atmosphere Kanifushi, a five-star island resort in the Indian Ocean, has been fine-tuned to meet its guests’ requirements. It’s the Maldives for the modern traveller.
Offering “premium all-inclusive”, it means you don’t ever need ready cash or to sign for bar bills, and there are no unexpected charges at the end of your stay. A la carte dining, branded drinks, selected activities as well as excursions are all covered.
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No wonder millennials seem to love it.
When a hotel boasts the Maldives’ first vegetarian restaurant, it suggests its chefs are up to speed with the latest health trends.
Instagram-friendly, its vast infinity pool is set right on the beach, next to The Liquid bar and restaurant. It’s perfect for a morning wake-up swim or a relaxing sundowner paddle.
And with some of the biggest ‘standard’ beachfront villas in the Maldives – 1,076 sq ft – there is a high-end, luxury feel.
Rochelle and Marvin Humes took their daughter Alaia-Mai there when she was seven months old, as it’s family-friendly too. With a daytime kids’ club, babysitting for under-fours and children’s discos in the early evening, new parents will certainly get opportunities for downtime.
The islet of Kanifushi is on the Lhaviyani Atoll and measures 2,180 by 100 yards.
Zooming in via a 35-minute seaplane transfer from Male International Airport is all part of the fun and gives you a spectacular overhead view of the palm-fringed islands and coral reefs.
After touching down, a bottle of chilled champagne awaits.
The resort has recently added two new room categories – The Kanifushi Grand Pool Villa and the Kanifushi Residence – which are hidden away beneath palm trees and conveniently located at the centre of the island. Both have specifically designed amenities including a private nanny’s bedroom, entertainment area, open-air bathroom and private pool and kids’ shallow pool.
There’s always something thrilling about the very first click of the room card. As I pushed back the door to my beach villa it revealed a wow-factor living area with huge bed, crisp linen, comfy sofa and glossy wooden floors. Bi-fold doors opened onto my very own decking with swing-bed and private pool, the sea just a few steps away.
Fresh fruit and the complimentary mini bar in the villa is replenished daily. Returning to find a fragrant bubble bath drawn and scattered with petals was a lovely surprise.
Dining at Kanifushi is where the upscale experience really comes into its own. There are buffets with live cooking stations, theme nights and speciality restaurants, all included in the package.
Perched over the ocean, the award-winning Just Veg vegetarian restaurant offers dishes from the Mediterranean, Arabia and India. Even the most committed meat-eaters rave about it.
At new over-water restaurant Pier Six, built in the shape of a manta ray, I couldn’t resist the lobster and sushi prepared Japanese teppanyaki-style, all while being entertained by the chef who could juggle eggs and kitchen utensils as well as he could cook.
There’s a special White BBQ Night under the stars at the Sunset pool bar. But the most magical meal had to be on the beach, surrounded by fairy lights and glowing lanterns.
For pure desert island vibes, seek out Ceylon Bliss, an outdoor cabin bar and restaurant set under the trees, with wooden tables, rope swings and a backdrop of the crashing waves. Offering cocktails and Sri Lankan street food, this little hut feels like a secret hideaway by the sea. Be sure to look out for the white hermit crabs moving along the sand under the glow of the lights.
So with evening drinks and dinners sorted, what do you do all day on a tiny island in the middle of the ocean?
Sunbathing, snoozing and gazing out to sea is always time well spent. Or hit the Akiri Spa by Mandara which has spacious treatment rooms, steam room, sauna and a Jacuzzi.
You could explore the island on foot or by shuttle bus, which quietly glides past every 10 minutes. Every guest is welcome to borrow a bike for the duration of their stay – a great way to get some exercise and work off some of those all-inclusive feasts.
Sea swimming here is blissful. These waters attract bluestripe snappers, blackspotted puffer fish, sea turtles, stingrays and a visit from the occasional reef shark.
If you fancy scuba diving, learn the ropes at the on-site PADI diving centre, then book a trip to a nearby dive site. Like sport and keeping fit? There’s tennis, beach volleyball, as well as a state-of-the-art gym.
Then there’s the choice of complimentary excursions. Visit neighbouring Naifaru island, explore its winding streets, listen to the locals’ distinct dialect, pick up souvenirs and pop into the turtle conservation centre. Or jump aboard a traditional dhoni boat and sail out west on a sunset cruise.
Decisions, decisions… it’s just so difficult when you’re on a premium package in paradise.
Book the holiday
Kenwood Travel offer a seven night all-inclusive stay in a Sunset Beach Villa at Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives from £2,359 per person. Includes flights from Heathrow on selected dates in April and seaplane transfers. Departures from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham also available. Find out more at kenwoodtravel.co.uk.
You can also find more information at visitmaldives.com/en.
