Waldorf Astoria: Big, Polished, and Effortlessly Luxurious

Waldorf is only forty minutes from Malé by yacht, which makes it ideal for anyone who wants Maldives luxury without the seaplane commitment. It’s a large island – 3.5km end to end – but surprisingly relaxed and friendly. Restaurants were lively in the evenings; Zuma was fun and upbeat (absolutely not where you go for quiet romance), while Glow was the opposite: toes in the sand, stargazing, that dreamy island hush.

My Grand Pool Water Villa was enormous – separate living room, bedroom, bathroom – and the outdoor space was a holiday in its own right. Suntraps, shady corners, daybeds, loungers… everything. All the villas share the same design DNA, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

Highlights came thick and fast:

• Sake tasting at Zuma, discovering how wildly different the flavours can be between regions.
• Terra’s bamboo dining pods, tucked into greenery for a private seven-course dinner.
• The Ledge cheeseburger, which really is as good as everyone says.
• Sunset cocktails at Amber with the DJ setting the mood.
• Singing-bowl meditation on the jetty, with the breeze and the waves making everything feel a bit dreamlike.

It’s fantastic for couples and families, with proper kids’ facilities and plenty to do. The only thing to note is that in low season, the scale of the island can make it feel a little quieter.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands: Contemporary, Social, and Surprisingly Warm

I wasn’t expecting to love Patina as much as I did, but within 24 hours I completely got it. It’s modern and design-led – Scandinavian bones with tropical softness – but the island has heart. People are out, moving around, chatting, heading to the Fari Marina Village, which is full of restaurants, boutiques and art installations (eight in total, each with a QR code so you actually learn something).

My beach villa was beautifully private, surrounded by mature greenery with an outdoor bathtub and hammock. Inside, the greys and glass give it a moodier, more architectural feel – very different to more traditional Maldivian villas.

And the food… just brilliant.

Brasa was fantastic, but Wok Society was the evening everyone talked about afterwards – dumplings, Wagyu, crispy duck, endless plates. The island’s wellness philosophy, FLOW, is the real deal too: hammam suites, Watsu, hydrotherapy, an actually excellent gym, and a cold plunge that should come with a medals table.

Patina is ideal for couples, friends and anyone who prefers a contemporary aesthetic and a little social buzz.

JOALI BEING: The Quiet Showstopper

Nothing prepared me for JOALI BEING.

After a 45-minute seaplane, we landed on an island that felt gentle, thoughtful and deeply calm. My Jadugar, Moed, greeted me by name and walked me to my Grand Pool Beach Villa – and I didn’t expect to get emotional, but I honestly did.

The villa was gorgeous: high ceilings, soft feminine colours, everything glowing with natural light. The bathroom opened into a private courtyard with an outdoor bath and shower lit so beautifully at night it felt like stepping into a mood board.

Moed handled everything with this effortless kindness – check-in, the itinerary, little reminders – not performative, just genuinely caring. It makes such a difference.

The treatments were extraordinary:

• The Four Pillars massage put me in a soft, floaty daze.
• The Watsu was unlike anything I’ve ever done – warm water, slow rhythmic movements, twinkling lights overhead. I came out quiet, grounded, properly reset.
• And then the cryotherapy. Three minutes at –110°C wearing a bikini, Crocs, a mask, and ear warmers equipped with headphones. I picked Dua Lipa’s Levitating from my playlist and danced my way through because otherwise I’d have panicked. By the end I felt buzzy, exhilarated and very awake – like someone had pressed a reset switch I didn’t know I needed.

JOALI BEING is full of little secrets:

• Her Garden, a tiny sanctuary about growth and reflection.
• The Discovery Sound Path, a musical healing trail.
• Shady corners, tea lounges, pockets of stillness everywhere.

It’s a wellness island, yes – but it’s also warm, luxurious and joyfully un-strict. My favourite by a mile.

JOALI: Joyful, Glamorous, and Effortlessly Fun

Arriving at JOALI after JOALI BEING felt like stepping into the upbeat, extroverted sibling. It’s vibrant, social and glamorous without tipping into pretentious.

Our Luxury Water Villa with Pool had a stunning deck, dark woods, green marble and endless ocean views. Mura, the main beach area, was buzzing – families, music, people drifting between lunch and the pool.

Dinner at Saoke (floating Japanese restaurant, reef sharks drifting below) was outstanding, and Bellinis offered indulgent Italian comfort. There’s even a dedicated Ruinart bar on the beach.

The spa is smaller but excellent, and the boutique is dangerously tempting. The island works beautifully for families, couples and groups – and the four-bedroom residence is multi-gen perfection.