Reopening in February after a luxury refurbishment, the new-look Maafushivaru will be an architectural gem with a small island charm.

Just 350m in length, Maafushivaru is small and romantic, with two wide beaches and a glorious lagoon. There’s a house reef for snorkelling and if you board one of the dive centre’s boat trips there’s a great chance of spotting turtles, manta rays and whale sharks nearby. An infinity pool is perfectly placed on the beachfront, next to the bar with comfy chic sofas for lounging. The main buffet restaurant is the Cuisine Gallery, which offers Mediterranean cuisine infused with local flavours. The island is also adding new dining options for 2020: Moodhu Grill will serve up meat and seafood on the beach, Oishii will offer an overwater teppanyaki experience, and the Water Bar’s poolside Tapas menu will offer lighter lunchtime bites. Maafushivaru’s secret delight is its beautiful uninhabited sister island, Lonubo. For an authentic Crusoe-esque experience, take a short boat ride across to this tiny desert island for romantic picnics, candlelit dining or even an overnight stay in the Lonubo Beach Villa with outdoor hot tub. We recommend pre-booking a Lonubo dinner or private island stay – only one couple can visit at a time and it’s deservedly popular.

The villas are stylish with Maldivian touches. Refurbished Beach Villas are just steps from the beach with a semi open-air bathroom. Light and airy Water Villas sit on stilts over the lagoon, with floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to the water. Beautiful new Beach Pool Villas and Water Pool Villas will have their own plunge pool on the private deck.