Sumptuous barefoot luxury is the name of the game at the Hilton Group’s long-standing Maldivian resort. Famous throughout the country for its unique two-island set-up and Maldives' first undersea restaurant, Conrad Maldives is an excellent choice for couples and families wanting to escape in style, while still having a huge choice of activities, cuisine and beaches.
The property immediately looks unique: it's housed on two islands that are connected by walkway across a broad lagoon, a great touch that offers both a large choice of beaches (all superb) and plenty of space. The heart of the resort – with the main lobby, restaurants, bars, water sports, dive centres and 100 beach villas – is on Rangalifinolhu; the second island, Rangali, is only for adults and has two further restaurants plus a bar, separate reception area and 50 water villas.
The rooms are varied and attractively conceived in all 11 categories; even the standard beach villas check in at a spacious 150 sq metres. All rooms have private sun terraces and outdoor bathrooms as well as sea views from the bath. The spectacular water villas all enjoy their own private outdoor areas, gorgeous wooden interiors and, in the more luxurious ones, glass floors.
With seven restaurants running the gamut of cuisines from Maldivian to Japanese and European, you have plenty of choice. Most impressive is the glass-domed, underwater Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the first example in Maldives of a trend that has since been emulated at other resorts. Diving, water sports, excursions and a fantastic kids club are all also on offer, as are three spas (including one exclusively for children!). But the real attractions at the Conrad are the wonderful beaches and the unobtrusive, efficient and friendly service.
