Need to know
Rooms
67, including eight suites.
Check–Out
12 noon, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
More details
Rates include à la carte breakfast.
Also
If you have a residence with a kitchen, or you’re simply feeling peckish, visit the Emperor General Store, which sells fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, pastries and coffee.
At the hotel
Spa, private beaches, diving and watersports centre, tennis court, marina, Emperor General Store, beach volleyball, football pitch, pétanque, photography stduio, workshops at the Alchemy Bar, kids' club, teen games area, DVD library, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: indoor and outdoor slippers, plug adaptors, TV, Nespresso coffee machine with compostable Halo pods, tea-making kit, free bottled water, Bose sound-system, bicycles, beach bags and Lemongrass House bath products (Aesop in the Residences).
Our favourite rooms
Shaded from view by palm fronds and dressed in shades of aquamarine, gold and navy, the Maldives’ first luxury stilted treetop villa is a step above the rest (sorry); its private pool, hammock and barbecue make it a must-stay. Those eager to befriend the marine life should check in to a Reef Water Pool Villa, which has direct access to world-class snorkelling, alongside a freshwater pool and terrace with super sunset views.
Poolside
The huge, coconut-palm-fringed main pool is between the beach and the sociable Baazaar dining area and bar; it’s unheated, but the sun keeps it at swim-ready temperatures. An infinity edge overlooks the ocean, and loungers, bean-bags and dining tables are laid out along the sides. The pool menu’s by-the-glass wines, cocktails and comfort food can be brought straight to where you’re lounging. For secluded swims, each villa has a private infinity pool surrounded by huge day-beds. Or you could dip a toe in the ocean from the overwater villas or the beach.
Spa
Jaavu spa has an open-door policy; yoga lessons and sauna and steam-room sessions are free too. Be pampered in the lounge – with a herbal tea from the drinks trolley – or abscond to a wooden treatment pod (with either a sauna or steam room and a tea lounge). Unwind on the yoga and meditation pavilion afterwards.
Packing tips
You can rent a GoPro and scuba mask, but it’s cheaper to bring your own. Stash a UV-resistant top in your suitcase unless you want to look like you’re blushing all over.
Also
The resort has light alarms, ramps and beach and pool wheelchairs, and there are villas with accessible bathrooms.
Children
Children are welcome. The kids' club has a playground and pool, and the restaurants have kids' menus. Babysitting and baby-listening are available too. Most residences can fit an extra cot or bed.
Best for
Pre-schoolers to teens will thrill at the resort’s charms, but it’s best suited for swim-confident kids.
Recommended rooms
A Treetop is a magical place for a family stay; however, all two-bedroom villas have oodles of space to spread out in. The super-sized, eight-bedroom Beach Residence is a decadent space where a large family can sleep very comfortably.
Crèche
There’s no crèche on site, but your personal butler can arrange babysitting on request.
Activities
Onsite there are beautiful beaches to construct sandcastles on and a tennis court. Watersports cover everything from hobie cats and windsurfing to snorkelling and Bubblemaker scuba diving. The colourful kids club has a playground and a shallow pool, and there’s a lively programme of activities.
Swimming pool
The huge freeform pool is unheated, but the sun keeps it at bath-tub temperature. There’s a shallow ledge for kids to play on, swim nappies and arm bands are provided, and kids can ride inflatable flamingoes. The kids club has a supervised shallow pool.
Meals
Baazaar has five restaurants, including a pizza parlour, so fussy eaters will be appeased. Themed evenings are held three times a week at he Emperor Beach Club; for the sophisticated little Smiths, Feeling Koi serves traditional Japanese cuisine, including fresh sushi and sashami. All restaurants welcome kids and will be happy to assist where they can.
Babysitting
Babysitting is $20 an hour, per child (excluding tax). It can be booked two hours in advance.
No need to pack
Leave the monitors at home, and there are plenty of toys, board games, craft materials and books, but to make kids feel truly at home in the residence bring a few treasured items.
Also
A baby-listening service is available. If you’ve left an essential item at home or want to plan a child-friendly day out, talk to your butler – they’ll be brimming with ideas and tips.
Sustainability efforts
Lots of produce is grown on the island, from the leaves for your herbal tea to much of the kitchen's veg. There are solar-powered lights illuminating the island at night; chickens are kept in grand surroundings (aptly named Cluckingham Palace), there's a mushroom hut, a banana and papaya plantation, and a coconut-processing centre, plus a waste facility, all on-site.