Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort – Telegraph.co.uk

This family-friendly resort has its own ‘picnic island’, with Instagrammable sea swings and beach hammocks, and an overwater spa with glass panels under the treatment beds. It also shares a lagoon with two other Anantara properties – Veli and Naladhu – giving guests access to numerous restaurants, bars and activities.

Location

The resort is conveniently close to Malé; it’s just 35 minutes south of the airport by private speedboat. So while others are still waiting for their seaplane, you’ll be sipping mojitos at the pool bar or snorkelling the magnificent house reef.

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Style & character

Anantara Dhigu has a lush jungle interior surrounded by talcum-powder-white beaches. It’s a relatively large island by Maldivian standards, but you can cycle from end to end in less than 10 minutes. Maldivian-style décor – think thatched roofs and dark woods – are designed to blend into the natural surroundings, while overwater villas, restaurants and spas make the most of the Indian Ocean views.

Service & facilities

While the arrival at Malé didn’t quite have the five-star flourish of many Maldives hotels (no personalised arrival sign and no offer of refreshments save for a small help-yourself fridge in the packed airport lounge), once at the resort, the service was very attentive and friendly. On a turtle snorkelling trip, the captain even turned the boat around to fish my sun hat out of the ocean after a gust of wind caught it. Active guests can sign up for yoga, tennis, diving, beach games and surfing (one of the few spots to offer this in the Maldives) before indulging in coconut-based treatments at the Dhigu Spa or cooking classes in the chef’s garden.

• Bar
• Beach
• Fitness centre
• Kids’ club
• LaundryPool
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Sauna
• Spa
• Steam room/hammam
• Tennis court
• Wi-Fi

Rooms

The 110 spacious villas and suites are either perched over the Indian Ocean or nestled on the beach, and come with sunrise or sunset views, private terraces (some with a pool and Villa Host on call), freestanding bathtubs and separate showers. Rooms are decorated in soothing seaside hues with wooden furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Food & drink

There are four restaurants on the island. Beachfront Fushi Café serves an international breakfast buffet alongside made-to-order eggs, waffles and Asian noodles; pool bar Aqua is all about cocktails and casual bites like burgers and salads; Sea.Fire.Salt is perched over the lagoon and specialises in freshly caught Maldivian fish and grilled meats; and Terrazzo is an authentic Italian eatery. Alternatively, take a quick pontoon ride across the lagoon to sister resort Anantara Veli for one of the best Thai meals you’ll experience in the Maldives at Baan Huraa, or try theatrical teppanyaki at modern Japanese restaurant Origami.

Value for money

Double rooms from $360 (£250) in low season; and from $838 (£590) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The resort provides wheelchairs upon request and can build ramps as needed.

Family-friendly?

It is extremely family friendly. Mini guests get their own bathrobes and slippers; cots and extra beds are available; restaurants have children’s menus (children under six eat free); and the charming Dhoni Kids’ Club has two air-conditioned play rooms in traditional Maldivian boats, a climbing wall and a tree house. Babysitting can be arranged for little ones from three months old, and there is a 24-hour resort doctor.

Dhigufinolhu, South Malé Atoll, Maldives.
00 960 664 4100
dhigu-maldives.anantara.com