Ayada Maldives

Ayada occupies Magudhuva island in the southern reaches of the Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, accessed via domestic flight and speedboat from Male. The journey has become quicker thanks to the opening of Maavaralu airport in the atoll's south east corner, now less than 20 minutes from the resort.

During its early years, the Turkish-owned property marketed aggressively into Asian source markets, and the guest mix became heavily skewed towards a single nationality. Considerable effort has gone into reversing that trend, and today Ayada benefits from a far more international clientele.

The villas are generously proportioned with Turkish-inspired design details, and every one comes with its own private pool. Our particular favourites are the Sunset Ocean Suites, which offer a spacious living area complete with a glass floor panel for watching the marine life below. Resort facilities are broad: an impressive spa, a kids club, boutique shopping, a recreation centre, a multi-purpose sports court, and even a wedding chapel. Dive Kingdom, the water sports and diving centre, is well run and comprehensively equipped.

Dining covers a good range of styles. Magu is the main restaurant serving buffet breakfast and dinner with both indoor and outdoor seating. Kai focuses on Asian cuisines, Zero Degree doubles as a bar with a casual food menu, and Mizu handles teppanyaki. The standout, though, is Ocean Breeze, set in a stunning overwater position: it is well worth choosing a meal plan that includes both lunch and dinner here. For a more intimate experience, Ile de Joie is a charming overwater cheese and wine bar with lovely sunset views.

The island itself is lush and densely planted, and cycling through the immaculate gardens is a genuine pleasure. Beaches do not wrap all the way around, but there are attractive stretches on either side with calm, shallow lagoons ideal for swimming. The real highlight, however, lies beneath the surface. Ayada's house reef is extensive and easily accessible, with abundant marine life and coral gardens that show some of the best recovery from the 2015-17 bleaching event we have encountered anywhere.

For those seeking active adventure, five quality surf breaks sit nearby: Tiger Stripes, Love Charms, Two Ways, Five Islands, and Antiques. The resort arranges transfers, provides guides and board hire, and can even supply a photographer to capture the session.

Opened in 2012, Ayada Maldives is set on Magudhuva Island in the southern Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, accessible via domestic flight from Male followed by a short speedboat transfer.

Accommodation consists of spacious villas, each with its own private pool and Turkish-inspired interiors. The standout Sunset Ocean Suites feature a large living area with a glass floor panel, offering views of the marine life below.

Dining spans seven venues. Magu main restaurant serves buffet breakfast and dinner indoors or out. Kai offers Asian cuisine, Zero Degree has bar food, and Mizu is the teppanyaki grill. The highlight is Ocean Breeze, an over-water restaurant — choosing a meal plan that includes both lunch and dinner here is well worthwhile. Ile de Joie is a small over-water cheese and wine bar with sunset views.

Facilities are extensive: a 3,500 sqm spa with Turkish hammam, a comprehensive dive centre, water sports including catamaran sailing and surfing, a fitness pavilion, yoga studio, running tracks, kids' club, boutique shopping, and a library.