WRetreat & Spa welcomed its first guests in August 2006, its cool sophistication combining with its ground-breaking design to ensure it opened with a resounding bang. And the resort certainly adds a whole new dimension to the pristine beauty of Fesdu Island in the North Ari Atoll, a thrilling 25-minute seaplane ride across the Indian Ocean a particularly fitting way to make your entrance.

This is a style-conscious place that prides itself on attention to detail and little has been forgotten when it comes to the 78 Beach Oasis, Ocean Oasis, Seascape Escapes and Ocean Havens - or oceanfront and overwater villas to you and me! Big things like 42 inch plasma TVs and infinity plunge pools are enhanced by little things such as Bliss body products, Bose sound systems and soft W Signature beds.

Beach Oasis are 188 square-metres of tropical indulgence complete with timber sundecks overlooking the white sandy beach, whilst Ocean Oasis are distinguished by their idyllic settings above the lagoon and their sections of glass flooring allowing you to view the marine life below. But if all that’s not enough for you, go for a Seascape Escape which also comes with an extra bedroom and stocked kitchenette and let’s not forget the Ocean Haven with its glasspaneled floors and wraparound sundeck with oversized infinity edge pool.

You can help yourself to snacks from the Munchie Box or a bottle of your favourite bubbly from your fridge and there’s nothing to stop you firing up the grill on your private sundeck or treating yourself to some complimentary ice cream courtesy of the island’s Sweet Spots. Nothing, that is, but the thought of fresh seafood presentations of FISH or the modern bistro fare of KITCHEN, not to mention the outdoor jungle barbecues of FIRE. The funky 15 BELOW bar is straight out of London or New York.

There’s also a long list of things-to-do here, the usual activities like scuba-diving, big game fishing and sailing complemented by unusual offerings like underwater video courses and house reef scooter trips. You can even sign up for an overnight sailing trip to Hammer Head Shark Point, but if all that seems a little on the adventurous side, you are also encouraged to take up painting or simply lie back in the AWAY spa and think of ... simply nothing at all.

ACCOMMODATION: 28 BEACH OASIS, 46 OCEAN OASIS, 3 SEASCAPE ESCAPES & 1 OCEAN HAVEN.
ACCESS: 25 MINUTES BY SEAPLANE FROM MALÉ.
CHILDREN: NOT ACCEPTED UNDER 13 YEARS.
7 NIGHTS: FROM £3,360 P.P. IN THE HIGH-SEASON (£305 P.P.P.N.) & £2,215 P.P.
IN THE LOW-SEASON (£210 P.P.P.N.).
MEAL PLAN: BREAKFAST INCLUDED. VARIOUS MEAL PLANS AVAILABLE.
SPECIAL OFFERS: FREE NIGHTS, HONEYMOON.