Baros, Maldives

Hugely popular island retreat that's perfect for couples

7 nights from around £2,100pp on bed and breakfast basis, including flights and speedboat transfers

Baros is the number one resort in the Maldives for repeat guests. It's an idyllic retreat in the North Malé Atoll, set on a stunningly beautiful private island with a variety of fabulous contemporary villas. With no children under 8 years old allowed, the very stylish surroundings and superb service, make Baros an ideal hideaway for couples. And, conveniently, it's just 25 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport.

Accommodation

24 Deluxe Villas nestle amid tropical foliage by the beach, with large teak-floored bedrooms opening on to an ocean-facing veranda, and the bathrooms have a freestanding bathtub, and extend into a walled flower garden with an open-air waterfall shower. If possible, we recommend choosing one of the even more spacious Baros Villas that are set right by the beach, with four-poster bed and a private veranda with additional decked area. Meanwhile, the 30 Water Villas inspire romance with a beautifully draped four-poster bed and bathtub overlooking the ocean. There is a private deck for sunbathing and wooden steps down into the lagoon. All Villas come with a wine-chiller, iPod station and espresso machine.

Activities & Experiences

Baros provides a wide range of escapes and experiences to choose from including the Serenity Spa, yoga, a PADI dive centre, a water sports centre with lots of water sports on offer as well as marine information and superb snorkeling on the island's house reef. Maybe pack a picnic and head out on a dhoni, keeping an eye out for dolphins or a leaping sailfish, or enjoy lunch or dinner on you own private sandbank. At night, be sure to join the Marine Environmentalist and discover a whole other world.

Facilities & Services

With superb cuisine, an atmosphere of relaxed refinement and service to match, the over-water Lighthouse restaurant is the island's highlight. The Serenity Spa offers a range of relaxing health and beauty treatments. The PADI certified scuba diving centre offers snorkelling too, plus there's a water sports centre, fitness room, pool table, table tennis, wireless and cable internet, library and lounge.

Weather & Seasons

The Maldives has a tropical climate with two seasons: the dry northeast monsoon from December to March (this is the best time to visit), and the wet southwestern monsoon from May to November, with more strong winds and rain. April is a transitional period noted for clear water and heat.

The temperature remains remarkably consistent at around 30°C.