8 minute read
DREAM PARADISE ISLANDS
Some destinations and resorts offer the luxury of feeling completely cut off from the outside world and peacefully encapsulated in paradise. Here, you’re surrounded by everything you could possibly need, without having to venture too far. Enjoy the lush palm fronds, sun-baked beaches, laid-back ambience and tropical splendour that these islands provide in abundance.
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COCO PALM DHUNI KOLHU
MALDIVES
Set in a designated UNESCO biosphere reserve, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu places an emphasis on sustainable tourism and even has its own marine biology team on site. You will be surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, glorious white sands and incandescent turquoise water brimming with sealife at this eco-friendly resort. Choose a villa tucked into the jungle-like foliage on the island, or out above the shimmering water and house reefs. Enjoy your time in paradise by watching dolphins dance beneath the waves and sipping Champagne on a sunset cruise.
7 nights from €2,389 per person sharing a Sunset Beach Villa on All-Inclusive. OFFER: Save up to 15% + Stay 7 Pay 5 + Complimentary All-Inclusive Included. STAY: 17 May - 26 Dec 2021.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SEYCHELLES ISLANDS
The Seychelles naturally lends itself to island hopping, with each of these Indian Ocean idylls possessing its own distinctive personality. The gateway to the Seychelles is Mahé, the largest of the islands, where markets bustle with locals shopping for tropical fruit and fragrant spices, and where the hotels along the coast offer the shortest journey from airport to beach. From Mahé it’s a short hop to pristine Praslin, swathed in rainforest and home to some of the archipelago’s most exclusive resorts. The island is ringed by magnificent beaches, while much of the interior is protected National Park, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallée de Mai. This is one of only two places in the world where you will find the famous coco de mer tree, which bears seeds that can weigh up to 30 kilos. Journey a little further and you’ll reach lovely La Digue, a 15-minute boat ride from Praslin. Our advice here is to do as the locals do, and explore the island by bicycle; highlights include the old vanilla and cinnamon plantation at L’Union Estate, home to giant tortoises, and the striking granite boulders of gorgeous Anse Source d’Argent beach.
HUVAFEN FUSHI
MALDIVES
Huvafen Fushi is an incredibly special resort, just 44 bungalows and pavilions, each with a private pool and butler service. You’ll find everything you would expect from a luxury resort in the Maldives, but taken to another level from the world’s first and only underwater spa, where you can enjoy a soothing couple’s massage while fish swim past the glass, to The CUBE honeymoon suite its own sauna, steam room, cocktail bar, infinity pool and private beach. This is an impossibly romantic place to just curl up and relax, but there are plenty of more active ways to share your time together. Huvafen has one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, alive with turtles, sharks and rays, and the FLOAT watersports centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, glassbottom kayak trips and big game fishing. You can also work out at the over-water gym, unwind in the steam room and sauna, or perfect your poses at the yoga pavilion. Relax and end your perfect day at the stylish UMBar where you can sink into the oversized cushions while you peruse the extensive cocktail list and enjoy the gorgeous ocean views.
7 nights from €4,539 per person sharing a Beach Bungalow with Plunge Pool on Half Board. OFFER: Save up to 45% + Complimentary Half Board included. STAY: 17 May - 31 Oct 2021.
BEQUIA BEACH HOTEL
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES
Unspoilt and rich with charm, Bequia is the Caribbean like it used to be, a place where life moves at a gentle pace and the beaches are pristine and unspoilt. The gorgeous Bequia Beach Hotel makes you feel completely relaxed from the moment you arrive. Their attention to detail is evident - we love the cool, colonial décor which is super stylish and full of character. There are 58 chic rooms, suites and cottages, and the new Friendship Bay villas are perfect for families looking for extra space. The hotel’s location on secluded Friendship Beach provides stunning views and their two al fresco restaurants are the perfect spots to enjoy those breath-taking vistas. Bagatelle restaurant is set right on the sand and dining out under the stars here, on the fresh catch of the day, is always highlight. Bequia Beach also offers watersports, kids' activities, plus relaxation and rejuvenation in their spa, sauna, and gym. Guests can now enjoy a seamless VIP transfer experience from Barbados or Saint Lucia direct to the Bequia Beach with exclusive flights on Bequia Air's dedicated nine-seat aircraft, operating between November and April.
7 nights from €2,909 per person sharing a Beachfront Suite including breakfast. EXCLUSIVE OFFER: "We'll Take Care of the Air" Package included with Bequia Air VIP return flights from Barbados + Caribtours Exclusive Added Value Extras. STAY: 17 Nov - 19 Dec 2021.
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO
MALDIVES
This luxury island resort offers an extensive allinclusive plan to delight all guests which includes exhilarating diving excursions, an excellent kids’ club, and fine dining, with extra benefits the longer you stay. The stunning M6m underwater restaurant is arguably the jewel in Ozen’s crown, a place where you can enjoy sublime seafood while watching your main course’s cousins swimming past the window. The restaurant is off limits to children under 15 yrs in the evening, but a twice-weekly family lunch means everyone gets to experience this extraordinary setting. Other ways to catch a glimpse of the Maldives’ rich marine life include a treatment at the glassfloored spa or an excursion in SubZen, the resort’s semi-submarine. Choose either an Earth Villa set on the beachfront or Wind Villas which are on stilts above the lagoon, with both options available to upgrade with pool. Decorated in natural tones with splashes of tropical colour and high ceilings they create a real sense of space. For added luxury and space, the two and three-bedroom Pavilions have stunning over-water pool, outdoor dining pavilion and private butler service. Whether beachfront or above water, prepare to be wowed by whichever accommodation option you choose.
7 nights from €4,399 per person sharing a Wind Villa on All-Inclusive. OFFER: Save up to 15% + Complimentary Room Upgrade Included + Complimentary Boat Transfers. STAY: 17 May - 31 Oct 2021.
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
MALDIVES
New for 2021, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI seamlessly blends sophisticated beauty with barefoot charm, whilst indulging your inner child with frivolous fun. The sumptuous suites, villas and private reserves, all come with their own pool, daybeds and direct access to either the beach or the lagoon, with eye-catching features like the traditional wooden swings and L-shaped lap pools which seem tailormade for your Instagram feed. The unique Ocean Pool Suites and Private Ocean RESERVES have their own water slide that deposits you in the lagoon with a splash - great fun for kids and adults alike - while the palatial Royal RESERVE is kitted out with a private gym and spa pavilion, six-seater Jacuzzi with in-built TV and a deep soaking Kelly Hoppen bathtub. Dining options range from grilled seafood on the beach to romantic overwater fine dining, with cuisine drawing on influences from Spain, India, the Middle East and beyond. The impressive facilities include two infinity pools, a spa, over-water fitness centre, kids’ and teens’ clubs, myriad watersports plus a first for the Maldives - an eco-friendly artificial ice skating rink!
7 nights from €6,789 per person sharing an Earth Pool Villa Sunrise on All-Inclusive. OFFER: Save up to 30%. STAY: 17 May - 31 Oct 2021.