TRAVEL A pre-lockdown adventure to the Maldives

IF LUXE COULD KILL We went on a luxury adventure to Maldives resort Huvafen Fushi, which, this month, has reopened its doors By Karen Hockney

GETTING THERE Qatar Airways, the World’s Best Airline as voted by Skytrax 2019, offers flights from the UK to Doha with onward connections to destinations including the Maldives. Return flights from the UK to Doha start from £469 per person and return flights from the UK to the Maldives start from £606 per person. Book at www.qatarairways.com * Flights and departure airports may have changed due to covid-19. Check the travel alerts section of the website before travelling.

FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 With two stadiums finished and six still under construction, Doha is well ahead in preparations for hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Four new metro lines connect the stadiums and purposebuilt Lusail village will have a residential capacity of 200,000.

THINGS TO KNOW/CUSTOMS IN QATAR Shoulders should be covered and men are requested to wear at least knee-length shorts. Qatar is very safe, with crime virtually non-existent. Doha is dry and alcohol is only available in hotels restaurants and bars. Friday is holy day with most shops closed during morning prayer until 1pm. For more information, check out www.visitqatar.qa

MALDIVES Stays at Huvafen Fushi start from £1,312 per night in a Beach Bungalow with pool based on two adults sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, excluding service and tax. The resort reopened on October 1. Book through www.huvafenfushi.com Little did I know as I headed off to T mixed at your own maxi bar, stocked with the Maldives in March just before Nespresso, herbal tea and copious quantities of lockdown that this would be the wine, champagne and spirits. ou even have your last overseas travel I’d enjoy for own thakuru/butler on call. many months. Island life is everything I hoped it would be

But oh, what a trip to make if it and a helluva lot more sunrise yoga with ay on has to be your nal foreign fling for the breezy overwater yoga shala before breakfast, a while. And while my head was which offers everything from eggs benedict, lled with dreamy thoughts of powdery white omelettes and smoked salmon through to muesli, sand beaches and thatched overwater suites, in chia pots, pastries and breads which would give a truth, this hedonistic escape to paradise began Parisian boulangerie a run for its money gluten- as soon as I stepped onboard the Qatar Airways and dairy-free choices abound). service to al via oha at Cardiff Airport. ust m by 3 m in size it takes minutes oted the world’s best airline for a fth time, to walk around the island), Huvafen Fushi is atar Airways is having a moment, and it’s small but perfectly formed. A huge T-shaped not dicult to see why. The aircraft possesses a innity pool overlooks the ocean where cooling box-fresh vibe that is hard to equal; no frayed water atomisers, iced water, sorbet shots and nuts carpet edges, tired seats or faded dcor in need are seamlessly delivered to your lounger on a of a revamp here. Their economy service offers regular basis. A saltwater flotation pool offers the discreet but classy cut-above touches such as real chance for some natural thalassotherapy while cutlery and a menu card with two meal choices the more active will enjoy PAI registered dive plus cocktails, wines and soft drinks included. expeditions, kayaking and snorkelling. owever, if you’re lucky enough to be At teatime, resident marine biologists Alex and travelling business class, you’ll be struck by the aamid feed the local stingrays and watching feeling of space, the flat-bed seat, touch-screen these playful, highly sociable creatures leap out entertainment system, White Company pyjamas of the water to kiss aamid and flap their sides and luxe amenities. against outstretched hands is a sight to behold,

Arriving in oha for a 36-hour stopover, I the best part being that they can come and go check into the Dusit Doha Hotel and head out at will. for a whistle-stop tour of the city, taking in atara A guided snorkel along the house reef to illage, which hosts lm and jazz festivals, The plant coral fragments as part of uvafen

Pearl marina and the authentic Souq Waqif, a ushi’s ongoing reef protection programme bustling reminder of times gone by, with baskets while swimming alongside lacktip reef sharks, of fragrant spices, dried herbs and candied fruits nurse sharks, clown sh and snappers is quite on every corner. y personal highlight is a visit simply one of the most magical hours you will to the National Museum of Qatar, which will ever spend. turn on its head any museum visit you have And then there’s the underwater spa…the ever experienced. rst and only of its kind anywhere in the world.

Onwards to Malé and With six overwater after a four and a half treatment rooms and flight, I’m ushered onto a waiting dhoni for the “The underwater two which are 9m below sea level, you can enjoy 90-minute sail to Huvafen Fushi. I defy you to sa is the rst and a relaxing massage while watching marine life make a more glamorous entrance than rocking only of its kind in swim by oblivious to your presence. And for up on this magnicent craft while quang the world” those who don’t want to ruin their blowdry, the champagne, coconut Spaquarium experience water, ietnamese spring – where you can watch rolls and sushi as dolphins and flying sh skim marine life at night is every bit as fascinating as through the aquamarine ocean alongside you. an underwater dive.

On arrival, it’s shoe free from now on and a Gastronomes are well looked after at Huvafen waiting buggy transports me to my overwater ushi. alt serves apanese fusion cuisine on an thatched lagoon bungalow. The check in scenario idyllic overwater deck, while casual Italian-style is smooth and angst free, having been completed beach lunches and pizzas are served at orno, at the airport, which is just the way it should and aw does a roaring trade in sushi, gazpacho be after a long journey other hotels, please and pineapple carpaccio. Themed lobster and take note.) champagne parties, Indian thalis and private

One of just island residences comprising beach dining mix it up a little and an Instabeach and overwater villas, it’s beautifully worthy floating breakfast can be delivered to your appointed with a contemporary four poster, pool villa. ottega eneta toiletries, crisp rette linens and The only downside is saying goodbye to this eco-friendly rellable glass water bottles they lush slice of paradise, where the staff genuinely distil their own drinking water here. seem to want you to stay but come and wave

A bathing platform with daybed and plunge you off from the jetty just to make sure you really pool provides the perfect spot to take stock with a have left!)