Park Hyatt, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives

_Location: At the far south of the Maldives a one hour domestic flight and a further one hour speedboat from Male.

_{First impressions:} Hyatt took over in April and are already far along with their upgrading and reshaping of the resort with the bar, pools and many rooms finished.
A ridiculous statement perhaps given that every resort sits on a tiny island in the middle of the Indian Ocean but this one feels genuinely remote. The rooms are not visible from the sea and public areas are kept to a minimum with private dining anywhere a table can fit encouraged.
Motorised watersports don’t take place so the silence is only ever broken by arrivals and the sound of people turning the pages of their books.
The resort took 5 years to build and was put together, according to the resident marine biologist, with rare caution and sensitivity to the coral reef that surrounds it which is considered by many to be the best house reef anywhere in the Maldives.
The hotel grows some of its food and wants to work with local people to become as reliant on local and self grown produce as possible.
There are no over water villas as it would go very much against the vibe of the most Robinson Crusoe of islands I saw but the rooms are beautifully laid out and every one has private beach access.

_{The facts:} The Vidhun Spa offers Dhivehibey spa treatments, there are yoga lessons, the Scuba diving is among the best in the Maldives and excursions can be tailor made and include visits to local islands.

_Wow: The coral reef is extraordinary and as a result the snorkelling and wildlife on show is the best I saw by some distance. The resident marine biologist tells you all about the fish and wildlife before you go which really adds to the experience.

_{How much:} From $986 per night based on two sharing a Park Villa, B&B.

maldives.hadahaa.park.hyatt.com