The good, bad and ugly sides of the Maldives

THE GOOD

Plenty of familiar destinations make it into TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Beaches in Asia list. Thailand is well represented, as are Indonesia, the Philippines and India. Ngapali Beach, in Myanmar, grabs top spot but it’s not what’s included in the list that catches the eye, rather it’s what isn’t. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a “best beaches” countdown that didn’t feature at least one sun-drenched, palm tree-swooning representative from the Maldives. Maybe TripAdvisor decided it wasn’t fair on the other “contestants”.

The Maldives has come a long way since 1972, when its first resort opened for business. Two hundred and sixty-six foreigners visited that year, staying in rustic huts and marvelling at the gin-clear water lapping at their ankles. These days, there are more than 100 luxury island retreats and passengers arriving at Malé International Airport can expect to be whisked off to a slice of paradise by seaplane or speedboat. Jet lag evaporates over the glassy turquoise seas and, before long, a live band is serenading guests ashore and smiling staff appear with welcome cocktails and scented towels. Who could fail to be seduced by such VIP treatment?

Some are more used to it than others, of course. From Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton to the Beckhams and Kate Moss, royals and celebrities can’t get enough of the “No News, No Shoes” islands. You can renew your marriage vows in a simple barefoot ceremony on the sand just like the A-listers, and you’d be amazed at how many company conferences are held in the Maldives. Or perhaps you wouldn’t.

This is Visit Maldives Year and the Indian Ocean nation is enjoying a record-breaking surge in popularity.