Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa Resort

If you want a special holiday, the Maldives are the place to go. If you want a VERY special holiday, you want to go to the Park Hyatt, Hadahaa! I was a little unsure about the travelling distance and why the resort was called “The Living Island” but once you experience the resort, the time falls into insignificance and the “Living Island” becomes so clear. With around 50 Villas, some over water, some with private pools and the remainder providing a private and secluded world, the island is not huge. It’s only 1.4km to walk around. It does however have 4 restaurants, an astronomer, marine biologists, personal hosts, a spa and the most amazing coral reef. The dining is 5star with such a choice you will never run out of new experiences. My wife and I are vegetarians so, as this was an island, we were expecting a limited choice. How wrong was I! The restaurant manager, KT, has the most customer service conscious team around him and chef’s who conjure different delights every day. Sundowners, beach BBQs or a meal overlooking the pool, beach and waves are everyday experiences made even more special by the attentive, friendly and ever helpful staff. The villa was serviced daily, twice daily if you prefer, and kept spotless. All the amenities you’d expect from 5-star accommodation are available and you have private access to the beaches. We could even have meals at the villa if we wished. The Living Island is just as it says and it all centres around an ethos of taking care of the environment. Every member of staff, top to bottom, really believes that the island is very precious and has to be protected. There are no motor vehicles, only electric, water comes from an internal spring, electricity is generated by solar panels on the roofs of the buildings and they have their own kitchen garden. All the villas are wood and there is no concrete allowed. The dive centre has two marine biologists who are passionate about the coral reef that surrounds the island and the life within it. We had a guided tour and several talks on all things marine which makes the snorkeling really come to life. The colour of fish and coral is spectacular and with crystal clear water, the fish are just inches away and seem to be fascinated by humans visiting their world as they flocked around me as I swam. I could carry on all day about this holiday experience but I wouldn’t give it justice. You have to try for yourselves!