Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa 

Returned from Vila at end of January after two blissful weeks. It was our 3rd visit but the last was in 2017 and owing to rising prices we have been to 6 other islands in the meantime. ad in the Maldives but none of the others match Vilamendhoo. My first necessity is a good reef for snorkelling (I used to dive but too much faff for 30-40 mins underwater). Vilamendhoo's reef and drop off is by a long way the best I have experienced. North or south side at the water villa ends were the best. If you are going to swim against the current I suggest you use flippers but you can just enter anywhere and go with the current and no effort is necessary. I was however shocked at the bad etiquette of quite a few people trampling on the reef. It is mentioned in reception when you arrive but I think they need to be a bit more forceful about it. I saw apart from lots of common fish, sharks, manta, turtles, Moray and puffers. I had a water Villa on the South side and next time I go will ask for one on the North side as the breeze makes it much more comfortable. Food was excellent, not quite as much choice as we have had elsewhere but the quality was much better. I've been places where there can be 20 choices of main dish all of them bland and ended up having spag bol or pizza regularly. Never had that problem at Vilamendhoo. The ingredients were always just better. There was always a good choice, their hot curry was actually reasonably hot. All the staff in the bars and restaurant are fantastic and the gardeners keep the Island immaculate. Our room boy kept our room immaculate. If you like Riu style entertainment you are in the wrong place. The house band and DJ night were excellent, but other nights very low key. Cocktails were great and I say that from experience of nearly all of them. Going AI is essential. My wife only has mocktails but she is an expert on virgin coladas and expressed her approval of those which elsewhere have been a watery disappointment. 25 minutes to amble around the island each morning 3500 steps. Our record baby shark sighting on our walks was 19. I await the opening of bookings for next year.