Anantara Kihavah Villas, Maldives, Indian Ocean

Sleep

Anantara Kihavah has a wealth of decadent villas and residences , from beachfront boltholes on the sand peeking out from the palms and overwater bungalows hovering over an impossibly blue lagoon. Stylish inside with dark woods, whitewashed walls and flickers of bright fabrics throughout, every thatch-crowned retreat also comes with its own private pool.

The beach villas have a generously sized outside living area, complete with a double daybed and sun loungers, and along with the pool, stepping stones lead to a sunken bathtub surrounded by your own mini lagoon. They all offer direct access to the beach and the Sunset Beach Pool Villas, like their name suggests, are well-placed for dusk. If you’re a large family or group, the multi-bedroom residences are super spacious options which can sleep up to 12 people – they’re that big that even at full capacity you’ll still find it easy to find some solitude.

We have to admit, the overwater bungalows are some of the finest we’ve seen in the Indian Ocean. They’re fitted with sunken bathtubs which ooze romance, with your private pool mere steps from your bed. The glittering ocean views you get are very tempting, a refreshing sea dip made all the more easier by the steps leading into the lagoon from your outside decking or, if you’d prefer, straight from your bathroom. Catamaran nets, loungers and a giant swinging daybed big enough for two offer plenty of ways to relax in a villa you’ll find really hard to leave.