Adaaran Club Rannalhi

A visit to Adaaran Club Rannalhi begins with a bumpy, 45-minute speedboat ride from Male Airport. Upon arrival, guests are greeted at the end of a pier that’s surrounded by dazzling aquamarine water, and then escorted to a palapa-roof lobby. During our visit we were welcomed with glasses of fruity iced tea while we completed check-in paperwork.With no paved walking paths, navigating this 130-room resort feels a bit like walking through a jungle. Leafy trees are planted everywhere and the grounds are covered in sand (including the indoor lobby floor). Geckos, small iguanas, ants, and bats dart around in the foliage, and tropical birds can be heard squawking constantly -- even from inside the beachfront rooms. Dozens of tiny beaches are tucked between the trees, making it easy to claim a private spot.The resort is technically kid-friendly and has a playground, but couples and honeymooners are the overwhelming majority here. Most guests are from Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East.

Situated on its own private island in the South Male Atoll, Adaaran Club Rannalhi is accessible by a speedboat that leaves directly from the Male Airport. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the island, which is small enough to walk across in under 10 minutes. The island was uninhabited before it was turned into a resort in the mid-90s. Today, 100-some people live year-round in staff quarters in the center of the island.

Guests can choose between basic beach villas (dubbed Standard Rooms) and two types of Water Bungalows -- one with a glass porthole in the floor and newer versions without. The Water Bungalows have nicer decor (expect lots of wood, simple furniture, and an airy feel), private balconies, and stairwells for easy ocean access. The resort hasn’t had major renovations since the '90s and it shows in the beach villas, which have dated wooden furniture, tile floors, plastic light fixtures, and poor insulation -- making it easy to hear birds and waves outside (which many travelers enjoy). However, the property has plans to refurbish these rooms in mid-2017. All rooms include free bottled water and electric teakettles, as well as umbrellas and jackets to protect against the tropical rains (which can roll through multiple times a day).

Besides sunbathing and eating, there’s not much to do on the island itself (most of the excitement is on or under the water). A spa offers couples massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials at reasonable prices, and a separate Chinese Therapy hut provides private reflexology sessions. A playground, ping-pong table, beach volleyball, and portable soccer nets are available free of charge. A gift shop sells everything from swimwear to sunscreen, and two other stores sell jewelry and Maldives-inspired artwork. A medical clinic is available for emergencies. A run-down outdoor theater hosts live performances on occasion. Notably missing is a pool -- the Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, which sometimes has similar rates, has two beachfront infinity pools.

Small, secluded beaches tucked between the trees offer plenty of shade, while a sprawling main beach is an ideal spot for sunbathing or playing sports. The beautiful white sand on the smaller beaches is filled with tiny pieces of coral, so those with sensitive feet may want to wear flip-flops. Unsightly sand bags jut out of the sand in some spots (used to prevent erosion), but the beaches are picturesque overall. The water is crystal clear and the temperature was perfect during our November visit -- cool enough to feel refreshing, yet warm enough to slip into without a chill. We couldn’t find a speck of trash anywhere.

The resort has one large, buffet-style restaurant and a Cocktail Bar with a nice patio over the water; these are the only all-inclusive venues, but guests can also pay for snacks and drinks at a smaller bar, Nika Lounge, and a tiny coffee shop. The quality of the food is hit or miss, but we were generally unimpressed during our visit. The Cocktail Bar has all-inclusive snacks between meals (at least it’s supposed to -- twice during our visit the snack table was empty). Cocktails, fresh juices, ice cream, and minibar items all cost extra -- and after services charges and tourist tax, they aren’t cheap.

For those willing to pay extra, the resort offers plenty of special services. Dolphin safaris, manta ray dives, fishing trips, scuba lessons, and tours of Male city are just some of the excursions available. A water sports center rents snorkels, kayaks, Jet Skis, catamarans, and SUP paddleboards (for a fee). Staff can also arrange private candlelit dinners on the beach or in water bungalows. There’s no Wi-Fi on the island, but guests can use a 24-hour lobby computer station to get online for free.