Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Sister resorts Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru and Angsana Ihuru are luxurious, to be sure, but steer clear of glitzy, touristy amenities such as big pool complexes and overwater villas. The two properties also share a kiosk at the airport, and on the boat ride over, guests are offered bottled water and a cold towel scented with fresh mint; if the captain spots dolphins along the way, he will stop for photographs. The setting upon arrival is truly spectacular, and begins with a warm welcome from the manager as well as a costumed drummer offering traditional Maldivian beats. Guests are then led down a long jetty for check-in, which is flanked on either side by clear water that offers glimpse of the coral reef.

An open-air reception area leads to a restaurant, bar, gift shop, marine lab, fitness center, and spa. The island itself is bigger than Angsana, but guests will find that it is easy to navigate either by walking around the round island along the shore, or taking the center pathway from reception straight through to the other side with little sandy pathways that meander toward individual bungalows. The resort has a positive, healthy vibe; it is the kind of place that seems like it would offer daily yoga classes if there were enough interest. Many though, are too busy enjoying the spa, water activities, and romantic privacy of the bungalows. Though it attracts mostly couples, some families -- especially from Asia -- are not uncommon. In addition to the water sports, kids can actively participate in the daily stingray and turtle feedings. (The marine lab is the first of its kind in the Maldives.) 

Many guests choose to have a drink on the large stretch of sand near the bar during sunset. At night, pathways become lit in a soft glow, and private dinners start taking place on the beach or on the end of the smaller jetty. The main restaurant itself plays soft tunes during dining hours, and then switches to more trendy lounge music after the kitchen closes. Guests can head back to the bar for after-dinner drinks, though most end up taking advantage of their private plunge pools, which turn romantic in the dark with pink and purple hues. Another option is to take a starlit stroll to the end of the jetty and watch reef sharks swimming in the floodlit sea -- this is about as Maldivian as it gets.

After passing through customs at Malé's international airport, guests are met by a representative (usually at a numbered kiosk) and led, with luggage on a cart, to a Banyan Tree boat toward the property. The trip takes about 25 minutes from the airport, and the captain's first stop is here, after which the boat heads to Angsana. Both islands are visible to each other in the distance, and truly feel like sisters. Guests can ferry back and forth during the day and evening if they wish to use each other's facilities at no charge. 

The Maldives is a distinct nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of 26 atolls and over 1,190 islands. Each resort (there are over 100 of them) is situated on an individual private island, allowing for peace and quiet as well as easy access to the water and incredible marine life. Banyan Tree is bigger than Angsana, but still small enough to walk the entire circumference (particularly enjoyable at sunset and sunrise). The resort offers excellent snorkeling in the house reef (free of charge), and a quality PADI dive center. 

Though the state religion of the Maldives is Sunni Islam, private islands like these are allowed to serve alcohol.

This almost perfectly round island has 48 individual villas surrounding the shore with authentic thatched roofs hand-tied together with thousands of strings. Like the exterior, the interior color scheme is neutral -- almost spa-like -- with white, beige, brown, and black furnishings, and a hint of fresh of greenery for contrast. The villa's air-conditioned bedroom is rounded rather than rectangular, and therefore, the teakwood canopy king-size bed sits smack in the center of the room. Around the bed, which is dressed in quality white linens, is a cushioned daybed (good for kids), 32-inch flat-screen TV, narrow desk, stocked minibar with gourmet snacks and liquor pints, and a mini-fridge offering half-bottles of wine, Veuve Cliquot champagne, beer, soda, juices, and mixers. There is a Bose sound system and trademark Banyan Tree CD with spa-like music, as well as an incense burner and oil with the brand’s scent of the day (for example, "rose & lemongrass"). All guests arrive to a welcome fruit plate, and a selection of tea and coffee are stocked daily; Nespresso machines were added in early 2015. VIP guests are welcomed with a bottle of Moët & Chandon, while honeymooners receive a bottle of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon.

Three sets of French doors lead to the beach from the front of the villa. Guests have a small deck and dining table, a hammock, a shaded lounge area under a palapa, as well as two lounge chairs on the beach next to the water. Privacy varies, and some units are within direct eyesight of each other, compared to Angsana where privacy along the beach is more of a guarantee. 

In the rear, however, is where the privacy comes in. The open-air bathroom has double vanity glass sinks and large closet space containing beach towels, soft bathrobes in black and beige pattern, and slippers. These, along with generous toiletries, can be purchased at the gift shop, though eco-friendly containers can be a little difficult to work. There is an indoor shower and an outdoor shower with a bamboo spout. The bathroom area opens up to a romantic private pool and jetted tub surrounded by walls made of bamboo. Rectangular steps are a contrast to the sand and lead to the back door entrance. At night, the pool and jetted tub are lit in shades of blue and pink and guests can lie in the cushioned lounge chair meant for two to watch the stars. Due to close proximity of some of the villas, it may be possible to hear neighbors. 

This island has a natural, expansive beach area near the resort hub, as well as plenty of white sand around the entire island in front of the villas. Sandbags are visible in a few spots to help with erosion but guests can walk the entire island, which is particularly pretty at sunrise and sunset. 

The island has its own coral reef, which is ideal for spotting colorful fish, nurse and reef sharks, and turtles. There is a PADI scuba dive center on property for all certification levels and Nitrox courses. Day and night dives are available and instructors can speak English, Italian, French, German, Mandarin, and Japanese. Snorkel equipment is free to use and guests can enjoy the house reef from many areas around the island. Regular (and free) boat rides to Angsana next door can also provide diving and snorkeling close to shore, and there is a shipwreck near the property. Other water sports include kayaking, windsurfing, banana boating, Hobie-Cat sailing, reef fishing, tubing, and wakeboarding. 

The renowned spa offers five spacious open-air treatments rooms adorned in traditional Thai decor. It is truly a standout here and most guests partake in at least one treatment during their stay (it's worth the splurge). The staff are highly trained at Banyan Tree Spa Academy in Phuket and are incredibly friendly and professional. 

An interactive marine lab -- the first in the Maldives -- offers information on its projects for the conservation of green sea turtles, sharks, and coral. Marine Biology lectures are held on Mondays and Thursdays at around 6 p.m., and nightly stingray feedings take place on the main jetty around 5 p.m. This feeding is more of a watch and learn, unlike other resorts such as the Vivanta by Taj where guests actively participate. 

A second-floor fitness center sits above the Marine Lab with some cardio machines that face the sea. This stays pretty quiet. Yoga classes are not offered due to lack of interest -- most guests choose to get their exercise in the water. 

Guests receive a list of weekly resort activities with times and prices, such as night fishing, snorkel tours, dolphin cruises, and a cooking school. Special private trips such as a champagne sunset cruise in a dhoni boat are also offered.

A quality gift shop sells handicrafts and signature items from the Banyan Tree brand, including the toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers that are in the villas.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. 

The resort's main restaurant, Ilaafathi, offers shaded seating under a large palapa as well as outdoor seating with wooden tables in the sand. Gourmet and healthy buffet spreads are served for breakfast and lunch, and dinner is a la carte with a broad, contemporary international menu focusing on seafood. Most nights, guests can choose a course menu where dishes arrive with impressive artful presentations. To stave off monotony, the restaurant offers a Maldivian themed night on Fridays, and a continental buffet on Sundays. There is a basic kids' menu with items like fish and chips, pasta dishes, soup, and pizza. Closer to the shore is an open-air barbecue area called Sangu that is open for a barbecue lunch, weather permitting. 

Private romantic dinners can be arranged on the beach or on the smaller jetty on the other side of the island. Private barbecue dinners can also be arranged in the villas -- either on the front deck or in the pool area. Those coming for longer stays may find the dining options a bit limited, but it's also possible to take a boat ride over to Angsana to dine there. 

The resort bar is located next to Sangu along the largest section of the beach. Guests can imbibe under a large palapa, which is romantic and low-lit in the evening, or on the few wooden tables and lounge chairs in the sand facing the water. The bar serves a range of cocktails and wines as well as a number of detox juices, smoothies, teas, and mocktails. 

Guests can check out the island's own hydroponic garden, which grows mostly lettuce and mint used by the restaurant and bar.