Coco Bodu Hithi

After a speedboat ride from the airport, guests are warmly greeted at Coco Bodu's jetty by a group of polished staff members wearing casual but crisp uniforms. It can be hard to pay attention to what they are saying -- the urge to gape at the postcard setting will distract the best of 'em. It will also be tempting to start taking photos immediately of the sandy beaches on either side, and this temptation will get stronger as guests are led to reception and Latitude Lounge. The infinity pool view, in particular, looks straight out of a magazine with chic white and yellow daybeds against layers of turquoise. After check-in, guests are taken to their villas on a golf cart. A phone number will be given out for a shared butler whom they can contact for any requests or special arrangements. 

Like many other resorts, Bodu Hithi runs on island time, which is an hour ahead of Malé -- designed to offer more daylight to enjoy the outdoors. While this is good thing in the long run, having lost an hour upon arrival, guests are likely to feel anxious to get going on their vacation. The island is quite large in comparison to other resorts but it's easy enough to walk along pretty sandy pathways with wild tropical vegetation. Small plaques and planted palm trees along the way document honeymoons or anniversaries of past guests. Otherwise, guests can call any time for a ride in a golf cart.  

Guests are mostly a mix of Europeans (who tend to prefer the Island Villas) and Asians (who tend to prefer the overwater villas); people tend to stay to themselves. After dinner, expect little to no nightlife -- most guests are content to watch the stars and the moon, and the resort's romantic lighting adds to the ambiance; walking paths are low-lit and the only noise is palm trees swaying in the breeze. Typically, guests slip away to their fabulous rooms to enjoy the peace and quiet. However, management may add live Cuban music in the evenings in the future.  

A note is delivered the day before departure with instructions for check-out. Before boarding the speedboat, several staff members (many of the same ones that greeted the guests upon arrival) gather and offer bottled water and a warm goodbye. The sentiment is quite touching and feels genuine -- all in all, a great way to end the trip after paying a hefty bill. 

Coco Bodu Hithi is one of three Coco Collection properties in the Maldives -- it's more luxurious (and expensive) than the Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, but not nearly as expensive as the ultra-exclusive Coco Privé Kuda Hithi Island, which can only be rented in its entirety. Most of the guests here are couples; families may want to consider the Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, which has a kids' club. 

Coco Bodu Hithi is located on a private island in the North Malé Atoll, part of the Kaafu Atoll. After passing through customs at Malé International Airport, guests are met by a representative (usually at a numbered kiosk) and led, luggage on a cart, to a speedboat toward the property, where they will be offered bottled water. Depending on the wind and weather, this ride can be choppy and the journey takes just under an hour. The attractive island will please and delight on arrival, and the jetty leads to the sand, reception area, and infinity pool. A team of staff members comes out to meet newcomers, and then guests are ushered to the restaurant lounge for personalized check-in with welcome drink. 

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. Coco Bodu Hithi is a larger island than some neighbors -- and even larger in size due to the long jetties with the overwater villas. Despite this, it is possible for guests in good shape to walk the entire circumference (particularly enjoyable at sunset and sunrise), or they can call for a golf cart ride any time of day or night. The resort offers excellent snorkeling in specific areas of the lagoon, 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.

There are 100 contemporary villas in four categories; most are overwater on two separate jetties. Decor is a mix of contemporary (streamlined furniture, colorful striped bed throws on plush white duvets) and Maldivian (thatched roofs, lots of beautiful dark wood). All units have private plunge pools (truly jaw-dropping), designer in-room tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, double vanity sinks, generous Green Tea toiletries, bathrobes, slippers, and flip-flops. Minibars are stocked with wine, liquor, beer, soda, water and snacks as well as a Kodak disposable camera (Water Villas also come with ramen noodles, geared toward the Asian clientele with whom this category is most popular). There are free Nespresso machines, tea set-ups with traditional tea pots, and bottled water, but most guests will find the amount of water provided is insufficient and will end up purchasing more (for a price). Upon arrival guests will find an exotic fruit plate and a bottle of sparkling wine (higher room categories receive Moët), along with a welcome note from the General Manager and a Maldivian "welcome" written on the bed in palm leaves. Villas also include DVD players and sound systems with a borrowed CD of traditional music. 

Europeans tend to prefer the Island Villas, which are situated along the beach. The massive rooms have giant two-person bathtubs on an elevated platform, with the living room to one side and the king-size bed to the other. These have two outdoor areas to choose from: the beachfront terrace with beach access, and the super private back terrace with a plunge pool and outdoor shower. 

Water Villas sit on stilts above the lagoon. While these have beautiful views and direct water access from the ladder for easy snorkeling, they do not have beach access. The villas are big -- if not quite as big as the Island Villas -- and have nice king-size beds facing the deck, which comes with a private plunge pool overlooking the water, a table, chairs, and daybed. The large bathrooms have rear-facing outdoor showers and designer bathtubs that are different in design from the Island Villas. Escape Water Villas are a step up in size with a separate living space and built-in bar. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom look straight onto the water rather than the deck. Escape Water Residences are located a separate jetty for more privacy, and are largest overwater villas, with even more space in the living and dining area. These might feel like a long walk to the hub of the resort, but guests staying here are closer to the spa, fitness center, and the restaurant, Stars. 

Each unit has a desk area and free Wi-Fi. 

Parts of the island are experiencing beach erosion, but there are two healthy areas of sand where guests can snag lounge chairs or hammocks. The infinity pool has chic daybeds surrounding it (some in the shade), and never seems to get a crowd, thanks to the fact that villas come with their own plunge pools. Water sports include free use of snorkel gear, as well rentals for kayaks, windsurf gear, catamarans, and boats for waterskiing and tubing. Land activities include tennis, volleyball, and a recreation center for table tennis and billiards. There is a boutique for clothing and essentials (prices are high though -- bring your own sunscreen!), and a departure lounge with showers and bathrooms for those with a later flight.   

The Coco Spa has a gorgeous location by the east side of the island next to the Escape Water Residences and six treatment rooms. Ultra-modern rooms can feel a little less romantic than others in the Maldives, but quality facials, massages, and body therapies are on offer. Spa products are Aqua di Parma, a high-end brand that's majority-owned by Louis Vuitton.

The food and beverage program is run by a Moroccan head chef, and there are six restaurants with opening hours that vary depending on the day of the week. Those staying in the Water Villas and Island Villas will have easier access to reception and the infinity pool, which form the hub of the resort. Air is the main restaurant and serves a quality buffet spread for breakfast and dinner with seating in the shade and on the terrace overlooking the water. (For a buffet restaurant, the ambience is quite romantic at night). Above Latitude Lounge is Tsuki, serving Japanese food for lunch and dinner, and the beautiful Wine Loft, which opens for romantic dinners and special events. The Wine Loft is also available for guests to purchase bottles to take back to their villas. On the other side of the island are Aqua and Stars; these are the two higher-end options, and both restaurants have beautiful views of the Indian Ocean (reservations are required). Guests staying at in the Escape Water Residences will be able to use Stars restaurant for breakfast. In addition to the restaurants, room service is available around the clock, and private dining can be arranged in villas or along the beach. Events like beach barbecue nights are also held weekly.

There are two main bars on the property: Latitude Bar & Lounge next to the infinity pool, serving beverages and snacks throughout the day, and the lounge next to Stars restaurant. Both stay pretty quiet at night, but there are events at Latitude like games and movie nights on a big screen. Management is working on hiring full-time musicians from Havana to liven things up.