Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives

The Taj hospitality experience starts at the airport with a friendly welcome for incoming guests at both this resort and sister property Exotica. Once on the speedboat, the crew offers bottled water or juice, as well as refreshing towelettes. Another welcome ensues on arrival to the island: Staff members come out to the jetty with more welcome drinks, and then guests are led to the cheerful reception area for check-in. The first glimpse of the property is of the main beach area with water sports and dining tables; this setting becomes the romantic beach barbecue area in the evening. Beyond the beach is the main buffet restaurant, Latitude, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as an air-conditioned recreation lounge with books, boardgames and espresso. On the other side of the jetty is the bar and lounge, infinity pool, and other dining options (Japanese, South American, and pizza). All of these indoor spaces, like the rooms, were renovated in 2009 and have a contemporary and colorful aesthetic with a touch of Indian flair.

The island is small, and guests (mostly couples, but some families) can easily get around by foot, though light of day will reveal areas that are begging for improvement; expect bland vegetation and slightly dilapidated grounds. At night, though -- after the interactive stingray feeding -- lights are lowered in a romantic way and guests congregate at the restaurants and lounge. The scene is pretty quiet, as most couples are there to celebrate honeymoons or anniversaries (or to renew vows), choosing instead to spend post-dinner time in their rooms rather than getting rowdy on the Reef Bar's dance floor. 

Vivanta is part of the Taj group, based in Mumbai, with properties worldwide. It is no wonder that clientele is diverse and many guests hail from India, as well as the UK, Russia, and the Middle East (the overwater villas tend to be popular with the Chinese). The resort is considering adding more overwater villas and restaurants in the future, which may change the landscape and quiet atmosphere.

Vivanta by Taj Coral Reef 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 towards the property. The boat crew is friendly and they will offer guests bottled water, juice, and a cold towel for the journey, which takes under an hour. A team of staff members comes out to meet newcomers, and then guests are ushered to the restaurant lounge for check-in.

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. Vivanta is a smaller island than some neighbors and it is easy for guests to walk the entire circumference (particularly enjoyable at sunset and sunrise). The resort offers a dive center, water sports, and free snorkeling, with easy access to a shipwreck. On shore, stingrays, like clockwork, come up to the beach every day at around 5 p.m. for a neat interactive feeding from the guests and trained staff. 

This resort has 62 rooms surrounding the outer edge of the island. Decor is clean and contemporary (they were all renovated in 2009) with tiled floors, white walls, colorful photography and subtle but ornate India-inspired touches. Guests arrive to fresh fruit (usually three oranges or apples) on a cutting board and upbeat music playing on the flat-screen TV (each comes with a DVD player and sound system). There is plenty of free drinking water in glass bottles (still or sparkling), and coffee/tea, replaced daily. Minibars are stocked with soda, juice, Heineken, wine, and liquor (for a fee). Bathrooms have separate walk-in showers and jetted tubs, bathrobes, and slippers; most also have outdoor showers. Some of the outdoor showers in the Beach Villas are in need of repair. Patios are furnished with two lounge chairs and a dining table for two. 

The 58-square-meter Superior Charm Beach Villas and the slightly more spacious Deluxe Delight Beach Villas connect to a beach and have king-size beds. Each villa has a twin hammock hanging between trees. Outdoor showers are accessed from the bathrooms, but the pebbly, unkempt grounds may be painful to walk on. On the other side of the island are 32 Premium Indulgence Water Villas. While other resorts have villas built onto long jetties, these overwater villas are adjacent to the shore. Decks have an outdoor shower and a ladder that lead to the lagoon. The biggest rooms are the massive Presidential Nirvana Suites that sit next to each other on the beach. These bi-level units have two bedrooms (one master with a king and one with two twins), a large living area, and butler service. Each deck comes with a private plunge pool and an outdoor rain shower. 

Cribs and rollaways are available for families. Any minor maintenance issues, including Wi-Fi problems, will usually be handled promptly with a visit from staff. 

There are several small beach areas around the island, and some do have signs of erosion. Many of the beach villas lead to sandy areas with not many people around. The infinity pool has cushioned lounge chairs for sunbathing. Photo shoots are common here, which may take away from the ambience. 

Indian-themed Jive Spa has three treatment rooms (two that can accommodate couples) for massages, wraps, and scrubs, with Ayurvedic treatments using Indian herbs and oils. Each room has a small private plunge pool. A modern 24-hour fitness center has big windows to let in natural light.  

In the middle of the island is a Dive Center offering excursions for all levels. Water sports include a banana boat, pedal boats, kayaks, catamarans, and a ski boat for waterskiing, wake boarding, and windsurfing. Guests are allowed to use two pairs of snorkel gear per room at no charge. Kayaks are free for guests as well. The activity desk offers excursions for additional fees, including boat rides to a nearby sand bar or deep sea fishing. 

Every afternoon at around 5 p.m. there is an interactive stingray feeding at the main beach. While other resorts advertise this as an activity, not many allow guests to feed the stingrays (this one does). Other land activities include cooking and cocktail-making classes. 

Basic Wi-Fi is free, but there is a faster option that costs a fee. 

The Taj brand is known for their food and beverage outlets, and this small island is no different. While many competing islands of the same size have just one restaurant, guests here will likely appreciate having options to choose from, with full-board and all-inclusive packages available. The main buffet restaurant is a beautiful space called Latitude, offering international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast, in particular, is a highlight with a chilled buffet spread that precedes hot á la carte entrees, many of them Asian. On the other side of the bar are tables around the infinity pool serving Japanese teppanyaki, sushi, and South American cuisine. A pizzeria stays open daily until around 7 p.m. Most nights of the week, there are romantic tables along the beach for a beach barbecue where a chef serves grilled fish and meat. Private dinners can also be arranged. The Reef Bar (there's great lighting here) serves drinks until midnight with indoor and outdoor lounge areas and a dance floor.