Coco Palm Resort by John Borthwick

Tomorrow is another island ­ or so it might seem in the Maldives. With over 80 island resorts it would take months to sample them all. The 98-room Coco Palm Resort on Dunikolu Island in Baa Atoll makes redundant the idea of searching much farther.

Coco Palm occupying the whole island. This stylish international resort has over-water (as well as terra firma) suites, chefs who make even buffet food a treat to look forward to, and plenty of water toys ­ sailboards, cats, diving facilities, etc. Fish garbed in dandified colours throng the reef. Loggerhead turtles pop their heads up for a look-around. From an over-water villa, I can drop straight into the lagoon from my deck, seeking (but not necessarily finding) rays and turtles, then climb back up into my private splash pool.

Later, a dhoni takes us sunset fishing, where we catch nothing but an exceptionally good view, then on to a deserted cay for a lavish, bonfire-lit feast ­ where we eat everything but the palm leaf platters.