My fantasy island: Rangali Island, the Maldives

Conrad Maldives Rangli Island's twin bed overwater villa,
plunge pool, deck & glass floor,

At the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, there's no floor in the lobby: it's a desk on white sand. The sand continues through the restaurant, and all the way down to the water's edge.

 There, a little 12-seater Japanese grill restaurant dug into the beach, beneath the stars.

The first night, I watched as men arrived for dinner dressed in white linen and leather slides while the ladies were bedecked in glittering jewels and gowns that swished over the sand, revealing a flicker of perfectly manicured toes, not a shoe in sight.

I also forgot about shoes for four days, reminded only as I hot-footed it along the jetty to the spa dangling over the Laccadive Sea. The fish were there again down in Ithaa, the resort's underwater restaurant. Set 4.9 metres below sea level, a glass semi-sphere holds the oceans back. Fish is on the menu and also on the other side of the glass.

Getting there: Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines fly to the capital of the Maldives, Male. The resort is reached by a 30-minute seaplane journey.

Staying there: The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island comprises two islands (one is adults-only). 1800 446 667, tinyurl.com/835b2s3.

 

Read more about fantasy islands

Source: Sun Herald