OCATED in the northwest of the Maldives archipelago, in Noonu Atoll, is the top drawer LVMH property, Cheval Blanc Randheli. The designer brand group has injected a touch of unobtrusive contemporary with a modular cubist design in bleached tones and cream with rustic stressed wood boardwalks, verdant grassy trim, cobalt-tile pools looking onto infinite azure vistas, and a mix of Island Villas, Water Villas, and Garden Water Villas.

Expect clean straight lines and angled walkways across the sandy island with thatch-roof villas set on the sands or upon stilts over water.

The villas are hugely spacious and very welcoming of natural light, sea breezes, and the elements, if you so desire with well designed entrances and full length windows for maximum visual line of sight. At the ocean-facing Cheval Blanc Spa start off with a hammam spa or yoga before dipping into an

arsenal of wellness treatments. Kids can enjoy a water slide and free-form pool. And to prove that this is spoiling luxury at its seamless best, do take the 40-minute flight to the resort from the main airport by custom made Twin Otter in signature grey taupe and yellow with leather interiors and cooling towels, a far cry from the rattle and shake of regular seaplanes.

If water sports is not enough to burn those calories, the resort serves up a sun-dappled fitness centre with two tennis courts and technogym workout machines. The workouts can be had on the main island itself while the tennis is based on the neighbouring island of Maakurandhoo. It's a short jaunt and well worth it as the courts are designed and maintained to 'Australian Open standards.' A fleet of pleasure boats and wooden dhonis are on hand for seafarers in search of saline adventure. A catamaran is on hand as well and for divers there a PADI-certified dive centre with snorkelling trips to gawp at manta rays and soldierfish.