Seaplanes, Sharks and Surprisingly Different Islands

I was lucky enough to travel to the Maldives with my amazing work colleagues from Designer Travel. It‘s always been on my list. Over the years, I've done so many quotes for clients and looked at so many photos online, but I'd never actually been myself. So being asked to go was an absolute dream.

The first thing I'll say is that the Maldives isn't just an average holiday. To me, there's no place like it, especially the private islands. It's a completely different world, and I'd struggle to compare it to anywhere else I've been.

The journey is part of the holiday.

For me, the Maldives experience starts with getting there. We flew from Manchester via Istanbul, and the connection was seamless. I managed to get some rest and didn't feel too tired when we landed in Malé.

Every resort has its own seaplane lounge, and ours felt like a boutique hotel. You can help yourself to coffee and snacks, even have a shower, and there's an outside area where you can watch the seaplanes taking off. We had a couple of hours there before they told us our plane was ready.

And honestly, the seaplane was a proper pinch-me, bucket-list moment. It's small and quite noisy, so they give you earplugs. I was a bit anxious it would be really hot, but it was fine. Taking off from the sea and looking down at the little islands and atolls, it's exactly like the pictures. I was in awe. This is not your ordinary coach transfer to a hotel.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Hideaway is up in the far north of the Maldives, and when we landed, the welcome was something else. The staff all lined up to meet us with their hands on their hearts, drums playing. They put flowers around our necks and handed us a lovely cold drink. It was everything I'd imagined, and more.

I stayed in a deluxe one-bedroom villa, and to say I was gobsmacked is an understatement. It was palatial. High ceilings, chandeliers, fresh fruit and fizz waiting for me, a huge jacuzzi bath and a massive bed. Then I opened the curtains: my own private pool, a decked area with loads of seating, and steps straight down onto the most stunning beach.

Hideaway is one of the larger islands. It takes about 50 minutes to walk around, but every villa gets a bicycle and a butler, and nothing is too much trouble for them. The clue really is in the name. You can properly hide away here. It's barefoot luxury with so much space and privacy that at times you feel like the only person on the island.

That said, there's plenty to do. There's indoor and outdoor golf, padel, tennis, a great gym and a water sports centre. The kids' club is brilliant too. The children aren't just sat inside colouring; they get their own age-appropriate Maldives experiences.

We were lucky enough to look round the range of villas on Hideaway, and they were all fantastic. I'd happily stay in any of them. One morning we were treated to a floating breakfast in a private pool, which, once again, was something so special and memorable.

Snorkelling for the first time (yes, really)

Now we need to talk about the house reef. I'm not confident in the water at all. I can swim, but I don't like putting my head under. I was really nervous about this bit.

But the staff made it for me. They were so supportive and encouraging, and at first they held my hand while I started snorkelling right by the beach. I saw so many tropical fish, and my colleagues spotted sharks and a turtle. I was so proud of myself.

Hideaway is further from Malé, but that's part of what makes it feel so special. You can't see anything for miles. It's perfect for honeymooners and anyone who wants space and privacy, and families would have the most amazing time too. I was very emotional leaving, but excited too, because next up was Lily Beach.

Lily Beach Resort & Spa

We took another seaplane back to Malé, then back out again to Lily Beach in South Ari Atoll, about 25 minutes away. This is a smaller island,d and it felt completely different, more sociable, with more families around. Once again, the staff stood out straight away. Super, super friendly.

Lily Beach is platinum all-inclusive, so you get premium drinks, plenty of wine and champagne, your minibar and non-motorised water sports. We met several guests who come back year after year, and the staff remember them and greet them with a big smile. It has a real home-from-home feel, and I was so glad to see the difference between the two islands.

My villa here was very different too. More traditional and smaller, but absolutely charming, with an outdoor bathroom stocked with my favourite The White Company toiletries. Showering outside in the Maldives is an experience in itself. I also loved listening to all the different birds, although some were a lot louder than others, especially in the early hours!

Swimming with sharks, in a storm

We did quite a few excursions here. I snorkelled again, a bit further out this time, and the staff were amazing with me again. The house reef was beautiful.

We had a mix of weather, and it was quite rainy at times, though still very warm. The staff just said everything carries on as normal, and it did. We went out on the sea to look for sharks, and a huge storm rolled in. Being out on the water in torrential rain was actually quite funny and liberating, and it soon passed.

My colleagues all jumped in and were shouting at me that it was amazing: nurse sharks (lots of them), stingrays, tropical fish. I couldn't get off the boat; I was that nervous. In the end, I decided it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, so I got in. The staff held my hand, I snorkelled over, and I swam with sharks. Me! All I could focus on was them telling me to keep my fingers to myself and breathe through my mouth. Once I got the rhythm and the confidence, it was incredible. I pushed my boundaries and did something I never thought I would.

If I'm perfectly honest, marine life has never really interested me. But this trip completely changed that. I now have a totally different view of what's under the sea. It's a whole world down there, and the colours of the fish and the coral are just beautiful.

Obviously I had to celebrate with a glass of Taittinger afterwards.

I also had a light Balinese massage, but not in your usual treatment room. It was in an overwater villa, and the hole in the floor of the bed was right over the water, so I could watch the fish swimming by. I lay there thinking, I can't actually believe I'm here.

A sneaky visit to Hilton Maldives Amingiri

On our last day, our flight was later, so we took a short (and very luxurious) speedboat ride from Malé to Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. It's stunning, a bit more contemporary and polished, with Insta-worthy villas and so much space. The welcome was amazing again, and we had a full tour.

The kids' club is one of the biggest in the Maldives,s and it's so impressive. It has its own outdoor pool, arts and crafts, games, even pyjama parties. Some activities are payable, and some aren't, and the staff were so enthusiastic. If you've got children, this island is a big plus.

We spent the afternoon relaxing by the infinity pool bar and watched the sun go down, just sat reflecting on what an amazing week we'd had.

Let's talk about the food.d

On every island, the choice of food was amazing, with something to suit every taste. The menus had a great variety, and we were always asked about allergies and individual needs, which were properly catered for.

What I loved most was how much pride the chefs took in their food. They'd come out to ask if everything was okay, and the staff told us many of the chefs have been there for years and years. You could tell. Honestly, some of what we ate was Michelin-star worthy.

At Hideaway, every restaurant had its own vibe, so it never felt like eating in the same place twice. At Lily Beach, one of my favourite nights was a gorgeous meal right by the sea after swimming with the sharks. I'd definitely earned it.

If you're a foodie worried you'll get bored on a small island, don't be.

The beaches

The beaches were one of the things that stood out most for me. I expected them to be nice, but they were something else. The sand is whiter than white, and the water really is that turquoise. I've never been on beaches like them. At times it felt like it was just me, or maybe a handful of other people.

I'm not a massive beach person, if I'm honest, but I could have spent the whole time on them.

Island life

I loved how easy and relaxed it is to get around. You can cycle, hop on one of the little buggies, or simply walk and wander. There are no cars, and nobody is rushing about. It's just a completely different pace of life, and it's unbelievable how quickly you settle into it.

What about the weather?

We went in September, which is low season. The first part of the week was hot sunshine with a couple of showers, and midweek we had more rain. But it passed quickly and soon dried up. The staff told us the weather used to be much more seasonal but has changed over the years. It certainly wouldn't put me off recommending the Maldives all year round, and I'd definitely go back.

Little things you might not know

• The staff live on the island. You'd never know it, because their homes are cleverly hidden by the trees and plants. On some islands they're dotted around, and at Hideaway they have their own little community in the middle of the island.

• Take US dollars for tips. That's the currency the resorts use, not the local currency.

• Check the seaplane luggage allowance. Seaplanes have weight limits that are usually stricter than your international flight's, so check before you pack.

• The time difference is small. The Maldives is 4 hours ahead of the UK in summer, and 5 hours ahead in winter, so jet lag isn't too bad.

• Pack a waterproof phone pouch. My colleague had one and it was brilliant. She got amazing underwater footage, and it's handy when the showers come in too.

• Pack insect repellent. I got a few bites, but once I started putting it on regularly, that stopped.

• Take earplugs. I love the sounds of nature, but the birds can get a bit loud, especially in the early hours. Maybe that's just me, but I was glad I had them.

• Sun cream is a must. The sun is really powerful, and the weather can change very quickly.

Maldives myths

I hear the same few things all the time when people talk about the Maldives, so let's clear them up.

"It's boring." It's certainly not. There's so much to do: water sports, snorkelling, diving, boat trips, spas and brilliant kids' clubs. At Hilton Amingiri you can even have a go at a cocktail or kombucha-making class, and the kids can do pizza making. There are teppanyaki shows where the chef cooks right in front of you, and at Lily Beach there's live music, DJ nights and karaoke. There's a real buzz about some of the islands, and then there are others that are pure peace. You choose.

"It's just for honeymooners." Of course it's perfect for honeymooners, but it's so much more than that. On every island we saw families, couples, groups of friends and people who've been going back for years. It really is for all ages.

"It's very expensive." It can be, but it doesn't have to be. There's an island for every budget, and that's where I can help. All-inclusive options, like the Platinum Plan at Lily Beach, also mean you know what you're spending before you go.

"It's such a long way." Honestly, the journey was fine. Our flights from Manchester via Istanbul were seamless; I managed to rest, and the time difference is only a few hours. And then there's the seaplane. That alone makes the journey worth it.

One of the biggest things I learnt on this trip was just how different the islands are. Each one has its own personality. Hideaway felt like a true escape, with so much space and privacy. Lily Beach was sociable and homely, with guests who go back year after year. Hilton Amingiri was contemporary and polished, and brilliant for families. Choosing the right island makes all the difference.

What I've learnt is that there's an island for everyone, whatever your age, whoever you're travelling with, whatever your budget, and whatever you want from your holiday, whether that's lots to do or absolutely nothing at all.

If the Maldives is on your list too, get in touch. I'd love to help you find your island.