Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives

Singapore brand Grand Park have opened a high quality resort with a great management team in the North Male Atoll, an easy speedboat ride from the airport.

Most of the 120 villas are over water, and feature light, pleasant interiors. 5 Grand Residences offer spacious two bedroom accommodation, ideal for families looking for the water villa experience, while the pick of the categories is surely the Reef Pool Water Villas - on a calm day you don't even need to get into the water for a great view of the coral gardens and abundant marine life. The 18 Beach Pool Villas, situated on a dedicated beach, the best on the island, are semi-detached and quite tightly packed.

The aptly-named main restaurant Edge offers all day dining in a pretty waterside setting. Breeze acts as the main bar but also offers a wide range of dishes available in a fairly buzzy atmosphere most of the day. The star on the culinary show is without doubt Firedoor, which offers absolutely top class over water fine dining - this is a must, whatever meal plan you are booked on. We'd also recommend oenophiles try tastings and dinner in the well-stocked and curated Wine Cellar.



Other facilities include an award-winning spa & beauty salon, obligatory dive and water sports operation and an extensive Recreation Beach Club - a complex that includes a large, upstairs gym and yoga area with great views, teens and kids clubs and the marine biology centre. On that note, an definite highlight of our visit was a guided tour of the lovely house reef, followed by a fascinating de-brief and photo review with resident marine biologist Sarocha (check our YouTube channel video!).

If you're looking for a resort with house reef a speedboat ride from Male, with quality dining options, Grand Park should be on your shortlist.