What is it that makes the Maldives so synonymous with romance? For decades, this enchanting archipelago in the Indian Ocean has been shorthand for idyllic islands, unreal beauty and honeymoon bliss. You don’t even need to be planning your honeymoon in order to make the most of this destination; the manageable flight time from the UAE means that it’s just as good for a short romantic break as a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Ticket to paradise
There’s nothing quite as romantic as feeling like you and your beloved are the only two people in the world – a sense of intimacy and seclusion that can easily be achieved if you know which Maldivian island to choose. For a truly hidden gem, there are few places as romantic as Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. The journey to its intimate location on Gan Island in Addu Atoll involves an hour-long flight crossing shimmering aquamarine water and a scattering of islands, plus a 15-minute speedboat trip and, quite possibly, a buggy ride into the jungle to your hidden villa. But the travel time is more than worth it to arrive at your own personal paradise.

Island getaway
Bright turquoise waves lap gently at powder-soft sand as palm trees sway languidly in the ocean breeze. The beauty is spellbinding, and that’s before you even get to your jaw-dropping luxury villa. You can opt for the Swiss Robinson Family-esque tree house hideaway, or a beach villa with private access to your own stretch of sand and sea. The archetypal Maldivian over-water villas on stilts are also available. Each romantic haven has its own unique luxurious touches, from private infinity pools to open air showers.  Privacy is key to the appeal of the Shangri-La resort. The island’s uniquely dense vegetation has been incorporated into the hotel design to add to the romantic seclusion by screening you from the outside world. It feels as though you could spend your entire short break seeing no one but each other.

Somewhere beyond the sea
However, if and when you do decide to drag yourself away from your villa, or indeed from the resort, there are plenty of things to see and do. Why not take a cycle tour of the island on the resort’s ‘his and hers’ bikes? You’ll discover your own secret coves and strolls that you won’t find on any tourist map. Plus, it wouldn’t be a trip to the Maldives without exploring the world beneath the waves. The archipelago has some of the globe’s best diving and snorkelling sites, and there are few outdoor activities quite as romantic as drifting blissfully on the surface of the ocean alongside your loved one. The resort has its own house reef, for just such an occasion.