Need to know

Rooms

33 dhoni-style suites and villas.

Rates

In low season, $680–$2,760; in high season, $880–$3,450, including breakfast but excluding 10 per cent service and government tax at $8 a person a night.

Check-out

Noon; check-outs up to 6pm are charged at 50 per cent; later, check-outs incur the full room cost. Earliest check-in, 2pm. A guest lounge is available for those leaving late or arriving early.

Facilities

Gardens, beach, pool, spa, steam room and hydrotherapy pool, gym, yoga pavillion, watersports centre, dive centre, library, boutique, free WiFi. In rooms: minibar, LCD TV, DVD/CD player, iPod dock, coffee maker.

Poolside

You're not exactly short of places to swim here, but if you don't do saltwater, there's a beautiful beachside infinity pool to splash around in.

Children

This isn't somewhere you want to come with screaming infants, but under-threes stay free (you'll still have to pay $8 tax a day, though); 4–12 year olds pay $50 a night; 13–16, $90 a night. Babysitting (from $10 an hour) and kids' menus available.

Eco-friendly

Cocoa Island has an comprehensive eco-policy and takes great care of its pristine natural environment and house reef, as well as working closely with local community projects and charities.

Also

Smoking is not permitted indoors anywhere.

In the know

Our favourite rooms

All the rooms here – Dhoni Suites, Dhoni Loft Suites, Loft Villas and Villas – are individual at-sea dwellings sited off a snake-like wooden pier, with private sundecks, vintage-style ceiling fans, walk-in showers and roll-top bathtubs. It'll be love at first sight whichever one you choose, but we fell particularly hard for the split-level Dhoni Loft Suites, and the ultra-private one-bedroom Villas, with dining bales and outdoor showers. Try to get Villa 1001 or 1003, as they face away from Cocoa Island and have the best straight-to-snorkelling sea access. The Dhoni Loft Suites all face directly onto the house reef – pick the higher numbers (from 830 down) at the end of the boardwalk for maximum privacy.

Packing tips

Footwear other than flip-flops won't leave your bag: you'll be barefoot most of the time and heels will just sink into the sand and between gaps in the decking. Snorkelling and diving kit is available to hire – just don't forget your certification.

Also

The Como Shambhala Retreat is beyond good, and offers tempting treatments in its spa suites or in the privacy of your room. The focus is on holistic and Ayurvedic therapy: book in for a 'wellness path' course of treatments.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant

Set in an open-sided wooden pavilion, Ufaa offers a daily-changing menu of fresh-from-the-sea, plucked-from-the-branch goodness, Malabar Coast and Thai-style dishes, as well as a raw-food spa menu and naughtier staples including pizzas and paninis.

Dress code

Barefoot and sunkissed.

Top table

Get a poolside table or go one step further (literally) and dine on the beach. And dining on your room's private balcony is pretty hard to beat, too.

Last orders

For lunch, 2.30pm; for dinner, 10.30pm. At Faru bar, 11pm.

Room service

The amazing breakfast menu (fry-ups, cereals, buttermilk pancakes, organic egg-white omelettes…) is available 7am–11am; and from noon till 11pm there are light snacks and full-blown meals on offer (we'll have the tandoor-roasted lobster, please).

Hotel bar

Poolside bar Faru spins a mixed-up selection of chilled-out tracks and jazzy sounds. Enjoy while you sup on lethally tasty fruit punches or ginger mojitos.

Smith card offer A private meditation session or yoga class for two, and a bottle of champagne

If you're a member of Mr & Mrs Smith, you can get special privileges at every Smith hotel you book through us. Just show your Smith card at check-in to claim the offer featured on every hotel page (like the one above).

Not a member? Join now

Smith concierge

If you'd prefer to talk to someone, or don't want to book online, call our travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.

Cocoa Island

Makunufushi, South Malé Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean