Constance Halaveli

Ahh, the Maldives: crystal-blue waters, suites on stilts, powder-soft, white-sand beaches. Your own tropical paradise – what could possibly go wrong? Umm, add two children? Are you even allowed children in the Maldives, or is it strictly for couples and honeymooners? Well, whatever our preconceptions, luxury resort Constance Halaveli promises to look after everyone, whether it’s just a couple or the entire family entourage. I guess we’ll see…

The Maldives is a long way from the UK and kids and long trips are always a bit of a concern, but the thought of a seaplane keeps our two so excited that there are no tantrums or cries of ‘I’m bored’ through Malé airport. The thought of landing on water blows their little minds. ‘We’re going to land on the sea Mummy, for real?’ my five-year-old Ally keeps asking. (Of course, Mr Smith is also mildly excited.)

On arrival, it is everything we had hoped for – the postcard-perfect beach and even the slightly clichéed (but very genuine) welcome party waving and greeting us with cold towels and drinks, eager to show us to our villa.

Halaveli is a small desert island with a ‘branch’ of water-stilted suites with thatched roofs on a tentacle-like arm, stretching away from the main beach. There are also villas on the main island, perfect for families as they have adjoining kids’ rooms complete with bunks (which we saw and loved). However, we had booked a classic stilted room because we really wanted to be on the water. 

The little golf buggy tootles up the wooden gangplank and deposits us at the door. We spy fish through the clear water, much to the delight of the kids (and Mr Smith, again) and we arrive at Number 55, halfway up the tentacle. The door swings open and – wow – we can see right through, across the mahogany decking, to the ocean and our very own black-slate infinity plunge pool with an endless coastal view. A double breathtaking moment. The kids are naked quicker than we can say ‘Wow’ and jump in with glee, while Mr Smith and I are delighted with our private steps down to the water and the sprawling reef below.

Had we been here without the kids, the room would have been incredibly spoiling for two; it’s cosy for four, with an egg-shaped bath tub, a large double bed and couple of camp beds for the kids: it’s the perfect posh Robinson Crusoe holiday.

Arriving at lunchtime is perfect; we go off to the main pool back on the island to explore. There’s ample room for everyone to find their space – be that well-behaved (ahem) five and eight year olds, or cavorting Koreans taking photos in full wedding dress, nailing that all-important, take-home shot to show everyone what a happy couple they are. You’d never find an Englishman agreeing to his wife carting her entire wedding dress out on holiday and getting himself dressed in a full morning suit in 30 degree-heat, all while being ‘papped’. We conclude that it must be Korean law that you have to have wedding shots on a sweltering beach to prove your love for each other, as during our stay, three or four of these committed couples provide open-mouthed amusement. They pose in filmic, romantic scenarios creatively staged by their perspiring photographers, who goad them into various poses: Titanic, Pretty Woman, Gone with the Wind… 

There are three restaurants on the island and a bar with snacks. Water spray is delivered to our sunloungers at the touch of a button – I dread to think how many times we would have to apologise for our son, Tom, pushing the button ‘accidentally’. Accommodating double loungers by the pool are accompanied by the biggest striped beach towels we have ever seen – we wrap one around our five-year-old four times (a very good trick to keep her in one place for a little while).

With a tonne of bribery, our little ones agree to go to the kids club while we have a massage in the spa. An hour of bliss for us and also for them, as it turns out. Tom gives the club a nine out of 10. Praise indeed, but the packet of Haribos in his pocket and an eight-year-old-blonde called Maya might have something to do with it. In all seriousness, the kids club is faultless; there are great activities, including hermit crab-catching on the beach as night falls – a big favourite with Tom and Mr Smith!

Kids run around on the beach while grown ups sink a few glasses of wine at the main restaurant or the adjacent grill, Meeru, our favourite of the the three. There’s also a fantastic sommelier who will show you around the cellar with pride.

Paradise also comes with activities galore: there’s a scuba-diving centre, tennis courts, beautiful boats for safaris, fishing and dolphin watching (not that we saw any, but the flying fish provided more than enough amusement). Then there’s being pulled along at 100 miles an hour on parent-neck-breaking inflatables, paddle boarding, sailing, canoeing and of course, plain old snorkelling, which you can do just from the bottom of the stairs from your stilt bedroom – did we mention the private staircase to the sea?

So, despite us not being on honeymoon, smirking at the frequent rose petals floating past the stilts below our room and the comical couples with their photo shoots, this family feels like it got the best of all worlds. The kids loved every minute and the grown ups got to visit the spa and have an evening meal à deux in the very fancy fusion restaurant, Jing – located at the tip of the tentacle. We didn’t forget to have a cocktail in the bar, too, with the fish below, all lit up – the whole family loved that bit.

What we look for at Mr & Mrs Smith are great places for couples, which Halaveli does in its sleep (particularly if you are Korean). With Smith & Family, we want hotels that are, of course, great for the kids, but also great places for the whole family to share adventures together. So, with three ticks, Halaveli has definitely earned its gold star.