OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO

OBLU NATURE Helengeli is on Helengeli, at the northern edge of North Malé Atoll, about 50 minutes from Malé by speedboat. The island has kept much of its wild greenery, and its house reef, a few steps off the beach, is famous among divers; the 5-star PADI dive centre makes the most of it. Every stay is all inclusive, and there's a Kids Nature Centre, a main pool and water sports.

Most rooms are the Deluxe Beach Villas (52 m²), bright and colourful with a window seat and a veranda a few steps from the sand; the Deluxe Beach Villas with Pool (92 m²) add a 10 m² plunge pool, and the Lagoon Villas with Pool (78 m²) sit half on land and half over the lagoon. The Water Villas with Pool (87 m²), on the sunrise or sunset side, have a 10 m² pool and steps into the coral-rich water, and the Two Bedroom Beach Suites (214 m²) suit families. A Water Suite and two-bedroom family villas are also available, but no source publishes their sizes.

The Spice is the all-day buffet restaurant, indoors or on a deck over the lagoon. RAGA Route serves progressive Indian food, and Just Grill does Mediterranean dishes and grills on the beach. Raa Bandhi is the main pool bar, with overwater hammocks, games and a dance floor, Thundi is a quiet bar between two beaches, and Hedhikaa Hut serves Maldivian snacks in the afternoon. The ELE|NA spa sits in a tropical garden, with six treatment rooms.