On our first night we had a relaxed dinner at Café Umi – tuna tacos and a sweet yuzu black cod, if you’re wondering – before finding ourselves back at the all-day eatery in the morning for the most impressive breakfast spread I have ever come across.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and no one knows this better than the Intercontinental Maldives, where you can indulge in everything from sushi to shakshuka, blissfully crisp pastries and crêpes or one of their many freshly-prepared menu options. Perhaps my only regret of the trip is that there was never enough time to sample every endless option, with there truly being something for all, even the fussiest of eaters.
Each of the resort’s seven restaurant and bar offerings has its own unique charm and character. The Thai-influenced seafood restaurant Fish Market stands out in particular – if not for the delicious coconut prawn clay pot, then for the sheer novelty of gazing at angel fish as they swim beside you while you dine (be sure to ask for a waterside table!).
Meanwhile, The Lighthouse, our personal favourite, is the ultimate spot to watch the sunset, perched on the resort’s edge and offering unrivalled 360 views of the island and ocean. Book for 7pm and come half an hour early to enjoy the sunset before your meal that sees the finest seasonal ingredients transformed into delicate dishes, from zingy rainbow trout carpaccio to saffron infused seafood paella.
And that’s all before I’ve even got to mentioning The Collective’s pizza and deli offering, the Retreat’s tailored tipples, or the Pool Bar and Sunset Bar, where you can find just about any and every drink under the sun.
When it comes to keeping busy during your stay, while it would make perfect sense if you wanted to do nothing but soak up the immaculate vibes of the island on a sun lounger or in your private pool for the entirety of your stay, on the days that you do manage to tear yourself away from lazing in the sun, there’s plenty of ways to pass the time.