At the same time it also has some excellent diving, full-on watersports, several surfing points and a number of family rooms, so I can't quite decide if this is a resort for honeymooners in water bungalows and the more mature, sophisticated guest or for families and the young, active type. Perhaps one might say there is action available if required, though overall it is a quiet couples island, except during school holidays.

14 out of a total of 58 Beach Villas are interconnected. And all 8 of the more expensive Beach Villa Suites have two rooms either side of a landing, one with a double bed and one with twin beds. Baby sitting is on request and there is no children's program, so either the children should be happy with their parents on a quiet holiday or old enough to enjoy the more active sports on their own.

Surfers will be  well satisfied with the varied but rarely visited waves just a few minutes from the resort. The watersports centre organises this and a whole host of other infrequently found recreation, such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing.

Diving is run by Werner Lau and comes highly recommended for their experience, clear information and friendly service. The channel to the north of Medhufushi is the sole entry and exit point between two vast lagoons, so you will frequently come across mantas, whale sharks, sharks and dolphins. Inside the atoll are the thilas dives for corals, caves and reef fish.

The keen, experienced diver might consider a dive safari from the resort. These are usually one week long and go south to the atolls untouched by the bleaching event and rarely dived. The complete novice, on the other hand, might or perhaps even should, take the school's 'resort dive'. Without any previous certification, you will receive enough instruction to make a dive down to 12 metres and so discover what the Maldives underwater magic is all about.

The huge lagoon means snorkeling from the island is not possible but the resort puts on a free snorkel trip every day to different reefs. And once a week they do a four hour snorkel safari that costs, and leaves at 6am, but is recommended by everyone who does it.

The island runs just about north/south along the east side of Meemu atoll, and as such the ocean-facing east side has a beach that is narrower and rougher than the atoll-facing west side. On the other hand, it is visually quieter as it looks out to a blank horizon, rather than the main bar on stilts, the jetty and seaplane arrivals. And during the long southwest monsoon (May to November) it doesn't face the wind.

As with long, thin islands the best beaches are at the ends. One end of Medhufushi is taken over by the staff area, so people prefer to have rooms towards the one available end, that is towards the waterbungalow jetty. Then again, the vegetation is not so thick here and you can see your neighbours. Although rooms are set back from the beach, this is one of those resorts that employs local islanders to come each day and completely sweep the floor of leaves. In this way the island always looks pristine and white, and rooms can see through the undergrowth to the beach in front. (On the other hand, it goes against nature and creates refuse).

The Water Villas (44) are where to go for ultimate luxury and quiet - though not for entire privacy as you can see your neighbour's deck. These rooms were surprisingly lovely - the old Medhufushi rooms were good but these are very good. They are not large rooms but when the doors are thrown open to include the deep deck, the room lights up, looks beautiful and feels luxurious. The deck, with its swing joli, and the lagoon can be enjoyed from the bed and even from the bath behind. On the sideboard is complimentary water in a glass bottle and a Nespresso machine. On the wall is a Sony Bravia tv with dvd deck (there's a small library at reception).

The beach rooms follow along the same lines as the water villas but without the luxury touches - some furniture, decorative covers and bathroom fittings, a smaller samsung tv, bon cafe sachets and a plunger.

The view across the swimming pool, past the palm trees out to the thatched bar and lounge in the lagoon is now an iconic shot of the Maldives. This public area is indeed lovely and what you don't get in the shot is the thatched restaurant behind the swimming pool. Served here is some of the best cuisine anywhere for this class of resort (it is now widely referred to as 'five star entry'). The long-serving executive chef has honed a really fine, changing menu of international buffets. The Asian food, especially the Thai cuisine and Japanese sushi, is second to none.

At this price, the written material (on special dinners, excursions and entertainments) should have more class and the excursions and entertainments themselves could be more imaginative. But, having said that, these things aren't going to spoil the holiday you have come for. Whether that be an active one with children, or an inactive, romantic one without them.

Review posted on December 4th 2009