They are still coming back to a resort that has changed beyond all recognition. The reasons were hard to put into words but were summed up with, "It's addictive, this place". In the meantime many more have succumbed to the addiction, with the result that Meeru satisfies more people per annum than just about any other resort.

Perhaps Meeru can be best summed up with the phrase 'affordable dreams'. The big, happy resort has a hundred ways to fulfill a hundred different wishes and expectations. From the fully active party couple to the privacy seeker and from the splurging couple to the careful couple, Meeru seems to deliver on so many people's dreams.

That is not easy to do, of course. The island is the resort base of probably the best group of resorts in the country. The management is always out there, looking, thinking and improving. You can almost feel the place fizzing with activity and ideas.

The latest (and yes, possibly, greatest) idea was the making of a new resort within the resort. Meeru Village is a combination of the existing land-based Water Villas and Jacuzzi Villas with the all-new Jacuzzi Water Villas and overwater Spa that stretch out into the lagoon on separate piers. The Village has its own beautiful centre, housing the reception, restaurant and bar, surrounded by a wide, white beach.

No question, the new place is terrific and will swell the ranks of returning Meeru aficionados. Life at the top of the island (the Village takes over the northern end) is classy, comfortable and stylish. It's also quiet as no children are allowed, except as daytime visitors.

The top rooms, the 30 Jacuzzi Water Villas, would not be out of place in a 5-star resort. They face either east or west, are very large and unquestionably luxurious. The 27 Water Villas are actually only half over the water and, facing east, don't get sun in the afternoon, but the interiors are quality. Although there is no beach or snorkelling here it's not far to stroll to the fine bulb of sand at the tip of the island, where there are also some corals and fish.

Trying out an alternative room category is encouraged on this big and varied island, where different rooms in different locations can give different holiday experiences. Guests can seclude themselves away in a quiet corner or take a room near all the action by the swimming pool, bars, 'front' and dive centre. There is always something to do or something going on throughout the day and into the night but it is never pushed at the guests - no one is ever dragged onto the dance floor or onto the beach volleyball court.

Importantly, every room has a complete catalogue of what there is to do throughout the holiday. A long list of excursions includes a full day cruise on a sailing yacht (called the Love Boat), a sunset dolphin watch and a Male shopping and sightseeing trip. Daytime resort activities include water polo, tennis, badminton, golf driving and a first class gym. Your evenings might be filled with disco dancing, crab racing, Boduberu, a table tennis tournament or sipping cocktails and making new friends in one of the 5 bars on the island. One treat everyone should give themselves is a spa treatment. You can even learn to massage your partner for further treats back home.

Apart from the eastern side where the water villas and a few land villas are, you can be assured of a good to excellent beach outside your room. And apart from one area with sea grass, the lagoon is almost perfect - crystal clear water and a sandy bottom.

There are some coral blocks (natural and man-enhanced) in the lagoon that afford some snorkelling, but this is really one of the only areas where the resort is disappointing. A boat is put on every day to take guests to the house reef but you must pay for this and it's not a great reef. The dive centre organises snorkelling trips to better reefs.

Diving is less important to the resort than it used to be but it is still a major draw for many guests. It is a great dive school - managing to be very welcoming and friendly while remaining 100% professional, with an emphasis on safety and no surprises. Guests with no experience at all, including children, can do simple introductory courses, while other guests with hundreds of dives can fulfill their desires with multiple tank, night and full-day diving. With more than 50 sites carefully catalogued, every variation of dive is possible.

The food has greatly improved over the years and is now very hard to fault. One gripe that some guests have is that there are a lot of niggling, unexpected charges, even for all-inclusive guests. If you are aware of this and act accordingly then nothing should stop you having a great holiday on Meeru, and coming back to repeat the treat again and again.