The company flagship is the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore. And the group is building its own reputation: The Raffles Hotels & Resorts was ranked second among the world's top hotel brands in the 2006 Condé Nast Traveler Business Travel Awards.

There are a few elements of this resort that hint it will suit the business world as well as the affluent holiday couple. There will be a private dining room for 12 persons, specially organised Raffles Revelry parties 'that promise the celebrations of a lifetime' and a sandbank for private events and dinners.

The overall design is 'contemporary with Maldivian touches' that, judging from the artists' impressions, means appropriate thatched roofs over beautiful modern interior designs. Large tiles, however, aren't everyone's idea of the best flooring.

The rooms are a fair size and come in four varieties: Beach Villas (20), Water Villas (21), Signature Villas (7) and one Raffles Villa, which is twice the size of the Signature Villa.

The resort has going for it a splendid small island in my favourite atoll, Gaaf Dhaalu. The islands in the middle of the atoll are picture postcard perfect and the larger islands around the exterior are fascinating inhabited islands. It is here that the reeds are grown and woven into the finest grass mats in the world.

Excursions from the resort should be fantastic. Entertainments on the resort unusually include tennis courts and a golf simulator. The Raffles Amrita Spa also offers 6 manicure and pedicure rooms. With this famous brand comes new ideas, which will always be welcome.