That success is based around the concept of barefoot luxury. And this is, in my opinion, what the best of the top class resorts provide. The design is chic rather than Robinson Crusoe, straight edged but with natural materials to the fore. Being a member of Relais & Chateaux ensures the overall standards are first class, particularly the wine and cuisine.

The latest news is that from November 1st 2009, it will be a Waldorf Astoria. There is no news on closing for alterations, so we can assume it stays open for booking.

The beach rooms come in 3 varieties: beach villa, beach suite and grand beach pavilion. The water bungalows come in 2: water villa and grand water pavilion. Each has a pool and a villa host.

I haven't had the opportunity to personally review the resort yet, but from the aerial photograph, the island looks to be ideal for both types of room. The beach runs wide all around the island and the lagoon is large and deep enough for swimming while the reef edge is near enough for easy snorkelling access. Lucky resort.

In terms of relaxation and recreation it seems to have all the bases covered. A top class spa, which also offers Ayurveda treatments and visiting gurus; a gentleman's retreat with armchairs, a big TV and a golf simulator; a kid's club with a games room and a full activities program, including turtle monitoring during the nesting season.

Far away in the most northerly atoll, the resort's isolation entails a 45 minute domestic flight followed by another 45 minute speedboat ride. It also means that the atoll is practically unknown to tourists. The local, cultural visits could be unusually good. Utheemu, the home island of the Maldives' national hero, is in the atoll and could be a way in to the old life and history of the country.

With no passing waterborne traffic, it must be a very quiet place and with so few resorts in the neighbourhood, it has been able to get 2 other nearby islands for the further pleasure and enjoyment of its clientele. It would seem that The Beach House has just about everything going for it.