The island is an hour’s flight south from the international airport and then an hour’s speedboat journey from the regional airport. The upside to this extra effort is a pristine marine environment. The corals in this area are spectacular and the diving world class. And what is more, the surfing is some of the best in the country.

The housereef is accessible from the beach and is in very good order despite the construction work. The beaches are also very good, with no groynes or sand-pumping yet resorted to. 
The resort attracts both honeymooners and families and is plenty big enough to allow as much privacy as desired. For newly weds there is an attractive wedding pavilion in a grassy area inside the island. For families there’s a kids’ club, a games room and tennis, badminton, football and volleyball. Also, each room is big enough for an extra bed alongside the existing large daybed.

The rooms are large and as beautifully designed as one could hope for and as one might expect at this level. The dining is where Ayada delivers above expectations. The variety of restaurants is impressive, with an emphasis on Asian cuisine and surprising Turkish specialties (the resort is built and run by a Turkish company). The chefs are top class and the restaurant staff immaculate.

It has to be said that not all the staff around the resort are quite up to this pinnacle of service delivery but surely, with the obvious passion and commitment around the resort, it will keep on improving month by month.

Finally, I would strongly recommend excursions to the neighbouring island of Gan, where there is an ancient Buddhist ruin and the island of Gadhoo, where the finest grass mats in the world are woven by the women.