The island is in more or less a north-south direction and so there is a clear choice to make between the rooms along the west side and those along the east side. The east side has views across a great beach to a fine large lagoon, while the west side has the sunset and the reefnearby for snorkeling. The Aqua Villas also face either sunset or sunrise. The Super Deluxe rooms are the most requested.

The seaplane docks at the jetty, which is very convenient for arrivals and departures but can be too noisy for the nearest rooms. The occasional problem here is that the other side of the island from the seaplane activity can be windy and noisy at the turn of the seasons and sometimes during the summer months. Having said all that, it is fairly rare for this to be an issue for guests.

With just 50 rooms on the island, they are generously spaced apart and come in 5 straightforward categories: 8 Deluxe Beach Villas, 11 Super Deluxe Beach Villas, 10 Deluxe Aqua Villas, 20 Super Deluxe Aqua Villas and 1 Zitahli Suite (on the beach). Aside from the suite, the rooms are essentially the same but the super versions are a little larger and have a pool.

All the rooms are very large in comparison to average size of resort rooms in the country. Their bathrooms are particularly impressive for the size of the space and the jacuzzi baths. The branded amenities are good and so are the his and her wardrobe, pillow menu, espresso machine, iPod dock and Bose system. The satellite tv system and internet connection weren’t so impressive but those might already be fixed.

The rooms have good privacy owing to the space between them and the vegetation. This isn’t an island with many picturesque, tall palms but one with mostly lower bushes and trees. However the planted lilies, frangipani and such like add an exotic look and lovely splashes of colour. The beach is just about as good as it gets. A fair size on the western side and wide on the eastern, the sand is deep and very fine.

The resort is fortunate in having one side for swimming and dreaming in a glorious lagoon and one side close to the reef drop-off. The snorkeling is very good too. Diving is organised by Werner Lau, a company with many years of experience in the Maldives, and a good website to prepare yourself in advance.

Life on the resort is quiet. There is a decent watersports centre and a tennis court but generally couples keep to themselves and like it like that. There are no evening entertainments, so activity in the bar at night is pleasant and usually short.

The Indigo Pool is a lovely venue during the day, though still it is quiet here. At lunch more guests stroll in to have a snack here rather than at the buffet restaurant, Breeze. The other choice is the specialty à la carte restaurant, Mosaic. The venues are first class and the cuisine is impressive for its menus and quality ingredients, yet the meals didn’t quite hit the heights they seemed to promise, especially for the prices charged.

It is obvious that the staff enjoy working on the resort and that the management is listening closely to feedback from guests, so Zitahli is going to get better and better and keep on delighting its many fans and all the new lovers and honeymooners who choose it.