The resort's individual island-style thatched accommodation offers a choice of Beach Villas, larger Deluxe Beach Villas and a Beach Villa Suite, all fronting the sea and with private veranda. Then there are the spacious Water Villas and Water Villa Suites with separate lounge which are set on stilts above the turquoise lagoon, with steps from the their patios leading directly into the water. You could hardly hope to find a more romantic hideaway! All of the villas are air-conditioned, with ceiling fan, private bath and shower, minibar and tea/coffee-making facilities, while Villa Suites also have TV/VCR. Guests in the Beach Villa Suite, Water Villas and Water Villa Suites automatically receive 'Reef Club' privileges - with complimentary Club breakfasts, evening cocktails, coffee, tea and nibbles throughout the day.

A memorable feature of Kuda Hurra is its impressive diversity of activities. Here you can put your skills to the test at a excellent watersports centre with canoeing, catamaran sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing and a dive centre offering introductory dives for beginners, complete dive courses, and guided dive trips (local charges apply at both centres). A fully equipped gymnasium is also at clients disposal. Less demanding are a cooling dip in the delightful pool or lagoon, or relaxing in the 'Hide-Away' herbal aromatic spa. For the more ambitious, the resort has big-game and sunset fishing, helicopter and seaplane excursions and inter-island boat trips, including tours to the nearby main island of Male.

On the gastronomic front you can ring the changes between the 'Café Huraa' with daily buffets and ' la carte Asian and Continental fare; the 'Baraabaru Restaurant' for delicious east-meets-west specialities, including seafood and grills; the 'Poolside Terrace' (bar snacks and drinks) - or enjoy intimate dining a duex in the privacy of your own villa. After sunset the Nautilus Lounge' makes a relaxed venue for cocktails and live entertainment.

Overall, the Four Seasons brings the Maldives a reassuring dimension of resort-hotel sophistication that blends perfectly with the wonderfully escapist setting. It is owned by B. S. Ong who's wife, Christine Ong, is well known for her two London hotels, The Metropolitan and The Halkin.

Four Season Resort Maldives At Kuda Huraa Hide-Away Herbal Aromatic Spa

• Aromatic massages using essential oil extracts or rare herbs
• Yoga massages
• Herbal facials
• Foot massages
• Herbal steam treatments