Ludo's Research Trip to the Maldives

This trip was also a good opportunity to fly with SriLankan Airlines, and I came away really impressed.

The service was warm and friendly, the whole journey was easy, and I thought it represented very good value for money. For clients combining Sri Lanka and the Maldives – or looking for an alternative to travelling via one of the big Middle Eastern hubs – I think it is an option well worth considering.

SriLankan Airlines is also a member of the Oneworld alliance, which is particularly useful for British Airways Executive Club members as eligible flights can earn Avios and tier benefits.

This was my first time arriving through the new terminal at Velana International Airport, and first impressions were excellent. I was particularly impressed by the lounge before transferring across to the seaplane terminal.

The seaplane journey is an experience in itself. Flying low over the atolls gives you some extraordinary views of the islands, reefs and different shades of the Indian Ocean below. Conrad has also written into its transfer arrangements that the seaplane can make a maximum of one stop enroute, which is a small but important detail in making the arrival experience as smooth as possible.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is a big resort by Maldivian standards, spread across two guest islands, with a separate island for staff. I actually really liked the sense of space this created. There is plenty to explore, and it works particularly well for guests who want the beauty of the Maldives without feeling restricted to a very small island.

One of the biggest highlights is the food. There is an extraordinary selection of restaurants and bars across the resort – currently 12 in total – so even over a longer stay there is plenty of variety.

I visited Ithaa, the resort’s famous underwater restaurant, for Champagne and canapés. Sitting beneath the surface surrounded by the reef and marine life is an amazing experience, and Ithaa was the world’s first undersea restaurant. It is one of those places that really demonstrates the level of imagination that has gone into developing resorts in the Maldives.

The food throughout my stay was superb, and the quality and variety of the different outlets really impressed me. The Sushi at lunchtime was a particular highlight.

I also loved the overwater spa, while the house reef offered some good snorkelling straight from the resort. Manta rays are regularly seen in the waters around Rangali, and you can sometimes spot them swimming around the bridge connecting the islands – not a bad thing to look out for on your way to dinner! Conrad also highlights the surrounding waters for both manta ray and whale shark encounters.

The accommodation was another real strength. The rooms and villas are incredibly spacious and feel properly luxurious, with plenty of room to settle in rather than simply using them as somewhere to sleep.

What perhaps impressed me most, though, was the service. Every single member of staff I passed greeted me. That sounds like a small thing, but across a resort of this size it creates a genuinely welcoming atmosphere and says a lot about the training and culture of the hotel.

There is plenty happening beyond the traditional Maldives experience too, including a new padel court that was just launching during my stay.

Overall, I think Conrad is a brilliant option for someone who wants the Maldives but also wants choice. It has the beaches, overwater villas and marine life you would expect, but combines them with an exceptional range of restaurants, facilities, and experiences. It would work particularly well for a longer stay where having plenty to do – and plenty of different places to eat – becomes more important.

The Maldives really is a very special destination, but I don't think it is necessarily for everyone. Some islands are extremely small, and if you are someone who wants to be constantly exploring, sightseeing, and moving around, choosing the right resort is crucial. Five nights on one island can feel completely different depending on whether you have three restaurants or twelve, whether you can visit neighbouring islands and how much there is to do on and off the water.

But when you get the island right, there are very few beach destinations that can compete.

The service I experienced was superb, the food was far better and more varied than people might expect, and I was constantly impressed by the innovation. Resorts are continually finding new ways to create experiences around dining, wellness, marine life, and sustainability without losing sight of the fundamental reason people travel here: extraordinary beaches, warm water and the chance to properly switch off.

Most importantly, this trip reinforced just how well the Maldives works alongside Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka gives you the culture, wildlife, scenery, food, and adventure; the Maldives gives you a few days where there is absolutely nothing you have to do. As a beach finish after a touring holiday in Sri Lanka, I think it is very hard to beat.