The Standard Huruvalhi in Maldives

Overview Of The Standard

A 40-minute seaplane flight from Male airport on it's own small island in Raa Atoll, north of Male. Entirely fringed by deep drifts of sand and overlooking a turquoise lagoon, it's a beautiful setting that's further enhanced by proximity to off-island activities such as castaway daytrips, snorkelling with manta rays or visiting a local community.

The Standard's first resort property (and its first foray into Asia) is a laid-back island retreat combining barefoot luxury (even the staff are not obliged to wear shoes) with plenty of nods to the brand's urban roots. In a departure from the sleepier, more honeymoon vibe one might expect in the Maldives, this is a livelier affair whose public spaces encourage socialising. Afternoons see DJs pump up the volume at the beach-club-style poolside hub, while evenings end beneath the disco ball on overwater Beru Bar's glass dance floor. Design-wise, the buildings go big on fully retractable windows and walls to keep guests continually connected to the scenery outside.

Inspired by a brilliant management team, the thoughtful, authentically cheerful staff make just about every interaction positive and memorable. Spa therapists are encouraged to go off-protocol to administer tailored treatments (such as the jetlag-busting Rock-a-Bye, which combines rhythmic massage, hot stones, stretch and hemp-derived CBD oil). Beyond the overwater spa (complete with communal hammam), facilities include a water sports centre and floating 'aquapark' assault course, plus twice-weekly 'moonlight cinema' screenings in the poolside lounge.

The least expensive (and largest) rooms are the Beach villas, of which there are 27 tucked into the trees. All come with a pale wood and off-white colour scheme livened up with hot-pink accents and textural touches that mimic the patterns of sunlight on the sea. An 'activity wall' hung with snorkelling equipment adds a playful element, as does the disco ball above the oversized bathtub (bathrooms also feature walk-in showers, twin sinks and are huge). The overall look is replicated in the 88 Overwater villas, which stand in a double row above the jewel-coloured lagoon and are brightly painted in the style of a traditional Maldivian village. All villas – Beach and Overwater – also have private terraces and plunge pools.

Breakfast is served buffet-style in Kula and spans curries, noodles and Maldivian dishes alongside more typical fry-ups and pastries. Pizza, pasta, salads and more curries (some with home-grown ingredients) feature here at other times. Elsewhere, BBQ Shak offers meats and seafood grilled beachside over coconut charcoal, but most noteworthy of all is Gaduguda for its elevated Maldivian cuisine (curries, grilled fish, coconut rice) cooked to family recipes by talented local chefs.