Included in Conde Nast Traveller’s list of best hotels in the Maldives, voted the‘Indian Ocean's Leading Luxury Resort’ and the ‘Indian Ocean's Leading Villa Resort & Spa’ at the 2014 World Travel Awards, Ayada Maldives is a private island resort offering a truly luxurious retreat with a genuine Maldivian style. Set in the relatively unexplored Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll in the south of the country – just a few kilometres above the equator – the luxury resort offers 122 spacious villas and suites, all with private pools, butler service and thoughtful five-star detailing. Traditional thatched-roof water-villas stand on stilts over the resort’s peaceful lagoon, while beach villas offer absolute privacy amid tropical greenery alongside powder-soft palm-lined white beaches. Food lovers can explore the six restaurants, while those seeking complete relaxation will find their haven in the large spa which boasts a Turkish Hammam and eight private treatment villas. The resort is noted for its gardens and tropical greenery and is ringed by a pristine coral reef where dolphins are frequent visitors. The active can explore the area on a host of excursions while at the resort they can play tennis or badminton, take up watersports, learn yoga, Pilates or Zumba or simply hit the 24-hour gym. Outstanding diving and snorkeling opportunities surround the island on reefs that have barely been visited by humans while some of the Maldives’ best surfing breaks are just a quick speedboat journey away. Weddings take place just before sunset in one of the most beautiful private wedding chapels in the Maldives set in a tree-lined garden, or on the beach under a gazebo draped with flowing material