Stuated on the lush little island strip of Emboodhu Finolhu in the South Malé atoll (no more than 770 metres long by 15 - 30 metres wide), this impressive luxury Taj property overlooks a pristine beach and the shimmering blue waters of what is one of the Maldives’ largest and loveliest tropical lagoons. Consisting principally of overwater villas, the resort effortlessly marries the last word in sophisticated comfort (sympathetically created so as to blend naturally into this unspoilt environment) and accomplished hotel-keeping of this international group with a wonderfully romantic close-to-nature hideaway setting that would be hard to better anywhere in the Indian Ocean! Here, escapism is simply a matter of stepping outside your bedroom door . . . Accommodation choices are four Beach Villas and four Deluxe Beach Villas (the latter detached with plunge pools facing the beach), 24 semi-detached Lagoon Villas on the water, 31 more private detached Deluxe Lagoon Villas and an exclusive 1-Bedroom Rehendhi Suite. All categories are palm-thatched, built of local materials and delightfully appointed in classic Maldivian style, and benefit from air-conditioning, minibar, safe, tea/coffee-maker, satellite television, DVD/CD player and hairdryer. Each Beach/Deluxe Beach Villa has an open-air bathroom with shower and a shaded verandah with hammock. Lagoon/ Deluxe Lagoon Villas offer bathtubs overlooking the sea and private sundecks with ladders into the lagoon.