Luxury-minded tourists looking for the next big thing in the Maldives need look no further than the newly opened Dusit Thani Maldives resort, launched this year as the ultimate in comfort and opulence.

The latest luxury addition to the Dusit International chain of hotels and resorts, the Dusit Thani resort showcases everything people love about the Maldives. Located in the middle of an ancient coral reef and a turquoise lagoon, it is almost completely surrounded by a pearly white sand beach.

Secluded yet accessible, the resort can be reached in just over half an hour by seaplane from the Maldivian capital Male, and an incredible 10 minutes by speedboat from Baa Atoll Airport.

With a heritage dating back over 50 years, Dusit International is a very important player in the hotel business. The constant need to innovate and advance is the hallmark of the brand and one of its guiding principles.

Such development innovation is part of the very DNA of Dusti Thani Maldives.

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in the Baa Atoll region of the Maldives, the resort features 100 villas decorated in an architectural style best described as a hybrid Maldivian and Thai. Each residence, many of which have private plunge pools, is furnished with the most luxurious amenities, including Wi-Fi access, iPod docking stations, Internet, plasma-screen TVs with surround sound systems, and the requisite wine cooler. .

Guests can choose from Beach and Lagoon Villas, which incorporate a private terrace area and plunge pool; Ocean Villas that offer a terrace area, private pool and outdoor rooms; and the premium Ocean Pavilions and Beach Residences which have their own oversized pools and bespoke dining area.

Fine dining is of course standard at Dusti Thani Maldives. Whatever the culinary fancy, the variety of food available is second to none and caters for all tastes. All-day dining is the specialty of the Market Restaurant, while Benjarong, the resort’s signature restaurant, is considered a mecca for Thai cuisine. If a juicy steak is your dining choice, then the Sea Grill is your ultimate restaurant destination.

Complementing these exquisite dining establishments are two equally distinguished drinking establishments: the Sand Bar and the Sala Bar. Each is situated poolside and boasts stunning ocean views and impeccable service. The Sala Bar, in particular, is suitable for those who want nothing more than to sit quietly at the end of a fun-filled day and gaze at the stars.

However, even the most dedicated food and drink connoisseurs may wish to partake in a little, mildly strenuous activity during their Maldives vacation, so it’s beneficial that several dive sites are conveniently located nearby specifically for this purpose.

Perhaps the best known of these is the Hanifaru Huraa, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Biosphere Reserve, which is in fact a feeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks. Humans are not in danger, however, but to keep your mind at ease should imaginations start to run riot, the resident guides at the Dusit Thani are there to offer guests their support as they explore this magnificent underwater world of turtles. , eagle rays, reef fish and coral. .

Since its opening earlier this year, the excellence demonstrated by Dusit Thani Maldives has placed it firmly on the path to becoming one of the world’s most admired and respected resorts. Living up to the distinguished legacy of Dusit International Group is not easy, but at Dusit Thani the pursuit of perfection is much more than just an empty promise.