This is not an all all-inclusive Maldives resort, and indeed the all-inclusive package is a pretty standard one, but the vote gives you an idea of just how good the resort has become. Families are well accommodated but romantic couples would be the majority of guests.

It doesn’t get much more romantic than just the two of you beneath the stars on your own little island; your waiter and chef having served and left. A dhoni picks you up at midnight to take you back to your room where, the next morning, you are served a late in-villa breakfast with more sparkling wine.

The island, Lonobu, also stars in the premium Renewal of Vows package. The various options for this are well-designed: combining seriousness of purpose with locally coloured ceremony and oodles of hand-made chocolate, sparkling wine and a 5 course dinner on the beach.

The resort itself is small and, very unusually, triangular in shape. The side with the public buildings, the main jetty and the first 6 rooms has a sea wall and not much in the way of a beach but quick access to snorkeling, while the other 2 sides have a wide and fine-grained beach leading to a sandy lagoon ideal for playing and swimming.

The second side, which includes the Deluxe Beach Villas and the Diving School jetty, faces south for all-day sun. The third side, with more Beach Villas, the Water Villas jetty and the swimming pool, faces sunset.

In some ways, the style of the resort echoes the best of how it was at the beginning of tourism here: thatch on the roof, sand on the floor, woven matting and plenty of wood, including coconut wood. The walls are minimal, affording sightlines through to the beach and water. At the same time, it is now absolutely modern, with quality fixtures and fittings and understated luxury interiors in cream, tans and ivory.

The waterbungalows are simply beautiful. The floor to ceiling windows and glass doors on 2 sides bathes the room in light. But with the blinds drawn down, the spot lighting lit and iPod on, it’s a cosy heaven. A wardrobe and dressing room leads to a light and very stylish bathroom and shower, which also leads through to the sun deck.

The bungalows facing southwest get more sunshine on the decks than those facing northeast, while only the one at the end directly faces sunset.

The Beach Villas are less glamorous but equally well appointed, with iPod docking station, espresso machine and a good tv with dvd player (some complimentary dvds are available). They also have a large veranda leading out to the beach and lagoon. The Water Villas will accommodate 2 adults and 1 child, while the Beach Villas and Deluxe Beach Villas will accommodate 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. Furthermore, the 4 Deluxe Beach Villas are built in pairs, sharing a long, wide deck and private pool. These are perfect for 2 families or a group of adults coming together.

There is a decent extent of snorkeling along the housereef and the quality is good but not exceptional. The dive centre staff, however, are very helpful and put on trips out to their coralgarden and a range of nearby reefs, including twice-daily free trips to the excellent reef around Lonobu. All the trips are guided by the resident marine biologist.

The diving in this part of South Ari Atoll is world famous so you are assured of some great dives. It is in this area only that whale sharks stay all year round. There are manta points too and plenty of turtles and sharks around rich thilas and in fast channels.

The cuisine is perhaps the only aspect that doesn’t quite hit the heights you might hope for. This is easy enough to change and may well have changed now. Certainly the new Teppanyaki restaurant is a very welcome option. The wine tasting sessions are also fun and useful. And then there is always the great dinner on Lonobu.