July 22, 2008 - We are proud to announce that Lindsey Wallace was selected as one of the World's Top Travel Specialists by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. This is the fourth year in a row that Lindsey has won this prestigious award.

Lindsey regularly visits the Maldives to make sure we provide the most up-to-date information available and since Lindsey has stayed at every luxury resort in the Indian Ocean; his knowledge is very helpful when planning a trip or honeymoon.

We asked Lindsey to answer some of the most common questions about the Maldives. Additionally, as Lindsey has been to all the luxury resorts in the destinations we specialize in, we asked him to include a list of 20 or so of his favorite resorts.

What is the best resort in the Maldives?

There is no easy answer to this question. As a number of luxury resorts have opened in the last few years, we have noticed 4 different types of styles of luxury emerge. These four are: Elegant, Modern, Barefoot, and Experienced Based. All four styles of luxury have resorts that are truly amazing. It comes down to which style of luxury you prefer.

For instance, in the Elegant category, One&Only Reethi Rah is tops. In the Modern category, Huvafen Fushi is terrific. For Barefoot luxury, it is hard to beat Soneva Gili. The Experienced Based category is a little different and the tops in this category are The Rania Experience and Dhoni Island.

What are the differences between the four styles of resorts?

Barefoot: You are encouraged to go barefoot around the resorts. These resorts tend to be a bit more casual in dress and style, yet can still be some of the best resorts in the Maldives. The villas tend to be constructed of different types of wood and hand-carved features are common. The resorts tend to be more environmentally conscious than the other types of luxuries. Typically the resorts are smaller in size and offer a more boutique feel. Bathrooms tend to be outdoor or open air. The villas tend to be large and spacious. While the resorts are more casual there is still a level of sophistication.

Modern: These resorts tend to be more of the cool, fashionable, and "in" places to stay. The resorts are chic and stylish yet the design of the villas tends to incorporate more of a modern style of architecture. Less wood is used around the resorts and villas in favor of sleek and contemporary styles. The resorts tend to have impressive architecture and amazing features. Typically the resorts are smaller and offer a more boutique feel.

Elegant: These resorts are what many people typically think of when they think of luxury. Guests tend to get a bit more dressed up for meals. The villas use materials such as marble and granite in the architecture and design. The rooms and structures are grand, spacious, and impressive. The resorts are stylish, chic, and elegant. The resorts tend to be larger in terms of number of rooms and size of the island than the Barefoot and Modern Luxuries.

Experienced Based: The focus at these resorts is more about the experience rather than the resort. For instance, Dhoni Mighili only has 6 beach villas. Each of the beach villas comes with its own 65 ft. sailboat and crew. At The Rania Experience, only one party is allowed to reserve the island at a time and a stay includes renting the island as well as an 86 ft. luxury yacht. Four Seasons Explorer is a luxury catamaran that has a focus on scuba diving.

What are your favorite resorts?

Below is a list of 22 of my favorite resorts and lodges. They are listed by destination, not by order of preference. I would love to chat with you about any and all resorts on our website. I have visited each of them and would love to provide you with first hand experiences.

Burrawang West Station - Located in Outback Australia. Call for more details.