• HOTEL REVIEW •
By Claudine Coletti
Baros Maldives The sparkling azure atolls of the Maldives are the touchstone of luxury romance for starryeyed lovers and honeymooners—but that is not all they are. These secluded islands are also a perfect spot for solo travelers to pause, explore, and recuperate.
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As a solo traveler, I know the many benefits of taking some time away to disconnect and take care of yourself. However, when I do get a chance to head somewhere new, I find myself gravitating towards city breaks, with long lists of places to go, things to do, and distractions to get lost in. So, when the opportunity arose F O R B E S M I D D L E E A S T.C O M
to experience the Maldives, my expectations were mixed. I thought these paradise islands were deep into couple territory, solely designed for lovers looking for romance, not single sightseers looking for alone time? I was wrong. The Maldives are a collection of 1,192 coral islands scattered across 26 natural coral atolls. They officially cover 90,000 square km, with the sea accounting for 99% of this area. Less than 200 of the islands are inhabited, and more than 100 of these have been turned into resorts for tourism. Each resort is rich with flourishing palm trees and encircled by clear lagoons, and most have a jetty of water villas protruding from the beach. From the air, these lush islands look like green and turquoise paint droplets randomly splashed across the otherwise deep blue Indian Ocean. But while at first glance they may appear very similar, every resort has its own personality. SEPTEMBER 2021
PHOTO BY CLAUDINE COLETTI
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