The sun's warmth on my back, as I lay floating in the impossibly clear Indian ocean, I found myself more present than I had been in months, totally transfixed by the dance of the manta ray that glided effortlessly below me. No responsibilities, no emails to respond to, just gazing in unrestrained awe at the gentle giant in front of me.
I was three days into my stay at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau, a place where you inevitably leave puzzling over whether everything you just experienced was simply a dream. Beyond the most perfectly turquoise sea you've ever seen and flurries of fish in every colour of the rainbow mere metres from the shore, time seems to stand still here.
A short 45-minute seaplane from the Maldives' capital Malé, our holiday began as we found ourselves flying over the aqua marine ocean, with tiny islands and atolls scattered and sun-drenched like shards of mother of pearl in the sea. The flight in itself was an experience, giving us a bird's eye preview of the private island paradise that awaited us.
On arrival, we received a warm, White Lotus-worthy welcome of traditional Maldivian drums, with the smiling team waving us on to the island of Maamunagau before we were whisked away on a tour of the resort with our dedicated curator Syrym.
By the time we got to our lagoon villa the bags we'd checked in at the airport had magically made it to our room, along with a lavish spread of everything from Moët to delicately crafted entrées – to a painting station and personalised apron that had been specially set up for me by the team. Bikes with our initials on and adjusted to our heights sat outside our room, ready for us to go and explore the island.
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These subtle yet incredibly thoughtful details are what set the resort apart when I allow my mind to drift back to this heavenly trip. Beyond making the entire experience much more tailored, it left a lasting impression beyond any holiday I've ever experienced.
The lagoon villas themselves are light and spacious, being spread across two floors. Though it's hard to pick out one favourite element, the infinity views you get from your bathtub certainly don't hurt. Nor does the novelty of having your own sundeck and plunge pool, with direct access to the lagoon from the front of the villa.
With several villa and residence options that offer the quintessential Maldives overwater setup or direct beach access, couples and families are all accounted for. And with children under 12 being free guests and Easter programmes that feature kids entertainers Sharky & George, it's little wonder that the resort is increasingly becoming a family destination.
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After settling in, we spent the rest of our first day marvelling at the ocean vista from our private pool before exploring the lagoon which we had completely to ourselves. Despite there being 81 villas and residences on the island, you could always find a quiet spot which made it feel like you were the only ones on entire island, whether on the white sand beach or at one of the resort's many areas such as The Retreat, the adults only overwater enclave which quickly became our go-to for afternoon tea and evening aperitifs.
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On our first night we had a relaxed dinner at Café Umi – tuna tacos and a sweet yuzu black cod, if you're wondering – before finding ourselves back at the all-day eatery in the morning for the most impressive breakfast spread I have ever come across.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and no one knows this better than the InterContinental Maldives, where you can indulge in everything from sushi to shakshuka, blissfully crisp pastries and crêpes or one of their many freshly-prepared menu options. Perhaps my only regret of the trip is that there was never enough time to sample every endless option, with there truly being something for all, even the fussiest of eaters.
Each of the resort's seven restaurant and bar offerings has its own unique charm and character. The Thai-influenced seafood restaurant Fish Market stands out in particular – if not for the delicious coconut prawn clay pot, then for the sheer novelty of gazing at angel fish as they swim beside you while you dine (be sure to ask for a waterside table!).
Meanwhile, The Lighthouse, our personal favourite, is the ultimate spot to watch the sunset, perched on the resort's edge and offering unrivalled 360 views of the island and ocean. Book for 7pm and come half an hour early to enjoy the sunset before your meal that sees the finest seasonal ingredients transformed into delicate dishes, from zingy rainbow trout carpaccio to saffron infused seafood paella.
And that's all before I've even got to mentioning The Collective's pizza and deli offering, the Retreat's tailored tipples, or the Pool Bar and Sunset Bar, where you can find just about any and every drink under the sun.
When it comes to keeping busy during your stay, while it would make perfect sense if you wanted to do nothing but soak up the immaculate vibes of the island on a sun lounger or in your private pool for the entirety of your stay, on the days that you do manage to tear yourself away from lazing in the sun, there's plenty of ways to pass the time.
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Sunrise yoga proved one of our favourite things we did during our trip, from the bleary-eyed cycle to the studio amid candy floss pink clouds to the challenging yet satisfying flow of sun salutations.
Fancy a snorkel? You can pick up a mask and flippers from the resort at no extra cost, while water sports such as windsurfing, paddle boarding and catamaran sailing are all included whether you're a half board or full board guest. Better still, if you're lucky enough to visit during manta season in March, the resort offers an annual manta retreat in partnership with the Manta Trust, AKA the ultimate experience for those after a holiday with a little extra magic.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau is uniquely placed in that it sits exceptionally close to a juvenile manta feeding ground, making it just a short boat trip from the resort for those wanting to embark on their very own manta excursion. While I half expected to freeze in terror when met with these gentle giants, getting the chance to observe them in such close proximity is such a privilege and will forever be etched into my mind's eye.
I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention the stunning overwater spa at the resort, where guests can indulge in everything from a massage to facials to bath soaks and body wraps – though I would strongly advise that you make a massage a must of your trip. If the picture perfect setting of the spa weren't enough to soothe your aches and pains, the resort's expert therapists most certainly will, and you'll find yourself breathing so much easier for it, as I did, when you stroll out.
Truly, this is paradise to the nth degree, to the point where I'm left with the lingering question: how will I ever be able to recapture this life-affirming slice of pure, unadulterated escapism?
Rates start from USD 1035+ (approx £820) per per night in a Water Pool Villa including breakfast for two. For more information, visit www.maldives.intercontinental.com or email reservations.icmaldives@ihg.com.
