Schoolkids at a neighboring island show off local arts and crafts, including how to make Maldivian noodles. [Photo by Matt Hodges/China Daily]

The country served as a colonial outpost of the British before it transitioned to a republic in 1968, and a renovated army barracks now caters to those on a shoestring on Addu Atoll's Gan Island. But who wants to be reminded of bombs and bullets when you can have your own subaquatic Garden of Eden?

Book anything other than an ocean villa and you miss the point completely. Get it right and enjoy watching baby sharks, mantas and parrotfish crash the party at your descending stairway to heaven.

Opt for a sunset-view ocean villa and watch the sky turn blood-orange from a choice of king-sized bed, balcony lounger, open-plan bathtub or mesh mattress suspended over the sea.

Natural fish spas and nocturnal drive-bys from puffer fish soon become part of the daily routine, and don’t be surprised if the pristine 100-hectare lagoon coughs up dragon-shaped ribbons of pink plankton from its outstanding coral forest.

"We obviously love it, but – there is no but," says Germany's Diana Walther, who there was with her Danish partner.

Dining is nothing if not diverse. Thundi does impeccable Thai food, Meyzu outstanding Japanese dishes and Fazaa delivers an East-West breakfast buffet with everything from bacon and eggs to noodles and congee.

Marha Bar (named after the local and Arabic words for welcome) offers stiff poolside cocktails.

"It is paradise," said Walther. "The Japanese food is amazing. It is such a small island but they organize so many excursions."

The discovery of two ancient sunken baths made from sandstone, the island's bedrock, suggests a Buddhist temple once existed there. The resort is partnering with the Maldives National University to dig deeper.