“Sir, you might want to hold on to your child,” said the flight attendant. “We are going to land through a rather large thunderstorm.” My first impression of arriving in the Maldives on a family holiday with my two daughters.

Minutes later I listened in disbelief to my second impression of arriving in the Maldives as the same flight attendant said, “You have a boat transfer to where you are staying? Be careful many of the boats capsize…”

Once off the plane, thankfully, despite the weather, the Maldives was able to speak for itself. Where else in the world does your luggage appear on the airport carousel placed in an orderly fashion and standing the right way up? This set the tone from beginning to end of our stay on the Maldives, namely the incredible standard and level of service. It was everywhere and unfailing. Wherever we went, whoever we met we were met by smiles and welcome.

So much so that my three year old daughter, who is not normally a morning person, began saying good morning to everyone as we walked to breakfast every morning. She was so taken by this that she was still saying “Good morning” to everyone late into the afternoon.

Inevitably the weather improved. The level of service could get not better. We had a fantastic start to our family holiday. Not knowingly a beach person I have been won over by the charms and service of Kuda Hura...