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And after no more than 15 minutes of sea spray and coastal bluster?

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Hassan Ishan

Of course, outrageous vistas are kind of the Maldives thing.

Itisa tropical paradise after; a nation of postcard-perfect white sands, lush greenery, and aquamarine water.

SO/ Maldivesa manmade island in the nations midsectionhas got all of the above in spades.

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Photo: Natelee Cocks

Take the hotels statement infinity pool, for example.

The dopamine-decorated Lazuli Beach Club it sits within is equally punchy.

Did I spend many hours lying on its ultra-comfy shaded daybeds, complete with mini fridge and towel storage?

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Photo: Natelee Cocks

But, naturally, not before Id lounged by my own private pool first.

The airy room opened onto a peaceful, jungle-walled garden with a private path down to a quiet beach.

It felt so secluded and luxurious.

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Photo: Courtesy of SO/ Maldives

Middle Eastern spot Hadaba was my stand-out.

I greedily feasted on mezze and shawarma in its atmospheric upstairs space, overlooking the sea.

The cocktails at the open-walled bar downstairs were also excellentan orange-infused Patron Negroni was a real treat.

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Photo: Natelee Cocks

(The umami lamb and cumin pancakes and classic kung pao chicken were killer.)

For lunch, I often found myself pottering over to Lazuli for salads and genuinely brilliant Neapolitan pizza.

Theres a somewhat sustainably-minded approach to food at SO/.

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Photo: Natelee Cocks

Menus are kept tight.

Its a priority elsewhere on the island too.

It was so, so reviving.

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Photo: Natelee Cocks

Perhaps surprisingly for a five-star luxury resort, theres something of a summer camp feel to SO/ Maldives.

Then, theres the activity schedule.

The real highlight of my trip, however, was a snorkeling excursion.

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Photo: Courtesy of SO/ Maldives

Tens of them surrounded mea truly once-in-a-lifetime experienceand the journey back to shore was just as exciting.

The spinner dolphins visited me again as I got the speed boat back to Male Airport.

(A final treat!)

And on the ride to shore, I thought about how refreshing SO/Maldives is.

Its a bright beacon of a resorta youthful, modern new addition to a long-beloved holiday destination.

I left totally blissed out.