Residence

Barely two years old, this one steals first prize for first impressions: the hardwood-ribbed ecclesiastical lobby is open-ended to breezes and sapphire sea/sky: a sedate scattering of planters, creamy-squabbed wicker chairs and Balinese chests evokes Maugham-style mansions of old. Thus the stage is set for 171 rooms and suites rising in two wings from shocks of hibiscus and purple aloe. Unless rich enough for a Royal suite, choose ocean front over ocean view/garden view rooms, due to terrace proximity to floury sands and iridescent shallows. Despite a slight squealy-kid element by day, plus mispitched bar scene (live banjo renditions of Girl From Ipanema!) and erratic hot water in the tub, I'd recommend the Residence to romantic retirees and honeymooners for its personal room butlers, lily scent of ylang-ylang burned off bedroom bulbs, shrimp tempura supper at the Plantation eaterie to a surf soundtrack, and superb reflexology in its candlelit Sanctuary spa. From £1,690 through Colours of the Indian Ocean (020 8343 3446).