Maldivian Five-Day Family Adventure

Begin your family trip to the Maldives with a one-day stopover at the glittering city of Dubai. After your private ground transfer from the airport to One&Only Royal Mirage, you can check into a sumptuous Beach Garden Villa. Bookable through your SmartFlyer travel advisor, this elaborate two-bedroom villa offers two spacious grand master bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a private pool and garden, and air-conditioned terraces.

There are many ways to spend a day in Dubai. Whether you opt for urban exploration or prefer to lounge on the sand, One&Only Royal Mirage offers ample feel-good activities for all ages. Our SmartFlyer team can even charter you a private boat for a day from the hotel after checking in. Fit for four, this yacht cruises out onto the Arabian Sea and is perfect for a customizable fishing trip or an on-deck dinner.

Upon checking out of the One&Only Royal Mirage, board your direct flight to the Maldives’ Velana International Airport. A dedicated One&Only representative will be waiting at the arrivals gate to guide you to your private yacht or seaplane transfer. From there, settle into One&Only Reethi Rah as their team welcomes you to your accommodation set upon this private island. If you prefer a lush setting, then opt for a Beach Villa surrounded by a tropical garden. Or, if you are envisioning the quintessential overwater bungalow, then the Water Villas are stunning. The three-bedroom Grand Residence is perfectly-suited for larger family trips to the Maldives.

Dive into island life by bringing the kids for an afternoon by the pool or admire the Maldivian waters from a hammock. In the evening, arrive in style for dinner at Reethi, the resort’s overwater restaurant. Here, guests can dine in three distinctly different dining zones: Earth for fine French and Asian-inspired cuisine; Fire Grill, invoking all the natural flavors from the land, farm, and sea in a charcoal oven; and Aqua, for true Italian fare. Guests can also choose to start their mornings here with their bountiful breakfast buffets.

After a restful evening, your tropical family holiday in the Maldives truly begins. Following breakfast, make a splash with watersports. Every family trip to the Maldives is enhanced by a private guided diving tour upon a local dhoni cruise. The resort’s well-equipped instructors guide guests to areas with the richest abundance of marine life. If your group prefers staying closer to the resort, then enjoy kayaking or paddle boarding at one of the resort’s twelve beaches. Guests can also take part in daily turtle feedings at One&Only’s turtle rehabilitation center.

Another option is to send the kids to spend the day at KidsOnly, where guests ages four through twelve can engage in cooking homemade pasta to snorkeling with mellow rays and sea turtles. While the young ones are happily immersed at KidsOnly, parents can indulge in a revitalizing couple’s treatment or a bespoke pampering session at One&Only Spa. Reconvene in the evening for a delectable Japanese dinner served in a spectacular overwater setting at Tapasake.

Unleash your inner Robinson Crusoe and spend the day exploring the island’s untouched and vibrant surroundings. Choose to embark on a privately guided seaplane adventure across the island, best fit for ages four and up. One&Only’s expert guides touch down in key locations where the whole family can dip into the azure lagoons. Alternatively, consider a guided bike ride across One&Only’s private island; look forward to a picnic prepared by your private butler as a final destination on your bike excursion.

If you’re craving something special, then indulge in a spectacular private dinner at Botanica. Here, Chef Matthew Kenney serves up a specially-tailored plant-based cuisine. Many of the ingredients are also sourced from their bountiful Chef’s Gardens. Afterward, finish off another perfect day on your family trip to the Maldives with a beachfront movie from the privacy of your villa. Sink into cozy loungers and enjoy your favorite drinks at a lantern-lit table while enjoying your family’s favorite film.

For the final day of your family trip to the Maldives, kickstart the day with a morning of friendly competition. Enjoy a range of island games on offer at Club One, from tennis to football, beach volleyball, badminton, and petanque. Bouldering has also become a favorite amongst guests with the resort’s impressive outdoor climbing wall. After an active morning, unwind poolside either at the expansive family pool or by the lap pool gazing out into turquoise waters. This is also a perfect moment to quench your thirst at one of the private cabanas, sunbeds, or oval rattan swings at Beach Club.

Come sunset, enjoy an evening of world-class dining with a seven-course meal at the awe-inspiring Treehouse. Wrapped in the treetops and constructed completely of timber, this is a dreamy spot for your family to celebrate this idyllic island vacation. Dine above the canopies while also enjoying the spectacular Maldives sunsets as your family getaway comes to a marvelous close.

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Today, check out of your hotel and board your flight back home. But don’t worry: it’s never too late to start planning the next journey.

While you recount all of the sights and sounds the Maldives offers, let the memories inspire you as #smartflyertakemeto your next family adventure.