Dining - it’s a huge part of any luxury holiday and must hit the spot every time!

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Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives delivers this in spades!

Anytime I’m planning a holiday for a client they always ask about the restaurants and the food. They know the location is beautiful but what about the dining experiences? It’s no secret that travelling is all about exploring new places but equally important to most people is enjoying the delicious food on offer.

For me, a luxury holiday means a beautiful escape from the everyday so no endless cooking, no constantly stacking the dishwasher, no going to the grocery store seven times in one week and blissfully no meal prep. You want to be able to completely relax, enjoy the amazing food on offer and the great company.

So, it all makes sense that dining is a huge part of any luxury holiday.

One simple rule I have and always follow is that I will never visit an island with only one restaurant - after a few days of breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same restaurant you see me wanting to swim fast and far away.

And that’s definitely not the case with the luxurious private island resort Six Sense Laamu in the Maldives - here you’re definitely spoilt for choice with so many delicious dining options. Dining here is definitely treated as an experience and a central part of your luxury holiday to the Maldives.

Six Senses Laamu has created a vibrant dining atmosphere with music, restaurants and an over-water bar with over-water hammocks and cushions providing the perfect location to watch the stunning Maldivian sunset. It’s the Maldives largest over-water amenities facility. And for the perfect afternoon treat, you must try the ice cream and chocolate studio, Ice.

Longitude, Six Senses main restaurant, is an outstanding dining option, built over water with two storeys. It’s divided into individual areas of ten or so tables connected by bridges or walk-ways. There’s even an area allocated for couples only and one for families so neither experience is compromised.

Leaf is their Signature Restaurant themed beautifully and one of the best restaurants in the Maldives. Built on stilts, high in the tree canopy with access via a swinging bridge, it's next to the resorts' own organic produce garden. For the most memorable dinner, I’d reserve one of the round dining tables so you can enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars!

And if that’s not enough there’s also Deck-a-Dence, another amazing dining option, set over-water on a private jetty in front of the main restaurant. Dine from a carbon neutral menu at one of six low set cushioned tables with a glass bottomed floor. The stars are simply amazing from these tables.

And I’m not done yet! If you’re looking for a unique over-water dining experience, then don’t miss out on Zen, which offers diners a modern twist on delicious Japanese cuisine. Enjoy a Six Senses signature cocktail while you dine. If you’re still looking for more options, then there’s Sip Sip their stunning sunken swimming pool bar and light lunch area offering a full bar, wood fired pizzas and al carte menu. Relax here during the day or drop by for a cocktail and enjoy an amazing sunset. At Six Senses Laamu wine lovers will be amazed by the Altitude Wine Cellar which has more than 420 old world and new world vintages housed in a wine tower 6.4 metres above the Indian Ocean.

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Finally, the Maldives is all about Destination Dining and there’s something so special about dining in the beautiful surroundings. It can be for a special occasion or honestly just because you can and you’re here. At Six Senses their Destination Dining covers a range of scheduled on island dining options: beach BBQ's, lobster dinners and decadent wine dinners. These dining experiences are extremely popular so I always book these in advance prior to arriving as you definitely don’t want to miss out. With so many options and experiences to choose from Six Senses Laamu takes dining to the next level. It’s easy to see why Six Senses Laamu is one of my favourite resorts in the Maldives - beautiful location, luxurious beach and water villas, endless activities and world class dining.

One of my favourite times to visit the Maldives is Manta Season. Mid May to Mid October is when these majestic creatures grace Hanifaru Bay with their impressive presence. Hanifaru Bay is a UNESCO protected area where the Mantas go to feed and clean. It is located in the Baa Atoll Maldives where it is estimated that 5000 Reef Mantas the largest population of Reef Mantas in the world.

In Hanifaru Bay over these months, you are not likely to see just one or two Mantas but literally so many you lose count. They frolic about in the clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean feeding on the tiny plankton, performing what Marine Biologists have called the Dance of the Mantas. This Dance takes a number of different forms and involves the Mantas teaming up in lines and diving together helping each other scoop up the plankton with their filters. It is truly mesmerising to watch.

On one occasion, I have been lucky enough to snorkel with the world renowned Manta expert, Dr Guy Stevens, who counted over 88 Mantas, all dancing and feeding around us. They can work out how many there are at any time by taking photos of the marks on the Mantas bellies which are unique to each Manta. It was a spectacular experience. They come so close to you it is as if they may touch you, on some occasions the tips of their wings actually do and then they dive and tumble at the last minute. I always point out on the boat ride from the resort to Hanifaru, especially to young children, that Mantas are plankton filter feeders and are completely harmless.

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Four Seasons Landaa has the Manta Trust Representative located there and the resort offers an experience called Manta on Call. Once registered for this, you are given a cell phone which you are to carry everywhere you go and be ready with swimmers and snorkelling gear to be called to head immediately to the water sports centre if any Mantas are sited by the Manta Trust research boat out in Hanifaru. Once called, you go straight to the departure area where you are whisked off to an experience of a lifetime. It is so exciting and the best way to guarantee seeing these amazing creatures. You may encounter a Whale Shark swimming with them.

I’ve been lucky enough to travel to many other places around the world. Hawaii, Mexico and so on. Nothing beats the Maldives and nothing comes close to this experience of snorkelling at Hanifaru with Mantas in the natural environment. The best news is that Manta Season is shoulder season in the Maldives so prices are low and the specials we have are amazing. We have Stay 7 pay 5 nights so 2 free nights and free half-board breakfasts and dinners at the Four Seasons Landaa and Soneva Fushi and then 30% off and free half-board breakfasts and dinners at Amilla Fushi and Anantara Kihavah. Plus its Manta seasons! If you are a marine lover, you absolutely have to add this to your Bucket List.

Where to stay

Best resorts for Manta diving are Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Amilla Fushi, Anantara Kihavah and Soneva Fushi.