We reckon if he had any choice in the matter, Robinson Crusoe would’ve chosen to be shipwrecked on Gaathafushi.
This tiny fushi (atoll) in the Maldives is the tropical island paradise cliché. As you can see from the picture, everything’s in order – right the way from the palm trees to the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, through to the white sand and shallow turquoise waters in between. Oh, and there’s a distinct lack of ravenous cannibals.
Of course, this being the 21st century rather than the 18th, the island isn’t a retreat for any old voyager. No siree, you’ll only be taken ashore if you’ve the crossed palms of a well-known, designer hotel chain with several pieces of eight well in advance (we’re reliably informed they take credit cards in lieu of pirates’ bounty).
And what’s the going rate for a private tropical island hire these days? Well, a four-hour stay will relieve your treasure chest of $500 (transfers and drinking water included!) Dig a lot deeper (we’re not sure how many silver coins equate to US$3,500, but we imagine it’s at least a handful) and you can have an overnight stay including breakfast.
While Robinson Crusoe had to make do with just a cave, guests staying on Gaathafushi have access to a bathroom (with a shower and toilet) and a bed housed in an open-air hut.
Given how it’s setup, it’s not surprising most visitors to the island are couples. Technically though, you could book the island with around 150 of your closest friends. Just as long as they were all guests of Gaathafushi’s parent resort W Maldives too. Spreading the cost would have a downside of course – that ‘private’ island feel would be ever so slightly diminished!
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Images courtesy of W Retreat & Spa – Maldives )
