Escape everything and everyone in the Maldives. By Lauren Carelli

If you can stand the sight of 17,000 coconut trees, 3.7 miles of turquoise coastline, and 1.25 miles of ivory-sand beaches, then pack your bags; you’re going to Villingili Resort and Spa. Located southwest of Sri Lanka on the island of Addu Atoll, Villingili is the first luxury resort located south of the equator. The tiny island is only a 70-minute flight from Malé International Airport, and an eight-minute boat ride from the Gan International Airport.

Complimentary transportation awaits you at the airport, so you can start your vacation off on a relaxing note. Once at the resort, which is owned by Asia’s luxury hotel group Shangri-La, you are exposed to five different styles of villas, four upscale bars and lounges, two restaurants, a five-star spa, and plenty of leisure and recreational activities. But those are just the basics, and this island is anything but basic.

Choose from over-water or treetop villas built on stilts, or go for more traditional secluded beachfront villas. All have their own 24-hour butler service, lounge areas, sundecks, daybeds, and indoor and outdoor showers, while land-based villas have their own private pool. Guests staying in either the Beach or Twin Beach Villas have access to their own private beaches as well. However, if a complete sanctuary is what you want, then choose between the Villa Muthee or Villa Laalu, the two most luxurious accommodations on the resort. Both have a master bedroom, living room, dining and spa pavilion, private pool, and beach.

At Villingili, you can take part in a variety of leisure activities, such as yoga and meditation on an oceanfront patio to help escape from the real world. Other activities include walking through the jungle to see the 12 hectares of radiant foliage and going on an underwater nature trail. To feel like royalty, you can sail by yacht and enjoy a packed lunch on the equator, or have the resort set up a private lunch or dinner in the jungle. 960-689-7888, shangri-la.com.

Exploring the maldives Island-hop at five-star resorts

Cocoa Island Resort, located on South Male Atoll, offers an array of villas and suites. Except for a lounge, restaurant, and spa, you won’t find any land-bound rooms here, just plenty of downtime. 960-664-1818, cocoaisland.como.bz. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort on Rangali Island has unique bars, lounges, and dining areas, ranging from a wine cellar with over 600 bottles to the first-ever underwater restaurant. 960-668-0629, conradhotels.hilton.com. Guests are able to dive down and swim with tropical fish, hammerheads, and manta rays at the W Hotels North Ari Atoll Retreat and Spa on Fesdu Island. See a whale shark during the day and relax by the fire pit at night. 960-666-2222, starwoodhotels.com. – LC