Dreamland Unique Sea and Lake Resort Spa

Dreamland Unique Sea and Lake Resort Spa is a resort on Hirundhoo in Baa Atoll, built around an unusual island combination: a freshwater lake, rich vegetation and a beach on the Indian Ocean. The setting gives you more than the standard strip of sand and sea, with lake views on one side and the coast on the other.

The place suits you if you want a self-contained island stay with meals, a pool, a spa, watersports and plenty of room to slow down between outings. English and German are available for hotel services, while free Wi-Fi keeps the practical side of life ticking over without demanding much of your attention.

There is also a library, a game centre, a boutique shop and a discotheque. In other words, the evening does not have to follow a timetable. You can read, play a quiet game, head for a drink or let the island carry on without you.

The resort is in Baa Atoll, Maldives, on Hirundhoo and directly beside the sea. The beach is white sand, with sun loungers and parasols ready for the part of the day when you want the water to remain strictly optional.

The island is reached either by a scenic seaplane flight of around 35 minutes over the Indian Ocean, or by a domestic flight of around 20 minutes to nearby Dharavandhoo followed by a 10-minute speedboat transfer. The hotel can arrange an airport transfer, so the journey is something to organise rather than improvise after landing.

This is an island resort rather than a base in a town. The useful scenery is close at hand: beach, lake, vegetation and open water, with excursions available to nearby islands such as Kamadhoo and Dharavandhoo.

The accommodation is made up of double bungalows for two people, each with a private bathroom. The practical choice is between a Water Double Bungalow for a water-facing setting and a Beach Double Bungalow for direct proximity to the sand. That is the decision to make here: water or beach, rather than a confusing ladder of nearly identical room categories.

Inside, air conditioning deals with the heat after time outdoors, while a ceiling-free list of useful basics covers the rest: a fridge, minibar, television, shower, bath, hairdryer, wardrobe, bathrobe and toiletries. A mosquito net is also provided, which is the sort of detail you appreciate when the evening air is doing its best to get involved.

The room is arranged for a couple rather than a group, with a double bed and space designed around two guests. A private bathroom and in-room cold storage make the return from the beach less of a logistical exercise, particularly when a cool drink is the first item on the agenda.

Two restaurants cover the main meals. Lake View Restaurant looks over the lake and serves international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sea View Restaurant does the same with a view towards the sea, including appetisers and desserts within its buffet service. You can choose the view according to the mood: emerald and jade at the lake, or blue water beyond the beach.

Breakfast is a buffet served from 07:30 to 10:00. Lunch runs from 12:30 to 14:00, with Friday lunch from 13:10 to 14:30, and dinner from 19:30 to 21:00. Those hours favour a proper meal rather than an all-day grazing arrangement, so plan around them if your day has an early start or a late finish.

There are two bars. Lake View Bar is the main bar, overlooking the lake and BIOTOP pool, while Beach Bar is the place for cocktails and sunsets. Meal plans range from breakfast included to half board, full board and all-inclusive, depending on the arrangement selected for your stay.

The freshwater lake gives the island a different rhythm from a resort built around beach alone, while the outdoor pool offers another place to cool down. On the sand, loungers, parasols and beach equipment are available, so you can find a comfortable base without turning the afternoon into an expedition.

Duny Thai Spa offers massages, facials, steam room sessions, sauna, jacuzzi and body wraps. There is also a fitness room with modern equipment, plus a tennis court, table tennis, darts and a game centre. The list is broad enough for a gentle diversion, without suggesting that you need to fill every hour.

On the water, the resort offers kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing and jet-skiing, as well as fishing and boat excursions. Excursion options include a sunset dhoni cruise, sunset fishing, turtle and adventure snorkelling, a dolphin trip and the Robinson Trip. For a change of scenery, island visits to Kamadhoo and Dharavandhoo are available, while the library and the terrace offer lower-impact alternatives.

Check-in runs from 14:00 and check-out is at 12:00. The reception operates around the clock, with luggage storage, a safe, wake-up service, concierge support and assistance with excursions available at the resort. Early check-in and late check-out can be arranged on request.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The resort also has air conditioning, a doctor, an on-site infirmary, laundry and dry-cleaning services, a souvenir shop and facilities for wheelchair users, including access to the restaurant. A conference room is available if you need to combine island time with a work commitment, though the beach is likely to make a strong case for postponement.

Airport transfers can be arranged by seaplane or by domestic flight and speedboat. The resort accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club. Electrical supply is 230 volts at 50 Hz, with socket types D, G, J, K and L, so check your adaptor before departure rather than discovering the issue beside the minibar.