Our writer Becky Ward packed in double the fun on a twin-centre break to Dubai and the Maldives, as multi-destination holidays rise in popularity
The Maldives was just one stop on our trip(Image: Getty Images)
There are three big advantages to a twin-centre holiday. The first is that instead of one long, tiring flight, you get a midway break. Then there’s the fact that when you come to the end of your ‘first’ holiday, you don’t get that sinking feeling on the way back to the airport, because instead of going home you’re going on ‘another’ holiday. And the third is that it feels like you’re away for longer because you see so many different things.
I kicked off my two-stop trip in Dubai. It’s just shy of an hour’s drive from the airport to JA Resorts Palm Tree Court and you get to see a few of the sights, such as the iconic Burj Khalifa, on the way. The resort does feel quite a distance from the hustle and bustle of the city, but that only makes it more relaxing when you arrive.
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I was shown straight to my room after a speedy check-in – a bright and airy sea view suite with the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. There’s no danger of kicking your partner in the night here! Then it was off to explore the resort, which has eight temperature-controlled pools (so no shivering at the side for 10 minutes before you get in), a wide sandy beach and an impressive 25 restaurants and bars.
What to do at JA Resorts Palm Tree Court
You will never get bored at this resort – it offers everything from water sports and golf to tennis and beach volleyball. There’s even an equestrian centre, where I signed up for the Swimming With Horses experience.
After wading waist-deep into the sea, my guide helped me onto my horse’s back and we started off with some bareback riding with the pleasantly warm water lapping around my legs. But my new four-legged friend was keen to get swimming so the guide led us further out and advised me to lift my legs and lie flat on her back as we reached deeper water. She whinnied happily as the guide swam alongside us – I’m not sure which of us enjoyed it more.
If you want to explore beyond the resort, there are complimentary shuttles to the nearby shopping malls. You’ll need a taxi if you want to go further afield and visit the gold souk or see the view from the top of the world’s tallest building. As my short visit was all about relaxation, I took myself off to the Calm Spa instead for a wonderful massage that was the perfect way to recover from six hours on a plane.
The food at JA Resorts Palm Tree Court
My favourite meal was at the White Orchid restaurant, which serves Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. My sea bass baked in a banana leaf with a lightly spicy papaya salad was delicious, and the experience was elevated by the velvety-voiced singer in the bar next door, who I could see and hear from my table near the entrance.
Over at Kinara, the Indian restaurant with a pretty outdoor courtyard decorated with flaming fire pits and fairy lights, I tried the jumbo prawn masala on my waitress’s recommendation and it was just the right mix of spicy and flavoursome. You can also find Spanish, Italian and Levantine cuisine around the resort.
JA Manafaru Maldives
My trip was off to an excellent start, but it was about to get even better. A four-hour hop to Malé followed by a short domestic flight and 10 minutes in a speedboat and I arrived at JA Manafaru, my home from home in the Maldives.
My sunset villa was breathtaking, with a spa bath in the bathroom, a plunge pool and double-seated swing on the terrace and steps leading straight into the sea. It also had a bike for getting around the island, which has a 1.5km circular shady trail that’s ideal for cycling or walking.
The resort has six fantastic bars and restaurants, a well-equipped fitness centre and a lagoon-style pool complete with waterfall, massage jets and bubble beds. There’s also a deluxe spa, which is so tranquil that my full-body massage almost sent me to sleep. And of course the beaches are stunning, with white sand and palm trees. One thing was certain from the minute I arrived – I was not going to want to leave.
What to do at JA Manafaru Maldives
You can’t visit the Maldives and not go snorkelling or diving – although you can see plenty of fish just looking over the edge of the jetties here as the water is so clear. We had a private tour of the house reef and saw turtles, sharks and hundreds of rainbow-coloured fish. There are also guided group trips throughout the week.
Next up was my paddleboarding lesson and it’s so much nicer falling in when the water is warm and crystal clear. I did eventually manage to find my balance once my legs had stopped feeling like jelly. Other activities on offer include a jet ski snorkel safari and a sunset and dolphin experience.
The food at JA Manafaru Maldives
There’s little that can beat freshly grilled fish served at a table on the beach with your feet in the sand, the moon above you and the sound of the sea as a backing track. Or so I thought when I enjoyed my fantastic first night dinner at Ocean Grill. It certainly set the bar high.
But my second night’s dinner was just as special, served in a private subterranean wine cellar, surrounded by bottles and with heated pebbles to warm my feet. The carefully curated wines were perfectly paired with the exquisite dishes – crab with caviar and mango to start, steak and grilled veg for the main and a chocolate and berry dessert to finish.
I had one last catch-of-the-day lunch at open-air restaurant Kakuni before it was time to head back to Malé. The seaplane transfer was a really fun way to end an altogether unforgettable trip.
How much does it cost?
Rooms at JA Resorts Palm Tree Court start from approx £150 per night in low season. Rooms at JA Manafaru start from approx £445 per night in low season. Emirates return flights from London to Malé with a stopover in Dubai start from approx £749.