5 spots for undersea luxury

This hotel is spread over two islands and is famed for its over-water villas, which are each a whopping 1,600 square feet in size and come with their own private sun decks and outdoor Jacuzzis. Also available are spa villas, which have their own private treatment room with sea views.

But guests can get even closer to the underwater wonders by booking a table at Ithaa, the Hilton Maldives' all glass, underwater restaurant, which opened in 2005 and cost $5 million to build. Ithaa is five meters below sea level -- diners enter via a spiral staircase from an over-water platform so they never even get their feet wet. The room has a domed glass ceiling and 180 degrees views of the sea, and can only accommodate 12 diners.

If you can tear your eyes off the views, browse the wine list (which includes a $20,000 Petrus) and the menu, which features contemporary Maldivian cuisine, like lobster served with local beach grass, lime and red pepper sauce, or scallop and reef fish carpaccio with a passion fruit coulis. Want more aquatic atmosphere? Head to the spa, which is built on stilts 110 yards out to sea.

Rates start at $510 per night

Hilton Maldives
Rangali Island, PO Box 2034
Rangali Island 2034, Maldives
Phone: 960-668 0629

http://www.hiltonworldresorts.com/Resorts/Maldives/index.html