Want to know where the one per cent really holiday? It's at this ultra-top-end hotel run by the French LVMH group (that's short for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, you know), which has become renowned in Maldives for its high prices and exclusivity. Indeed, Cheval Blanc Randheli is a dazzling retreat of utter extravagance, extraordinary ambition and see-and-be-seen fabulousness.

　　The setting is stunning, and it's not at all apparent that the four small islands that make up the resort beyond the main, natural island of Randheli are man-made. The beaches are as excellent as you'd expect them to be, while the public areas are defiantly modern, with little concession to Maldivian tradition. Instead, the Jean-Michel Gathy-designed buildings soar high, contain lots of glass and brushed concrete, and generally conform to the tastes of the resort's demanding clientele.

　　The rooms are sumptuous, as they should be with the highest rack rates in the entire country. There are 45 in total – 15 are on the main island, another 15 are expansive water villas built off two of the small islands, and 14 are unique overwater villas on stilts with their own private gardens. The top category room, the four-bedroom Owner's Villa, is on its own private island, and features such must-have facilities as its own staff detail, a private spa and a private fleet of dhonis. All categories boast a private 12m-long pool and private beach (or terrace with sea access), huge living rooms, outdoor dining pergolas, outdoor showers and every other possible convenience. They're stunning in their elegant minimalism and are all designed for total privacy.

　　Cheval Blanc is famous for its food too, including a US$100 burger. Qualms about money aside (after all, that's not really a big issue if you've got the cash to stay here), it's also home to French restaurant Le 1947, The Diptyque (for Iberian and Japanese), The Deelani (seafood and Italian) and all-day poolside brasserie The White.

　　Everything imaginable is available here, including a spa on its own private island, tennis courts on another and a personal Majordome (butler) assigned to each guest to take on onerous tasks such as unpacking suitcases.