Check Into Paradise This New Year’s Eve

There were few better ways to escape the Irish winter than boarding a flight to the Maldives just after Christmas. On December 26, our family of four, two adults and two kids, left Dublin with Etihad Airways for a week of sunshine, turquoise waters and a very special New Year’s Eve. The journey via Abu Dhabi was remarkably seamless. We thoroughly enjoyed the 7-hour flight to Abu Dhabi after the hectic Christmas week; it was a welcome opportunity to chill, relax, grab some food, and watch a few movies. After a comfortable 3-hour layover, our connecting flight to Malé took approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The airport was easy to navigate, and having time between flights meant we could stretch our legs, enjoy something to eat and let the children recharge before the final leg to Malé. Making the long journey feel surprisingly manageable for the whole family.

Our destination was DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, a luxury five-star resort in the North Malé Atoll. What immediately appealed to us was its location. Rather than adding another flight or seaplane journey after the long trip from Dublin, the resort was just a short speedboat ride from the Airport. ( 8 minutes to be exact) And within minutes of landing, we were stepping onto a tropical island and beginning our holiday.

After Christmas at home, the contrast couldn’t have been greater. We had left Dublin wrapped up against the cold and arrived in a world of white sand, swaying palms and warm Indian Ocean water. For the children, it felt like the ultimate Christmas present.

dusitD2 Feydhoo was designed with families in mind, combining contemporary luxury with a relaxed and playful atmosphere. The all-inclusive concept meant that we didn’t have to constantly think about where to eat or what the next activity would cost. With multiple dining options and a range of activities, everything felt wonderfully easy and something to suit and please everyone.

It took no time at all before we had all found our rhythm. Breakfast was followed by a swim, some snorkelling or perhaps kayaking, before we retreated to the beach. The children enjoyed the resort’s kids’ activities, of which there were many, while I found time for a spa treatment or simply sat on the beach with a book.

There was plenty to keep everyone occupied. From Water sports and snorkelling to family activities and time spent exploring the island. Yet some of our favourite moments were when we did absolutely nothing. There was no sightseeing list to complete, and nowhere we needed to be. We could simply enjoy being together.

For me, however, the real highlight of the trip was New Year’s Eve.

The resort had gone all out for its festive programme, with beachfront dining, live music, family activities and entertainment throughout our stay. On December 31, the celebrations culminated in a spectacular New Year’s Eve gala on the beach.

We began the evening watching the sun set before sitting down to dinner. There were live cooking stations, drinks and entertainment, with the atmosphere gradually building as midnight approached.

For the children, there was something wonderfully exciting about being allowed to stay up late on a tropical beach to welcome the New Year. For us, it was the chance to dress up, enjoy a memorable dinner and celebrate together, somewhere that felt a world away from home and a new experience for each of us.

As midnight approached, we gathered beneath the Maldivian sky for the countdown. As fireworks lit up the sky, we welcomed the New Year together. It was one of those family moments that we knew we would remember long after the holiday was over.

New Year’s Day brought a much slower pace. We enjoyed a relaxed brunch, spent time on the beach and made the most of our final days in paradise.

By the time January 2 arrived, we were reluctantly packing our bags for the journey back to Dublin via Abu Dhabi. The holiday had passed far too quickly.

The Maldives had given us exactly what we had hoped for: sunshine, luxury, adventure and, most importantly, precious time together as a family.

While the destination may be famous for romantic escapes and secluded overwater villas, dusitD2 Feydhoo showed us that the Maldives could be just as magical with children.

And after spending New Year’s Eve barefoot on a tropical beach, surrounded by turquoise water, it was difficult to imagine a more spectacular way to begin the year. For enquiries and bookings, please visit All Inclusive Maldives Resorts | dusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives Official Site