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Our recent trip was the longest vacation my family has ever taken—17 days; which feels like a record for us. Honestly, after we got back, I could have easily gone for 17 more! With over 16 hours of travel to reach anywhere near the Maldives, it felt like a well-earned escape. We kicked things off with a few days in Dubai before heading to the Maldives where we ended up surfing most days and making the most of every minute.
Dubai
Where To Stay in Dubai
The One&Only Jumeirah - We were lucky enough to stay at both One&Only properties in Dubai, and as a huge fan of the brand, I was thrilled. The One&Only Jumeirah is about 40 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Dubai. Set on the water, it has a palatial resort vibe with separate buildings offering a variety of rooms. We stayed in a room right on the water with a small plunge pool and a view of the sea. The Italian restaurant was exactly the kind of comfort food we needed after jet lag. The spa looked divine, but since I was traveling with my family, spa time wasn’t in the cards. Given the oppressive heat, we spent our evenings cooling off in the pool once the temperature dropped a few degrees.
The One&Only Downtown - This hotel felt like any major luxury hotel on 5th Avenue. The opulent lobby set the tone, and our room was a two-story palace. The rooftop pool is an absolute must-see, offering unparalleled views and boasting the longest infinity pool around. We dined at their casual restaurant, enjoying small bites and perfectly crafted cocktails.
What To do In Dubai
Atlantis Aquaventure - If you have kids and don’t loathe water parks, this is a must do. It’s massive, with multiple slides, lazy rivers, food options, and cabanas. We opted for a cabana, which gave us a convenient meeting spot, and came with aqua socks (a lifesaver for the scorching hot concrete—never thought I’d wear something like this, but they were essential!). I highly recommend this experience, though be warned—you’ll be waterlogged and exhausted by the end. We wrapped up the day at Atlantis' Mexican restaurant, where a margarita and tacos made for the perfect finish.
Dubai Ski Slope Mall - Naturally, we had to check out the world’s only indoor ski slope! It was incredible to see, though we opted to view it from the outside—no need to risk a ski injury before the rest of our trip. It was surreal watching people bundled up skiing and tubing while it was 120 degrees outside. As for the mall, it wasn’t my favorite—massive and very busy.
Walking Tour of Old Dubai - For a glimpse into Dubai’s rich history, a walking tour of Old Dubai is a must. Wander through the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, with its traditional wind towers and narrow alleyways, then explore the vibrant souks filled with spices, textiles, and gold.
Dubai Mall - Now, this is a mall I could have spent days exploring. It has every major retailer you can think of, plus amazing food options like Cipriani and Ralph’s Coffee from NYC. Our favorite spot was a store entirely dedicated to Bearbricks, which was pretty epic—my kids definitely scored there. I made a quick stop at Chanel, but with no time to shop, I guess I’ll need to plan another trip back just to fully experience everything this mall has to offer!
Museum of the Future - We couldn’t get tickets because we tried to book last minute, so if you're traveling with kids or are interested in this type of museum, be sure to pre-book!
Maldives
My husband (then boyfriend) and I visited the Maldives 20 years ago, so we were excited to return to this part of the world. The main purpose of our trip was to surf, as the Maldives boasts hundreds of surf breaks along its atolls. You could spend a month here and still not hit every spot. We split our trip into two parts—one land-based at a hotel and the other aboard a yacht.
Six Senses
We wanted to surf the southern atolls, and The Six Senses Resort not only offers that but also provides easy access to several surf breaks for all skill levels. Getting to the resort requires a 45-minute seaplane ride from Malé Airport. I was a bit nervous at first, but the seaplane operation was impeccable and, most importantly, safe. Most resorts have their own branded planes, and flights only operate at certain times due to weather and sunlight. Upon arriving, we were picked up by a small speedboat, where we were asked to remove our shoes. Once we reached the resort, we learned that shoes are not worn there. I should have read the fine print before packing 10 pairs of sandals—LOL!
The resort beautifully combines simplicity, rustic charm, and luxury. Each guest receives a bike with their initials etched into the wood, and you ride everywhere. It felt pure magic. Each group is assigned a GEM (Guest Experience Manager), who acts as your on-call butler for the duration of your stay.
With multiple restaurants on the property, you can enjoy a different dining experience each night. Options include fresh-baked pizzas, Asian-inspired dinners, and weekly themed buffets, all made with fresh baked local sourdough bread and vegetables from their garden. It feels like summer camp but in a chic way. There are activities every hour for both adults and kids; we tie-dyed handkerchiefs, crushed sugar cane, surfed, snorkeled off the hotel reef, made 75% cacao chocolate, and so much more.
We left Six Senses feeling rested, fulfilled, connected, and wanting more.
Alice Yacht
After our stay at Six Senses, we flew back to Malé, where we boarded a yacht named Alice. Built in the Maldives, Alice is captained by a local Maldivian with extensive experience in the region. We also hired Ondas Adventures from Australia, owned and operated by Gavin and Jesse, who are seasoned surf guides and surfers. They quickly became like extended family, coaching everyone in our family and finding the best uncrowded waves suitable for all abilities.
A special shoutout goes to Ben, our surf photographer, who captured amazing shots while treading water. We received coaching both in the water and on the waves, and at the end of each day, we reviewed pictures to see how we could improve our skills.
I am so grateful for the time spent with my family on this epic trip. Being in the water and surfing brings me so much joy as a mom!
