Why this Maldives resort is unlike anything you've seen before

The resort is located in the North Malé Atoll, which is also home to the capital of the Maldives, Malé. And that only means one thing: in a country where seaplane transfers can be very expensive, you can get from the international airport to your hotel within 45 minutes on a speedboat.

Renowned Australian firm, Kerry Hill Architects, is behind the hotel's bold design, a dramatic departure from the thatched-roof villas you see everywhere in the Maldives.

The architects were inspired by the circular motion of seawater, so everything is round in shape here - from the spacious overwater villas to the huge infinity-edge swimming pool in front of the Eau Bar. The money shot, however, is the on-site spa - shaped like an enormous ring, it's suspended on stilts above a cerulean lagoon.

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There are some massive beachside villas at the property, but I'm super happy with my entry-level Ocean Villa. While its size - about 100 square metres - is similar to overwater villas of many other luxury resorts in the country, there's something about the wideness of the room and the roundness of the pool outside (in line with the circular theme) that makes it feel even more spacious than it is.

A palette of sandy beiges and dark browns dominates the interiors, with floor-to-ceiling windows bringing the outside in. A sprawling ensuite with twin sinks, a deep bathtub in the bedroom, and two showers - one outside (complete with privacy screens) and one inside - add to creature comforts. And then there's the outdoor deck and the curvaceous pool, where you can easily while away a few hours. Or dive into the warm lagoon for some fish-spotting.

There are a number of restaurants to choose from. La Locanda does exceptional breakfast with regional specialities (freshly made dosa from the Subcontinent, anyone?), while Beach Shack is the place if you want to dig your heels deep into the sand and feast on seafood paella complete with perfectly cooked lobster. World-class cocktails are the order of the day at Eau Bar.

Follow that with the resort's ultimate offering: an outdoor chef's table at the Japanese restaurant, Iawu, where ocean-fresh seafood is seared right in front of your eyes as the sky goes from sunset saffron to twilight blue.

The marine world is your oyster at the property, where you can swim, snorkel, dive, kayak, SUP, jet-ski and more in the crystal-clear waters.

Just don't forget to hop on the complimentary bikes outside your villa - exploring the 1.8-kilometre resort on two wheels, hopping from one island to another, with wind in your hair is one excellent way to slow down the time and really soak up the laid-back charm of the resort. Finish up at the architectural ring-shaped spa, where you can relax your sore muscles with an indulgent massage.

My Ocean Villa. Laying in my bed looking at the infinity pool and the lagoon beyond, it's hard to figure out where the room ends and the ocean begins.

The writer was a guest of the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.