Island Mary, Vommuli's answer to Bloody. [Photo by Zhao Xu and Feng Tianyi/China Daily]

Vegetarian and non-vegetarian

The owner of the property, an Indian businessman, is a vegetarian. That explains why a long list of veggie choices runs across the front page of all menus here at Vommuli.

"Even the sharks here are vegetarian," one hotel worker quipped, pointing to the small sharks that a visitor, with a bit of luck, may be able to spot in waters around their villas. Shark attacks are unknown in this part of the ocean. "They are not interested in human flesh," the hotel worker said.

But are humans interested in their flesh? No, he replied.

All that having been said, Vommuli still offers a gourmet experience on a truly luxury level. Every single month 16 flights arrive at Male International Airpor laden with everything needed for the kitchen run by Ayyoub Salameh, director of culinary service on Vommuli.

"The duck is from France, lamb and beef from Australia, chili and tomato from Italy, flowers from Hong Kong and soy sauce from Chinese mainland," said the Jordanian, who prides himself on having cooked the perfect beef, beef so soft that you can eat it with a spoon.