Maldives as a potential honeymoon destination with a 1 year old?

[nervousmum]

Help! Having major negotiations as to a honeymoon destination in January next year. My son will be 15 months old by then, and he has to come with us. I have my heart set on the Maldives, and feel like anywhere else would be a compromise, but is it at all feasible with a small one in tow? It would be a 12 hour flight, plus another hour or so transfer by either boat or seaplane to the resort from the airport.

Anyone with experience of taking a LO to the Maldives / experience of long-haul travel? Thanks. NM x

Haven't any experience but tbh i would wait until you could go on your own or go somewhere a lot nearer. The journey sounds hellish to me and I know my lo wouldn't have enjoyed it at that age

the journey is what i'm worried about too! Bearing that in mind, any more 'suitable' suggestions for a honeymoon destination in January or February next year then? I preferably want a warm beachy type holiday.

Try the Residence Mauritius. You can fly down and back overnight it is a fabulous hotel, very romantic, about an hour from the airport and they have a kids club and babysitters so you cn have romantic nights out! We went last year with 2 kids and are going back agin as we all liked it so much. We went with Scott Dunn

If you want to take a 15 month old long haul night flights are the easiest way. We have dinner at the airport, keep them up until settled on the plane and then they sleep all the way there or back. Have been doing this for a few years now, also go for somewhere where the time difference is not to great so they dont get up in the middle of the night

Just looked at the Residence Mauritius - very posh! Unless we win the lottery, alas i fear our budget won't stretch that far, so any other potential destinations?

dubai was on GMTV this morning... the beaches looked fab...
sorry don't know the distance...

Other places in Mauritius? Lots of deals in the papers for mauritius, and much cheaper than le Residence!
Mauritian hotels tend to be very child friendly, with lots of activities etc.

I wouldn't recommend the maldives with a small one. It is fabulous for a couple, but is very hot and the resorts I have been to aren't particularly family orientated. I don't think they would be able to provide a cot etc (there may be some that do but not the ones I know of).

Anyone else?

We went to India and the Maldives on our honeymoon. The islands do differ but ultimately, they have beaches, reefs to snorkel over and some have sports facilities like tennis courts etc but not much else. Frankly, we were bored after 5 days and went back to India!! I prefer holidays with more variety and different places to go to. But if all you want is a lovely beach and warm sea, then the Maldives are great!

Try Bandos Island Maldives. Family orientated with kids club, free babysitting during the day (so you can go and have a snorkle) very close to airport so only short boat ride and no need to wait hours for sea plane. Very shallow lagoon perfect for splahing about, not the most stylish of the islands but still very beautiful and not full of hissy honeymooners getting all upset about small people littering the place!

Well, we've booked to go to....Mauritius! Having read the suggestions, we checked out the holiday brochure, and were very impressed. Very child friendly, and still in the indian ocean with white sandy beaches for me

Just have to wait till the 2nd Feb next year now...!