Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans

The resort sits on 46 acres of the beautiful Radhanagar Beach, a strip of white sand which recedes into the mangrove swamps and rainforest of Havelock Island. The resort is integrated into the nature which surrounds it, with residences nestled in coconut and palmyra palms, and there's even a gym built around a mighty mahua tree.

Accommodation at Taj Exotica takes the form of 50 modern, luxurious villas, built in a style which combines Asian Zen minimalism with an organic feel, reflecting the natural beauty of the world outside. Floors, walls and ceilings are made up of rich wooden boards, while furnishings - and the screens which separate the bedrooms and bathrooms - are carved from dark mahogany. Beds are stylish four-posters draped with white linen, at the base of which sit comfortable sofas where you can sit and take in the view over the ocean.

The curved roofs of the villas are inspired by traditional Jarawa tribal traditions, but the amenities - from LED TVs to electronic safes and air conditioning - are unmistakably modern.

Reflecting the long history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a meeting point for cultures from across Asia and beyond, the Settlers restaurant has a cosmopolitan approach, blending cuisines from India, Burma and Indonesia. Exotic ingredients like home-grown jackfruit, custard apples and Andaman taro root are served up alongside mangrove king crab, red snapper and other native seafood in a stunning courtyard facing the beach.

At the Turtle House, next to the pool, hearty international dishes are served up, from spicy Indian curries to American-style burgers and fresh fruit smoothies.

In keeping with the resort’s immersion in nature, the spa sits atop a tranquil lake, and is the perfect place to retire to after a day’s adventures on the water, with a variety of massages, wraps and other therapies which draw on wellness traditions from across Asia and beyond. The fitness centre, built around a huge mahua tree, includes an Olympic-size swimming pool - so you’ll be in the right place if you fancy getting some lengths in.

A wide menu of outdoor and water-based activities are on the agenda at Taj Exotica, with the unspoilt marine environment of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as your playground. By day, scuba dive and snorkel beneath the waves, before embarking on night-time kayaking trips through the mysterious mangroves. One of nature’s most magical wildlife experiences is also on offer, in the form of excursions to visit nesting sea turtles.

There’s plenty to keep children occupied too, from trips to the orchards to pick mangoes and mud apples to beach picnics and shell craft lessons.