What could be more enticing than a luxurious vacation hideaway built on two private islands, surrounded by white sand beaches and warm tropical waters?

This was only the first tempting detail I learned about the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa, Rangali Island. Consider the fact that you arrive via seaplane at this amazing resort, located on an Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives.

During your holiday, you can snorkel the magnificent coral reefs of the PADI dive center, indulge your body and soul at the spa, or just relax in your seaside villa—so close to the water’s edge it stands on stilts.

Okay, this was more than enough for me. I was sold. But then I found out that the Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa features Ithaa, the world’s first undersea restaurant.

Here’s the concept: you dine on Maldivian-Western fusion cuisine. I have no idea what this is, but it sounds wonderful. You are seated beneath an archway of glass, sixteen feet below sea level in the middle of a sparkling lagoon. Described as an “aquarium-style” setting, you must understand one important detail. In this particular aquarium, you are inside of the glass, while the fish swim freely about on the outside!

I am completely fascinated by everything I have learned about this unique Hilton vacation resort. And I have Lisa Katayama to thank for bringing it to my attention through her post on Wired Blogs. Here’s the link directly to the Hilton webpage for the Maldives Resort. Take a moment and click on it. Even if you are only taking a mental vacation—it’s worth the trip.

And here is the link to SellMyTimeshareNOW’s website. You can search for vacation ownership and rental options which will enable you to be part of the Hilton Grand Vacation Club, or you can take advantage of many other exciting opportunities that make it easier to turn those “mental” vacations into actual holidays spent basking in the warm, tropical sun.