Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives
With two kilometres of powdery beaches extending across four islands, Finolhu – which means ‘sandbank’ in the local language – is a pristine, all-inclusive island playground that offers couples and families the chance to be as restful or as active as they like.
Guests are greeted with cold towels and fruity cocktails before being whisked to contemporary villas with either direct beach access or, if you’re overwater, instant access to the marine-rich lagoon. Once inside you’ll find funky design details, vibrant pops of turquoise, luxuriously large bathrooms and free blockbuster movies on the widescreen TVs.
Unusually, Finolhu’s entry-level villas are those over the lagoon, offering uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. For the ultimate indulgence, book a two-bedroom Rockstar Villa, complete with private bar and eight-metre infinity pool. Wherever you stay, it’s worth booking a night in Finolhu’s famous Beach Bubble, a glass-domed tent set up along the sandbank away from the main resort. With its four-poster bed, private butler and unsurpassed views of the starry sky above, it’s as romantic as it gets.
One thing is for sure, you’ll never get bored at Finolhu. There are activities here to suit every taste and temperament, from water-propelled jet blades that launch you into the air to snorkelling tours of the kaleidoscopic house reef, golf simulators, pottery and art classes, mermaid displays and speedboat excursions to view manta rays in nearby Hanifaru Bay (May to November). After-dark options are just as varied. Choose from four different restaurants, enjoy an outdoor movie night, or join the acrobats and fire dancers at the weekly White Party, held on the hotel’s sandbank at sunset. Best of all – it’s all included in the premium all-inclusive rate.
