REVIEWS


SEASIDE FINOLHU Baa Atoll, Maldives


LOCATION: In the heart of the pristine Baa Atoll – part of the Unesco World Network of Biosphere Reserves – about 30 minutes by seaplane from the Maldivian capital of Malé. Turtles, dolphins, manta rays and whale sharks all call this underwater jewel home, meaning there are abundant opportunities for wildlife encounters.


FIRST IMPRESSIONS: My jaw hits Ìhi yooÀ >Ã Üi âi« >VÀoÃÃ Ìhi VÀÞÃÌ>l- clear waters of Baa Atoll on Finolhu’s speedboat, the island stretching out before me almost as far as the eye can see. This idyllic place is home to the largest sandbank in the Maldives – and it is truly breathtaking to see it laid out before you. As our boat pulls into the jetty, beaming staff are lined up ready to greet us. My toddler is treated like a little prince as they whisk him away to ‘captain’ a golf buggy for a brief island tour. Kid friendly? Absolutely – and that’s only the start.


THE FACTS: One of only two Maldivian members of Design Hotels (alongside Patina) and owned by German brand Seaside Collection, inolhÕ h>Ã iÃÌ>LliÃhi` iÌÃilv >Ã > wÀm favourite among British travellers. The hotel’s design is quirky, trendy and


upbeat, with a vivid colour palette aiming to create a kaleidoscopic effect across the island. Each of the 125 villas is set either directly on the beach or on stilts over the island’s lagoon, with almost 80 boasting private pools. The overwater villas, which account for the majority of Finolhu’s inventory, occupy a jetty almost half a mile long, and stingrays, brightly coloured «>ÀÀoÌwÃh >n` L>LÞ Ãh>Àkà >Ài ovÌin seen darting between the stilts. Five restaurants ensure there is plenty of choice on the food front. Recommend Ìh>Ì VliinÌà hi>` Ìo ƂÃi>n wni-`inin} venue Kanusan for an excellent evening experience, while the delicious Crab Shack is best enjoyed during a long, leisurely lunch. The latter is located at the farthest end of the sandbank and guests are taken there in a traditional dhoni boat. My husband was keen to walk off his indulgence and it took him about 15 minutes to tread the sand in the baking heat back to base. Other culinary options include Arabian Grill and Beach Club. Ƃll-`>Þ `inin} >n` LÕvviÌ o«Ìionà are available at Beach Kitchen, while Ãn>VkÃ] iVi VÀi>mà >n` vÀoâin Þo}hÕÀÌ (my personal favourite) are on offer at the fun Milk Lab. An Arts Lab, complete with a pottery kiln, and teens’ club


opened in December. Nine private Ûill>Ã q ovviÀin} ÌÜo] ÌhÀii oÀ wÛi bedrooms – are also scheduled to be introduced in November and will be perfect for multigenerational families seeking a higher level of privacy and seclusion. The spa is perfection – as you’d expect in the Maldives.


IDEAL FOR: Everyone will feel comfortable and fawned over at Finolhu. Whether you’re booking for a solo traveller, couple, family or larger group, this island is the perfect home from home. Those with little kids should make use of the brilliant


108 ASPIRE JANUARY 2025


aspiretravelclub.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120