DESTINATIONS FAMILY HOLIDAYS | MALDIVES
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Finolhu’s Two-Bedroom Water Villa with Pool; Crab Shack; Teen Hut; writer Eddi with 12-year-old daughter Georgie PICTURES: Georg Roske
exper expert ASK THE
Emily Rutter, Indian Ocean product manager, Inspiring Travel
“The Maldives is great for families with children of all ages – and there is so much to entertain teenagers as well. All-inclusive resorts are becoming more popular, largely due to the quality improving. Gone are the days of a one-buffet restaurant for the duration of the stay. Today, we’re seeing numerous restaurants and even ice cream parlours, often available as part of an all-inclusive package, which is great for families with kids.”
The following morning, we woke to the murmurings of
a thunderstorm in the distance. Despite the spectacular sea view from my vast, comfortable bed, finding myself without the distractions of the journey and our new surroundings, my emotions caught up with me. It was tempting to simply curl up under the duvet and stay in bed – but Georgie and I had activities booked. Soon, the gentle sounds of a harp were washing over me as I relaxed with a massage at Finolhu’s elegant spa. Georgie, meanwhile, was enjoying a smoothie- making class in the Teen Hut – a sustainably built bamboo structure, complete with a Maldivian-style thatched roof. A million miles from your average kids’ club, this was more like a cross between a designer treehouse and a grand cathedral with its wooden beams and elegant architecture. On the ground floor, a giant macramé lampshade
hung from the ceiling alongside a juice-making bar. Bean bags and slouchy sofas in coral red and turquoise looked perfect for chilling on, while a bamboo spiral staircase led up to a mezzanine with games consoles, a 3D printer, electric guitars, drum kits and DJ decks. Over the next few days, Georgie learned to make one of her favourite foods at a teens’ sushi-making class and hung out with fellow teenagers she had met on the beach. Meanwhile, I had the chance to explore some of the grown-up activities on offer, including painting seashells in the stylish Art Studio during a mindful Sip and Paint session.
32 16 OCTOBER 2025
Time apart meant the things
we did together felt even more memorable – including hanging upside down in aerial yoga
TWO’S COMPANY Trying out different activities meant we could compare notes while enjoying superb lunches and dinners at Finolhu’s extensive choice of restaurants, where options range from a fine-dining Japanese restaurant on stilts over the Indian Ocean to Crab Shack, a serene five-minute dhoni boat ride away or 20-minute stroll along a white sandbank. Time apart also meant that the things we did together felt even more memorable. We found ourselves hanging upside down from ropes in an aerial yoga class. I have practised hatha yoga for years but had never tried the aerial kind, which involves hooking your knees over strong straps suspended on hooks from the ceiling beams. Georgie has never been a particular fan of yoga but found herself absolutely loving it. “I really liked going upside down cross-legged and doing different stretches I hadn’t tried before,” she told me. “It made me feel relaxed and happy.” Then, on our penultimate day, Georgie and I headed out for a snorkelling excursion on the resort’s private
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travelweekly.co.uk
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