If you’re looking for the ultimate island getaway, booking a trip to the Maldives is a no brainer. We’ve all seen the photos: picture-perfect bungalows hovering over surreal turquoise waters and white sandy beaches stretching out as far as the eye can see. Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and head for the islands, the only thing left to do is to choose the right resort.
Finolhu combines classic luxury travel with today’s hip style and the result is simply to die for. This is the kind of resort where thatched-roof villas floating over turquoise lagoons include champagne phones (as in “press for champagne”) and retro record players. The kind of island where you can start your day with a massage and finish it off by dancing barefoot on the beach.
And it’s not just about getting the perfect tan while sipping a young coconut, either. Finolhu is located in the UNESCO protected world biosphere of Baa Atoll. This means snorkelers and divers will be spoilt rotten.
Curious what you’ll find on this paradise island? Here is our guide to the magical world of Finolhu.
Accommodation in Finolhu
Accommodation in Finolhu is just what you’d expect from the Maldives: sheer luxury… on stilts. Guests can choose between two-bedroom ocean lagoon pool villas, one-bedroom beach pool villas… Well, you get the idea. All villas are completely self-contained and private and offer luxurious amenities ranging from Marshall sound systems to mini wine bars and tropical open-air bathrooms. Read more about accommodation in Finolhu.
Restaurants & Entertainment
Classic “wine and dine” gets a hip new spin at Finolhu. Here, guests are invited to “graze and groove.” The resort has five restaurants plus stellar room-service. Here’s a rundown of the dreamy dining and entertainment options available at Finolhu.
Baa Baa Beach Club
Baa Baa Beach Club is the gastronomic experience of the microcosms that is Finolhu. The venue offers chilled out tunes and a panoramic lounge with 360-degree views of the surrounding paradise. The menu features pizza, gourmet buckets made for sharing and fresh bites including sushi and sashimi. Baa Baa Beach Club also offers entertainment and fun events, including pool parties and full moon extravaganzas. You can expect stilt walkers, fancy dress parties, burlesque dancers, water pistol fights… and more.
Kanusan
Kanusan is Finolhu’s fine-dining restaurant which boasts an amazing location even on this paradisal island. The restaurant has an indoor dining room, though we dare you to resist to views and ambiance offered by the open-air deck. The menu is a celebration of Asian cuisine, including Mandarin roasted duck and Larb Kai. After finishing dinner, head for drinks at the overwater bar.
Baahaa Grill
Baahaa Grill offers a laid-back setting for family dining. The cuisine takes cues from North African food with a menu of spice rubbed meats, grilled seafood and more bound to satisfy the whole fam-bam.
Fish & Crab Shack
Fish & Crab Shack is a rustic beach eatery overlooking Finolhu’s pristine sandbar. This venue is the epitome of beachside bliss. You can frolic on the sand, swim in the lagoon and settle down for a meal in the shade of palm trees. Enjoy incredible seafood and cool off with an ice-cold craft cocktail.
Milk Bar
Milk Bar strikes the perfect balance between naughty and nice. Located at the point where the spa, gym, water sport centre and beach meet, Milk Bar offers smoothies, protein shakes and recharging snacks. But fear not – ice cream, great coffee and chocolate are also on the menu.
The Cove Club: Spa & Fitness
The Cove Club is a groovy shrine dedicated to massage, movement and chill. The Club features a spa, fitness centre, movement pavilion and an outdoor gym shaded by palm trees. There’s also a sauna, salon and a shopping pavilion.
Spa
The spa is set in pastel-hued beach divans each drawing inspiration from an iconic beauty of the 60s and 70s. The spa has been designed as a stripped-down venue where no one has to feel intimidated by elaborate menus and high-brow treatments. There are six product house treatment brands to choose from – or better yet, go for all six.
Rockstar Bodywork by Pure Massage
Deep tissue and Swedish massage, trigger point theraphy… Basically, it’s massage heaven.
Hollywood Facials by !MQS Medicosmetics
Luxury facials including oxygen boost treatments, collagen rejuvenation and red carpet facials.
Friday Nite Body by iLA
Body polish, detox wraps and chackra balancing treatments using organic iLA products.
Goldfinger by Margaret Dabbs
Manicures and pedicures to die for.
Man Cave by Gentlemen’s Tonic
Anti-aging and detoxing treatments, head massages and beard designs for the well-groomed modern man.
Dashing Diva by Louise Galvin
Glam hair treatments using Louise Galvin products without “nasties” – no silicone, parabens, synthetic polymers, SLS or PGI.
Pricing for treatments starts at USD $30 for a 20-minute nail polish session. Massages are priced at USD $125 and up.
Fitness Centre
In true island style, Finolhu offers both an indoor and an outdoor “Palm Beach” gym set right on the sandy shoreline. The fitness centre features immaculate gym equipment as well as a resident fitness instructor. Kamal is a former competitive body builder and a certified trainer with over a decade’s worth of experience in the fitness world. He will advice and guide guests in achieving their fitness and wellness goals.
Movement Pavilion
The outdoor movement pavilion offers classes in yoga and meditation. There are also wellness classes, which feature Pilates, kick boxing, HIIT, TRX, swimming, personal training, functional and core training and beach workouts. Group classes and private sessions are both available.
Prices for classes start at USD $50 for a 30-minute yoga class.
Splash & Play
Splah & Play is Finolhu’s go to hub for all things fun and beachy, ranging from a dedicated kids’ club to an adrenaline inducing water sport centre.
The Oceneers Club
The Oceneers Club is Finolhu’s kids’ club which caters to young travellers, from toddlers all the way to teen agers. Rather than a fixed menu of activities, The Oceneers Club offers customized things to do for the kids who are currently on the island. Kids might spend the day immersed in fun sports or a cooking class, or spend the day by the water, while the parents enjoy a little me-time. If your child is celebrating a birthday during your time in Finolhu, The Oceneers Club also organises birthday parties.
Thunderball
Thunderball is the go-to spot for adrenaline junkies and wannabe mermaids. Located in a 1.5km long lagoon, Thunderball offers the ultimate setting for water sports. Activities offered range from jet skiing to wake boarding and from wind surfing to catamaran sailing. Prices star from USD $40 for a 20-minute banana boat ride. All non-motorised water sports are offered free of charge.
Tennis Club
Finolhu’s tennis court allows guests to train with a tennis pro or just have a fun game on the floodlit synthetic grass court. Private lessons with the tennis pro start at USD $50++ for a 30-minute session.
Shutterfish Photography Studios
The modern Zen koan: If you don’t have envy-inducing photos of your holiday, did it actually happen?
Finolhu’s dedicated photography studio ensures that you really have bragging rights after returning home from paradise. Guests are treated to a free 45 to 60 minute portrait session with the resort’s photographers in your favourite Finolhu location. The photographers offer friendly advise regarding clothes and lighting to ensure you get to best snaps humanly possible. A free 5×7 of your favourite capture is also included. Prices for digital and print packages start at USD $100.
HUB – Home of the Underwater Biosphere
Finolhu is located at the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The area has an incredibly rich marine life, including the elusive manta rays. Resort guests get experience the underwater wonders to the fullest at HUB – Home of the Underwater Biosphere.
HUB offers diving, snorkelling, underwater video and photography and different excursions in the surrounding waters. Finolhu has a comprehensive marine biology program and all activities offered have been approved by a team of resident marine biologists. HUB also hosts visiting “heroes” hosting workshops and activities in fields including diving, photography and conservation.
Pricing starts at USD $40 for a guided snorkelling tour on Finolhu’s House Reef. Excursions start at USD $70 with themes ranging from traditional sunrise fishing to visiting a local Maldivian village.
Ministry of Villas offers luxury villas in Finolhu at the best price, guaranteed. Our service goes beyond what you see online – contact our team to find out more.
