Seaside Finolhu Becomes the only Member of Design Hotels in The Maldives

Best Luxury Hotels in Baa Atoll


Book Your All Inclusive Vacation and save 25% in Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Maldives
Book Your All Inclusive Vacation and save 25% in Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts, Maldives
Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest news:
Follow Maldives Magazine social media
Follow Maldives Magazine social media
Best Luxury Hotels in Baa Atoll

22 February, 2020

The first and only resort from the Maldives, Seaside Finolhu has become the first luxury resort to be accepted as a member of the prestigious Design Hotels, the globally-recognized resource for curated design-led hotels.

Operated by the German hotel company, Seaside Collection, Finolhu earned its place as the only resort in the Maldives to be included in Design Hotels’ prestigious international portfolio after successfully meeting the criteria of embodying quality, style, and holistic hospitality concepts.

Embracing its kaleidoscope design concept, Seaside Finolhu’s aesthetics are characterised by a mesmerising mélange of colours and symmetrical patterns that complement the luxury island resort’s pristine natural beauty in a stunning representation of joy, wonder and a feeling of escaping time.

Gregor Gerlach, owner and Managing Partner of Seaside Collection, spoke about the recognition from Design Hotels: "Our vision for Seaside Finolhu is to bring a modern, bright, open sense of feeling where travellers can experience special moments and enjoy themselves. We’re proud to be recognised internationally as a member of Design Hotels, not to mention being the first and only Maldives resort in their list. We look forward to improving constantly and transforming Finolhu to align with the Seaside Collection brand.”

Translated as “sandbank”, Finolhu is one of the finest island resorts located in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, famous for its mesmerising diversity of reefs, submerged cliffs, and small, round underwater hills known as “thilas”.

With Seaside Finolhu currently undergoing a major upgrade that is due for completion in the second quarter of 2020, the resort aims to develop its distinctive barefoot chic atmosphere that combines Maldivian-inspired touches with ultra-luxury modernity. Previously characterised as a fun and relaxing island playground, the resort’s new look will showcase contemporary design mixed with a distinct organic edge. Natural raw materials such as ropes, clay and timbers are being incorporated into Finolhu’s refreshing new colour palettes to create an interesting visual harmony.

Award-winning London-based design studio Muza Lab has been charged with overseeing the resort’s redesign. Muza Lab’s co-founder Nathan Hutchins told us how excited he is by the challenge. “When we first arrived on Finolhu, a beautiful stretch of bijou islands; exotic jewels strung together amongst the ombré shades of the azure, the light and the colour immediately struck us. Colour cannot exist without light. It is this relationship of light and colour that we wanted to explore through our new design direction for Finolhu; the dappled play of sunlight as it hits the water, the transformation of the rays against the colourful underwater scope and above, highlighting the vibrancy of the tropical landscape - the sand and the palms.”

“Our new design direction focuses on the lens of the “Kaleidoscope” the changing colours, patterns and textures representing moments of discovery, wonder and delight” explained Hutchins. “Throughout the resort, we have woven special features; woven textiles, basketwork coloured glass, lanterns and origami, through distinct areas each assigned to a unique colour spectrum. Vibrant pops of colour, contrast against gentle pockets of light and shade and evolving scene as day turns to night. Finolhu has allowed us to play, to experiment, to have fun with the design - to celebrate nature’s playground.”

As the redesign nears completion, Muza Lab’s co-founder Inge Moore explained what guests can expect from the redeveloped resort: “Finolhu is all about fun, for all the family, for the young and the young at heart. From the ultimate party pad that is the Rockstar Suite to the kids own Beach Club to the Crab Shack set on its private island and the Sunset Bar dressed in its raspberry pink and red hues, we have created lots of different little corners to disappear and just be.”

Recognising the importance that Finolhu places on being a family resort, Moore added: “We have created special places for families to play together; an art studio complete with a kiln, a concept gym, beach bars and, for those seeking a little me-time, a tranquillity spa retreat with its private beach. By applying a mindful approach to the design, we have focused on creating special moments that draw people together through a simple luxury that allows the natural beauty of the island to radiate.”

Overseen by Muza Lab, artisans from around the world have produced standout works bespoke to the resort; handmade tiles and handblown glass from Turkey, Chandeliers and basket work from South Africa, and timber artwork from Java complete Finolhu’s exotic new playground.

BOOK NOW
kuramathi deals and offers this week

Seaside Finolhu

Seaside Finolhu Resort Maldives sand bank
Booking.com

Best Experience:    Couples, Family, Beaches, Activities, Nightlife

Located in the UNESCO world biosphere of Baa Atoll, Finolhu came about as a reaction to the more familiar Maldives island. One of the newest resorts in the Maldives, Finolhu was born out of a desire to bring a fresh wave to the uninhabited island experience. Forget the images of the quiet Maldives paradise: here, fiery dancers, acrobats, world-famous DJs and top-class barmen keep the guests on tiptoe (starting from their bed). The retro atmosphere is the resort's main inspiring force that puts a fun stay at the heart of everything it offers. This cool island playground shakes things up with a fun and fresh spin on Maldivian luxury. The island boasts the longest (1.8 km) sandbank of all the famous Maldivian resort islands - expect to spend a lot of time explorering it. A long beach should not disappoint you either; beach club with retro cinema and old-school arcade; spa with fitness centre and beach gym; tennis courts; watersports; four restaurants; old-school tuck shop. In rooms: TV, iPod dock, DVD player, desk, air-conditioning, minibar, black-out curtain, Neal's Yard Remedies bath products. Read Full Review...

what is better: beach or overwater

Beach or Water Villa?

Maldives - a name that became synonymous with honeymooners' paradise in the tourism world, has slowly revamped to cater to the needs of families visiting

Read More
Maldives Resort Offers & Packages

Best Maldives Resort Offers & Packages

Find out more about the most unparalleled Maldives hotel deals and special rates, when Book Direct your next beach holiday

Read More
Best Resorts for Vegetarians

Maldives Hotel Reviews

Some of the best hotels and resorts in the Maldives are already included in this list, and the good part of them offers the best prices. We will constantly add new hotels

Read More
10 Exclusive Resorts in Maldives

10 Exclusive Resorts in Maldives

The Maldives is paradise destination that should be on the bucket list of every discerning travelers. There's a special breed of hotels there that cater to the most tasteful of luxury travelers Read More

water pool villas, male

Newest Maldives resorts to Explore in 2024

Here are just 10 of the amazing new resorts in the Maldives that are set to welcome guests Read More

10 Cheapest Water Villa Resorts in Maldives

10 Most Affordable Water Villas

While it may never be cheap to visit thу Maldives, fortunately there are still some chic and relatively affordable overwater villas you can stay. Read more

luxury privaye villa

Maldives Luxury Guide

Here's the best of Maldives for luxury travellers. We've compiled the finest recommendations of places to stay, ranging from the most celebrated five-star resorts to luxurious private islands Read More

honeymoon

Maldives Romantic Guide

The ultimate ‘flop and drop' and honeymoon destination, the Maldives is the playground for the most amazing and finest utilization of each second of this extremely valuable and hopeful time with each other in tota Read More

maldives on the cheap

Maldives Budget Guide

Budget travellers choose Maldives as their destination of choice thanks to the variety of affordable stays  Read More

family holiday

Maldives Family Guide

Maldives - a name that became synonymous with honeymooners' paradise in the tourism world, has slowly Read More

scuba diving in the maldives ultimate guide

Maldives Diving Guide

The life of these paradise islands below the Indian Ocean's level is the main draw attracting thousands of divers Read More