Page 46 - Travel + Leisure India & South Asia (January 2020)

D IS C O V E RI E S

One with the Sea The Finolhu Bubble is
located on a secluded
sandbank, and sports
bespoke furniture.
While Seaside Finolhu resort offers all the expected luxuries of a Maldivian
holiday, its Beach Bubble Tent is a unique way to immerse yourself in the island
way of life. BY SHRIMAYEE THAKUR

WITH WHITE SAND BEACHES, surrounded by azure waters You can unwind in the serene lagoon, which is shallow
and fringed by swaying palms, Baa Atoll showcases the enough for children to play in. The lagoon is sheltered
best of what the Maldives has to offer. The UNESCO- from the ocean and is therefore ideal for watersports like
protected site supports one of the largest groups of coral kite surfing, jet-skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, wind

reefs in the Indian Ocean. This natural haven is now surfing, and catamaran sailing. Visitors can also acquire
home to the luxurious Seaside Finolhu resort, with 125 snorkelling gear and explore the house reef, which
private villas that offer a unique way for visitors to take in separates the lagoon from the deeper water beyond it.
the beauty of the archipelago. The 125 villas are either located on the beach or on
Built in 2016, the award-winning Finolhu resort was stilts above the lagoon, and some of them have private
taken over by the Seaside Hotels group, making it the pools to lounge in. Each villa offers a gorgeous view—

first resort in the Maldives under German management. from Beach Villas and Water Pool Villas, to the Rockstar
The resort stretches across four islands, and its network Villa that has direct ocean access and a private wine
of beaches covers around 2.5 kilometres, making it cellar. The Water Pool Villas come with a sun deck, an
ideal for long walks along the shore. Finolhu has been eight-metre-long pool, and direct access to the lagoon.
inspired by shades of blue in the ocean, tropical greens, The Lagoon Villas and Ocean Pool Villas are perfect for
sunset reds, and sandy whites, and describes itself as a families or couples, while the two-bedroom Water Villa COURTESY OF FINOLHU RESORT
kaleidoscope of possibilities. As a conscious measure, an and Rockstar Villa can accommodate larger groups. The
on-site marine biologist ensures that the surroundings Beach Villas, on the other hand, offer direct access to
are not adversely affected by tourism. the pristine beach. The Beach Villa, Private Pool Villa,

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