After undergoing an extensive upgrade of its facilities, one of the Maldives’ most luxurious resorts is now ready to welcome guests once more. When Seaside Finolhu opens for business again on 1 November 2020, guests will be treated to a whole new barefoot chic experience with the self-styled island playground having completed its elaborate transition from luxury island resort to proud member of the exclusive Design Hotels portfolio.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruption to the tourism industry, Seaside Finolhu has seized on the unique opportunity presented by the global shutdown to complete both aesthetic and functional upgrades right across the resort. Overseen by the award-winning Muza Lab design studio, the transformation of Seaside Finolhu extends to its villas, restaurants, wellness facilities, public areas, and sport and fitness activities, including a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio. 

Throughout the resort, the bold new design concept unleashes a kaleidoscope of colours inspired by the vibrant natural hues of the island’s stunning flora, fauna, sunsets and seascapes. Muza Lab’s co-founder Nathan Hutchins describes how “the changing colours, patterns and textures represent moments of discovery, wonder and delight.” The transformation is a key milestone for Finolhu as it successfully fulfils the requirements of embodying quality, style, and holistic hospitality concepts to earn its place as the first resort in the Maldives included in the prestigious Design Hotel’s international portfolio.

Combining dashes of traditional Maldivian culture with contemporary lifestyle convenience, the overall ambiance of the resort is described as “barefoot chic” by Marc Reader, Seaside Finolhu’s General Manager. “It’s a design-driven balance between style and escapism,” he explains. “Here you can unwind in sublime comfort, with the pristine beauty of our secluded Maldivian paradise perfectly complemented by ultra-luxurious modernity.” 

Every aspect of the guest experience at Seaside Finolhu has been transformed to reflect this philosophy. From the style and comfort of the resort’s 125 villas, 76 of which have their own pool, and the culinary journey served up by the eclectic selection of international dining options, to the sheer indulgence of the spa and the sense of tropical island adventure provided by the many water sports on offer, every detail has been carefully crafted to create a lifestyle resort that caters to the discerning affluent traveller of today.

Muza Lab’s co-founder Inge Moore explained the lengths that they have gone to in order to bring the design concept to life: “Artisans from all over the world have created special works for the resort. Artistic tiles from Turkey, chandeliers and wickerwork from South Africa and wooden craftwork from Java transform the villas, bars & restaurants, the fitness room and, last but not least, the Oceaneers Kids Club into an exotic playground.”

Operated by the German luxury hotel chain, Seaside Collection, the resort recently changed its official name from simply Finolhu, which translates as ‘sandbank’ in the local language, to Seaside Finolhu. Now as part of the resort’s holistic transformation, Seaside Finolhu has also introduced new names and concepts for its dining and spa facilities. 

While the resort’s fine-dining restaurant has retained not only the name Kanusan but also its sophisticated ambiance, Seaside Finolhu’s all-day dining restaurant now goes by the name of Beach Kitchen. Serving international fare during the day, Beach Kitchen also brings the resort’s culinary journey concept to life with destination-themed dining experiences each evening. The Arabian Grill serves up an exotic mélange of flavours, aromas and decor from across the Middle East in a relaxed atmosphere, while Crab Shack is a rustic seafood grill that offers a real toes-in-the-sand dining experience on a secluded stretch of beach. For guests looking to grab a drink, the new Milk LAB serves a selection of refreshing milkshakes, protein drinks and fresh coffee.

Fehi Spa takes its name from the local word for ‘green’ and it fully embraces the green concepts of nature, purity, healing, and harmony in a tranquil setting amidst lush gardens. With treatment rooms, saunas, a steam room, a plunge pool and a hair and nail salon, the holistic treatments are designed to ensure guests feel physically, mentally and spiritually rejuvenated.

Living up to its ‘island playground’ philosophy, Seaside Finolhu provides guests with a diverse choice of fun activities in the indoor and outdoor gym, the Yoga Pavilion, and a state-of-the-art indoor golf studio. Kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding and jet skiing are among the water sports available, while the new Dive Centre offers diving, snorkelling and semi-submarine boat trips. 

From the new design focus and the upgraded facilities to the exciting activities and rejuvenating wellness treatments, the underlying theme of Seaside Finolhu’s transformation is fun. Perhaps nowhere is this better personified than stellar musical and cultural performances or the exhilarating themes parties.

With its transformation now complete, Seaside Finolhu is ready to welcome guests to its barefoot chic experience. To find out more or to make a booking, click here: www.finolhu.com

About Seaside Finolhu

Finolhu was opened in June 2016 and consists of four islands with long beaches.  It has 125 beachfront and overwater villas (more than half with a private pool) and four restaurants.  Whilst popular with honeymooners, the extensive resort is also very family-friendly, with a kids’ club, a wide choice of activities and world-famous entertainment.

Owned and managed by Seaside Collection, a Europe-based hotel group with an exclusive portfolio of high-end resorts and city hotels, Seaside Finolhu Maldives is a luxury island resort.  “Finolhu”, which is a direct translation of “sandbank” in Dhivehi is located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives www.finolhu.com 

About the Seaside Collection

The Seaside Hotels Chain was founded in 1969 by Theo Gerlach who set out with the idea of building hotels where he himself would love to spend time. This resulted in the growth of unique hotels where luxury is celebrated in an unobtrusive, casual way. Fifty years on, the brand now has eleven boutique properties, located in Germany, the Canary Islands and the Maldives. Each of the eleven four- and five-star hotels is characterised by its exclusive location, individual architecture, high-quality management, excellent gastronomy and passionate hospitality.

As of June 2019, Seaside Hotels began operating as the Seaside Collection. The new Seaside Collection brand image and seahorse emblem serve as a symbol of quality encapsulating the individuality of the hotels within the collection. Further information on both city and resort hotels can be found at www.seaside-collection.com 

About Muza Lab

Muza Lab: a design studio, a boutique laboratory; its story and characters have gathered momentum over the years, through the award-winning spaces designed and the memories made by founders Inge Moore and Nathan Hutchins. With 45 years of combined experience, the members of Muza Lab have won 42 awards during their thirteen years working together. The mission statement: “People have always been our greatest inspiration. We believe good design serves as the armature for their stories, connecting hearts and minds and creating moments that matter. In a world full of material things, our mission is to re-frame what is truly valuable. We design places that respect the intrinsic purity of their surroundings, and that preserve local communities, places that open eyes wide. Places that leave you speechless. We believe in the art of being limitless. We make ‘make-believe’ real. We are Dreamers who do.”