Forget your cares during a stay in a luxurious stilted ocean villa on the blissful Baa Atoll in the Maldives
WORDS: AMY JONES PHOTOS: GETTY
After spotting an eagle ray in the turquoise waters, having snorkelled directly from our ocean villa, we lay on our outdoor lounger in the early evening heat and thought, does life get better than this? That was all before sunrise yoga on the longest sandbank in the Maldives and a tennis lesson within a tropical setting. Let us introduce you to Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives.
OCEAN VILLAS
We arrived at Malé Airport and were greeted by one of the friendly Finolhu staff members – our blissful getaway had begun. We were swiftly transported to the colourful and comfortable Finolhu airport lounge before our 40-minute seaplane journey. Taking in our first stunning view of Finolhu as we descended on to pristine waters, cheerfully waved in by the team, was a truly magnificent experience.
We stayed in an Ocean Pool Villa, offering mesmerising views with direct access to the sea and a private freshwater pool, both with guaranteed privacy. The rooms are stylish and beautifully decorated and it was hard to leave our secluded pad, which was also the perfect spot to watch the sun set.
For something truly spectacular, spend a romantic night sleeping under the stars in a beach bubble tent nestled on a secluded part of the island. You’ll wake as the sun rises over the ocean and can enjoy a soak in the outdoor bath before tucking into breakfast on the beach.
FOODIE PARADISE
We were spoilt for choice over where to dine. Every restaurant on Finolhu combines a scenic setting with a mouth-watering menu.
At Kanusan, a fine-dining restaurant on stilts with a menu of classical and modern Japanese cuisine, we sampled juicy scallops and tucked into Japanese-inspired tacos while sipping saké as we watched the sun set over the Indian Ocean.
The Crab Shack serves fresh seafood and cocktails. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely lunch and by night it becomes a hot spot for upbeat sounds, with a live DJ. We enjoyed the weekly white party – an evening of live entertainment – and full moon dinner, where we indulged in lobster and steak from the barbecue buffet.
We enjoyed leisurely breakfasts in the Beach Kitchen, spotting dolphins and baby sharks in the shallows while we dined. The same venue serves local and
