You’ve seen pictures of the Maldives – brilliant blue skies and deep turquoise waters, crunchy white sands on pristine beaches, the sun a glowing orb, a visual paradise that, somehow, seems a little too good to be true. Yet, this was the vista that greeted me on my first morning in Club Med Finolhu Villas, a fantasy island-like resort in the heart of the Maldives, panoramas of stunning beauty everywhere I looked.
This is Club Med’s second resort in the Maldives, which opened in February, and promises an upscale and exclusive experience. Natural charm meets modern luxury here, where personalised touches and care to detail assure you of a retreat that is both memorable and unique.
NIGHT RIDE
I arrive at Maldives’ Ibrahim Hussain International Airport just before 10pm, where I meet staff of Club Med Finolhu Villas. They quickly whisk me to the docks, just outside the terminal, where the lights of Malé, the capital city, blaze from across the bay. We board the Lady Kim, a twin-engine yacht, and, minutes later, we are in the open sea.
There is something primeval when sailing in the night. The further out we head, the greater the darkness. Except for pinpricks of lights from islands that we passed, the horizon was a complete void. Overhead, the sky was clear and luminous with unblinking stars. The wind whips in my ear and there is the taste of fine sea spray on my lips. It felt like we sailing into the edge of the world.
All too soon – although it was a 40-minute boat ride – I catch my first glimpse of Finolhu Villas. As we draw closer, a chain of lights – powered entirely by solar, I later learned – gain definition, alternating blue, white and green stripes interspersed with yellow globes. We docked and I meet more Club Med staff, who welcomed me with bright smiles despite the lateness of the hour. Formalities soon concluded, I am transported by buggy to my villa, where my butler, Jean Michel, who hails from Mauritius, waits to show me around. The front door of the villa opens into a corridor that separates the bedroom from the living area. There is an enormous, wall-mounted flat-screen TV, hidden behind sliding panels, in each room. Where a king-sized bed dominates the bedroom, the living area is taken up by a large sofa. A coffee-making machine sits next to a boxful of premium TWG Tea selections, while a fridge with assorted juices, beer and a bottle of Jacques Cartier champagne completes the mini-bar.
Earth tones run through the villa – from the wooden flooring to the wall hangings – except the bathroom, where the white ceramics stand out against the cool black tiles. The free-standing tub, which comfortably fits two, looks out to the open-air terrace, which, in my case, became the heart of my stay in Finolhu Villas. On the deck, which faces west into the open expanse of the Indian Ocean, there are steps that lead into the sea as well as a 28 sq m infinity pool. Jean Michel served me a light supper of salad and sushi on the terrace and I couldn’t resist a few laps in the pool. Apart from the susurration of the waves and the whisper of a light breeze, it is utterly silent and still. I turned in and, the next morning, woke up to paradise.
PARADISE NOW
The Maldives consists of nearly 1,200 islands, the majority of which are uninhabited. Club Med Finolhu Villas is located north-east of Malé, on the island of Gasfinolhu. The word finolhu in the local Dhivehi language means ‘sandbank’, which quite aptly described the site of Club Med’s latest premium resort. At only 62,000 sq m, Finolhu Villas is relatively small and entirely self-contained, generating its own electricity (through solar panels situated throughout the island), water for consumption (there are two desalination units) and a comprehensive waste-management system.
There are 52 villas, 22 of which are on the beach and the rest overwater, with a choice of either sunrise or sunset views. They range in size from 151 to 168 sq m, and all come with their own terrace and private pool. Finolhu Villas is an adults-only resort and, with each villa restricted to only two, it is never crowded. Privacy and tranquillity is prized, and the villas are also laid out such that it’ll take a very determined and gymnastic neighbour to intrude into the sanctuary of your open-air terrace. This is where you retreat from the world.
For sun-worshippers, there is a kilometre-long beach, with powdery white sand, running around the resort, complete with canopy beds, deckchairs and showers. The crystal-clear waters of the surrounding sea hover around 28°C and, already, has attracted schools of mainly young fish. As the corals continue to grow around the island – an on-going aspect of Club Med’s conservation programme – the numbers and variety of marine life will expand considerably. If the beach doesn’t appeal, head for the 500 sq m overflow pool, where you can swim, try out aqua-fitness activities or just lounge the day away, fuelled by cocktails from the adjacent Pool Bar.
MERRILY, MERRILY
The Pool Bar is, probably, Finolhu’s most colourful spot. The walls are a bright orange and the sofas are dotted with brightly hued cushions. There are colourful lampshades and a huge hanging feature made up of hundreds of tiny fishes. The bar is well-stocked and the staff ever-ready to serve you anything you fancy.
Meals are served at the idyllic Motu, the fine-dining restaurant set out on the sea. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, but you should definitely opt for al fresco and dine by the water’s edge. The food is á la carte, with daily specials that are cooked to order. The array of seafood is an epicurean delight and the free-flowing wine is expertly curated. Although Motu sits 100, the dining room is divided into two separate wings so it never feels too busy. Service is impeccable and the food, excellent and varied. You can, of course, choose to dine in your villa – just let your butler know and he’ll make all the arrangements. Motu also has a lovely bar with glass floors, just the space for an evening apéritif or digestif.
If you’re looking for something a little different, do know that, as a guest of Finolhu Villas, you are welcome to enjoy all the facilities at its sister resort, Club Med Kani, just five minutes away by speedboat. Far larger than Finolhu Villas, Kani has two restaurants, Kandu and Velhi, as well as three bars. Since some of the water sports are conducted at Kani, it would be worthwhile arranging for a trip and meal there.
MAKE A SPLASH
Club Med’s all-inclusive rates cover not only accommodation, meals and drinks, but also the majority of water sports at Finolhu Villas. Again, your butler would be happy to make arrangements for you – Jean Michel’s duties also include packing and unpacking your luggage – but you can also do this directly at the 24-hour Concierge. Try your hand at snorkelling, jet-skiing, parasailing, water-skiing, kayaking, surfing or sailing. Scuba-diving is also available but incurs an extra charge. The Concierge will also help organise beach soccer, volleyball, tennis, badminton and basketball games, while a fully equipped weights and cardio gym takes care of your fitness needs.
There are more sedentary activities if you prefer, like telescope stargazing, cooking classes, dance lessons, talks on marine life and other cultural activities. I particularly enjoyed the weekly Cinema Under the Stars on the beach – the week I was there, they were showing Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Great Gatsby – complete with popcorn. You can sign up for excursions to Malé and neighbouring islands, or a private sunset cruise complete with dinner. If it’s pampering you seek, the Club Med Spa by ilÄ has four overwater cabins for couples or individual treatments. There’s really no end to how you can occupy your time during your stay in Finolhu. Your butler can help organise personalised activities and WiFi is available throughout the resort. You can even borrow iPads from the Concierge if you need to stay in touch with the outside world.
Around the world, Club Med is famous for its raucous parties but Finolhu Villas is not the place where you’ll be getting down. Things are more relaxed here and great pains taken to ensure that the atmosphere doesn’t intrude into the peaceful surroundings. Here is where you chill; you can party, of course, but if you want a live band and a packed dancefloor, head for Kani, where you’ll be encouraged to let your hair down.
POWER DOWN
Not everyone, however, wants an action-packed holiday. For those seeking an escape and doing nothing much except unwind and recharge, Finolhu is perfect. The staff is friendly and ever-accommodating but never intrusive. Although the resort is small, there’s always some secluded spot for solitude. If you prefer it, just stay in, which is how I spent my final hours in Finolhu – on the deck of my villa, tracing the arch of the sun as it began its descent into the Indian Ocean. I sat on the steps leading into the sea, my feet in the water and a cup of tea in hand. A baby blacktip reef shark wriggled lazily past, followed, minutes later, by a juvenile manta ray, its drifting two-foot body barely hinting at the epic proportions it would attain later in adulthood. As the horizon darkened with cumulus patches of striking colours, a cloud of bats from a neighbouring island flies past. The ocean darkens as night falls, and it was time to leave.
A buggy takes me to the jetty, where the Lady Kim, again, it awaits. Club Med staff, many of whom I have gotten to know well over past few days, lined up to say goodbye, waving me a bon voyage as my boat pulls away. We’re quickly in open waters, bouncing on the waves. Under a bright sickle moon, its light reflecting a path in the sea, we head back to Malé and the airport, leaving paradise behind. My consolation is that it’ll still be here when I return next, wrapped in the embrace of Club Med Finolhu Villas.
