Two ‘nu-luxury’ resorts are set to move the Maldives beyond being a mecca for couples, reinventing the island location to also be a hub for luxury beach clubs and party seekers. The Small Maldives Island Co. will open two offerings in the next 12 months; the high-end Amilla resort in December this year, and a fresh luxury beach club concept resort – a Maldive’s first – called Finolhu in mid 2015.
Chairman of The Small Maldives Island Co. Michael Flynn has said, “(The Maldives are) evolving, from being a honeymoon destination to a haven for celebrities and high-end families who want anonymity and try luxury”. This is the niche Amilla and Finolhu will cater for, with visitors able to expect rooms more akin to ‘homes’, with one- to six-bedroom options available, each wrapped by crystal waters, lush vegetation and white beaches.
The resorts will intertwine, breaking the expectation for visitors to ‘stay put’ on the one island while on holiday. Both located in UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, the developments will have Australian chef Luke Mangan acting as ‘island restaurateur’. Mangan has said, “We will have caviar and foie gras and truffles if people want them, but my goal is to deliver the opposite of overcomplicated and stuffy food”.
Amilla will boast many notable features alongside its divine dining. Its 1200sqm pool will be the largest in the Maldives, The Spa will have 15 treatment rooms as well as yoga and fitness pavilions, and each guest will receive a complimentary 50-minute spa treatment each day. Young guests will also be well cared for with a ‘Kids’ Jungle’, Kids’ Zone and Teens’ Games Area.
Come 2015, guests will be able to venture to Finolhu, leaving their children in the safe guard of Amilla staff. This second property is targeted towards a new, younger market, offering 126 rooms and a more relaxed, party atmosphere at its revolutionary beach club.
Rates start at $2000 per night at Amilla.
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