Finolhu, A Seaside Collection Resort, a Member of Design Hotels

The coral reef nearby wasn’t as impressive as reefs at some other Maldivian resorts, and the activities were pricey. Those were minor downsides, though, in an otherwise memorable, high-end escape. Finolhu Maldives is beautiful, thoughtfully designed, and kept in excellent condition, with a nice mix of luxury and laid-back island atmosphere. The villas were spacious, stylish, spotless, and carefully finished. Service was warm and attentive without being intrusive, and the restaurants offered plenty of variety and consistently good food. The Maldives is expensive, but here I felt the money was well spent.

We spent eight unforgettable nights at Finolhu Maldives and were sorry to leave. The team made the holiday feel special through their friendliness, personal service, attention to detail, and skill. The chefs deserve particular praise, the food was consistently top quality and world-class. With the sun, sea, and soft ocean breeze as well, it was hard to imagine a more perfect stay. We’re certain to return and recommend the resort highly. Thank you to everyone for such a memorable visit!

The island is stunning, a real paradise, and the whole experience felt thoughtful and well put together. Reema, our Roohu, deserves a special thank you for making everything easy and enjoyable from beginning to end. She went above and beyond to make sure we were looked after. Ali, Chef Vijia, Sami, our diving instructor, and the sommelier also made our stay more memorable with their kindness, knowledge, and care. From the moment we arrived at Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, everything was taken care of so well. We had an incredible stay and would give it five stars without hesitation.

Even when rain interrupted some of our days, Finolhu kept us entertained with complimentary activities, which turned potentially disappointing weather into fun. One thing to watch at dinner: some wines aren’t included. We were surprised by a $300 charge for a bottle we’d assumed was part of the all-inclusive package. Apart from that, the food and drink were outstanding, with plenty of choice and consistently high quality. Our son Beau was made to feel welcome, even though he wasn’t quite old enough to stay at the kids club on his own. The team went out of their way to include him, and the club itself is fantastic. Ahmed, our butler, was kind and attentive, and made everything feel effortless. The staff throughout were warm, intuitive, and helpful without intruding. We took the boat to the Crab Shack a few times, and those ended up being our best evenings. The setting, sunset atmosphere, and food were hard to beat. We were there over Christmas, and the lights switch-on was a lovely, sparkling moment that made the festive stay feel especially memorable. The island has powdery white sand, clear turquoise water, and beautifully designed villas that feel comfortable and relaxed as well as luxurious. Little playful touches give Finolhu its own character. It feels special without being formal, lively without being too much, and works beautifully for couples and families alike. We left happy and relaxed, already thinking about coming back. It’s a place that stays with you. Truly paradise, highly recommended.