An adults-only paradise
Watch the magic of the Maldives unfold from inside an ultra-luxurious overwater villa at Club Med.
From the lap pool we can see baby sharks and eagle rays glide by. We’re in an overwater villa so big it’s almost the size of the average New Zealand house.
A glass of Champagne and nibbles are floating next to us on a special buoyant platter. Inside, the butler is running a bubble bath.
Is this a dream? No, we’re at Club Med Finolhu Villas, in the Maldives. It’s a super-chic and recently opened adults-only paradise, a 40-minute speed boat trip from the country’s main airport at Male.
While most Club Meds are familyoriented action-packed affairs, the resort chain has also been developing an ultra-luxurious set of properties. Finolhu Villas is its flagship. The star attraction is the 30 overwater villas that form a gradual arch on the south end of the island.
The villas are jaw-droppingly opulent. The two-person granite bath is shaped like a giant egg, there’s Champagne chilling in the lounge – and an on-call butler ready to attend to your every whim (including breakfast in bed).
But it gets even better when you step out to the balcony. From the lap pool, you can relax (with your floating platform of snacks) and watch the magic of the Maldives unfold. Our first sight was an eagle ray passing by, then a pufferfish, followed by small sharks, and more eagle rays.
Did I just mention the S word? Yes, on most islands in the Maldives you’ll find dozens of baby reef sharks. They are not the slightest bit interested in humans, and while you can easily see them from the shore it’s harder to spot them in the water because of their timid nature.
The overwater restaurant, at the other end of the tiny island, is just as spectacular as the rooms. The centrepiece is a glass-bottom bar where you can enjoy unlimited drinks and watch the fish below (it’s Club Med after all – and everything is unlimited!)
The chefs are French trained, and while we thought the food was some of the best we’ve ever eaten – I’ll leave it in the hands of the experts.
Dining next to us was a judge from the hit Australian cooking show My Kitchen Rules, who raved about the food on social media.
If the peace and tranquility gets too much (hint: it doesn’t) you can always catch a boat to the neighbouring Club Med Kani for water sports and party nights.
Finolhu takes a very different approach; you’ll be treated to activities at a much more gentle pace like cinema under the stars with beanbags, popcorn and drinks on the beach.
There’s also magnificent snorkelling a short boat trip away where you’ll see more fish than you thought possible, along with turtles, moray eels and if you’re lucky: giant mantaray.
That’s, of course, if you ever want to leave your villa – where the sea life, incredible food and drink come right to you.
The writer stayed courtesy of Club Med Finolhu.
Last year Brook Sabin and his partner Radha Engling quit their jobs and sold everything to travel. Each week Kiwis in Flight takes you on their adventures. See