Known for its stunning white-sand beaches, unrivalled luxury, and a glimpse at some of the world’s most breathtaking natural beauty, the Maldives is an obvious choice for an unforgettable island adventure. However, the world’s lowest-lying nation has also become something of a honeymooner’s cliché in recent years and often bears the brunt of criticism due to poor waste management and lack of support for the local community and culture. And this is where Patina Maldives, Fari Islands steps in.
Nestled just off the southern end of the North Malé Atoll, only a fifty-minute luxury boat transfer from Malé International Airport, Patina is neighboured by the Ritz-Carlton, and the soon-to-open Capella Hotel, in what is a genuinely unique archipelago experience. With a capacity to dock up to twenty small yachts, Patina has been purpose-built to allow guests of the exclusive trio the freedom to explore between the resorts, creating a perfect balance of seclusion and interaction when visiting these luxury getaways.
Reminiscent of a traditional fishing village, Patina’s Fari Marina Village and Beach Club are a rare social hub at the heart of the archipelago and make the perfect welcome to guests who want to experience authentic Maldivian charm alongside a discerning hospitality offering that shies away from the ‘one island, one resort’ model.
FOUR first caught wind of the opening of Patina Hotels and Resorts’ flagship venue back in 2020, when the news of an icon-in-the-making was announced for the Maldives. Aiming to be a radical example of a contemporary island villa stay, Patina Maldives’ ninety exquisite beach and water pool villas — ranging from one to three bedrooms — offer guests rustic Maldivian simplicity housed within a sophisticated structure that pays homage to nature and the elements.
A perfect example of biophilic construction, renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan has skillfully incorporated natural lighting, ventilation, and the surrounding landscape into the resort’s spaces in a deliberate attempt to better the health and well-being of guests. All villas have been purposefully placed to stay below the horizon line ensuring uninterrupted views of the sea. In contrast, the garden villas have been cleverly spaced and shielded by lush vegetation in order to hide them in plain sight. With a seamless blending of inside and outside spaces, Kogan has preserved the natural ebb and flow of the island’s elements, allowing for an improved and more sustainable built environment.
In terms of the interiors, this translates to stunning floor-to-ceiling doors that open up both the front and sides of the villa to reveal 180-degree views of Maldivian bliss. Simple yet effective methods of using the same quality materials inside and outside create a smooth transition between living spaces, which, coupled with chic designer furniture, makes for a truly stylish stay.
In fact, every detail of the hotel’s design has been created with the guest’s well-being in mind, which is where Patina stands out from the crowd. Here, the hotel doesn’t rely on the location alone to create the experience, but instead, it has purposefully created enhanced experiences out of even the smallest details. From the state-of-the-art toilet seats to the bespoke Haeckels toiletries made from sustainably sourced seaweed and other natural ingredients from the Maldives, guests are invited to harmonise and connect with the environment at every possible moment.
This theme of creating a closer, elevated connection to nature is continued throughout the resort and extends to the array of activities available on the island. From snorkelling and diving amongst the dazzling array of marine life to visiting the island’s bird sanctuary or coral restoration projects with the on-site marine biologist, visitors can take an active role in shaping a more environmentally sound future for the Maldives.
Furthermore, Patina is entirely built upon the idea of future-proofing all the environmental issues that could affect islands, such as erosion, flooding, lack of drinking water and waste management, among others. They do this with incentives such as using solar power, passive heating and cooling systems, on-site drinking water processing at the Nordaq plant, and composting organic waste to use as fertiliser for Patina’s sprawling vegetation and organic garden. Similarly, the impact of the rising sea level has been mitigated by building the island higher than usual, and regular beach clean-ups take place in collaboration with Parley for the Oceans.
From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that at Patina Maldives, the sea, the beach, and the lush landscape are the essence of the hotel. The tropical colours and panoramic scenes are present in all design aspects, including the specially commissioned artworks dotted around the resort. Having partnered with Singapore-based contemporary art consultancy The Artling, Patina offers guests the chance to explore artworks from prominent names such as New York-based Hiroko Takeda and James Turrell, a renowned American artist and influential member of the California Light and Space movement, all in a bid to stimulate the senses and interact independently with the island.
Patina proves that the Maldives are where people can come to experience island life at its most relaxed and beautiful, but without it being boring, pretentious or clichéd. Patina opens its doors for anyone wanting an elevated travel experience where you can bond with guests and locals alike, help preserve the islands’ natural beauty, and encounter first-class dining options that embrace both international and Maldivian cuisine and customs.
Patina Maldives offers an impressive twelve food and beverage outlets, all unique and executed to an impeccable standard. From the food vans in the Fari Marina Village and the organic, homegrown fare at Roots to the moreish dim sum at Wok Society and refined beachfront dining at Fari Beach Club, Patina presents a fresh perspective on eating out in the Maldives.
Patina also champions Maldivian cuisine by putting a contemporary spin on classic dishes within their menus and cooking workshops. With the local cuisine frequently overlooked in favour of premium international ingredients, people often need to be made aware of the complex and delectable flavours that make up the Maldivian food profile. Patina is changing that by presenting Maldivian delights rustled up in expert style by talented native chefs and delivered lovingly by their dedicated team.
As a matter of fact, the stellar staff are so slick you would never think that the hotel has only been in operation for a year. This is in part thanks to another incentive from the hotel, the Fari Campus, which aims to have a positive longterm impact on the local community. The first of its kind in the Maldives, Fari Campus is pioneering the overseas education programme certified by the world-renowned EHL Hospitality Business School.
Naturally, with some of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands competing to attain ever-greater heights of luxury, competition in the Maldives to create unforgettable, breathtaking hotels and resorts is fierce. However, at Patina, luxury doesn’t blur the sense of place. Patina is boldly Maldivian and works hard to channel this and its treasured tropical surroundings into the guest experience.
At Patina, nature remains at the forefront, giving it a purposeful sense of being and, as a result, the chances of returning home disappointed are nonexistent. The hotel has a wholehearted commitment to being a luxurious yet sustainable hotel in every sense, and this feeling is palpable on the island. From the warm welcome at the airport until the heartfelt goodbye at the marina, we can honestly say that a stay at Patina Maldives is nothing short of transformational.
To find out more about Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, visit the links below:
PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS
Fari Islands
North Malé Atoll; 20026
The Republic of Maldives
Web: patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands/
Tel:+9604000555
Email: reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com
Instagram: @patinamaldives
Facebook: @patinamaldvies
