Patina Maldives is Paving the Way to How Next-Gen Luxe Travellers Want to Vacay

LF Says: ★★★★.5

If you’re asked to name a place that has become synonymous with paradise on Earth, we bet a vision of an idyllic island life comes to mind. And the breathtaking archipelago of Maldives with its mesmerising beauty and pristine beaches has become the epitome of island life.

Practically, the Maldives’ allure for Indian travellers lies in its proximity, ease of access and visa-on-arrival policies. Be it from New Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore, there’s a direct flight of 4-5 hours taking you to this paradise. It’s a ticket to tranquillity.

The crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and the allure of staying in overwater bungalows have lured travellers from around the world. The archipelago is increasingly dominated by an abundance of high-end resorts. While there’s no denying the beauty of these vistas, they’ve become commonplace in travel brochures and Instagram feeds.

So, how would another luxury resort stand out in the pool of already-existing ones? Enter Patina Maldives, one of Maldives’ new luxe addresses that is already a celeb-favourite despite having only opened its doors in May 2021. Aside from the typical idyllic setting and VIP customers, the hotel seems to prioritise art, nutrition, and absolute tranquillity above all else.

I am a firm believer that when the opportunity to book your dream vacation presents itself, you must seize it. And just like that, on a September weekend, I flew to Patina Maldives, set on a manmade quad of islands named Fari.

A home for the next gen travellers

As you approach the Maldives, the first thing that catches your eye is the vibrant, crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Then, the coral islands appear as ring-shaped structures rising from the ocean. As you look further into the distance, the views seem to extend infinitely. This sight is nothing short of spectacular!

Starting from Velana International Airport, the journey to Patina Maldives begins with a speedboat ride whizzing through the Indian Ocean. After an exhilarating ride of almost an hour, you enter the lagoon of Fari Islands–first, greeted by Ritz Carlton and then, Patina opens up. From the first look, the resort gives you the feeling that they are not like those clichéd Maldives resorts.

Fari Islands has three luxury resorts – Ritz-Carlton, Patina and the upcoming (2025) Capella Maldives. People at Patina are clear that they are going for a new generation of travellers, who want to do more than just be in a Maldives water villa. And to cater them, Patina is filled with indulgent activities and an enhanced appreciation for art and design. Even your private butlers here are called Essentialists—who take you around in their solar-powered golf carts to lively social spaces. Yes, from shopping to dining, Patina is your mini home.

From beachfront pool villas to overwater retreats, each villa is meticulously designed to immerse guests in the stunning natural beauty of the Maldives. Housed in their beach pool villa, it gorgeously invited the amber splendour of the Maldivian sunset. Each villa has been cleverly spaced and shielded by lush vegetation to hide them in plain sight.

The villas’ rectangle box design is boldly minimal with a darker colour palette, fuss-free contemporary furnishings, and gadgets. Dark teals, greys, and beige provide a pleasant shady respite from the dazzling tropical heat outside. They have a plethora of useful technology to automate everything – from closing all the shades with a single touch to playing your favourite tunes. Even the state-of-the-art restrooms do just about everything.

The villas have a unique architectural concept where the indoor and outdoor blend. Three sides of the villa are nearly entirely glass, opening onto a spacious deck with a larger-than-usual private pool. All of the glass doors slide open to create an open-air room. Natural materials such as wood, straw, and stone are kept raw to create a more relaxed vibe.

The abode is a masterpiece of luxury and design offering direct access to the marine wonderland. You can wake up to the sound of gentle waves and take a refreshing walk along the crystal-clear waters. My Maldivian mornings were truly beautiful!

The place is truly a hallmark of design. Patina is the only resort in the Maldives that has a pavilion designed by American artist James Turrell, best known for his work in the late-20th-century Light and Space art movement. Every Kardashian and NBA star has one of his artworks, and he has installations all over the world. And the one here is out-of-this-world.

Eating out, in Patina

If you’re an active holiday person who likes to explore, Patina does not follow the traditional Maldives model of cocooning tourists in over-water villas. It provides various amenities to its visitors during the day and night. So many that even a 4-day trip here is not enough.

To begin with, dining is, of course, an important part of any retreat. And Patina Maldives takes it seriously. The resort has seamlessly integrated sustainable practices into its dining experiences. They ensure that the food served is not only fresh and flavourful, but also supports the local communities. As part of its commitment to sustainable fishing practices, the resort collaborates with local fishermen to ensure that only sustainably caught seafood is served at the restaurant. This approach not only preserves marine ecosystems but also guarantees a guilt-free indulgence in the bounty of the sea.

While you’re out there, brace yourself because Patina has 12 concept restaurants. Serving their home food on a speck in the Indian Ocean is something many of the chefs in those restaurants have come a long way to do. From India’s dosa to Greek salads, your plate is your oyster.

Not only is the selection of restaurants astounding, but the quality is superb as well. Make a reservation at KŌEN and be ready to be dazzled by an enigmatic, theatrical marriage between Japanese and Nordic cuisine. A fusion restaurant with an 8-course tasting menu that opens one day a week, it’s an open dining area where the cooking happens right in front of you. It’s easy to mix and match from both sides of the menu while admiring the ways the chef melds ingredients. The cuisine is neatly prepared with a combination of sweet and savoury flavours. However, there is a twist on the classic plating with an obvious Nordic influence here. From a pickled herring with an intense taste of sesame to a mash of potato and king crab with caviar, Patina presents a fresh perspective on eating out in the Maldives.

The rest of the concept restaurants are similar, bringing a fresh ethos to their menu. Their chefs uphold traditional methods while incorporating unique touches to promote a global bond through cuisine. Also home to Fari Marina Village, it is where guests do island hopping from the Ritz-Carlton as well as to yachties embarking on longer adventures. There are fun art installations and a small line of food trucks that serve vegan gelato, Thai street food and different burgers. GoGo Burgers tempts onlookers with luscious treats topped with gold leaf.

For fine dining fare topped with great music in the open air and a beautiful sky, head to Fari Beach Club. If you’re looking for some delicious pizza and light bites, as well as expertly crafted drinks and a view of the Indian Ocean, Veli Bar is the place for you.

Coming to breakfast, there is a large selection of both sweet and savoury foods served at breakfast buffets and à la carte. Having Patina’s breakfast spread every morning was an experience in itself. The cuisine was divided into buffets: a pastry room with warm meals like oats, an area that I can only refer to as a fruit palace, and one with Asian snacks, including dumplings, baos, and curry.

Eat & chill. What next?

It’s evident as soon as you arrive at Patina Maldives that the beach, the sea, and the verdant surroundings are what make the hotel what it is. Every element of the resort’s architecture, even the specially commissioned artworks strewn around, features tropical hues and expansive vistas.

There’s a lot to see and do at Patina if you can drag yourself out of your stunning villa. From cutting-edge spa treatments to taking an art tour around the island, relishing in the breathtakingly large main pool, and strolling along the immaculate beaches the island has to offer at dawn and dusk. The resort demonstrates that island life in the Maldives is serene, gorgeous, and unpretentious—all without being monotonous, cheesy, or overdone.

Start with a refreshing spa session at FLOW. Take advantage of the spa’s healing massages, hygienic products, cutting-edge technologies, and the water’s natural flow. They even have couples’ hammam beds and a room devoted to Watsu. I tried an Ayurvedic massage session despite the whole Maldives environment being enough to relax and keep my stress at bay.

Being an early morning riser, I spent most of my morning hours in my villa pool and taking a solitary walk at the beach. From baby sharks to migratory cranes, creature spotting was prime. Almost every night, I’d end the evening in the outdoor bathtub, gazing up at the stars. I coupled this practice with a glass of bubbly. It was quite a relaxing experience of my life so far!

You could also start your day with a cycling session. The gentle warmth of the morning sun and the quietude of the island create a magical atmosphere. But keep an eye out for indigenous wildlife. Birds, crabs, and occasionally, small reptiles may be part of your journey! So, hop on that bike, feel the tropical breeze, and let the journey unfold in this paradisiacal haven.

In the light-up pavilion created by Mr. Turrell, I relaxed in peace after a dinner session, gulping glasses of wine at the recommendation of Sheena, Patina’s Marketing Communications Executive. I would often spend a few minutes there, watching the sky change colour through the hole in the roof. For a few minutes, I would let the colour therapy soak into my body and close my eyes to relax. Nature, art and therapy stay at the forefront of Patina, giving it a purposeful sense of being.

From the moment my boat arrived at the welcome pavilion, friendly faces beamed and helped me with their excellent facilities. When a tropical downpour caught me off guard one night, there was already a covered buggy waiting to escort me back to the villa. The over-the-top visitor experience makes it a truly special resort. Patina Maldives is unique in the world, much like the Turrell. A stay at Patina Maldives is nothing short of transforming, from the warm welcome at the airport to the tender goodbye at the marina.

LF Says: ★★★★.5