Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

Patina Maldives is the second of the Fari Island resorts to open in the North Male Atoll. A ‘destination within a destination’ concept creates a collection of luxury resorts along with The Ritz-Carlton and to be joined by Capella (currently scheduled for 2025). Guests have the ability to visit and use facilities, restaurants and bars at any of the properties, and charge costs back to their villa on their host island.


Patina is very much of its time: simultaneously sophisticated and chilled, luxurious and environmentally-conscious, social and reflective. If you’re in the target market then you’ll know instinctively it’s for you. Architecture is restrained modernity, some parts minimalist, and yet the villa interiors strike the perfect balance between elegance and home comfort.

There is a wide selection of high quality dining options, catering for a variety of discerning tastes (see plenty of images in the Dining section for an idea). It should be noted that some outlets in the Fari Beach area are managed separately, and with the option to also visit Ritz-Carlton, some care is needed when choosing your meal plan to consider what is and isn’t included (ask us to talk you through them!).

Facilities are top drawer. Everywhere does ‘wellness’ these days, but there’s an earnest authenticity to the Flow spa & Reboot fitness centre and associated activities. Footprints has an extraordinary array of activities, exploring both the natural world and design & technology through play – possibly the best kids’ club we’ve seen. Fari Beach Club area, with its associated water sports & dive centre, retail and dining outlets works as a concept, and with the Fari Marina accommodating outside visitors (with the nautical means of travel), we can see that developing a bit of a buzzy vibe.

A special mention has to be made for the resorts’ dedication to art, which is clearly an important element to the creators. There are significant installations, a large gallery, and an artist in residence program. Patina Perpetuals is ‘an ever-evolving collective of progressive individuals who tune into people and planet to heighten our thinking and inspire our actions.’ Heady stuff.


The snorkelling experience, which on our visit combined exploring the steep drop-off from the Water Villas (opposite Helengeli island) with a superb reef drift excursion by dhoni, was fabulous – genuinely memorable for the quantity and variety of marine life.

Any drawbacks? Being largely reclaimed land Fari Islands’ beaches are not all the purest of Maldivian sand, the meal plan entitlements can be a bit confusing, and like many new luxury resorts post-pandemic staff recruitment issues were reflected in patchy service during our stay. We have no doubt that the latter two will be resolved, and Patina will take its place as a worthy contender amongst the best resorts in the Maldives.