The Ultimate Maldives Vacation at Finolhu

When you imagine the ultimate Maldives vacation, it probably looks a lot like Seaside Finolhu Maldives—crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, and overwater villas lining the ocean.

This luxurious 5-star resort located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, offers more than just picture-perfect views. It’s a world-class all-inclusive Maldives experience where adventure meets relaxation.

Whether you’re looking to snorkel their house reef, dine barefoot at a beachside shack, or simply watch the sunset (or sunrise) from your private deck, this slice of paradise offers something for every kind of traveler.

In this Finolhu Maldives review, I’ll dive into the details of my stay—from the overwater lagoon villa to the dining hotspots and activities that made this trip unforgettable!

How to Book

Luxury Escapes

I booked our trip through Luxury Escapes. Luxury Escapes is an Australian travel company that offers luxury vacations, cruises, and tours around the world.

They made booking a breeze by offering a package deal with flight and hotel. Our seaplane transfers were included, along with food and beverages so we didn’t need to book anything extra.

Book on Points

Finolhu is now a Member of Design Hotels and can be booked with points on Marriott. This was not available yet when I booked. I saw some nights as low as 76K points per night in May, which will be off-peak season.

Keep in mind, when booking with points it will not include any extras such as seaplane transfers, food, drinks, etc. You can review what is included with your points booking here.

Marriott does offer 5th night free when booking with points, so if you are staying at least 5 nights on points you could get the 5th night free! This benefit is applied automatically for members at check out.

Finolhu Airport Lounge

After landing at Malé International Airport, we went straight to the Trans Maldivian Airways counter and checked in. We were told the next seaplane wasn’t leaving for about 90 minutes, so we were transferred to Finolhu’s airport lounge. We did not pay any extra for this, and it was included in our package.

They provided us with refreshments, snacks, and facilities! The bathrooms featured nice, large showers and a variety of amenities for those looking to freshen up after a long flight.

When our boarding time was close, a lounge staff member escorted us to the van for a short transfer to the main seaplane terminal. The feeling of walking across the floating gangways to the seaplane was such a surreal moment for me!

Maldives Seaplane Transfer

The journey to Seaside Finolhu is part of the magic. If you’ve never been on a seaplane before, there is no air conditioning, and it is very small! They also have luggage restrictions, so make sure you look that up before you leave so you don’t get charged or denied for overweight luggage.

We hopped on a 30-minute scenic seaplane flight that offered breathtaking aerial views of all the islands—an unforgettable experience!

Once we arrived, we were greeted by several staff members waving at us from the plane. They offered to take our luggage, handed us cold towels, and gave us some fresh juice in glass bottles. They have ZERO plastic on their island to protect the ecosystem. I loved this!

Finolhu Villas

Seaside Finolhu offers a range of villas, each designed to give guests their own slice of island paradise. From beachfront villas to overwater bungalows, there’s an option for every style of traveler.

Lagoon Villa

I stayed in a Lagoon Villa, which was everything I hoped for in an overwater experience. The villa opened up directly onto the lagoon, offering panoramic ocean views. Inside, it was the perfect balance of modern comfort and island charm—tactfully decorated, soft wooden accents, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors to give you the perfect view!

The highlight for me was the secluded private deck. Complete with sun loungers, direct lagoon access, and a shower. It quickly became my favorite spot for morning mimosas and afternoon naps! The bathtub inside the villa with views of the lagoon is another great feature!

Other Room Options

• Beach Villa: Nestled among lush greenery with direct beach access and a private garden.

• Private Pool Villa: An upgrade from the Beach Villa, featuring a private pool surrounded by tropical gardens.

• Ocean Pool Villa: Similar to the Lagoon Villa but with a large pool. If a floating breakfast is on your bucket list, this is the room you need!

• Two-Bedroom Rockstar Villa: A luxurious option perfect for families or groups, complete with a bar and prime sunset views. They also have their own golf cart shuttle!

• Beach Bubble Tent: Private, transparent bubble tent set up on a secluded stretch of beach, perfect for an unforgettable night under the stars. While I didn’t get the chance to try it myself, it’s one of the resort’s most popular experiences.

All-Inclusive worth it?

Seaside Finolhu offers two all-inclusive plans—Standard and Premium—and after experiencing the premium, I can confidently say that splurging on this is absolutely worth it!

Standard All-Inclusive

• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Beach Kitchen and Pizza Counter. You get to try the specialty restaurants once, Crab Shack, Kanusan, and the Arabian Grill. If you want to go back a second time, they offer a $50 credit.

• Unlimited standard house wines, beers, and cocktails. You will get a 30% discount on glasses of premium liquor.

• Non-alcoholic beverages from the villa mini-bar, replenished once daily

It’s a great package for travelers who plan to stick to the basics, but if you’re someone who enjoys variety and top-shelf liquor, the premium plan is the way to go!

Premium All-Inclusive

• Access to all specialty dining venues, including Milk Labs homemade pastries, sandwiches, ice cream, and freshly brewed coffees.

• A premium list of wines, spirits, and craft cocktails!

• All drinks and snacks from the villa mini bar and wine fridge. I requested a bottle of champagne every day!

The Premium plan made the trip feel so luxurious! From lunch at the Crab Shack to fresh sushi at Kanusan, there was never a moment of wondering if I was missing out on something better. You won’t regret it!

Restaurants

Seaside Finolhu nails the dining game, offering a range of restaurants that cater to every craving—from fine dining to laid-back beachside bites. This is why the premium plan is so worth it!

Crab Shack

This was hands-down my favorite spot. Getting to the Crab Shack is an adventure in itself—you either take a scenic boat ride or walk along the sandbank. We found ourselves taking the boat there and walking back after overeating all the delicious food options!

Ice-cold rosé and soft-shell crab tacos were my lunch options almost every day! It’s the perfect spot for an island lunch with your toes in the sand.

Kanusan — Elevated Asian Fusion

For a romantic evening, Kanusan is unbeatable. We ate dinner here multiple times because it was our favorite! Built on stilts over the water, it offers ocean views paired with Japanese and Asian-inspired cuisine. The sushi was incredibly fresh, and the lobster was a standout dish. Add in the sound of waves beneath you, and it’s pure bliss!

Beach Kitchen

The main buffet serves international dishes with live cooking stations, catering to all food allergies. The buffet was so impressive, and you get great views of the beach!

Other Dining Options

• Arabian Grill: A Middle Eastern-inspired spot offering rich flavors and traditional dishes.

• Milk LAB: Perfect for light bites, ice cream, and coffee between meals.

• Private Specialty Dining: Finolhu offers private dining experiences for those special occasions! These include a floating breakfast in your villa pool, a barbecue lagoon lunch, and a romantic beach dinner. Make sure you make reservations if you are interested in any of these!

With so many dining choices, I never felt the usual “buffet burnout” that can happen at all-inclusive resorts. All the food was phenomenal and you can tell they put a lot of effort into this aspect of the hotel.

Activities

Seaside Finolhu does a great job offering a variety of activities that let you explore both the island and the sea. You can be assured that you will never experience boredom here!

House Reef Snorkeling — My Personal Favorite!

I’ve snorkeled in a few places, but the house reef here was next-level!

You sign up for this ahead of time, but they offer it daily! You start by going to their dive shack to get your equipment, and then they take you out by the bungalows to get to the reef. The clarity of the water was the best I’ve seen, and we saw so many cool fish!

Other Activities Worth Checking Out:

• Diving Excursions: The Baa Atoll is famous for its marine biodiversity—manta rays and whale sharks are frequent visitors.

• Sunset Dolphin Cruise: Sail into the sunset while spotting playful dolphins.

• Watersports: Jet skiing, paddleboarding, and kayaking for the adventure seekers. Kayaking was another favorite activity of mine! All non-motorized equipment could be used free of charge!

• Fehi Spa: A tranquil spot for massages, facials, and signature Maldivian treatments.

• Evening Entertainment: Live music, fire shows, and themed events were just a few nightly activities put on by the talented staff!

Final Thoughts

Seaside Finolhu isn’t just a hotel—it’s a curated experience that strikes the perfect balance between luxury and laid-back island living. Whether it was sipping rosé at the Crab Shack, snorkeling in vibrant reefs just steps from my villa, or simply soaking up the view from my private deck, every moment felt special.

The premium all-inclusive package added an extra layer of indulgence without the stress of constantly checking the bill, and the variety of dining and activities made it feel like I was exploring a new part of the island every day.

If you’re dreaming of a Maldives vacation that offers more than just pretty views, Finolhu delivers in every way. From couples seeking romance to adventure lovers chasing their next underwater thrill, this resort ticks all the boxes.