The Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi has opened in the idyllic Maldives, marking the Fairmont’s entrance into the region that has long been a favourite for luxury seekers
AccorHotels has launched its first Maldives property, with the opening of the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi in the region’s north. The villa-only resort boasts 120 luxury villas, each with a private pool, as well as one of the country’s largest resort lagoons and a paradise-like location characterised by powdery, white sand beaches and that crystal clear, turquoise sea the Maldives is so known for.
In addition to the much-coveted over-water bungalows and beach villas, the resort also offers safari-style tented villa accommodation, nestled in the island’s lush jungle, where all guests can also experience glamping BBQs and jungle cinema outings. Inside the villas, the design gives off an air of rustic luxury, with copper bathroom fittings and carved wood detailing on furniture creating the perfect mix of laid-back ‘island life’ and spare-no-expense style.
As the only hotel on the pristine atoll, the new Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi’s untouched locale is home to abundant sea life such as manta rays, turtles, large pods of bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins that regularly visit the pristine, 600-hectare lagoon.
Unsurprisingly given its location, the resort has created a guest experience that is closely tied to nature. At the lagoon’s nine kilometre-long house reef, directly accessible from the beach, the Maldives’ first coral regeneration project in the form of an underwater art installation is underway. Created by celebrated underwater naturalist and artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the installation will launch next month.
Nature-led experiences are even to be found in the resort’s restaurants. These include an international all-day dining spot called Raha Market, and an over-water Japanese restaurant, sushi bar and sea lounge named Kata, where guests can indulge in creative Japanese cuisine with a Maldivian twist. Then there’s the idyllic over-water fine dining destination, Azure, with its focus on fresh, locally-caught seafood and the best wines and champagne. Add bamboo-made, pool-side loungers and fire pits to the mix and a roof top bar, and guests can enjoy spectacular sunsets with cocktails in hand, dinner under the stars, or both.
A sunset dolphin tour offers guests the chance to watch the local marine life playing at day’s end, and guests can also give back to nature by planting coconut trees on the island, or by participating in coral restoration efforts and turtle release programs. Adding to the numerous sustainable incentives of the resort, the Fairmont’s water bottles are made of glass, not plastic, limiting resort waste and damage to the surrounding ecosystem.
For spa-goers, the 2,000 square-metre Willow Stream Spa uses endemic herbs and Indian Ocean-inspired treatments, and has a dedicated Olympic-size jacuzzi pool for pre or post-treatment relaxation. The resort also offers an on-site art studio, a variety of daytime activities including coconut painting, canvas creations, jewellery and dreamcatcher-making, while parents can relax rest assured the kids are entertained in the resort’s Kid’s Club, Toddler’s Play Garden, and Teen Town.
As an introductory offer, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is offering special rates starting at USD $770 per villa per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis for bookings until 30 September 2018.