Patina Maldives offers a type of luxury infused with plenty of natural elements.

Upon entering the Patina Maldives in Fari Islands, Maldives, guests will immediately encounter the hotel’s mesmerizing look, designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan. Each hut is designed as an open space allowing guests to appreciate the surrounding nature.

The stay 

The resort invited The Jakarta Post to stay at a one-bedroom villa facing the ocean from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7. Immediately apparent was how the resort’s architecture puts forth natural materials such as wood, stone and organic fabrics. Marcio Kogan’s team also designed the room with glass walls and flooring in its inner patios to give the sensation of floating above the ocean. The building’s exterior and interior are made with a contrasting warm tone of brown, presenting a view of the blue ocean and Fari Island’s horizon.

The exterior of the villa’s terrace is covered with a canopy for guests to enjoy the island without direct heat from the scorching hot afternoon sun. It is a spot for visitors to relax or enjoy the wine selection picked by the resort’s head sommelier, Jude. 

Dining and lunch option 

The resort has a good variety of restaurants. There is an option for Asian food at the Wok Society, a Mediterranean food option at Helios and a vegetarian option at The Roots. The latter is one of the latest additions to Patina Maldives’ culinary spots, which offers award-winning plant-based food. The restaurant comes with a zero-waste concept, as most of the ingredients used in the restaurant are collected from its organic garden to maintain the sustainability goal of the hotel – to reduce its carbon footprint from importing goods. Aside from the organic garden, Patina Maldives also composts all the food waste from the restaurants at the resort for The Roots’ kitchen. 

“We have so much culinary diversity here at Patina Maldives, it helps to ensure my palate never gets bored,” chef John Bakker, the culinary director, said. 

Delicacies: Guests at the resort can enjoy the delicacy of Mediterranean food at the Helios, which offers a vegan option for the visitors. (Courtesy of Patina Maldives) (Courtesy of Patina Maldives/.)

Arts and design 

Guests who are not into outdoor activities can enjoy the library located at Portico. The library is also strategically situated for visitors who want to enjoy non-outdoor activities as it is close to Wok Society restaurant or the Veli Bar. The interior is warm-toned, allowing guests to enjoy their reading and coffee time. 

The area is also equipped with a ​​second skin facade, which protects guests from the Maldives’ sun. While it seems to be an exclusive area, it is still designed with an open architecture concept; guests can still enjoy the beach view while reading indoors.

Guests can also visit the permanent interactive art installation by American artist James Turrell, titled Skyspace Amarta. Celebrities such as Beyoncé and Drake are fans of Turrell’s work, which art enthusiasts often describe as self-reflective. Visitors can immerse and contemplate their perception of the installation as they explore the art space abundant with lights. 

The art installation lets visitors enjoy the blue sky during the daytime and stargaze at night. Moreover, visitors can also track each piece of wood used for the art installation as part of the resort’s sustainability program. 

Artsy destination: At the resort on Fari Islands, guests can retreat to art installation Skyspace Amarta by the US artist, James Turrell. (JP/Yohana Belinda) (JP/Yohana Belinda)

Shopping access

Guests can enjoy a luxury shopping experience through The Rake's curated boutique. 

Jimi Williamson, head of sales at The Rake, curates the store much like the now-defunct but legendary Colette in Paris. Collectors can pick the curated pieces from watch brands Blancpain, Bulgari, Chopard and Panerai within the boutique store. 

“So, whether it’s a pair of Vilebrequin swimming trunks for the Fari Islands or a Reservoir Bronze Diving Watch, these items become community symbols,” Jimi said. 

Aside from watches, the boutique also curates other clothing pieces, such as the brand Lemlem, founded by African supermodel Liya Kebede. The brand focuses on resort wear made from ethically grown African cotton handwoven by artisan groups in Africa. Liya hopes that the brand will help the artisans have a better livelihood while promoting traditional art to the world. 

“We are part of the Fari Island archipelago, where you will [experience] three resorts, all with their own identities, and guests can island hop between them,” Antonio, general manager of Patina Maldives, concluded. 

For more information, visit the resort’s website patinahotels.com or @patinamaldives on Instagram.