Phoenix rising

SOUTHERN OCEAN LODGE – KANGAROO ISLAND

One of Australia’s most loved luxury lodges until it was destroyed by fire in 2020, Southern Ocean Lodge has been rebuilt and will reopen in December 2023. The flagship property of Baillee Lodges, the new property will bear almost the same footprint as the original (pictured below), created by the lodge’s original architect, South Australia-based Max Pritchard. There are 25 luxurious guest suites nestled along the coastline and angled to take in more of the rugged coastal views. There is also a new ultrapremium four-bedroom, four-bathroom Ocean Pavilion featuring a wet-edge pool and terrace. The Southern Spa has been expanded and is in a new location with three treatment rooms, a gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge pools.

GO WITH THE flow

The Maldives is known for its idyllic island resorts, but Patina Maldives offers so much more than sun, sand and perfect aquamarine sea.

When staying in a villa at Patina Maldives, guests face a conundrum. Should they dive into the turquoise lagoon for a languid, dreamy wake-up swim or laze in the private pool, floating into the new day? There is no right answer. Both will ensure a surreal and blissful start to what will be an extraordinary day, as there is nothing ordinary about Patina.

Located in the Fari islands of North Malé Atoll, a 45-minute speedboat ride from Malé International Airport, Patina Maldives is unique. It offers 90 exquisite one-, two- and three-bedroom beach and water villas, as well as 20 Fari Studios. All are created from renewable materials and feature impeccable natural interiors that soothe the soul, harmonise with the landscape and elevate the guest experience. Guests not only have nature’s art display all around, with the enchanting lagoon, parade of sea life and the island’s swathe of palm trees; it is also the place to see pieces by six global artists, including James Turrell, dotted around the island. Turrell’s ethereal Skyspace Amarta is yet another of his masterpieces working with space and light. You can do an art tour to learn all about Skyspace Amarta, as well as the other artists and their works. Patina Maldives also has an artist in residence program at Fari Art Atelier – guests can stop by and watch the artist at work.

Island Time

Exploring the resort and its island home opens up a vast array of activities and dining experiences. Swim or snorkel with turtles and a painter’s palette of striking fish species before relaxing in a deck chair by the resort pool, at your villa or on the beach. Learn to free dive, go surfing, catch the breeze on a sunset cruise or a private charter, or go kayaking or stand up paddle boarding – at your own pace and in your own time. Arrange a stunning floating breakfast, a romantic picnic on a sandbank, dinner for two on a private beach or a private cinema session for two. There are also cooking classes where guests can learn about, and savour, Maldivian cuisine.

Patina Maldives offers guests a culinary journey with 12 restaurants, with the chefs combining traditional Maldivian techniques with a twist, ranging from Nordic Japanese fusion at Koen, Greek delights at Helios, plant-based wonders at Roots, Latin spice at Brasa, or dine by the pool at Veli Bar. There are also food trucks, where you can grab a burger, Asian street food or sweet treats from Gelato Tuk Tuk. For cocktails, visit The Portico, Fari Beach Club or savour the creative tipples at Veli Bar.

A Flow State

Patina Maldives doesn’t just have a spa for holiday pampering, it has a titillating spa menu of wellness offerings to help guests rejuvenate, relax and renew. There are four double treatment rooms, a Watsu pool for aquatic therapy, a floatation suite, a salon, yoga pavilion, Pilates reformer, TRX, saunas and cold showers enable the vascular and cognitive benefits of contrast hydrotherapy, red-light therapy, sound healing, sleep therapy, nutritionists and posture experts.

There is also a water sports centre, tennis, two swimming pools and bikes for guests to ride around the island.

As well as helping improve the health of guests, Patina Maldives is also dedicated to improving the planet. There are no single use plastics. The resort saved thousands of trees and shrubs from neighbouring islands that were facing industrial clearing and planted them on Patina. Power is generated from the sun, saving 795 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year. Water on the island is preserved, filtered and recycled to be used as irrigation for the island, including the organic garden. And in the restaurants, the fish on the menu is accredited as sustainable.

With its natural beauty, intoxicating programs and innovative cuisine, Patina Maldives is one of a kind … Contact your Travel Advisor »