Featured
Seaside Finolhu rolls out new safety protocols ahead of Oct reopening
As the countdown to Seaside Finolhu’s much anticipated reopening begins, it is not just the luxury Maldives resort’s design, facilities and services that are undergoing an extensive upgrade.
The entire Finolhu team has been hard at work implementing new protocols and measures to ensure the wellbeing of both guests and islanders is fully protected when the resort begins welcoming guests again from October 1.
With every region of the world affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and many countries currently in various stages of recovery, the focus has been shifting to ensuring customer safety as businesses reopen.
Affecting almost every industry and facet of daily life, a number of new procedures are being introduced to reduce the risk of infection by changing people’s habits and behaviours.
In the tourism industry, managing these measures requires a balance between ensuring people’s safety and minimising their impact on how people go about their activities.
In updating its cleaning regimes to incorporate even more rigorous standards, Seaside Finolhu has partnered with Ecolab, a world leader in hygiene and cleaning technologies and services.
The resort’s enhanced and expanded cleaning procedures include additional Covid-19 protocols and best practices that meet the recommendations set by the World Health Organisation, the American Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and public health authorities in the Maldives.
Working with Ecolab, Seaside Finolhu began by conducting a thorough assessment of every point of guest contact and then developed a health and safety plan that works by minimising contact, ensuring thorough sanitisation where contact is inevitable, promoting social distancing measures, and educating both the resort’s staff and the guests on maintaining advanced hygiene practices that start before guests arrive at the resort and continue until they are on their way home again.
Even before they arrive at the resort, guests coming to Finolhu will travel on regularly sanitised planes, be provided with masks to wear during their flight, and be met by airport representatives and staff wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Upon arriving at Seaside Finolhu, guests will be able to avoid going through the usual check-in process and head straight to their villas. Touchless transactions are the new normal throughout the resort and even check-out is now a paperless process.
Inside the villas, frequently touched items such as key cards, glassware, upholstery and remote controls are sanitised regularly.
For their added protection and peace of mind during their stay, every guest will receive a “Care-4-Me” kit that includes face masks, hand sanitiser, and sanitisation wipes, while some non-essential items like note pads and service directories have been removed from the villas.
Air conditioning filters and ducting also undergo advanced cleaning and sanitisation before each guest arrival, and the new housekeeping measures incorporate amended laundry protocols and the use of additional anti-Covid approved disinfectants applied by electrostatic aerosol sprayers which enable touchless disinfection.
While Finolhu has always applied rigorous standards to its food and beverage hygiene, these have been enhanced and supplemented with extra measures.
All of the resort’s F&B staff undergo thorough training in safe food preparation and service practices and adhere to a strict self-inspection protocol that applies food safety standards as their guidelines, with compliance validated by independent audits.
All training, audits and verification inspections are conducted under the auspices of Nsure, a recognised leader and partner in food safety, health and safety, and sustainability in the Maldives.
Additional measures include full PPE worn by F&B staff, digital menus and display boards in place of menus, reduced capacity operations to enable social distancing, and contactless delivery for in-villa dining.
Under its new health and safety plan, all of the Seaside Finolhu’s public areas are now cleaned more frequently and with EPA-approved hospital-grade products, while signage placed around the resort remind guests of the importance of maintaining social distancing protocols and using the hand sanitiser gel which is placed near all entrances, fitness areas, and public meeting areas.
The resort’s wellness areas and spa treatment rooms are closed for cleaning and sanitising multiple times each day, while a reduced number of guests are allowed in these areas at any one time. Before receiving a spa treatment, guests must change their clothes in a changing room designated for their individual treatment room, while the spa’s therapists wear the necessary PPE.
Personal training sessions are now held in the privacy of the gym, and wellness activities such as yoga and pilates are available for individuals, couples, or small groups only, with safe distancing strictly applied.
The extensive cleaning applied at Oceaneers, Seaside Finolhu’s kid’s club, includes electro-static mist treatments that apply a hospital-grade disinfectant in the bathrooms, play rooms and other shared spaces. To minimise the sharing of toys and other items, some games and activities have been replaced with new alternatives.
While extensive research and preparation has gone into designing Seaside Finolhu’s new health and safety plan, the resort stresses that the key to its success is understanding and compliance of all related stakeholders, including both staff and guests. To this end, Seaside Finolhu has gone to great lengths to train its staff, not only on the new protocol being implemented but also the reasoning behind each and every measure.
“Our in-house medical doctor is working closely with a team of medical experts at the Health Protection Agency to ensure the resort team receive the guidance and resources they need on returning to work and keeping guests safe in this new environment,” General Manager Marc Reader was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“The extensive training our islanders undergo is focused on educating and empowering them to deliver our enhanced health and safety program with complete understanding and confidence so that they are able to pass on this care to each and every guest. We place an especially strong focus on re-training programmes for our housekeeping teams to ensure they are kept up-to-date on all of the cleaning protocols which are being implemented across the resort.”
Aware that the immediate future at least requires everyone accepting the changes that will be introduced, Reader discussed how this would affect the resort’s operations.
“We also believe that our islanders should be grounded in their emotional intelligence. For this reason, they also receive behavioural training to ensure that empathetic and personalised care and connections remain despite the reduction of close contact and face-to-face interactions with which we have all become so accustomed,” he said.
With just weeks until it opens its doors once more, Seaside Finolhu is gearing up for its grand reopening driven by the resort’s health and safety promise that guests will receive peace of mind at Seaside Finolhu.
Famed for its long white sandy beaches and spread across four islands, Finolhu has 125 beachfront and overwater villas (more than half with private pool) and four restaurants.
While popular with honeymooners, the expansive resort is also very family-friendly, with a kids’ club and a wide choice of fun activities. Finolhu also includes world-class wellness facilities and is famous for its entertainment.
Owned and managed by Seaside Collection, a Europe-based hotel group with an exclusive portfolio of high-end resorts and city hotels, Finolhu embodies the Seaside Collection’s criteria of quality, style, and holistic hospitality concepts.
Finolhu, which is a direct translation of sandbank in the local Dhivehi language, is located in Baa atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives.
On December 10th, ELE|NA participated in the global celebration of World Digital Detox Day (WDDD) 2024, an initiative focused on promoting mindfulness and reducing screen dependency. The theme for this year, ‘Smartphone-Free Childhood,’ highlighted the importance of protecting young minds from overexposure to technology while fostering meaningful human connections and cultivating balance in an increasingly digital world.
World Digital Detox Day, founded by Dr. Rekha Chaudhari, is now celebrated in over 70 countries, with support from governments and organisations dedicated to promoting mindful living. ELE|NA’s involvement reflected its core philosophy, ‘Wellness Your Way™,’ which emphasises personalised well-being journeys, alongside its universal approach, “Wellness is for All,” aimed at fostering health and harmony within diverse communities.
In recognition of ELE|NA’s leadership in wellness within the Maldives, Heidi Grimwood, Vice President of ELE|NA, was appointed as the World Digital Detox Day Ambassador for the Maldives. This appointment acknowledged her dedication to advocating for digital mindfulness and holistic well-being across ELE|NA sanctuaries.
All eight ELE|NA sanctuaries—including OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OBLU SELECT Sangeli, OBLU SELECT Lobigili, OBLU NATURE Helengeli, OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi, VARU by Atmosphere, and RAAYA by Atmosphere—hosted thoughtfully curated activities to promote disconnecting from screens.
Highlights of these activities included:
- Mindfulness sessions, encouraging participants to cultivate inner peace and self-awareness.
- Yoga classes, focusing on balance, strength, and present-moment mindfulness.
- Nature walks, offering opportunities to reconnect with the natural world.
- Team member wellness activities, designed to foster camaraderie and rejuvenation.
These initiatives invited participants to embrace meaningful, unplugged moments while nurturing their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
At ELE|NA, wellness is a collective journey shared by both guests and team members. On this significant day, team members were encouraged to unplug, reflect, and engage in activities that nurtured their personal wellness.
As the World Digital Detox Day Ambassador for the Maldives, Heidi Grimwood emphasised the importance of being present, stating, “World Digital Detox Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of being truly present. Through our philosophy of ‘Wellness Your Way™’ and our belief in ‘Wellness for All,’ we aim to create spaces where everyone—from our guests to our teams—can disconnect, recharge, and rediscover the beauty of the present moment.”
Dr. Rekha Chaudhari, the founder of World Digital Detox Day, reflected on this year’s celebration, “This year’s worldwide celebration of World Digital Detox Day has spoken volumes, with wellness experts, educational entities, and global organisations joining hands to advocate for healthier, more mindful living. A significant highlight of our efforts has been the petition advocating for a ban on social media for children under 16 years, which has gained tremendous support. We are also thrilled to announce that we have surpassed our previous milestone of 7,500,000 offline supporters. This remarkable growth reflects the growing global recognition and impact of our mission.”
ELE|NA extended gratitude to Dr. Rekha Chaudhari for her vision and leadership, which have inspired millions to reevaluate their relationship with technology and prioritise offline moments of connection.
The success of World Digital Detox Day 2024 underscored ELE|NA’s commitment to promoting digital wellness and sustainable well-being. By supporting initiatives like WDDD, ELE|NA reaffirmed its mission to provide personalised wellness experiences while encouraging a deeper connection with what truly matters.
As the day concluded, the atmosphere across ELE|NA sanctuaries was one of inspiration and gratitude. Guests and team members celebrated the power of mindfulness, human connection, and the enduring beauty of an unplugged moment—reminding everyone that true wellness begins by stepping away from screens and embracing the present.
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa offers guests the opportunity to embrace ‘Stay in the Moment’ — a new wellness-centred experience reflecting the JW Marriott philosophy of mindful living. The exclusive package invites guests to pause, recharge, and reconnect with themselves and their loved ones amidst the serene beauty of Vagaru Island.
Designed for travellers seeking a purposeful escape from the pressures of daily life, ‘Stay in the Moment’ features a curated array of holistic wellness activities inspired by nature, simplicity, and connection. Visitors can immerse themselves in soul-enriching experiences such as personalised wellness consultations, private yoga sessions, the JW Garden to Glass experience, beachfront dining, and rejuvenating treatments at the tranquil overwater Spa by JW.
Each day begins with a sumptuous buffet breakfast offering international delicacies alongside locally inspired specialties. As the sun sets, guests can indulge in a captivating three-course beachfront dining experience under the stars, serenaded by the calming sounds of the ocean.
A standout feature of the package is the JW Garden to Glass experience. Guests are invited to join the resort’s mixologist and herb gardeners on a sensory journey where they hand-select fresh, seasonal ingredients and master the art of creating bespoke cocktails. This hands-on experience seamlessly combines creativity, mindfulness, and a deep connection to nature.
Thoughtfully curated turndown amenities further enhance the stay, bringing elements of nature into the villas to promote mindfulness and relaxation.
Guests can enjoy moments of togetherness with an 80-minute aromatherapy massage at Spa by JW, offering a serene escape. Personalised consultations with the resort’s in-house wellness instructor ensure each visit is tailored to individual needs. Private yoga sessions also elevate the experience, allowing guests to embrace the peaceful natural surroundings.
Located on the pristine Vagaru Island in the tranquil Shaviyani Atoll, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa provides an oasis of mindful luxury. Each of its 60 elegantly designed villas boasts a private pool and stunning ocean views. With world-class dining, holistic spa treatments, and enriching activities for all generations, the resort offers a perfect blend of mindfulness, luxury, and family-friendly experiences.
The ‘Stay in the Moment’ package reflects the resort’s commitment to crafting meaningful connections by merging luxury, wellness, and mindfulness. Guests can also take advantage of complimentary access to non-motorised water-sports, a one-time 30-minute complimentary photography session with a printed photo to capture treasured memories, and the attentive service of a private Thakuru (butler), ensuring every detail of their stay is seamlessly managed.
Celebration
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives welcomes Santa on scooters for festive island Christmas
The festive spirit came alive at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives, where all four resorts—Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, and Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon—lit up with joyous Christmas celebrations. Guests were immersed in the magic of the season, with each resort adding its own unique flair to the timeless tradition of tree lighting ceremonies against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
A highlight of the celebrations was Santa Claus’s unconventional arrival—not by sleigh, but on a scooter! Led by a cheerful parade of team members riding decorated scooters, Santa’s island-style entrance was met with applause and laughter. The vibrant procession, complete with festive ribbons, twinkling lights, and plenty of holiday cheer, brought smiles to guests of all ages as Santa waved his way into the celebrations.
At each resort, the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree brought families, couples, and friends together in a moment of enchantment. The joyful sounds of carollers filled the evening air, adding a harmonious touch to the festivities. Guests were treated to a selection of seasonal goodies, including freshly baked cookies and other festive delights. Children revelled in Santa’s arrival, receiving special treats while families captured precious memories against the twinkling backdrop of the decorated trees.
With more celebrations planned over Christmas and the New Year, guests can look forward to a holiday filled with memorable moments at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives.
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