PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS: SEEDING NEXT-GEN SUSTAINABILITY IN THE HOLIDAY FAVOURITE THE MALDIVES

Purposeful travel in top holiday destination: From zero-waste kitchens and recycling marine plastic to offering free dive lessons to children to nurture next-generation respect for the environment, this new luxury resort is driven by its commitment to perpetuality.

Opened on 18 May 2021, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, advances the well-established trend of purposeful travel with a hands-on, data-led approach to positively impacting people and place, reflecting a brand-wide commitment to the pursuit of perpetuality. From addressing waste in its supply chain and boosting the health of its guests, neighbours and local environment to ensuring energy-positive operations - including becoming the first resort in the Maldives with 100 percent solar-powered kids’ club, recreation and dive centres - Patina Maldives is dedicated to making a lasting difference in everything it does.

Patina for Perpetuality

Patina Hotels & Resorts’ interpretation of perpetuality is rooted in its belief in effecting and empowering lasting change - starting with nurturing sustainable values in tomorrow’s travellers. Embodying this future-thinking approach, Patina Maldives’ pioneering kids centre, Footprints, is a place of discovery and inspiration, engaging programming and exceptional facilities – all powered entirely by Swimsol, a company specialising in marine offshore solar panels and also the leading solar panel provider in the Maldives.

At Footprints’ Fab Lab, kids can turn recycled ocean plastic into models using 3D printing and laser cutting technology - echoing the energy-saving prefabrication techniques used in the modular construction of the resort’s villas; while in its culinary studio, hungry young minds can discover the benefits of local, organic sourcing and enjoy the best of sustainable plant-based cuisine. Shark spotters and budding marine biologists can sign up for free diving lessons, while free PADI dive certifications are also offered for local Maldivian children - helping to raise next-generation awareness of the local ocean environment.

Reflecting a firm belief in seeding opportunity and empowerment through the creation of a healthy, balanced, economic ecosystem, 1 percent of Patina Maldives’ gross operating profits will be used to fund a range of charitable initiatives, focusing on supporting Maldivian women and children, and those local communities most heavily impacted by global climate change.

Oceans First

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands has set ambitious goals to tackle marine plastic pollution and implement a comprehensive coral propagation project, helping establish the Fari Islands as a new standard-bearer for marine conservation in the Maldives. In addition to these longer-term projects, Halevai Founder and longtime Parley for the Oceans crew member, Frank Heidinger, is collaborating with Fari Islands to bring disruptive creativity to the environmental awareness of guest programming within the archipelago. For example, Patina Maldives will lead regular guest and team beach clean-ups both on-resort and on neighbouring local islands; for every stay, 10kgs of marine plastic will be collected, cleaned and repurposed into Parley ocean plastic material.

The resort has also formed a strategic alliance with the Olive Ridley Project, a charitable organisation that provides rehabilitation to injured turtles from the Indian Ocean. Sea turtles are vulnerable to ghost nets and have a habit of consuming plastic waste, mistaking it for sustenance and leading to general ill-health and malnutrition. In addition to a donation effort earlier in the year, guests will also be encouraged to adopt a turtle during their stay at Patina Maldives, and dive deeper into understanding the threats to these peaceful ocean dwellers.

Purveyors of Conscious Cuisine

The culinary concept on the island is based on the nose-to-tail, root-to-leaf principle, not only minimising waste, but at the same time advocating the benefits of a plant-based diet. Roots, the signature dining experience at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, is the manifestation of the latter. It is a conscious and conscientious lifestyle and plant-based concept, created responsibly for curious foodies seeking nutritional food and drink without compromising flavour and quality, all in an environment that is ethically produced.

The resort has also built an on-island organic permaculture garden where fresh produce will be cultivated for various departments, reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the supply chain process; guests are encouraged to explore and forage the variety of vegetables and herbs available within the garden at their leisure. All off-island ingredients will be sustainability sourced and accredited by EarthCheck or the International Pole and Line Foundation, with local provenance a clear priority.

All drinking water on the island will also be produced and bottled in- house with on-island water bottling plant, Nordaq. In addition, every cocktail and spirit served at Patina Maldives, including the Fari Beach Club, will eliminate 30 grams of carbon emissions in comparison to drinks crafted at beverage outlets with conventional labels. This is thanks to the world’s first low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology – ecoSPIRITS, which nearly eradicates packaging and glass waste from the spirits supply chain.

Regenerative, Renewable, Reusable

As part of Patina Maldives’ commitment towards reliance on renewable energy, plans are in place to expand its Swimsol solar plant to provide 50 percent of the resort’s energy needs by 2030. The resort’s energy-positive ethos is further demonstrated by participation in global carbon sequester programmes that neutralise its carbon output. Future plans include investing in long-term Blue carbon partnerships and a solar-powered transportation fleet.

During construction of the Fari Islands, energy consumption was reduced by an estimated 12 percent through sustainable practices such as the use of prefabricated materials, which significantly reduced waste and carbon emissions versus conventional construction methods. Locally sourced, biodegradable and reusable materials were used wherever possible; all timber is PEFC-certified and sourced from 100 percent transparent supply chains. All 1,600 workers were provided with reusable water bottles to ensure no plastic bottles were used on site from the outset.

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, is well aware of the global challenges that are affecting the worldwide carbon footprint. Our archipelago at Fari Islands provides us with a scalable opportunity to positively impact our construction, supply chain, operational standards, marine biosphere, and most importantly, community, directly. This has been our driving intent and the main inspiration for Perpetuality, our ethos. It will continue to help us identify targeted and innovative collaborations in the near- and long-term future. We are humbled and impressed with the global knowledge and support that we have received from our partners thus far, and remain positive about their perpetual contributions to Patina Maldives now and in times ahead.

– Marco den Ouden, General Manager, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR

ABOUT PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is the inaugural flagship property from sophisticated new lifestyle brand Patina Hotels & Resorts, the latest hospitality concept by Capella Hotel Group. Designed by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, Patina Maldives offers 90 contemporary one- to three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas, alongside 20 Fari Studios, all of which embody a harmony of sanctuary and stimulation.

Set in the Fari Islands archipelago in North Malé Atoll, guests can immerse themselves in a new expression of island life through thoughtful tailor-made wellness journeys, interactive music programmes, captivating culinary experiences, and bask in the light-filled James Turrell Skyspace pavilion — all while embracing the vibrant social scene that emanates from the destination’s communal heart: the Fari Marina Village and Fari Beach Club.

ABOUT PATINA HOTELS & RESORTS

Patina Hotels & Resorts is the latest hospitality concept from Capella Hotel Group. Born out of guests’ desire to honour individuality, Patina appeals to a new generation of travellers who seek deeper connections with themselves and the world around them. The human-centred design flows with the natural modes people are in, gently and intuitively providing for each guest’s individual needs, ensuring that no two stays are exactly the same.

A five-star, sophisticated lifestyle brand, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the first launch, with a property in development in Ubud, Bali and opportunities in China, Japan and Southeast Asia also being pursued.

ABOUT FARI ISLANDS

Fari Islands is an elevated Maldivian resort experience that celebrates nature, craft and connection. A Pontiac Land Group development anchored by three world-class hospitality brands, Fari Islands is located in the North Malé Atoll within the Maldives, a 45-minute luxury boat transfer from Malé International Airport.

The archipelago also features the picturesque Fari Marina Village, built around a vibrant Beach Club, charming boutiques and a selection of handpicked, upscale food and beverage options. Spaces have been masterfully designed by renowned architects from Studio MK27 (by Marcio Kogan), Kengo Kuma & Associates, and Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about a delicate balance of serene and social.

One of the islands is home to a thoughtful hospitality campus; Fari Campus is a dedicated island for staff with a focus on community, education, and engagement, and is the first of its kind in the Maldives.

ABOUT PONTIAC LAND GROUP

Pontiac Land is a privately-held property developer, owner, and operator based in Singapore. The Group’s assets include hospitality, mixed-used, commercial and residential developments. With over fifty years of experience in luxury property development, Pontiac Land seeks to better the built environment through thoughtful architecture and design. Each development is uniquely complemented with world-class art and maintained by the Group’s in-house property management team to deliver a consistently high level of well-being and hospitality. These developments span Singapore, New York, Sydney and the Maldives.

In 2006, Pontiac Land co-launched Capella Hotel Group in Asia. The Group subsequently acquired Capella Hotel Group as a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2017.