The Maldives might be home to some of the most idyllic beaches in the world, but if a day at the beach isn't complete without fish, chips and mushy peas then Amilla Fushi really does offer a taste of paradise - with salt and vinegar included.   A first for the Maldives, Fish & Chips (with its' British 'chippie' inspired menu) is just one of the dining options for guests on this new resort and is the epitome of the relaxed 'island home' vibe of this nu-luxury resort in the Maldives.   

The vision of 'Island Restaurateur' - acclaimed Aussie Chef Luke Mangan - is to prepare the kind of food people really want to eat on holiday, at a reasonable price.   Inspired by his time working in the UK, Fish & Chips' menu includes traditional Brit favourites such as battered or crumbed cod, haddock and scampi, as well as the more exotic Fisherman's catch of the day.  Traditional accompaniments on offer include pickled onions, pineapple fritters and chips with gravy or curry sauce. 

This relaxed, unstuffy approach is evident in all the dining options on Amilla Fushi – out goes tray charge, starched-shirt service and linen, and in come cocktails, barbecue flavours, zingy ceviches and tropical ingredients.  Realised to perfection at Amilla's signature restaurant, the relaxed over-water restaurant Lonu showcases Mangan's award-winning approach pioneered at Salt, his first restaurant in Sydney. Nestled around the Maldives' biggest swimming pool, Baazaar will give guests the opportunity to indulge in diverse culinary offerings from around the world at Fresh, Tapas, Grill, Baazaar Bar and Joe's Pizza. Guests can also create their own picnics from the island's Emperor General Store, which will offer fresh fruit and vegetables, deli style sandwiches, a charcuterie and cheese shop, accompanied with wine from Cellar Door wine shop.

Amilla Fushi, which translates as 'your island home' in Dhivehi, officially soft-opened in December 2014 and has a unique ethos in the Maldives resort scene.  This is a family friendly resort designed to offer complete relaxation without lots of hidden costs or add-ons.   At Amilla, that means no 'paywall' deterring guests from making the most of the pristine UNESCO biosphere Baa Atoll:  all water sports - non-motorised and motorised – are complimentary; guests can enjoy a daily 50-minute spa treatment as part of the room rate; and all child care is complimentary, from the Kids Club to au pairs, and a free babysitting service.   

Amilla's architecture was inspired by the simplicity of a traditional Maldivian house but with an added element of modernity and the resort is home to more purpose-designed island houses of two or more bedrooms than any other Maldives resort - perfect for families and groups of friends.   Spacious one and two-bed Beach Houses; 12-metre high, two-bed Tree Houses; and Lagoon, Ocean Lagoon and Ocean Reef  Houses ranging between 200 and 600 square metres all have their own large pool and are complemented by 12 stunning bespoke Beach Residences of three to six bedrooms*.

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Notes to editors:

* Beach Residences due for completion from April 2015. 

Headed by chairman Michael Flynn and co-founder and director Tom McLoughlin, The Small Maldives Island Co. is “the soul” of the resorts it manages.

Amilla Fushi and Finolhu are owned and currently being developed by Coastline Hotels and Resorts – part of the Coastline Group of companies, one of the Maldives' largest private companies, established in 1994. The Coastline Group is engaged in logistics; oil importing, storage and distribution; pilling and construction; building material supplies; hotel resort development; condominium development; airport ownership, development and operation; and luxury yacht and boat manufacturing. It is the largest importer and distributor of Fuel Related Products such as Marine Gasoil and Mo Gas to resorts in the Maldives, servicing 65 per cent of the country's resorts through its company Asian Gasoil. In addition to building both W Maldives and Huvafen Fushi, Coastline's recent developments within the tourism sector include Mudhdhoo island, subsequently acquired by Dusit Thani Hotels; Baa Atoll's Dharavandhoo Airport; and the soon-to-open Raa Ifhuru Airport.

For further press information please contact:

Lauren Hughes (lauren@bacall.net)  Nat Frogley (nat@bacall.net) or Claire Dabreo (Claire@bacall.net)

Bacall Associates Ltd, London.  Tel: +44 (0) 8704 288 401