BAA ATOLL RESORTS JOINS FORCES FOR FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND DINEAROUND EXTRAVAGANZA

21 May 2018: Glamorous gourmets are looking forward to a new addition to the global gastronomic calendar this summer, as luxury Maldivian maverick Amilla Fushi and retro-chic resort Finolhu team up with fellow Baa Atoll resorts Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons, Dusit Thani and Vakkarau Maldives – to host the first ever 'Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018'.  The one-of-its-kind extravaganza will take place from 20 July – 3 August 2018, bringing the best each resort has to offer in the dining scene and establishing Baa Atoll as a must-visit summer destination for food lovers everywhere. Over a series of dedicated nights, guests will have a unique opportunity to experience the creativity, service and varied cuisines that Baa Atoll as a destination has to offer, and a rare chance to explore other islands during their stay.

Officially launching on Friday 20 July with a series of exclusive cocktail events for guests, the Baa Atoll Summer Festival will see each participating resort welcoming their neighbouring resorts' guests for a special set menu dinner in their featured dining restaurant – including Feeling Koi, Amilla's signature overwater restaurant and Finolhu's award-winning restaurant Kanusan – on designated nights over two consecutive weeks. Each resort will showcase its own 'dining scene' via a set menu priced at $120++ per person (excluding drinks), with special kids menus also available. Transportation will be organised by the participating resorts (minimum charge $25++ per person). For those wishing to repeat their experience in a specific resort, then special arrangements can also be made on request.

Each resort will also offer a calendar of activities to keep the entire family entertained, from watersports to kids' activities and more. Finally, on Sunday 3 August, the festival closing ceremony will see the resorts come together in celebration once again for a show-stopping Catamaran Regatta competition on a Sandbank at the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Schedule for the Baa Atoll Festival 2018:

• Saturday 21 July and Saturday 28 July: Amilla Fushi
• Sunday 22 July and 29 July: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
• Monday 23 July and 30 July: Finolhu
• Tuesday 24 July and 31 July: Dusit Thani
• Wednesday 25 July and 1 August: Soneva Fushi
• Thursday 26 July and 2 August: Vakkaru Maldives

A dedicated website (www.baaatollfestival.com) and Instagram account (@Baa_Atoll_Festival) will be updated daily with the latest beach activities, events and experiences.

#SummerFestival #DIneAroundInBaa #TourDeBaa #ItsBetterInBaa #DineAround

-ENDS-

About Amilla Fushi
Located just 30 minutes by seaplane from Malé International (Velana International Airport), Amilla Fushi offers a choice of 59 Houses that sit gracefully over crystal clear waters, nestle among lush tree tops or hug the shores of pristine white sand; plus eight spectacular four- to eight-bedroom Beach Residences ideally suited to large families, groups of friends and VVIPs seeking the ultimate in space and privacy. Amilla's innovative restaurants range from the diverse, informal foodie hub Baazaar to the relaxed yet sophisticated overwater dining at the signature Feeling Koi. Guests can even drop in to gourmet café and deli The Emperor General Store or The Wine Shop & Cellar Door to treat themselves to lighter snacks, a favourite bottle or a gourmet selection of artisanal cheeses. With an unrivalled range of purpose-designed multi-bedroom accommodation options, and an exciting, inspiring and active Kids' Club The Sultan's Village, Amilla Fushi is putting the Maldives on the map as a destination not just for couples, but for families and friends.

About Finolhu
Just 30 minutes by speedboat from sister resort Amilla Fushi, Finolhu is a stylish and eclectic retreat with a buzzy bon-vivant vibe and a refreshing, retro-inspired burst of fun for the region. Bringing toes-in-the-sand relaxation to fun-loving beach-erati alongside the best DJs, live acts and most fabulously chic parties in the Maldives. Finolhu's 125 villas come on the ocean, the lagoon or by the beach, with or without pool in either one or two bedroom options being the ultimate island experience for chic couples, fun-loving families and gatherings of friends alike.

Located in the UNESCO world biosphere of Baa Atoll, both resorts can be reached by either seaplane in just 30 minutes from Velana (Malé) International Airport or by a 20 minute flight to Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport in Baa Atoll followed by a short speedboat ride.

About The Small Maldives Island Co
The Small Maldives Island Co's main focus is on Resort Management in the Maldives for Coastline Hotels and Resorts.

Amilla Fushi and sister resort Finolhu are owned 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 newly opened Raa Ifhuru Airport.

For further press information please contact:
Kate Faulkner (kate@bacall.net), Sarah Harvey (sarah@bacall.net) or Nat Frogley (nat@bacall.net) at  Bacall Associates or Tel: +44 (0) 207 360 2880.