Background: With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Anthony Gill holds the position of General Manager at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. Anthony has successfully rebranded luxury properties, including the Four Seasons Resort Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam and brought expertise from managing Four Seasons properties in China and Thailand to the Maldivian property. His dynamic leadership and rich background in international food and beverage management positioned him to guide Patina Maldives into a new era as a transformative luxury destination, creating meaningful experiences in harmony with the island as a marine sanctuary.
What inspired the creation and concept of Patina Maldives, and how does it align with the resort's philosophy?
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands was envisioned as a transformative retreat where luxury and nature exist in perfect harmony, offering guests an immersive experience that deepens their connection with themselves and the world around them. Our name reflects an evolving journey—one that brings a fresh perspective to hospitality. At the heart of our philosophy is 'Perpetuality,' a commitment to sustainable practices that positively impact both people and place. Every aspect of our design and operations is carefully crafted to respect and enhance the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Driven by a desire to redefine luxury, Patina Maldives blends modern elegance with eco-conscious design and authentic cultural experiences. We go beyond offering a place to stay; we create meaningful experiences where sustainability and well-being take centre stage. Our philosophy revolves around fostering connections—whether with nature, the community, or within oneself—through personalised service and innovative design. Our core pillars—Perspective, Place, Pace, and the Patina Spirit—are woven into every aspect of our resort programming, shaping transformative luxury moments tailored to the desires of our guests. More than just a destination, Patina Maldives is a sanctuary that embodies the spirit of the island while delivering an elevated guest experience.
Sustainability seems to be a core focus at Patina. Can you share some of the key initiatives the resort has implemented to promote environmental responsibility?
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is proud to be recognised as a Green Collection hotel by Global Hotel Alliance (GHA). The resort has adopted a holistic approach to marine conservation by providing guests with knowledge and opportunities to experience the conservation efforts first-hand. We have implemented a comprehensive coral propagation project, making us the first resort in the Maldives to use ceramic structures to aid coral growth. To date, our marine biologist, along with the guests, teammates and local students have completed over 62 coral frames and 70 ceramic structures, with more than 4,000 coral fragments planted into the reef and nurturing 12 fish species. Guests of all ages can adopt their own coral and take part in our coral seeding and planting project, complete with personalised frames and name tags—guided by our in-house marine biologist. To enhance their underwater adventures, guests can also attend engaging marine talks to learn about the iconic marine life of the Maldives before diving in.
Through a collaborative effort with the Olive Ridley Project, we've identified and introduced seven unique individuals into the Olive Ridley Project’s turtle database. Notably, our efforts have uncovered a previously undiscovered turtle within the waters of the Fari Islands, highlighting the potential of this method to expand our knowledge of the local marine life. Seven Hawksbill turtles, a species that is listed as critically endangered have been included in this identification effort, further enhancing our understanding of and dedication to their conservation. We also retrieve ghost nets—abandoned fishing gear lost at sea—and upcycled them into souvenirs. Our engaging workshops invite guests to participate in crafting bracelets from the very nets that once threatened our seas. The workshops, led by our resident marine biologist, aim to educate guests about marine conservation's importance and the devastating effects of ghost nets on marine ecosystems.
Our resort was constructed using sustainable architecture and design principles. We utilised 'Mass Engineered Timber' (MET) and prefabricated villas, reducing carbon emissions by over 6,000 tons and minimising runoff into the marine ecosystem. Departing from the conventional thatched roof structures prevalent in the Maldives, villas were designed with flat roofs, allowing solar panels to be easily mounted. In our commitment to renewable energy, we plan to expand our solar energy usage to 50% of the resort's energy needs within the next five years. Currently, solar panels contribute 15% of our energy, with plans to increase this to 20.8% by installing additional rooftop panels on all beach villas.
To reduce our import footprint, we maintain an organic permaculture garden that cultivates pesticide-free produce, including watermelon, sweet melon, okra, eggplant, cucumber, capsicum, and pumpkin. Food waste is converted into organic fertiliser through bio-digesters. Plant-based Roots, one of the resort’s signature restaurants, operates on the root-to -leaf principle to encourage guests to adopt a more conscious and conscientious lifestyle.
Our Kid’s Club 'Footprints' programme also offers educational activities for younger guests, such as turning recycled ocean plastic into models using 3D printing and laser-cutting technology. We also offer introductory snorkelling sessions and trial dives for children under 12, along with snorkelling excursions and discovery diving lessons for teenagers eager to explore the marine ecosystem.
How does Patina integrate wellness into the guest experience, and what unique offerings are available in this regard?
Our island offers guests more than just a private water villa in Maldives - it inspires growth, connection, wellbeing and nourishment. At Patina Maldives, we embrace a holistic approach to wellness, ensuring that every guest finds rejuvenation and balance during their stay. Our wellness philosophy is designed to cultivate life-affirming vitality through a blend of therapeutic practices, biohacking, movement, and mindful experiences. The spa and gym spaces have just been renovated and expanded so we will have some very exciting news to share soon.
Our spa serves as a sanctuary where guests can enjoy a variety of treatments that harmonise the body and mind. The spa features specialised suites, including a room dedicated to Watsu therapy and a floatation zone that soothes mind and body, alongside warm plunge pools, cold showers for vascular benefits, and red-light therapy to encourage cellular renewal.
Beyond the spa, our wellness offerings extend to a variety of activities designed to invigorate and inspire. Guests can participate in movement sessions, creative workshops, and retreats with visiting practitioners, all aimed at supporting balance and inspiration. These experiences are seamlessly integrated into the vibrant cultural hub of Fari Marina Village, providing a holistic environment for personal growth and connection.
For our younger guests, the 'Footprints' programme offers activities that promote well-being from an early age. This includes workshops that introduce children to the importance of healthy living through engaging activities that encompass nutrition, creativity, and fun.
Could you elaborate on the dining experiences at Patina and how the resort showcases Maldivian and global flavours?
Each of our 13 concepts presents a fresh perspective on what a Maldives restaurant should be, where the best ingredients and processes take centre stage. Our chefs preserve time-honoured techniques with a dash of originality to foster a universal connection through food. We offer a range of cuisines, from Maldivian and Mediterranean flavours to Patagonian and Asian dishes and a Japanese and Nordic fusion restaurant. In addition, through our signature lifestyle programming The Perpetual Journey, we host various residences with acclaimed Chefs from all over the world throughout the year.
What’s one memorable experience or guest story that truly exemplifies the magic of Patina Maldives?
One moment that truly captures the spirit of Patina Maldives was when a multi-generational family joined our coral propagation programme. From grandparent to grandchild, each planted a coral - an intimate act of legacy and care for the ocean. We recorded each contribution, creating a living testament beneath the waves. It was a poignant reminder that at Patina, luxury is found in meaningful moments that leave infinite imprints.How does Patina Maldives cater to diverse guest preferences, from families to honeymooners or solo travellers, in a personalised way?
Patina Maldives is a sanctuary for all types of travellers. For families, we offer a range of activities that bring everyone together, such as guided snorkelling adventures, beach games, and cooking classes. For honeymooners, we curate intimate experiences that feel like a secluded escape—where it truly seems as if you’ve left the rest of the world behind. From sunset cruises and couple’s massages to floating dinners under the stars and romantic bubble baths, every detail is thoughtfully designed to turn their dream honeymoon into reality. Guests can even capture these special moments with a one-hour photoshoot or sleep under the stars, as part of our new package ‘Patina Loves’.
Our private dining experiences add another layer of magic—from location to ambience and flavours, our events team can curate a truly memorable meal. Whether it’s a candlelit dinner on the beach, a floating tray served in the villa pool, or a sunset cinema experience paired with gourmet bites, every moment is meant to be savoured.
Solo travellers can find their peace through mindfulness sessions, quiet beachfront moments, bespoke wellness retreats, or embark on a gastronomic adventure. The depths of our reefs also invite exploration, revealing the ocean’s best-kept secrets to curious snorkellers and divers alike.
The resort’s accommodations, from beach villas to overwater bungalows, are designed to provide privacy, comfort, and personalisation for each type of guest. Every experience at the resort is highly curated and engaging, with a focus on individual needs, ensuring each person finds their own unique escape at Patina Maldives.
What role does the resort play in supporting the local community and preserving the surrounding environment?
We believe in giving back to the local community and playing a vital role in the preservation of the environment. Patina Maldives partners with local artisans to promote and support traditional Maldivian crafts and create authentic, locally inspired experiences for our guests. The resort’s conservation efforts are rooted in its belief in effecting and empowering lasting change. With this in mind, the resort provides a range of hands-on educational programs - helping to raise next-generation awareness of the local ocean environment Our environmental initiatives, such as coral reef restoration and marine life conservation, directly benefit the surrounding ecosystems. Furthermore, our community engagement extends to training and employment opportunities, empowering local talent and contributing to a more inclusive and resilient future.
Looking toward the future, are there any exciting developments or new offerings guests can anticipate at Patina Maldives?
Looking ahead, we’re always working on new ways to elevate the guest experience. One of the most exciting developments is our ongoing signature lifestyle programming, The Perpetual Journey—a highly curated series of soul-freeing experiences. Designed to inspire growth, connection, well-being, and nourishment, this purpose-driven lineup will deepen guests’ connection with themselves and the world around them. It promises enriching, meaningful, and immersive activities that celebrate the symphony of nature, wellness, creativity, and adventure.
This season’s highlights include South American and Italian culinary artistry, elite football training sessions with FC Bayern Munich, ocean conservation celebrations, and transformative wellness residencies led by martial arts and Watsu masters. Alongside this, we’re also expanding our wellness offerings with new retreats and holistic experiences that embrace both the physical and spiritual dimensions of well-being.
We are equally excited to introduce a more immersive cultural exchange programme and a dynamic pipeline of activations in partnership with Fari Islands. At Patina Maldives, we’re committed to ensuring that every visit feels soul-freeing—continually innovating and surprising our guests with highly curated, engaging experiences that reflect our passion for purposeful luxury and meaningful connection.
