Finolhu opens in Baa Atoll, The Maldives

Just opened in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO-declared World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, is Finolhu, the sister property to nearby Amilla Fushi under the auspices of The Small Maldives Island Co.

Promising "DJs, live acts and parties", Finolhu's demographic is a tad more lively than its glam older sibling with its divine private residences and upmarket offerings. But it's a luxury property nonetheless.

Finolhu has an almost two-kilometre-long sand bank and 125 villas, some with their own pools. Teens will gravitate to Thunderball, a water sports, beach games and teen club. The Oceaneers Club is for younger kids, offering sports and games, cooking classes and crafts, and activities in and on the water, and the Marine HUB (Home of the Underwater Biosphere) offers water activities including diving, snorkelling trips and other excursions.

Spa, wellness and pampering facilities include The Cove Club, a fitness centre, "movement pavilion" and gym, steam/sauna, salon and retail pavilion.

Food and beverage service centres around the Baa Baa Beach Club handling breakfast, cooking stations and cocktails.

Other food outlets include the Fish & Crab Shack halfway along the sandbar, serving buckets of prawns, among other seafood dishes, and drinks.

Dining space Kanusan on the tip of the island comprises an over-water bar area, indoor space and al fresco lower deck with an open kitchen.

At night, the two-storey Beach Club Bar offers food and wine, big screens showing classic movies and sports, a game arcade, views and music.

There's a weekly "Retro Pool Party", a monthly "Full Moon Tribal sandbar party" and a calendar of events promising "one-off extravaganzas featuring appearances from the world's coolest performers and hottest DJs".

Opening rates from $US915 ($1240) a villa a night (standard occupancy) with breakfast. See finolhu.mv