It’s the eternal question on the Maldives’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Baa Atoll: beach or above-water villa? At Somewhere, the first phase of .Here—the new top-notch offering from Seaside Collection, who run nearby Finolhu—there’s no need to choose. Each of the seven residences stretches across the width of the island: sand at one end and that covetable ladder straight into the Indian Ocean at the other. Designed by Singapore’s KulörGroup with interiors by Inge Moore of London’s Muza Lab, the two-story villas are inspired by dhoni boats and Feyli sarongs. They have appealing outdoor showers, hammocks, sun loungers, swings, and suspended sky infinity pools on the first floor that drop to a cascading waterfall, leading to another small plunge pool below. As far as interiors go, the soft furnishings are tactile and textured, all voluminous cushions, cloud lamps, and fringed curtains. Dream accommodation aside, guests come here for the experiences, and setting them up is a breeze. A Roohu (butler) is assigned to each residence, conjuring everything from spa treatments to activities at the Water Sports Centre (where eco-conscious guests can dive deeper on a Coral Conservation Course, snorkeling the reef alongside marine biologists). Chef Georgios Vasilopoulos, previously of Raffles Dubai and Nobu Matsuhisa Mykonos, oversees the open-air restaurant Safar. He also served as personal chef to the royal family of Jordan, and while he remains tight-lipped about the experience, he has no such qualms about blowing guests away with his seafood barbecues. Guests of Somewhere can also pop to Finolhu for dinner at the Crab Shack, body care rituals at the Fehi Spa, and play time at the Oceaneers kids’ club. The second phase of the resort, Nowhere, designed for total buyouts, is set to open in April 2026 with two palatial residences (a three-bedroom and a five-bedroom) and Fehi Wellness, a dedicated spa, all on their own private island. From $17,918.07. —Divia Thani
