THE RITZ-CARLTON MALDIVES | Phenomenal private island resort (full tour)
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is located in the North Malé Atoll, which is also home to the country’s main international airport The proximity to the airport ensures a smooth transfer, with a choice between a 10 min seaplane flight or a 45 min boat trip The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands comes into view The resort, which opened in 2021, has quickly earned a reputation as one of the Maldives' most exclusive resorts We're arriving at the resort's small welcome pavilion, which is connected by a jetty to an intimate open-air lobby The resort is set within an integrated development, called Fari Islands, a man-made archipelago consisting of four islands The Fari Islands are home to 3 resorts: The Ritz-Carlton, Patina Maldives, and The Capella Maldives (opening in 2027) The man-made Fari Islands were built using sand scooped from the ocean floor and layered atop living coral reefs To ensure the construction was as sustainable as possible, marine biologists were brought in to work with the architects Upon arrival, guests are taken to their villa by buggy Along the way, guests get a quick tour of the resort by a distinguished ‘Aris Meeha’ or butler The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is comprised of three small man-made islands and a circular overwater jetty The resort features 100 one- to three-bedroom villas, either set over crystal clear waters or nestled along beach coves Each villa comes with a pair of bicycles, so guests can explore the resort at their own pace Overwater villas either overlook the ocean or the lagoon I stayed in this villa during my holiday (room category: Lagoon Pool Villa) The round-shaped villa features a spacious bedroom with a kingsize bed in the center and a marble bathtub on the side A sitting & dining area is located on the room's other side, with some welcome amenities on display on the table The ensuite bathroom is equipped with double vanity, indoor & outdoor showers, and a separate toilet A large shaded sun deck features a private infinity pool and breathtaking views The villa has direct access to the lagoon The villa offers incredibly beautiful sunset views Let's explore The Ritz-Carlton Maldives' world-class facilities The resort features 7 distinct restaurants, one of them being La Locanda which is set on the 'culinary island' Each morning, La Locanda serves a delicious breakfast, while at night, it serves authentic southern Italian cuisine Breakfast comprises a sumptuous buffet & à la carte dishes Next to La Locanda Restaurant is Eau Bar, which welcomes guests to a laid-back pool-side setting At Eau Bar, guests can indulge in fresh oysters and caviar while sipping on tableside crafted cocktails Next to Eau Bar is a stunning round-shaped pool The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is designed by multi-award winning, Australia-based Kerry Hill Architects The design embraces the dual personality of the site, balancing the open ocean & calm lagoon with tranquil & active spaces The resort's round-shaped architecture resembles a Beru, which is a local drum used for indigenous dances and music Have you ever stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment Not far from the pool area is a tranquil garden, which is perfect for relaxation, contemplation and meditation A gravel path criscrosses the entire property and cycling through the lush vegetation is a pure delight The Ritz-Carlton features 5 beach coves, and its longest beach (Grand Sunset Beach) is found on the hotel's southern tip At the entrance of Grand Sunset Beach is the Beach Shack, a casual restaurant which serves Mediterranean cuisine Grand Sunset Beach - the resort's main beach - is home to a beach club, which dozens of loungers and shaded cabanas It's time for some ASMR moments as the waves gently lap against the soft sandy shore Each guest at the beach club gets an icebox holding cold water, cold towels, and refreshing mist Right behind Grand Sunset Beach is a fitness center The gym offers state-of-the-art equipment, personal training, classes and a yoga studio Let's bike the entire resort from Grand Sunset Beach to the overwater jetty Taking these very long video shots with a handheld iPhone does require some efforts :-) The resort's spa is housed in a striking ring-shaped sanctuary nestled over the turquoise lagoon The spa is operated in partnership with renowned sustainable and holistic wellness brand Bamford The spa offers a salon, a boutique and nine treatment rooms, including a spa suite with its own relaxation lounge Cardinal directions of each treatment room exude powerful energy complemented with healing massages The Ritz-Carlton Maldives offers fabulous sunset views Each evening, the sunset is celebrated at Eau Bar with a captivating drums and fire ritual Let's have dinner at the Beach Shack, which serves a "lobster dinner beneath the stars" on select nights The resort's signature restaurant is Summer Pavilion, which is set within a beautiful lantern-inspired overwater space The venue takes inspiration from The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore's Michelin-starred restaurant, serving Cantonese food Guests can also have dinner at Iwau, a Japanese open-air restaurant with a lively Japanese Chef’s Table If the weather is not great, Iwau's cuisine is served at Eau Bar Unfortunately, it's time to leave The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, as we're treated to one last magnificent sunrise
2024-02-18 00:05
