It's not hard to appreciate how relaxing a day on an isolated white-sand beach with palm trees and crystal-clear waters can be. Nothing beats the tranquility of a tropical island escape.
Crowned the world’s leading destination for six years (2020 - 2025) by World Travel Awards, the Maldives stands out as one of the best places for such a getaway. The archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean has the right blend of natural beauty on land and underwater to deliver the calming vacation you deserve.
The Maldives is made up of 1,192 islands across 26 atolls, with many hosting some of the best resorts on the planet. There's an abundance of beautiful beaches, rich coral reefs, and mind-blowing lagoons.
The Maldives shares its fame for overwater-villa filled resorts with Bora Bora, with the main difference being the French Polynesian location’s volcanic profile and the backdrop of Mount Otemanu. Beyond that, the experiences are relatively similar.
Boasting of some of the best resort villas in the country, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers a great way to enjoy the best of the Maldives, with the added prestige of the Waldorf Astoria brand.
Originating in Manhattan, New York, Waldorf Astoria (now under the Hilton umbrella) is a luxury hotel brand with properties in top vacation destinations across the globe. The chain offers luxury stays with an emphasis on fine dining, first-class service, and memorable experiences.
At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, that brand identity is expressed through a resort featuring private villas, delectable cuisine across a variety of restaurants, and sublime views of the ocean.
Ithaafushi - The Pearl Island
Ithaafushi, which means "pearl island' in English, is on the South Malé atoll. It is the largest private island in the Maldives and home to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The property spans 32,000 sq m and features 117 reef, beach, and overwater villas. Guests arrive via a 45-minute yacht ride from Velana International Airport on Hulhulé Island, which is north of Ithaafushi and east of Malé, the nation's capital.
The Villas
You may have noticed that resorts on the Red Sea have taken overwater villas to a whole new level with polished futuristic designs. However, those new-wave villas haven’t dulled the appeal of the traditional overwater villa. There’s something alluring about these traditional villas, particularly for those who cherish being close to nature.
But don’t let the look deceive you. These villas offer world-class comfort with tastefully furnished living spaces, freestanding bathtubs, indoor-outdoor showers, and private infinity pools.
The resort's reef, beach, and overwater villas are each set in their own private spaces. The overwater villas in particular have a special appeal. They range in size from 283 to 1.113 sq m and have up to three bedrooms.
They feature glass floors revealing clear blue waters beneath and floor-to-ceiling windows to keep the unreal exterior in full view. Add to that the direct access to the water, and you have the perfect base for your water adventures.
Dining
Dining at the resort has enough variety to deliver guest experiences that satisfy most preferences. There are ten restaurants and bars ranging from casual outdoor beachfront dining to formal venues with incredible views.
Terra is one of the signature restaurants, with dining in seven treetop bamboo nests overlooking the ocean. Here, guests can enjoy delights like Miyazake Wagyu beef, steamed Alaskan king crab, and Alba white truffle. Another eatery to look forward to is the floating Zuma, where guests can enjoy the Japanese izakaya dining that has made the restaurant chain famous.
The custom-built oven at The Ledge brings Dave Pynt’s famed One-Michelin-starred Burnt Ends wood-fired Australian barbecue to the Maldives. It's no secret that getting a table at Burnt Ends is challenging, so think of The Ledge as a more accessible path to enjoying great Aussie barbecue. Other dining options include Li Long, Tasting Table, The Rock, and Nava.
Experiences
Guests can enjoy diving, snorkeling, fishing, sunset cruises, and glass-bottomed boat tours without a need to leave the resort. Additional activities include catamaran sailing, kayaking, surfing, Stand-up paddleboarding, and windsurfing. The pristine waters are simply begging to be explored in your own way.
The fun is not restricted to the water, though. On land, you can enjoy tennis with complimentary lessons, padel, painting, and crafts. Guests traveling with children can keep them occupied at the resort's Star Club, where the little ones can enjoy movies, storytelling, and other fun activities.
Wellness
Wellness at the resort centers on the spa, which offers the first wellness concierge service in the Maldives. Here, a combination of treatments and expert care is tailored to the guest’s goals and preferences. The spa menu includes restorative treatments and structured wellness programs.
If you overindulge in the resort's delightful cuisine, the 24-hour fitness center features Technogym equipment, perfect for burning off the extra calories. The center also offers personal training and classes in boxing and Pilates. In addition, the resort’s Aqua Wellness Center has a hydrotherapy pool, ice fountain, sauna, and steam room.
Special Events
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi seeks to elevate the guest experience with a variety of events. Recognizing the growing popularity of padel, the hotel will host a limited-availability padel residency with Martita Ortega, the youngest player to reach World No. 1 in the World Padel Tour. The program includes a private meet-and-greet, on-court training sessions, and private play with Ortega. The event runs from 18th -19th of August.
A culinary residency is planned from October 12 to 18, when Dave Pynt is scheduled to be at The Ledge. The program will include signature dining events, bespoke beach barbecue experiences, and one-to-one culinary lessons.
