The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C today announced its debut in the Maldives, with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Located on the Fari Islands, an archipelago on the north-eastern tip of North Malé Atoll, the area is famous for its untouched white-sand beaches and brilliant azure waters teeming with marine life.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is inspired by its natural surroundings, including the elements of swirling water and ocean breezes, which are incorporated into a design narrative that is rooted in the shape of a circle that also represents the flow of island life.
The resort features 100 one- to three-bedroom villas, either set over crystal clear waters, or nestled along pristine beach coves, each offering living spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors with panoramic sliding doors, a sun deck with a private infinity pool and views. Inspired by the ancient royal customs of the Maldivian royal courts, each room is assigned an ‘Aris Meeha‘ or island butler to take care of your needs during the stay at the island.
There are seven culinary venues, featuring high-end dining, beachfront luxury, and wellness-centered menus. Within a beautiful lantern-inspired overwater space, Summer Pavilion takes inspiration from The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore’s Michelin-starred restaurant, showcasing contemporary Cantonese cuisine. Iwau, or ‘celebrate’ in Japanese, is an open-air restaurant with two teppanyaki grills for a multi-sensory dining experience.
La Locanda serves espressos in the morning, while aperitifs in the setting sun preludes an evening of delightful southern Italian cuisine. The family-friendly Beach Shack is inspired by the carefree spirit and relaxed cuisines of the Mediterranean, featuring shared plates and grilled seafoods. Eau Bar welcomes guests to a laid-back setting, where guests can indulge in fresh oysters and caviar while sipping on tableside crafted cocktails, while afternoon tea gets a Maldivian twist and sunset is celebrated each evening with a captivating drums and fire ritual.
Two of the resort’s venues are located at Fari Marina, an eight-minute journey in a dhoni, a traditional wooden fishing boat, from the resort island to Fari Marina Village. Arabesque is a tribute to a traditional Bedouin tent, inviting diners on a culinary journey from Lebanon to North India. Tum Tum is a food truck serving light Asian delights; a welcome stop in the middle of a day of shopping and exploration.
Activated for the first time in Asia-Pacific, the adventures with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program inspires guests to connect with nature and ocean life, and to safeguard it for future generations. The programming available at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands highlights the rich culture and unique ecosystem of the destination through immersive experiences designed for children, adults and local residents, including a family cooking class, a bike safari around the resort and a “Wonders of Water” ocean mystery program facilitated by one of the program’s resident naturalists.
The resort’s Ritz Kids program offers a total of 30 activities aimed at inspiring wonder and discovery, including a signature Ritz Kids treasure hunt, as well as a fun program for teens that includes lessons with expert drone cinematographers. The resort also caters to all levels of scuba enthusiasts and snorkelers with a dedicated dive center in partnership with Dive Butler International. Guests can also choose leisurely cruises on traditional dhonis for a chance to encounter dolphins, or swim with turtles and manta rays.
In addition to the fitness retreats, the resort also features a tennis program with coaching, as well as visiting professionals and in-resort tournaments. By a campfire at the Beach Shack, the resort’s resident expert on the sea, or Moodhu Edhuru, evokes ancient traditions with traditional tales of life on the Maldivian archipelagos. Guests can also participate in a boduberu drumming class.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, in partnership with renowned sustainable and holistic wellness brand Bamford, is a sanctuary of tranquil relaxation over the turquoise lagoon. The spa offers nine treatment rooms including a spa suite with its own relaxation lounge, a salon and a boutique. Cardinal directions of each treatment room exude powerful energy, and a menu of spa treatments and healing massages also features a botanical and artisanal body and skincare collection by Bamford.
Easily accessible via a scenic ten-minute seaplane ride, or a 45-minute luxury boat ride from Velana International Airport, the resort is part of the picturesque Fari Marina with its vibrant Beach Club, boutiques and eateries forming the archipelago’s communal heart.