The Ritz‑Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is a five‑star resort set in the North Malé Atoll, around 50 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport. Part of Marriott International and designed by Kerry Hill, it sits within the Fari Islands, a new luxury development that brings together three resorts — The Ritz‑Carlton, Patina Maldives and the upcoming Capella Maldives — as well as the Fari Marina Village. This village is home to the Fari Beach Club, boutiques and a collection of shared dining and cultural spaces. While guests are free to explore these wider facilities, The Ritz‑Carlton itself feels self‑contained, offering overwater and beachfront villas, a full‑service spa, multiple restaurants and bars, a dive centre and a wide range of recreational and wellness activities.

Since opening in mid‑2021, it has quickly become one of the best, if not the best, hotels in Marriott’s Maldives portfolio.

*Kindly hosted as part of a press visit with Marriott Maldives.

Speedboat Transfer from Malé to The Ritz-Carlton

We had just come from The Westin and had to travel back to Malé to pick up the speedboat for The Ritz‑Carlton. At Malé we were met by a friendly representative, Lana, who guided us to the marina and handled everything for us. There was a short wait of around 30 minutes before boarding. The speedboat itself was one of the most stylish we’ve ever seen, with sleek interiors and extremely comfortable seating. It was so smooth that I actually slept the entire way — something I never manage to do on boats. We were each given our own snack box filled with nuts and treats and offered drinks as we set off. The transfer took about 50 minutes. There were only four of us on board — just me, my husband and two other guests — which made the journey feel private and very luxurious.

Arriving at the Ritz-Carlton

As soon as we stepped off the boat we were welcomed by a large group of staff, including Dan, the Resort Manager, Canan and Tatiana from Marketing and our Aris Meeha, Maryam. Walking along the jetty, a staff member blew a conch shell to mark our arrival, which felt like a special moment — like stepping onto a private island far removed from the world. Maryam then gave us a short buggy tour around the island, pointing out the restaurants and facilities before taking us to our villa. The first thing that struck us was the quiet. After the noise of the seaplane, airport and boat, the stillness of the island was almost overwhelming and it took a few minutes for our ears to adjust.

Aris Meeha

Every guest is assigned an Aris Meeha — a dedicated butler who is your main point of contact during your stay. Maryam stayed in touch with us via WhatsApp and was always available for anything we needed, whether it was calling a buggy, making a restaurant reservation or arranging activities. Her efficiency and kindness added a layer of comfort that made every day seamless.

Villa Options

The resort offers a variety of contemporary accommodation, with both beachfront and overwater villas, offering a modern alternative to the traditional thatched‑roof style seen across much of the Maldives. Options include Sunrise and Sunset Beach Pool Villas, larger Two‑Bedroom Beach Pool Villas, Sunrise and Sunset Overwater Pool Villas, and a Two‑Bedroom Overwater Pool Villa. For the ultimate in privacy, The Ritz‑Carlton Estate offers four bedrooms, expansive living areas and its own dedicated team.

Every villa features a private pool, a generous outdoor area, and direct access to either the beach or the lagoon. Inside, you’ll find a spacious wardrobe area, Bamford amenities, blackout blinds, a complimentary snack bar, and thoughtful daily touches from the team.

Sunset Beach Pool Villa

We stayed in a Sunset Beach Pool Villa and were immediately impressed by the sense of space and privacy. Bicycles were parked outside for us, and inside we found treats left on the table and a welcome note from Dan. The villa was huge, with plenty of storage — a wardrobe so large that our three suitcases fit with room to spare, and ample space for hanging clothes. The bathroom was stocked daily with Bamford products, robes, (his and hers) slippers, double sinks and both an indoor and outdoor shower. The built‑in soaking tub became our favourite feature of the room. The snack bar was complimentary and refilled every day. The king bed faced directly out to our private deck, pool and the beach beyond. Floor‑to‑ceiling doors ran the length of the villa, opening up to create an indoor‑outdoor living space, with blinds and black‑out curtains operated at the touch of a button. Outside we had a double sunbed and separate seating area.

Each villa is also stocked with an iconic Ritz‑Carlton beach bag and two sun hats. They turned out to be surprisingly useful for getting around the island, and the best part is that you can take them home with you.

On our final night we returned to find a bubble bath drawn, a bottle of red wine and chocolate cake waiting, and the TV playing a crackling fireplace. Throughout our stay staff greeted us by name and our villa attendant left personalised messages written in the sand outside our door — small but memorable details that define true ultra‑luxury.

Beach Pool Villa – Two Bedroom

During our stay we were shown around a two‑bedroom Beach Pool Villa. It offers the same features as the one‑bedroom villa but on a far larger scale, with a separate living room, an expanded pool and extra outdoor seating areas. It felt more like a private estate, the kind of space you might expect from a celebrity’s holiday home.

Overwater Villas

The overwater villas are set above the lagoon, offering sweeping ocean views. Each has a private infinity pool, a sun deck with steps straight into the sea, and the same spacious interiors and amenities as the beach villas. Staying here gives you the classic Maldivian experience of waking up surrounded by water, with uninterrupted sunrise or sunset views.

Dining at the Resort

We were on the full board package, which covers breakfast, lunch and dinner at selected venues. The resort also offers half board and bed‑and‑breakfast options if you prefer more flexibility. Across the island there are several restaurants and bars, each with its own style and setting, from relaxed beachfront dining to elegant overwater venues. Guests can also visit the nearby Fari Marina Village, which offers additional dining and cultural options as part of the wider Fari Islands development.

EAU BAR

On our first evening we joined the Defining Moment ceremony at Eau Bar, located beside the resort’s main pool, which many describe as one of the best pools in the world. As the sun set, a ring of fire was lit to mark the final moments of daylight — a beautiful tradition unique to the resort.

We stayed on for fine‑dining Japanese, and I was given a dedicated vegetarian menu with plenty of choice. I had Vegetable Tempura followed by a Tofu Steak with Garlic Fried Rice, while my husband ordered the Dynamite Tempura Prawn Rolls and Australian Wagyu Beef Tataki. For dessert we shared the Chocolate Fingers, without doubt the best dessert I have ever eaten.

LA LOCANDA

Breakfast is served at La Locanda, a floating restaurant overlooking the ocean. It is rare to find such views included as part of breakfast rather than a premium experience. On our first morning, we were seated at a two‑seater table directly facing the water, so we both enjoyed the view equally. The breakfast buffet included fresh pastries, fruit, cooked dishes and live cooking stations.

On our final day, we returned to La Locanda for lunch, which offers fine dining Italian cuisine. For starters, we shared warm focaccia, followed by my Pappa al Pomodoro with Burrata and my husband’s Tartare di Tonno. For mains, I chose the Margherita di Bufala, while my husband had the Pollo alla Cacciatora — which he described as the best dish of his life. For dessert, he enjoyed the Tiramisu, finishing every bite, and Chef Lorenzo surprised us with a tasting of his Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli. We were the only diners that afternoon, and with the restaurant’s open design, we could imagine how beautiful it would be to sit there during a tropical rainstorm — sheltered yet surrounded by the elements.

SUMMER PAVILION

On our second night, we dined at Summer Pavilion, the resort’s fine dining Chinese restaurant, also set over the water. The mood lighting and presentation were beautiful. I had a Vegetable Spring Roll and Vegan Fried Rice, while my husband chose the Wok-Fried Rib Eye Beef with Asparagus and the Wagyu Beef Dumplings. Though we’re not the biggest fans of Chinese cuisine, the presentation and service were excellent.

BEACH SHACK

For lunch on our second day we ate at the Beach Shack, which is inspired by the laid‑back style of Mykonos. We sat in a shaded cabana on the sand, looking out over the ocean, with chilled music playing in the background. I had a Beyond Beef Burger while my husband had a Signature Beef Burger.

On our final evening we returned for a cocktail event hosted by Dan, the resort manager. Staff greeted us with drinks and canapés, and Executive Chef Pedro personally brought out additional vegetarian options for me. A Maldivian singer performed live as the sun set and the buffet spread was one of the best we have seen. It felt like the setting of a private celebration and was a perfect way to end our stay.

Entertainment & Activities

The resort offers far more than relaxation. There is a tennis court, a fully equipped gym with ocean views, and a games room complete with PlayStation, pool table and board games. The Jean‑Michel Cousteau–inspired dive centre organises snorkelling safaris, PADI courses, dolphin cruises and jet‑ski tours. The kids’ club is unlike anything we’ve seen before, with its own water slide, splash areas, creative play zones and babysitting services. There are yoga sessions at sunrise and sunset, marine biology workshops, cooking classes and sound baths. And one of our favourite simple pleasures was cycling around the island on our complimentary bikes, exploring every corner at our own pace.

Spa Facilities

The spa is architecturally impressive, built in a circular design floating over the lagoon and surrounded by overwater villas. It offers a comprehensive menu of treatments including Ayurvedic therapies, body scrubs, body wraps, couples massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, makeup, and scalp and hair treatments. Fitness classes and in-suite massages are also available, along with kids’ services and instructions in massage techniques. The spa features private overwater treatment rooms, a steam room, a therapy bath, a sauna, a salon, and relaxing lounge areas.

We were gifted a 60-minute full-body massage, and the service was excellent throughout. When the therapist noticed my sunburn, they adjusted the treatment and gave me aloe vera to take back to the villa — a thoughtful touch that made a real difference.

Nearby Highlights

One afternoon we jet‑skied out to a sandbank around 15 minutes from the resort, guided by a member of the dive centre team. It was one of the most surreal experiences of our lives — a long stretch of white sand with tides lapping from both sides, and not another person in sight. A curious, small shark and a stingray swam close to shore as we explored, and we captured some of our best drone shots to date. The whole scene felt like something from a Bond film.

Summary

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is without doubt the best resort we have ever stayed at. The service, attention to detail, personalised touches, and the way staff greeted us by name, combined with the design, architecture, and location, resulted in an experience unlike any other. It will take a lot to beat, and we know we’ll be dreaming about this place for a long time. We will be back!

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