W Maldives was the very first retreat created by the W Hotels Worldwide. The CEO and creator of the W Hotels, Barry S. Sternlicht said, “With its’ pure white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and careful and pristine approach to tourism, the Maldives is an excellent location for our first W resort”.
W Maldives has come a long way since its official opening in 2006. Owned by the world’s fastest growing luxury brand, the W Maldives continues to thrive and flourish even a decade later. Let’s take a look at what makes this exotic island a ‘luxury playground’.
1. Whatever/ Whenever Policy
W Maldives’ Whatever/Whenever policy dares you to think up whatever your heart desires during your stay, and the staff will be happy to oblige. At the crack of dawn or midnight, the Whatever/Whenever team claims, “We’re always here for you. Anything. Just ask”. Now, this is a hotel policy we can get on board with.
2. W Airport Lounge
After exhausting hours of travel and multiple flights, the last thing you want to do is wait around in a crowded airport. Thankfully, this is where the W Lounge comes in. Your long-awaited holiday journey begins here, at the Velana International Airport of Maldives. W Maldives has it’s very own private airport lounge where you will be escorted to as soon as you land. With bags out of hand and welcome drinks instead, you have a chance to freshen up, relax, and even have some snacks while you wait for your seaplane journey to W Maldives.
3. House Reef To Die
As your 25 minute seaplane ride ends and you land on sea, the first thing you notice is the blindly beautiful hues of blue. W Maldives is home to the one of the best house reefs found in the Maldives. The resort offers an adventure of a lifetime, a chance to swim and snorkel with turtles, rays and reef sharks. The house reef is accessible anywhere on the resort, just walk a few steps outside your villa and jump in.
4. Gaathafushi Island – The Private Island
Gaathafushi is a pristine little secluded island, for guests to reserve to spend the day or stay overnight. You can escape away to this wild gem only moments away from W Maldives, to indulge in complete peace and serenity. You can reserve the island for romantic dinners, surprise proposals or just to lounge around on your very own island, because who hasn’t had that dream? The private island comes with a personal chef who will prepare your dinner, and if you do decide to stay the night, breakfast will be brought to you from the Resort. Hurrah!
5. ESCAPE – Luxury Yacht
W Maldives’ very own private luxury yacht, ESCAPE, is available for guests to charter and voyage over the dazzling Indian Ocean. Guests can charter the yacht for Dinner On Escape, with your own private chef preparing your favorite cuisine to wine and dine at sea. The luxury yacht is also available for a Sunset Cruise; for sunset lovers, and Overnight Experience; for guests to encounter whale sharks at the south of Ari Atoll. ESCAPE is also available as an airport transfer; for guests to cruise from W Maldives to the Airport, island hopping and snorkeling along the way.
6. Fifteen Below
Pushing the limits of the Whenever/Wherever concept, Fifteen Below is the one and only underground nightclub in the Maldives. Aptly named, the underground Sushi Bar and Nightclub is 15 feet below the sand. With a resident DJ playing electrifying music, you can enjoy the authentic Japanese dishes served at the club, inspired by the graffiti artist who designed the eccentric nightclub; Shiro One. For guests who want to dance with a vodka in hand, after a long lazy day at the beach, 15Below is the place to be.
7. AWAY Spa
For a much needed proper pamper session guests can visit the AWAY Spa, the private sanctuary located a long ways from everything else at W Maldives. The AWAY Spa is known for it’s unique and personalized treatments. The spa therapists will customize a special spa therapy suited solely for your body’s needs. Each treatment is at an outdoor veranda that comes with a bathtub, rain shower and lounge bed. It provides an unmatched view of the house reef and horizon, for when you just need to get AWAY.
8. Make WAVES, DOWN UNDER
To make sure the guests can venture deeper into the mystical waters and beach lifestyle of Maldives, the resort has WAVE; a water sports center, and DOWN UNDER; a diving center. W Maldives provides the best of the best water sports experience that you can have. WAVE is fully equipped to take you parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, tubing, wake boarding, jet skiing; you name it. DOWN UNDER will take you to the best dive sites in the Maldives and offers free diving, beginner and advanced diving courses.
9. Taste Paradise At W
W Maldives offers incredible possibilities for dining and drinks. Visit KITCHEN for breakfast with a twist of Maldivian flavors. Stop by FISH for specialty seafood dishes and the origins of Maldivian cuisine. Enjoy a beach barbecue under the stars and dancing palm trees, at FIRE. Quench your thirst at SIP while you enjoy a breathtaking sunset. Have a cocktail during a dip, at the swim-up pool WET bar. W Maldives also offers the option to dine wherever you want on the island, just pick a spot and they will take care of the rest.
10. The W Talent
Last but not least, the team at W Maldives referred to as the ‘W Talent’ have an exceptional line-up of hard workers and friendly locals. A memorable holiday is not complete without warm and inviting islanders. The character and reputation of W Maldives would surely not be what it is today without the dedication of their staff. The 11 prestigious international travels awards received by W Maldives, is a testament to that.
The W Maldives has most certainly lived up to Mr. Barry S. Sternlicht’s vision and idea for the resort when it was initially launched. Through out the years, W Maldives has wonderfully upheld their standards and reputation, all the while providing an incomparable holiday experience. See you in Maldives, see you in W.
