The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Opens its Doors

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C today, 1st June 2021 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.

Featuring stunning minimalist architecture, the resort invites guests to embrace the beru, or circle of island life and welcomes them into a world of exceptional luxury and memorable experiences.

Following much anticipation surrounding its debut, we are thrilled to finally open The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the Maldives, an internationally desired destination. This latest addition perfectly complements the Marriott International luxury portfolio, as we continually strive to meet the increasing demand for luxury offerings and experiences from affluent international travellers. This is an extremely monumental day for us, and is set to renew confidence in international travel.
Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International.

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, charming boutiques and tempting eateries forming the archipelago’s communal heart. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is ideal for guests seeking a holiday of discovery or exploration for the whole family.

Elemental Design Born from the Sun and the Sea

Designed by the multi-award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, 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 luxurious one- to three-bedroom villas, either set over crystal clear waters or nestled along pristine beach coves, each offering spacious living spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors with panoramic sliding doors, a sun deck with a private infinity pool and breathtaking views.

*Image: Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands*

The resort’s minimalist design is respectful of its visual impact on the environment and draws much of its natural surroundings into the guest experience. As part of the legendary, highly personalized service of The Ritz-Carlton, and inspired by the ancient
royal customs of the Maldivian royal courts, each room is assigned an ‘Aris Meeha’ or island butler to fulfil a guest’s every wish.

Distinct Dining Delivers the Best in Beachfront Luxury

With seven distinct culinary venues, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands strikes the perfect balance between high-end dining, beachfront luxury, and wellness-centred 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 rich espressos in the morning, while aperitifs in the setting sun prelude 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 seafood.

Eau Bar welcomes guests to a laid-back glamourous 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 captivating drums and fire ritual.

Two of the resort’s venues are located at Fari Marina, a pleasant eight-minute journey in a dhoni, a traditional wooden fishing boat, from the resort island to Fari Marina Village. Arabesque is an eye-catching 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; the perfect welcome stop in the middle of a day of shopping and exploration.

Culturally Immersive Activities Inspire Wonder and Discovery

At the resort, guests can enjoy an array of experiences designed to immerse themselves in the best of Maldivian island life and culture, including exciting adventures with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program. Activated for the first time in Asia-Pacific, this unique brand 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 centre 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 curated fitness retreats, the resort also features a comprehensive tennis program with coaching, as well as visiting professionals and in-resort tournaments. Guests looking to find their rhythm can take part in a boduberu drumming class, the heart of traditional Maldivian music and an integral part of island culture. 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.

Natural-Sourced Serenity and Relaxation at The Ritz-Carlton Spa

For a complete luxury wellness experience, 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 iconic spa offers nine treatment rooms including a spa suite with its relaxation lounge, a salon and a boutique. Cardinal directions of each treatment room exude powerful energy, and a menu of bespoke spa treatments and healing massages also features a botanical and artisanal body and skincare collection by Bamford.

“The Ritz-Carlton brand creates exceptional experiences inspired by the surrounding locales, with encounters that leave lasting impressions and meaningful memories,” said Jennie Toh, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Marriott International.

For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and reservations inquiries, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/Maldives.

Feature image by The Ritz-Carlton Maldives

This summer, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers the perfect opportunity to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with yourself. In celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21st, the resort hosts an immersive five-day yoga retreat from June 20th to 24th, guided by the highly experienced and respected yoga instructor Emilia Métaireau. With its serene surroundings, the retreat provides a peaceful sanctuary for wellness seekers to refresh their mind, body, and spirit while embracing the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and mindful movement.

A Mid-Summer Reset in Paradise

Held at an ideal time for a mid-summer reset, this retreat invites participants to rediscover their inner balance in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Surrounded by the Maldives’ crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, and unspoiled beauty, guests step away from their routines and focus on restoring their energy and clarity. Moreover, Emilia, whose teachings span over a decade and more than 2,500 hours of global experience, brings a grounded and expansive presence to the experience. She blends breathwork, ancient wisdom, and conscious movement, guiding each guest toward a deeper connection with themselves.

A Thoughtful and Immersive Daily Practice

The retreat begins each day with rejuvenating sunrise yoga, allowing guests to wake up and center themselves before embracing the day ahead. In the evenings, the focus shifts to calming rituals designed to soothe the body and still the mind. To enhance this immersive experience further, guided meditations and energy healing practices integrate seamlessly into the program, creating a journey of self-discovery and spiritual connection. Each session is thoughtfully crafted to help participants not only practice yoga but also experience the deeper emotional and mental benefits that come with it.

Exploring the Five Koshas: A Journey Inward

A key focus of the retreat is the ancient yogic philosophy of the five koshas—five interconnected layers of being that shape our experiences of life, health, and spirituality. These layers include the physical body (Annamaya Kosha), the energy body (Pranamaya Kosha), the mental body (Manomaya Kosha), the intellectual body (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and the bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha). Throughout the retreat, guests explore these layers through mindful movement, meditation, and yoga, with each practice designed to bring them closer to a state of peace, clarity, and self-awareness.

Luxurious Spa Treatments to Complement Your Journey

Adding to the holistic experience, guests indulge in treatments at the resort’s luxurious AVI Spa, a sanctuary perched over the water and designed to promote deep relaxation and wellness. Named after the local word for “sunshine,” AVI Spa offers a variety of signature treatments and therapies that nurture the body and soul, perfectly complementing the retreat’s focus on mindfulness and rejuvenation.

An Idyllic Setting for Renewal and Rejuvenation

Furthermore, the stunning location of the resort enhances the retreat experience. Situated at the southern tip of Raa Atoll, bordering a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a peaceful and inspiring backdrop for reflection and rejuvenation. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, it provides exclusive benefits to guests, including indulgent amenities and luxurious accommodations. The resort features overwater villas, an adults-only area, an exquisite spa, and a variety of dining options, ensuring that each guest enjoys a complete experience of luxury and wellness.