One of the few places in Asia international travelers can visit right now, Ritz-Carlton announced its debut in the Maldives, with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.
“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,” says Rajeev Menon of Marriott International who added that the opening is set to renew confidence in international travel.
Officially reopening to travel in April, the Maldives has been one of the few destinations in Asia travelers can visit without quarantine.
Featuring minimalist architecture, the resort is located on the Fari Islands, an archipelago on the north-eastern tip of North Malé Atoll, known for its white-sand beaches and life-filled waters. Easily accessible via a ten-minute seaplane ride, or a 45-minute boat ride from Velana International Airport, the resort is part of the picturesque Fari Marina.
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, according to a press release from Ritz-Carlton.
The resort features 100 one- to three-bedroom villas, both overwater and nestled along the beach, and each room is assigned an ‘Aris Meeha’ or island butler to fulfil a guest’s every wish. 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, the release from Ritz-Carlton stated.
The new Ritz-Carlton Maldives features seven distinct culinary venues, 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; La Locanda serves rich espressos in the morning and southern Italian cuisine. For the family, Beach Shack features shared plates of Mediterranean cuisine, and for the adults, Eau Bar serves fresh oysters and caviar with crafted cocktails.
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 and Tum Tum is a food truck serving light Asian fare.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is set to feature Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Program, a unique brand program that inspires guests to connect with nature and ocean life, and to safeguard it for future generations. Other experiences include 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. Similarly, 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.
The resort’s Ritz Kids program offers a total of 30 activities for the youngsters, including a signature Ritz Kids treasure hunt, as well as a fun program for teens that includes lessons with expert drone cinematographers.
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.
For a luxury wellness experience, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, in partnership with wellness brand Bamford, is set over the turquoise lagoon, offering nine treatment rooms including a spa suite with its own relaxation lounge, a salon and a boutique.
“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.