WHY IT RATES: Making its brand debut in the archipelagic destination, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands opens with 100 ultra-luxurious guest villas, whose minimalist design is intended to reflect the cyclical flow of island life and draws upon many elements of its incomparable natural surroundings. — Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer
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. 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.
"We have long wanted to expand The Ritz-Carlton brand into this iconic luxury destination and are thrilled to evolve our global portfolio with this significant debut. From its thoughtful architecture to its culturally immersive programming, this resort represents the brand's commitment to the innovative experiences that today's luxury traveler seeks," said Donna McNamara, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. "We look forward to creating a truly unforgettable experience for our guests as we seamlessly blend the stunning physical environment and rich heritage of the Maldives with the legendary service and care of The Ritz-Carlton."
"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," said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. "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 travelers. This is an extremely monumental day for us, and is set to renew confidence in international travel."
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. 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 fulfill 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-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 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 seafoods. 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 a 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 them 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 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 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 own 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.
"I look forward to welcoming guests to this special Maldivian archipelago, providing them with impeccable hospitality delivered by our Ladies and Gentlemen and enriching experiences that embrace the local culture and traditions," said Mark Hehir, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. "I am certain that the exceptional and distinct guest experience we are creating here in the Maldives will leave our guests with lasting and meaningful memories."
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/maldives .
SOURCE: Marriott International press release.