There’s a common theme across many of the luxury resorts you’ll find scattered across the Indian Ocean’s Maldivian archipelago. Large, wooden villas, decked out in island chic to look like they were built by indigenous people centuries ago, all while housing modern luxuries within. Tall jungles reaching for the sun between them, as the reef glistens under the sea just beyond.
The Ritz-Carlton Fari Island resort is different. Despite its tall palm trees and long sandy beaches, it sits on a man-made island, conjured from the sea during the COVID years. And its ultra-modern and shiny villas were constructed in Germany and dropped into place ahead of its grand opening in 2021.
For those seeking a rustic, if not entirely authentic, island escape, it certainly doesn’t fit the bill. But for travellers seeking the ultimate in modern luxury and cuisine in a purpose-built tropical paradise, it’s the experience of a lifetime.
For me, it all started with an incredible villa.
Overwater perfection
Opening the doors to my overwater villa at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives was a genuine wow moment. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect: blue skies, aqua ocean, and the sun sparkling in the white sand. My family and I emerged from the jungle in the back of a cart, the thump-thump-thump of wooden slats under its tyres the tell-tale sign we had left the sand for the jetty.
In front, the huge jetty extends in an oval regularly dotted by overwater villas. In the middle, a large circular building hold a stunning spa, where I’d later share a lovely couples massage with my wife. Stingrays, reef sharks and coloured fish cruise through the water below, inviting you to grab a snorkel and join in the fun.
Halfway along on the sunrise side, our immaculate villa looks as if it opened yesterday, shining like a white pearl against the ocean blue, curving like a wave towards the horizon.
As I push open the thick, wooden door, I enter the blissful air-conditioned sanctuary. To the right, a kitchenette and large dining table. To the left, a huge couch and TV. And straight ahead? Oh my! The floor-to-ceiling glass doors have been opened all the way up – a full 10-metres – bringing the ocean beyond inside. A sunken lounge and large sun loungers straddle a infinity pool between. It’s beyond special.
On either side of this central space are huge bedrooms, complete with their own TVs, large walk-in wardrobes, spacious toilets, and floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading out to the deck. All the modern trimmings are at hand, making you somehow feel like you are in the future, yet earthed in the now.
Our personal assistant leaves us with our jaws dropped and eyes bulging, knowing full well we’d just met pure luxury!
Built for humans
As mentioned, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives sits on a man-made island, and they’ve taken an interesting approach that both hits and misses.
The island – actually, it’s three islands joined by bridges – is long and thin, running north-south. There is a central road that parades down the middle, so you’ll never get lost. Each beach villa has its own private driveway out the back, with a sandy spot out the front. While the overwater villas can all be found at the north end along the aforementioned oval jetty.
While easy to navigate, it can be a pain to traverse in the Maldivian heat, even with the gifted push bikes. For example, all the activity centres are at the far south end. The amazing, Hobbit-inspired kids club. The pristine tennis court. Water sports, excursions (the fishing trip we did was amazing), games room and gym. All great quality: all new. But going back and forth to the overwater villas at the polar opposite end of the resort gets tiresome.
It’s not barren back at the north end, to be fair. There are some yoga spaces and an oversized chess table to enjoy. There is of course snorkelling, too, which is always fun, but perhaps not as spectacular here as it is at non-man-made islands that have more established house reefs.
There’s no shortage of daily activities on the menu for you to opt in and out of, just be prepared for a bit of a commute at times. Thankfully, the lovely staff are never more than a what’s app message away with a buggy ride.
Incredible food
Thankfully, the main eateries are on the central island, which doubles as the main hub. The food at the Ritz-Carlton is simply brilliant; my belly grumbles at the mere mention of its name.
On the sunset side you’ll find The EAU Bar, which is a great place to enjoy amazing seafood for lunch, and a cocktail at dusk. As the light leaves the Earth, a daily ceremony takes place, a live band plays and the sky finds colours you never knew existed. There’s a jaw-dropping infinity pool here, too, brushed by a relieving sea breeze.
Near the pool you’ll also find IWAU, an unforgettable sunset teppanyaki experience. Not only is the food delicious, the chef puts on quite a show, with the sun setting right behind the hot plates.
On the sunrise side you’ll find La Locanda, which I mainly utilised for its generous and wide-ranging buffet breakfast. While next-door, the Sunset Pavilion offers extraordinary Asian cuisine, including some of the best dumplings I’ve ever had the good fortune of tasting.
There’s more food to be had, too. On the south end, you’ll find the Beach Shack Mediterranean-inspired restaurant set in the sand itself, that serves pub-life fare (although that way undersells its quality) and hosts night time events under the stars. Again, just delicious – I never eaten so much lobster.
For something different, you can also jump a ferry (they leave every 40-minutes) to the nearby Fari Marina island. As well as new pools and activities to experience, the restaurants can be visited here, too. I was lucky enough to try the Lebanese-inspired Arabesque, which was not only rich on atmosphere but, once again, just so yummy.
At the Ritz-Carlton Maldives you’ll eat like a king or a queen (or a Sultan!).
Blown away
The very name “Ritz-Carlton” does come with a lot of expectation, but I’m happy to report that its Maldives resort absolutely delivers. From a private snorkelling tour with a marine biologist to skipping along the waves in a catamaran watching my kids smile, this resort offered an experience I will never forget.
In particular, the staff deserve praise, going above and beyond to help celebrate my son’s birthday and make it extra special. It’s a testament to their commitment to customer happiness.
My only caution might be to families with middle-aged kids. While younger kids are well looked after, teens were few and far between, and my brood didn’t have too many like-minded spirits to adventure with. And as mentioned, the distances can get a little tiring.
But, in truth, nothing could sour the experience – what a stay!
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Writer stayed for four nights as a guest of Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands.
To find out more or to making a booking, visit the Ritz-Carlton Maldives Resort website HERE.
