The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The staff are what made our stay so special. Everyone went out of their way to make us comfortable, and our butler, Anth, took care of everything and planned our days so we didn’t need to worry. The room took our breath away, and the resort itself has to be experienced. The food was incredible too. It was a perfect trip from beginning to end, and we can’t wait to return.

The service at Ritz Maldives was outstanding enough that my boyfriend and I will judge every hotel we visit from now on by that standard. They made things feel personal from start to finish, with welcome notes and snacks, and nighttime turn-down service that left little sand messages with our names. Novita, our butler, was a pleasure to work with. She secured all our dinner and activity reservations and helped with random things too, like bringing scissors and fixing my boyfriend’s glasses. The food, drinks, and service were top notch everywhere we went. We liked a bottle of wine at one restaurant, and since only two bottles were left, they took it off the menu to save it for us. We knew going in that everything was pricey, and it isn’t a trip to cheap out on. We were there over Valentine’s Day and started with a sunset fixed course dinner with a band, an incredible way to begin. The next day we did the floating breakfast because I needed that IG photo, lol. Our ocean overwater villa was stunning, with clear aqua water and the privacy I loved. Diving was amazing. We were the only two diving that day, so it felt like a personal dive crew. Same with the dim sum class, which was private because we were the only ones signed up. I could keep going, but this was a dream come true. We went after 3 wks in Sri Lanka, which was amazing in a very different way, and the resort was a perfect end to our month long adventure.

We spent a week here over New Years, and the whole trip, from landing in Male to take-off, felt faultless. Every interaction seemed designed around our comfort and enjoyment. By the end, the staff felt like family, always finding ways to bring joy to our days. We were sad to leave and can’t wait to return. We had plenty of time to try the F&B outlets. Arabesque on Patina Island, a 10-minute boat ride away, was delightful. We also loved the views and atmosphere at Eau Bar by the pool. Morning breakfasts at La Locanda were a highlight, as was everyone there. Our Aris Meeha, Aslam, made the trip far more enjoyable. He was professional and personable, with a calm manner and a clear “Make It Happen” attitude that reflected his long time at the RC. He put us at ease from hello and made our relaxation a priority. What a phenomenal, special property. Oscar and his team have created an experience that cannot be beaten.

The resort felt fresh, peaceful, modern, and extremely well-run. This was our sixth trip to the Maldives and our first stay at the Ritz-Carlton, and we’d happily return. Our Beach Villa was spacious and serene, with a thoughtful design that felt calm and luxurious without being overdone. The modern, minimal architecture throughout was stunning. Service was warm, attentive, and genuinely excellent. Nothing felt forced, and requests were handled seamlessly. Dining was excellent in both quality and variety, with great options around the resort. Summer Pavilion was a standout, easily one of our favorite meals of the trip. The spa facilities were beautiful, and the masseuse was outstanding, giving me one of the best massages I’ve had in the Maldives. The only very minor downside is that there’s no house reef. We did a snorkeling excursion that was fun and well organised, so it didn’t take away from our stay. Truly a special property and a 5-star experience from beginning to end.