11 Reasons To Visit Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Right Now

Spanning three islands, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a tropical paradise floating within the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by picturesque waters, it boasts lavish overwater villas, eating among the many treetops and even a personal island inside the resort. Past its extravagant perks, it’s most noteworthy for its heat and impeccable service. That high quality gained the resort its first Forbes Journey Information 5-Star accolade within the newly unveiled 2022 Star Awards.

Listed here are our prime explanation why it’s best to test into one of many Maldives’ latest 5-Star refuges:

The Arrival

The Waldorf Astoria gives an expensive different to the tiny seaplane that’s required for many far-flung Maldives resorts. Set sail from Male’s Velana Worldwide Airport in type aboard the resort’s personal yacht (it’s an additional value). The ultimate leg in your lengthy journey to the island nation will likely be easy within the consolation of the air-conditioned important cabin or on a spacious deck as you nosh on sandwiches and cupcakes and sip champagne.

Reserve all the ship or share the switch with different resort visitors. Even in the event you go for the latter, you’ll nonetheless take pleasure in privateness by claiming one of many wood-lined staterooms, the place you’ll be able to relaxation in a luxurious mattress in the course of the 45-minute trip.

Terra

Crane your neck to find seven giant nests perched among the many treetops. However these aren’t for birds. The handcrafted bamboo nests function coveted open-air eating areas for Terra restaurant. The distinctive setting on prime of the palm fronds and different lush greenery makes for a romantic meal.

The seven-course gastronomic menu is equally memorable with artfully composed dishes like Maldivian lobster with miso butter, burnt leek, glazed edamame, lobster bisque foam, ponzu gel and beluga caviar. The nests replenish shortly, so make sure you ebook forward of time.

The Spa

You’ll immediately really feel comfortable at this spa, whether or not you stroll the lengthy garden to the yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean or enter one among its 10 remedy villas, a few of that are overwater. The service choices are huge, however the hydrotherapy expertise is a should. It trumps the same old Jacuzzi-plunge-sauna-steam circuit with a custom-built 2,906-square-foot outside pool with stations that includes jet baths, air jets, bathe jets and extra. The stations have various ranges of depth to ease muscle rigidity and increase the immune system and circulation. It unfurls knots after an extended flight.

Linger after your remedy within the teardrop-shaped hanging chair amid the tropical flora within the spa backyard or poolside refueling with banana chip and candy tamarind jam sandwiches and ginger tea.

The Villas

Beneath thatched roofs, the 119 reef, seashore and overwater villas have modern dwelling rooms and bedrooms with grey, white and pops of aqua. In addition they characteristic bogs with trendy touches, like chevron partitions and a standalone egg-shaped tub that’s so deep, it ought to have its personal lifeguard.

Regardless of these tempting interiors, you’ll spend your time exterior. All villas supply sprawling decks with expansive swimming pools, eating areas and a swinging day mattress. The seashore villas overlook lush foliage and offer you direct entry to the sand, whereas the opposite villas mean you can gaze on the ocean out of your pool or the overwater hammocks. These outside areas are so extraordinary, you’d be forgiven for staying there your entire trip.

The Youngsters Membership

You gained’t really feel responsible about dropping off your little ones on the family-friendly resort’s Stars Membership when you indulge on the spa. Inside this colourful membership — a complimentary visitor perk — kids can play video games or do arts and crafts (making slime is a well-liked one). Out again, there’s a playground with a seesaw, swings and a trampoline, and a small water park full with slides and a splash pad. Plus, there’s a slate of every day actions that embrace films, hair braiding and kiddie yoga.

If you would like extra individualized consideration to your kids, a children concierge can craft a particular itinerary based mostly on their preferences.

The Instagrammable Surroundings

With uncommon eating nests, villa swimming pools and hammocks, and pristine waters in every single place, the Waldorf Astoria appears made for social media, which is why it gained our award for the perfect resort Instagram account in 2021. However there’s rather more to {photograph} on the beautiful escape. Head to alfresco lounge Amber to seize the glowing sundown from the supplied tripods whereas noshing on recent oysters and avocado bruschetta and toasting flutes of bubbly.

Yasmeen

The Waldorf Astoria has many scrumptious selections amongst its 11 eating places (the most recent is an outpost of the favored izakaya-inspired Zuma chain), however Yasmeen stands out. It could possibly be the charming backdrop — the alfresco restaurant appears to be like like a tree-dotted Arabian village with a trickling fountain, antiques and (deliberately) crumbling partitions that reveal the ocean.

The Center Jap dishes are equally engaging. Order the set menu for cold and hot mezze (we couldn’t get sufficient of the garlicky labneh) that you simply’ll wish to scrape up with piping-hot pita. However save room for the meaty blended grill entrées and cheesecake with a pistachio-studded crust for dessert.

The Non-public Island

For an over-the-top getaway, reserve Ithaafushi. Accessible for buyout solely, the 344,445-square-foot oasis is the most important personal island within the Maldives. And it’s secluded: you’ll be able to solely attain Ithaafushi from the principle resort through a brief boat trip.

You gained’t must sacrifice any facilities right here, and the 2 luxurious villas and four-bedroom residence accommodate 24. Get pampered at Ithaafushi’s personal overwater spa; lounge in 5 swimming pools — one among which has the resort’s solely swim-up bar; and glimpse the turquoise water from the island’s yoga pavilion, sauna, steam room and indoor fitness center.

Haali serves because the leisure hub with a full kitchen, bar, DJ sales space, pool desk, movie-screen-sized TV and a personal eating room. In fact, a devoted workers starting from private trainers to cooks is at your disposal.

The Non-public Eating

Eating places apart, you’ll be able to take pleasure in some one-of-a-kind eating experiences on the Waldorf Astoria, together with meals at an remoted sandbank or aboard sundown cruises. The chances are seemingly infinite. Attempt a personal wine dinner or wine tasting at The Rock, a cool wine cellar amid boulders whose partitions are made from white limestone from Jordan and a bar that’s a slab from a 2,000-year-old tree. It carries greater than 1,000 labels, one of many largest collections within the Maldives.

Or attempt a seashore picnic, however we’re not simply speaking a couple of blanket thrown on the sand and a few bites. The workers digs out sunken seating within the sand and covers it with blankets and pillows to make sure your consolation. A wood field’s drawers open to disclose sandwiches wrapped in WA tissue paper and decadent desserts. A Bluetooth speaker provides ambiance, although the waves stands out as the solely soundtrack you want.

Li Lengthy

Step via the moon gate entrance and into the eating room with cutout screens, warm-colored patterns on the partitions and excessive ceilings and within the middle, a virtually seven-foot bell made from infused porcelain and timber that’s a contemporary tackle a Ming vase.

Sit down on the terrace above the alluring waters and savor dim sum, like rooster siu mai and xiao lengthy bao (soup dumplings), and dishes like tender black pepper wagyu chunks with greens. Don’t miss the roasted Beijing duck, a visitor favourite. Cooked in a wood-fired oven, the duck arrives at your desk on a trolley, the place the chef expertly cuts juicy slices so that you can stuff into skinny pancakes with cucumber and a drizzle of hoisin sauce. It’s the perfect chew within the restaurant.

The Butler Service

Each visitor is assigned a private concierge, who basically acts as your butler. The pleasant, educated concierges pack and unpack your belongings and help with a every day garment urgent, that are complimentary providers. However they transcend that to make sure your journey goes easily, from shuttling you in a golf cart to meals and actions to scheduling airport transfers and COVID exams. They assist make your keep unforgettable by arranging experiences such because the floating room service breakfast that’s served in your villa’s pool.