[ad_1]
The Ritz Carlton Maldives is likely one of the latest inns within the Maldives and the stuff of desires. This extremely gorgeous property has rapidly grow to be one of many prime inns within the Maldives and among the many most aspirational of inns on this planet. I had beforehand stayed on the Park Hyatt Hadahaa which was a transcending expertise so I knew I needed to come again to the Maldives once more. I stayed on this stunning property for five nights in November 2023 that is my evaluation.
This evaluation will dive in nice element about every little thing we skilled on the Ritz. Count on a ton of commentary, footage, and movies as a result of there was is simply a lot to speak about with this resort. In the event you’re seeking to perceive as a lot as attainable earlier than reserving this resort, look no additional than this evaluation and information!
Overview of the Ritz Carlton Fari Island
The Ritz Carlton Fari Island, together with the JW, is certainly one of Marriott’s latest inns within the Maldives. It was designed by Kelly Hill, the well-known architect that additionally designed the Aman inns worldwide. It joins an already expansive array of inns within the Maldives that features the Sheraton, The W, St. Regis, and Westin. The 13 hectare Ritz Carlton opened its doorways to vacationers in mid 2021 and has rapidly grow to be among the best, if not the most effective resort in Marriott’s Maldives portfolio.
The Ritz Carlton is positioned within the Fari Island chain 40km north of Male Airport in the identical atoll. The Fari island chain is a very man-made island group that encompasses three separate islands, every house to a separate resort. This tri-fecta of islands and inns belong to one of many richest actual property Tycoons of Singapore and contains the Patina Maldives, The Ritz Carlton, and the Capella (which shall be accomplished in 2026).
What does a person made island imply? It means there was nothing however a small sandbank right here to start with they usually introduced in every little thing together with sand and concrete from across the Maldives to construct this island. Even the coconut timber had been uprooted from different islands and shipped over to the Fari islands. Insane to consider actually.
The place is the Ritz Carlton Maldives?
The Ritz Carlton is positioned within the Fari Island chain which is a person made island chain within the North Male Atoll. It’s positioned within the northeast a part of this atoll roughly 40km away from Male Worldwide Airport.
The Fari island chain is house to a fully gorgeous reef, lengthy stretches of white sandy seashores, gorgeous villas, and the highest in school facilities you possibly can anticipate from a spot just like the Ritz. Regardless that it’s a person made island chain (which is already loopy to consider the logistics of this), the Fari islands have maintained an idyllic island setting with stunning vegetation that also embraces its Maldives roots.
The Ritz is positioned on a 13 hectare plot and contains 100 villas. The Ritz is unfold out throughout three small islands and a “ring” of overwater villas. Among the many smaller islands, two are house to seaside and overwater villas and a smaller central island positioned between these two is house to the principle
Reserving The Ritz Carlton Maldives
Reserving the Ritz-Carlton Maldives could be a complete publish in and of itself. The Ritz is likely one of the most costly properties within the Maldives and it warrants the value in my view. Nonetheless, if you realize a factor or two about bank cards and journey hacking, you possibly can guide this keep for lots cheaper and even totally free like what I did.
Money worth of the Ritz Carlton Maldives
The Ritz Carlton Maldives prices wherever between $2.5k to $4k per evening for the usual ocean view overwater villas relying on the time of yr. Lagoon view rooms will price extra which I’ll dive into element later. Curiously, the seaside villas on the Ritz Maldives price extra than their overwater counterparts. The rooms are the very same in dimension and format however the Ritz provides a premium to seaside entry.
You’ll be able to see price breakdowns from the screenshot under (these charges don’t embrace the necessary GST and Service expenses that are one other ~26% on prime of those costs).
This makes it one of the vital costly inns I’ve ever stayed through which makes the following part much more fascinating.
Reserving the Ritz Carlton Maldives utilizing Marriott Factors
I booked my total keep utilizing Marriott Bonvoy Factors. As Marriott now not makes use of resort classes, as an alternative specializing in dynamic pricing fashions, the nightly fee for a keep on the Ritz Maldives ranges between 100,000 to 150,000 factors for the ocean villa that are the bottom. Not like the Hyatt which solely means that you can guide the “customary” beachfront room with factors, Marriott means that you can guide any room you’d like so long as you’ve gotten the factors.
Standing is not going to get you upgrades on the Ritz Maldives. It can additionally not get you a free breakfast though Titanium and Ambassador Elite members will get a 50% low cost on the breakfast invoice (Silver will get 10% off and Gold 25%).
While you guide with factors, Marriott additionally provides you the well-known promotion of guide 4 nights and get 1 free. Subsequently, my 5 evening keep on the Ritz Maldives price me roughly 440,000 factors because the nightly charges at my time had been round 110,000 per evening. You’ll be able to anticipate decrease charges within the wet seasons (Could to October) and on the upper vary between December and April. By reserving with factors, you’re getting someplace within the vary of 3-4 cents per Bonvoy Level which is insane worth for cash.
Getting virtually a half million Marriott factors isn’t any joke however is less complicated than you assume if you realize what you’re doing. If you’re not nicely versed in bank card hacking, ensure to learn my journey hacking publish which explains every little thing you want to know concerning the bank card recreation together with utilizing my bank card spreadsheet to maintain observe of every little thing.
Marriott Co-branded bank cards
There are 5 Marriott branded bank cards in the marketplace at present, 2 from Chase and three from American Categorical:
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
- Marriott Bonvoy Daring
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy AMEX
- Marriott Bonvoy Good AMEX
- Marriott Bonvoy AMEX Enterprise
The signal on bonuses for these playing cards are continuously altering and you’ll anticipate extra fruitful signal on gives than what’s at present being marketed (as of Dec 2023).
Racking up Chase Final Rewards factors
The Marriott branded bank cards are simply one of many choices you’ve gotten at your disposable. The significantly better possibility are the Chase bank cards. Chase factors switch 1:1 to Marriott Bonvoy making these factors very invaluable in your keep on the Ritz. Typically, Chase will even run promotions the place you possibly can switch 1 Chase UR level for 1.5 Marriott Bonvoy factors.
The Chase Ink card suite is one of the simplest ways to rack up large quantities of Chase factors. Presently, the Chase Ink Most popular is providing a 100,000 level signal on bonus which implies certainly one of these playing cards will get virtually one free evening on the Ritz just by opening this one bank card. The Chase Ink Limitless and Chase Ink Money are additionally each providing 90,000 level signal on bonuses and you’ll simply get all 3 playing cards.
Subsequently, should you and your companion are each working at it, you possibly can merely open 2 bank cards every and get sufficient factors to remain on the Ritz Carlton! By each opening a Chase Ink Most popular and Chase Ink Limitless/Money, you’ll have almost 400,000 factors from signal on bonuses. As Marriott means that you can pool factors collectively between a number of accounts, you subsequently have sufficient factors to get a 5 evening keep on the Ritz!
The entire course of is fairly easy should you spend a little bit of time at it. In the event you assume that is too munch work and takes an excessive amount of time, ask your self how a lot is your time value? In all probability not the $20,000 USD it prices to truly keep on the Ritz!
Attending to the Ritz Carlton Maldives From Male Worldwide Airport
From Male Airport, there are a couple of methods to get to the resort. You’ll be able to combine and match these transfers as you want to.
- Speedboat switch: $860 per individual ($925 in 2024)
- Personal Yacht switch: $5,000 per constitution
- Seaplane switch: $1,600 per individual
Let’s simply get this out of the way in which however the transfers to the Ritz are insanely overpriced in my view. The speedboat switch is simply 1 hour from the airport however to cost virtually $900 per individual for that is loopy. For comparability, my go to to the Park Hyatt Hadahaa concerned a flight from Male Airport to Koddoo Airport, and then a speedboat switch to the resort and it’s $520 spherical journey.
The seaplane costs on the Ritz are much more insane as a result of the experience is not more than 10 minutes because the Fari Islands are solely 40km away from Male. For comparability, a seaplane to the Alila resort will set you again $650 per individual roundtrip. This resort can also be within the Baa Atoll a lot additional away which permits you extra time within the air.
Arriving at Male Airport
Upon arrival to Male Airport, there shall be Ritz attendants already ready for you, able to take all of your luggage and take you to a departure lounge space the place you’ll look forward to the boat switch to the resort. The Ritz does a very good job of organizing transfers primarily based on the visitors’ arrival instances. You’re paired with others which are arriving at related instances so that you’ll by no means wait greater than 1-2 hours for the transfers.
We had been really on a dive liveaboard earlier than this and someway the Ritz attendants discovered us amongst a sea of different divers arriving on the similar time! As a result of we arrived within the morning from our dive liveaboard, we had been on the primary boat to the resort at 9:30am.
The boat experience to the Ritz Carlton
The Ritz Maldives speedboat may be very good with snug interiors, wifi, and ensuite rest room. We had been supplied welcome pastries which had been tasty after an extended journey. Nonetheless, for the value paid for this boat switch, I used to be anticipating at the very least some champagne to welcome us however this by no means got here.
Arrival and Test-In
After 1 hour on the speedboat, we arrived to the view of the Ritz and what a fully gorgeous island it was. We had been met with waves by the employees on the pier who dealt with our baggage, welcomed us with chilly towels, and aromatic juices. Somebody was even blowing on a seashell horn saying our arrival.
Assembly our Aris Meeha
Upon arrival, we had been instantly greeted by administration and by our Aris Meeha. Aris Meeha is the Maldivian phrase for the butler idea that was used within the olden days of the Maldivian royal courts. This idea is prevalent all through the excessive finish resorts within the Maldives the place you’ve gotten a full time butler attending to your needs and desires all through the journey. You’ll be able to name them for something starting from restaurant bookings, room service, reserving excursions, getting across the island and extra.
Our Aris Meeha was an area Maldivian and simply among the best issues about our keep on the Ritz. He was a really good that went above and past to make our keep memorable. We promptly created a WhatsApp group (In the event you’re American studying this, begin utilizing because it’s actually the mode of selection by the whole world) the place we mentioned any requests we had and the place he would give us the abstract of our day.
Test in course of is seamless
I have to say certainly one of my favourite issues concerning the Ritz is the seamless verify in course of. As a substitute of ready at reception space taking good care of paperwork, we instantly bought into the golf cart and our Aris Meeha proceeded to take us on a fast island tour to get acquainted with all of the totally different services earlier than taking us to our villa. We did the whole verify in course of which solely included passports and a deposit at our villa overlooking the ocean.
In our villa, we had been greeted with a complimentary bottle of champagne, candies, handwritten notes, and different stunning private touches.
Fortunately for us, the room was prepared early so we may make the verify in round midday. Even when the room isn’t prepared, it is possible for you to to make use of all of the services of the resort whereas the room is ready.
Overview of the Ritz Carlton Maldives Villas
To maintain it brief, the villas on the Ritz Carlton Maldives are every little thing you possibly can need after which extra. Regardless that the numerous footage on-line are stunningly stunning, it doesn’t appear to captivate simply how superb these rooms are if you see it in individual.
We spent an embarrassing period of time taking pictures, movies, and every little thing in between. We took pictures in so many various positions after which multiply that a couple of instances as a result of when the solar moved, a special image was beckoning. Fortunately we weren’t the one ones as different visitors equally flocked to their cameras.
The overwater villas are completely gorgeous. We ended up getting villa #339 (extra particulars on this in a while which villa to decide on) and we had been in love from the second we stepped foot into the room. The villa is meticulously designed to supply breathtaking views of the crystal clear turquoise waters and pristine white sand seashores.
The overwater villas are perched on stilts above the ocean creating a way of tranquility and seclusion. The design of those villas mix in completely with its environment and is the right mixture of island residing and trendy luxurious.
Ritz Overwater Villa inside
Contained in the villa, no bills are spared. The villa is spacious with elegantly appointed residing areas that includes luxurious facilities and modern furnishings. As you stroll in, you’ll see the bar which is stocked with prime shelf liquor, TWG branded tea, Nespresso espresso machines with 4 totally different capsule sorts (together with decaf), cocktail utensils like a shaker, cocktail books, and even a premade negroni combine. Contained in the mini fridge is champagne, wine, beers, and varied snacks. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are all complimentary on the Ritz.
The lavatory is huge with loads of space for storing in your baggage, a full hanging rod to hold you attire. The Ritz makes use of Bamford branded toiletries, a luxurious British model that you just’ll see everywhere in the villa. The bathrooms are all Toto branded with electrical bedets.
Every villa comes with an iconic Ritz branded seaside bag in addition to two seaside hats. This was surprisingly helpful when getting across the resort. Better of all, these are yours to maintain!
The bath comes geared up with bathtub salts, bubbles, candles, and extra. On one of many nights, as a part of the each day turn-down service, we got here again from dinner to a tub that was already ready with the required bubbles and smells. There was even a bottle of complimentary pink wine ready for us.
There are indoor and out of doors showers in your selecting. We showered completely out of doors as you possibly can see the azure ocean in entrance of you. The fences are angled in a method which you could look out however the villa subsequent to you possibly can’t look in.
The pool on the Ritz Maldives villas
Lastly, no evaluation is full with out speaking concerning the well-known pool at these villas. The villa completely blurs the road between indoor and out of doors residing. An enormous flooring to ceiling sliding glass door opens up the indoor house on to the patio and infinity pool in entrance. Out of your mattress, you’ll at all times get up with a view of the pool and ocean.
The massive 5m lengthy infinity pool completely contours to the design of the villa and appears completely gorgeous from under and above. I spent a lot of my time on this pool overlooking the gorgeous ocean.
Lastly, there’s a internet mattress hammock over the ocean as a result of everybody wants their Instagram footage. Don’t be shy in any case.
The overwater villas, whereas positioned subsequent to one another nonetheless have a terrific sense of privateness. The out of doors showers are blocked by the angled fence and the curvature of the villas enable for max privateness. An individual must actually stick their head out of the sting of the pool to creep in on what their neighbors are doing. After all, the ocean in entrance of you will not be guarded so snorkelers in entrance of your villa is perhaps seen.
Selecting your villa on the Ritz Carlton Maldives
Lastly, on to the essential stuff, how to decide on your villa in your keep on the Ritz? This can be a query I spent infinite hours scouring the web for. I learn so many blogs, boards, YouTube movies, and every little thing in between however I used to be nonetheless not sure of what to do on the finish of the day.
In the event you’re spending a lot cash reserving your keep, you wish to ensure you have the most effective expertise attainable.
Will we select a overwater villa or a seaside villa?
Lagoon aspect or Ocean Facet?
Which villa numbers are higher than others?
If these are additionally questions you’re asking your self, relaxation assured, you’re in good palms and I’ll inform you every little thing you possibly can probably wish to know. Selecting your villa on the Ritz Maldives may in all probability warrant its personal weblog publish however I’ll summarize to the most effective of my capabilities on this part. Prepare for lots of data.
Overview of the villas on the Ritz Carlton Maldives
For starters, let’s break down precisely what sort of rooms can be found for provide on the Ritz. In complete, there are 100 villas on the RC Maldives and they’re damaged down as such:
- 1-bedroom villas: 85
- 2-bedroom villas: 14
- 3-Bed room villa: 1
- 39 seaside villas | 61 overwater villas
- Overwater villas: 19 lagoon going through villas | 42 dawn going through villas
Listed here are crucial maps of your villa deciding journey which can also be from the official web site.
For starters, the compass on this map is definitely incorrect. The north image is within the incorrect place and ought to be rotated about 90 levels. This brought about me a lot confusion throughout my resolution course of which translated into me selecting a villa I didn’t like.
Subsequently, I’ve made my very own map of the villas with the proper compass studying and an summary of which aspect is which.
Overwater Villa or a Seaside villa?
Staying over the water or staying with a seaside in entrance of your villa would be the fundamental resolution you’ll should make whereas staying on the Ritz. For starters, the bed room seaside villas and the 1 bed room overwater villas have the very same dimension, design, and format. The one distinction is that the seaside villas have a non-public seaside in entrance of the villa whereas the overwater villas are on stilts over the water.
Seaside Villas
vs.
Ocean Villa
This actually comes all the way down to desire. Some folks like having the seaside in entrance of their room whereas others choose the normal Maldivian expertise staying over the water. Seaside entry villas have extra privateness as different villas can’t see into yours. The seaside is shared with different seaside villas however on the Ritz Maldives, solely folks staying within the seaside villas can use the personal seaside space.
I selected an overwater villa as a result of I needed the normal Maldivian expertise of staying over the water. It’s what they’re well-known for in any case! Having stayed earlier than within the Park Hyatt Maldives in each a seaside villa and overwater villa, I completely most popular my keep within the latter! As well as, the general public seaside on the Ritz that everybody can use is already so expansive and gorgeous.
Ocean View or Lagoon View overwater villa?
After deciding which kind of villa you wish to keep in, it’s time to determine whether or not you need the ocean view or lagoon view villa.
Lagoon villas can see the boat site visitors all through the day.
Ocean view faces east to northeast and have dawn views. Lagoon villas have west views which can imply extra daylight and a view of the sundown. Naturally, the lagoon view villas come at a premium. Nonetheless, the one draw back to the lagoon view villas (and an enormous one at that) is boat site visitors. The ferry between the Ritz and the Fari Island Village (and the Patina Resort) runs from 11am twice each hour.
This implies there isn’t any privateness as folks on the boat can see straight into your villa. I took the ferry a number of instances to have dinner on the Fari Island Village and will at all times see folks transferring about of their villas. If privateness is of concern to you, I’d keep away from the lagoon view villas altogether.
The Ocean View villas had been my favourite and what I ended up staying in. Not solely do they not have boat site visitors all through the day, they face the open ocean which implies a extra “finish of the world” feeling. You’ll at all times hear the sound of the waves out of your room because the open ocean meets the reef. You get the identical unbelievable water colours and views out of your ocean view villa because the lagoon villa and even perhaps extra.
The one draw back to the ocean villas are the shortage of sunshine all through the day. The ocean view villas face east to northeast so it’s not good for solar. Among the ocean view villas don’t have solar at any level of the day so you want to know which of them to select from.
How to decide on your overwater villa on the Ritz?
As I opted for the overwater villas, I’ve numerous expertise with selecting the overwater villa of your dream. Very first thing is first, do you wish to keep on an overwater villa from land or on the Ritz’s iconic “ring”. The ring format of the villas over the water is the Maldives declare to fame which in my view the Ritz does an distinctive job designing.
From land, these overwater villas are part of the 2 main islands throughout the resort and are positioned subsequent to the seaside villas (with out entry to the personal seaside). For the overwater villas from land, they’re all ocean aspect as you possibly can see from the map. They’ve the very same design because the overwater villas positioned on the ring. As they’re positioned on land, they’re surrounded by timber and vegetation which supplies it a singular look from afar.
For these villas, I’d completely keep away from #100 – #103 in addition to #212 – #217. It’s because these villas are completely uncovered and visual from the remainder of the resort. Villas #212 – #217 are utterly seen from the ring which signifies that all people staying within the overwater villas on the ring will see into your pool and bed room as they head into the resort. There may be little privateness available.
The identical goes for Villa #100 to #103 as they’re completely seen from La Locanda restaurant which implies everybody consuming breakfast will see straight into your villa. That is particularly the case with #100. Individuals received’t be stalking you on the Ritz (they’ve higher issues to do), however you won’t be eager to stroll round bare in these villas. In the event you choose the island overwater villas, I’d go for #223 – #228 or #110 to #125.
The vast majority of the overwater villas are on the ring on the northern tip of the resort which is the place I opted to remain. I feel the ring is completely beautiful and the aesthetics are among the many most gorgeous I’ve seen.
For the ocean view villas, you want to determine if solar is essential to you. The primary ocean villa on the ring receives essentially the most solar and as you go additional down the ring, there may be much less solar. Some folks really choose to not have solar of their villas however I a lot most popular the daylight hitting and lighting up my pool. That is how I break down the ocean view overwater villas on the ring:
- #321 to #327: Not a lot solar if any. Dawn might be seen from the sting of the villas however you’ll have to essentially make an effort. Count on little to no solar all through the day. #321 to #323 will see the boat site visitors from the Fari Island ferry
- #328-337: These villas obtain extra daylight particularly the upper then quantity. #336 has a darkish patch of corals in entrance of the villa that may cut back the picturesque turquoise views however this won’t trouble most individuals.
- #338-#352: These are my favourite villas as a result of they’ve essentially the most quantity of solar. #352 has essentially the most solar of the water villas on the ring however as it’s the first villa, the overwater villas from land can see straight into your room (#221 – #227) and vice versa.
For the Lagoon aspect villas, right here is my tackle them:
- These villas face west to southwest and all obtain ample daylight from about 10am onwards. Villa #350 at the start of the ring sees essentially the most daylight however there actually isn’t a nasty villa
- Boat site visitors is seen from each single room a number of instances a day
We stayed in #326 as my overwater villa as a result of we figured the closest villas to the lagoon aspect could be higher. Nonetheless, we rapidly realized this acquired no daylight so it was not ideally suited for us. We requested to change villas to incorporate extra solar and our Aris Meeha with out hesitation supplied to change us to #339.
#339 was far more our model because it acquired solar into the pool/deck till virtually midday. Our Aris Meeha additionally supplied us a free complimentary improve to a sundown seaside villa (Which is dearer) however we needed to remain overwater. The flexibleness that the Ritz supplied right here was impeccable.
Ritz Carlton Maldives – Resort Overview
There aren’t any scarcity of issues to do on the resort. This part will go over what is accessible on the resort within the public areas.
Bicycles to get across the Ritz
One in every of my favourite issues concerning the Ritz Maldives is the usage of bicycles. Every villa comes with two complimentary Dutch model bikes so that you can use. These bikes come geared up with a rattan basket which got here in very useful. All the resort from the tip of the ring to the dive middle on the southern tip is just below 2km which makes biking the right solution to get round.
I completely beloved biking by way of the resort. You’re capable of not solely get a little bit of train in, however you possibly can management your personal schedule and go the place and if you please.
In the event you don’t fancy biking across the resort, you possibly can at all times name your Aris Meeha and they’ll choose you up with the buggy. We ended up by no means calling our butler as soon as for a experience as we elected to make use of our bikes 100% of the time. We’re very lively folks nonetheless, and we even bike full time in locations like Singapore.
I really like the scale of the Ritz Maldives
I used to be nervous that the Ritz Carlton Maldives could be too large of a resort for my liking. I learn the way it had over a dozen eating places cut up between two totally different islands and thought I won’t like the large dimension of the place. I used to be rapidly mistaken. The resort is completely excellent in dimension.
From the tip of the ring with all the overwater villa to the southern tip of the resort is just below 2km. This can be a 30 minute stroll or a fast 5 minute bike experience.
I got here to essentially admire the scale of the resort because it made me rapidly overlook I used to be at a “resort”. Certain, this can be a resort on the finish of the day however it didn’t give off that really feel should you catch my drift. With its quite a few small sized eating places, our bikes at our disposal, and the jungle throughout the island, it felt like we had been in somewhat village that was left for us to discover.
For instance, we’d prepare for dinner, go for sundown on the Eau Bar, take the ferry to Fari Island Village whereas trying on the sundown and stars, and have dinner at a restaurant like Arabesque. On our ferry experience again to the Ritz, we’d star gaze some extra, earlier than getting on our bikes to have an evening cap on the Eau Bar. Lastly, we’d bike house to our overwater villa on the ring to complete out the evening. This gave us the sensation like we had been “coming house” after an evening out. I a lot choose this to different resorts the place you may simply stroll 50 meters to the principle eating restaurant simply to stroll again if you’re completed.
The Predominant pool
If the gorgeous infinity pool at your villa wasn’t sufficient, the principle public pool will certainly wow you. The primary pool is likely one of the most gorgeous and distinctive components of the Ritz Maldives. This utterly round pool is sort of 40 meters in diameter and is an absolute magnificence to have a look at.
It’s surrounded by the gorgeous ocean and seaside supplying you with a few of the finest photograph alternatives within the resort. The primary pool is on the Eau Bar geared up with a full bar menu, meals, and shisha.
Forgot your toiletries at house? Don’t fear. The entire Ritz services come geared up with sunscreen, tanning oil, towels, showers, and so forth.
Health Heart
Staying 5 nights on the Ritz meant I needed to get some kind of work out in so I didn’t really feel so dangerous consuming a lot meals. Fortunately, the gymnasium on the Ritz Carlton Maldives gives every little thing I must get a very good pump in. The gymnasium is positioned close to the grand sundown seaside and has a spacious inside overlooking the ocean. The health middle is stocked with gear together with free weights, smith machines, leg press, cables, and even a deadlift bar for the hardcore! There may be additionally a yoga studio with extra machines, mats, and the like.
Subsequent door to the health middle is a full sized tennis court docket the place you possibly can play tennis everytime you need or have personal classes with the skilled professionals that come to the resort. The teacher that was there once I visited used to work at Novak Djokovic’s camps in Serbia. I heard they might usher in a Wimbledon winner a couple of months later.
Grand Seaside – Predominant Public Seaside of the Ritz Carlton Maldives
The primary public seaside of the Ritz is positioned on the southern a part of the resort. The “Grand Seaside” as it’s named, is positioned in entrance of the Seaside Shack restaurant and health middle. If you’re not staying in a seaside villa, this would be the fundamental seaside you employ.
The seaside is gorgeous with gorgeous water colours and completely manicured seaside. I discovered the seaside on the Park Hyatt to be much more gorgeous however there’s nothing to complain about right here. There are many sunbeds, seaside chairs, seaside volleyball, badminton courts, and extra. You can even hire kayaks and standup paddleboards freed from cost.
We additionally performed seaside volleyball day-after-day earlier than sundown organized by the resort. I beloved getting the train in in addition to assembly different visitors staying on the resort.
Fari Island Village
Fari Island Village is positioned on the island straight north of the Ritz which can also be house to the Patina Resort. The Patina, Ritz, and Capella (accomplished in 2026) all belong to the identical Singaporean household and are linked in order that visitors can expertise every place.
The Fari Island Village is house to quite a few eating places, boutique shops, artwork displays, swimming pools, seashores, and extra. Prime notch eating places like Arabesque, Brasa, and Koen are a part of the Fari island village. We got here right here on quite a few events for lunch and dinner. This idea of getting a “village” close by to the resort is one thing I beloved as I felt like I used to be “going out”.
The ferry from the Ritz runs as soon as per hour and extra typically through the busy dinner hours. The ferry is freed from cost and I completely beloved sitting on the higher deck trying on the stars because it sailed from island to island. It’s only a brief 10 minute ferry experience.
Eating places At The Ritz Carlton Maldives
As you’d anticipate with an extremely excessive finish resort, the Ritz Carlton makes no compromises on its restaurant and meals high quality. They’ve actually elevated the eating scene on a non-public island by providing over a dozen eating places to its visitors. I attempted many of the eating places on the Ritz and they’re no doubt a few of the finest resort meals you possibly can ask for, particularly being on an island in the course of nowhere. The Ritz brings in prime degree cooks and the service is impeccable.
There are 5 eating places on the Ritz and 12 eating places (though some should not actually eating places) on the Fari Island Village which is the island that the Patina resort is on. Because the Patina and Ritz (and shortly to be the Capella) are owned by the identical household, visitors from the Ritz can have dinner in any respect the eating places.
I notably preferred this as you had so many choices to select from that you’d by no means get tired of the identical locations. Every restaurant on the Ritz are smaller and extra intimate which allow you to really feel such as you had been going for an evening as an alternative of feeling such as you’re simply at a resort flocking to the identical large eating places as everybody else.
The eating places which are a part of the Ritz are as follows:
- La Laconda: Italian fusion restaurant that can also be the principle restaurant for breakfast.
- Summer season Pavilion: Elevated Chinese language meals
- Eau Bar: Laid again lounge model restaurant that overlooks the principle pool and excellent for sundown views
- IWAU: Japanese Omakase model expertise overlooking the ocean and stars
- Seaside Shack: The primary restaurant on the principle public seaside of the resort. Wonderful meals available right here.
- Arabesque: Center Japanese and Indian fusion restaurant on the Fari Island village
- Tum Tum: Meals truck on Fari Island village serving scrumptious Asian impressed snacks like Bao Buns.
The eating places belonging to the Patina but additionally accessible by Ritz Visitors are the next:
- Roots: Vegan tasting menu restaurant set in a good looking backyard.
- Brasa: Argentinian model steakhouse
- Fari Seaside Membership: Related model of meals because the Eau bar
- Koen: Japanese/Nordic fusion
- Wok Society: Elevated Chinese language meals with a classy setting in addition to craft beers.
- Helios: A Greek model restaurant
- Farine: European model bistro serving baked artisan breads, charcuterie, and wine
- Go go burger: Meals truck promoting burgers
Value of meals on the Ritz Maldives
As with every little thing at excessive finish Maldivian resorts, anticipate to pay prime greenback for meals and alcohol. Meals on the Ritz is among the many highest you’ll discover within the Maldives. Right here is an instance of prices on the Ritz Maldives:
- Breakfast buffet: $65 per individual
- Grilled prawns on the Seaside Shack: $65
- Roasted lamb shank at Arabesque: $75
- Pasta alla vongole at La Locanda: $55
- Omakase dinner at IWAU excluding wine pairing: $300 per individual
- Shisha at Eau Bar: $75 per shisha
- Glass of wine at Eau bar: $18-22
- Glass of Beer: $13-15
- Cocktails: $18-$23
You additionally want so as to add GST and Service to all the costs above which shall be one other 27% or so. The dinner at IWA is subsequently virtually $400 per individual excluding meals.
Usually, I spent about $250-$350 for a dinner for 2 with out alcohol. This included 1-2 starters, 2 mains, and possibly 1 dessert. Lunches could be about $100-$150 with simply two mains and no alcohol.
Breakfast on the Ritz Carlton Maldives
Breakfast time on the Ritz was certainly one of my favourite instances of the day. The breakfast is served completely on the La Laconda restaurant from 7am – 11am. The restaurant is positioned on the water with nice dawn views over the ocean.
As you possibly can anticipate, the breakfast buffet is superb and comes with every little thing you possibly can probably consider with regards to breakfast gadgets. You’ll discover an enormous unfold of issues like pastries, omelettes, pancakes, french toast, waffles, and avocado toast. There may be insane quantity of freshly made breads and pastries that smelled superb. The granola part takes up a complete part of the restaurant and I didn’t even know so many differing kinds existed. Along with the usual gadgets, there may be additionally a Chinese language dim sum station and a dosa station with an attendant making you contemporary meals.
My solely grievance of the breakfast was the lackluster fruit choice. They’d all fruits below the solar however usually any berries within the tropics goes oo be mediocre because it’s imported. I’d have preferred to see extra tropical choices like papaya or mango which is grown close by and far tastier.
The price of the breakfast buffet is $65 per individual which could really be the most cost effective worth for cash on the resort. You’ll be able to completely stuff your self with lunch after which skip lunch altogether.
I hate overeating for breakfast which is precisely what I’d have performed had I paid for it which is why the Ritz additionally has a la carte breakfast choices. This menu has most of the buffet gadgets however you possibly can order it piecemeal to manage your urge for food. The parts are nonetheless lots large so that you seemingly received’t want greater than 1 merchandise.
We ended up order particular Maldivian breakfast gadgets which aren’t even on the a la carte menu. Native Maldivian breakfast consists of masuni, rihakuru, and kulimas. Masuni is specific is a should strive because it is likely one of the finest breakfast gadgets you possibly can have (tuna, coconut flakes, shallots, and chilis served with tiin chapati bread). The native waitstaff had been so impressed and beloved that we needed to eat their meals that we stored getting little freebies. The fee for this breakfast was 1/3 of the breakfast buffet and we felt nice afterwards because the parts had been excellent for us!
La Locanda Dinner
We got here again to La Locanda for dinner as nicely. Their Italian menu is sort of good particularly as they’re so far-off from Italy. Getting the contemporary elements for Italian meals should be tough for a spot just like the Maldives. The focaccia bread as a starter is completely excellent and I couldn’t cease consuming it.
Seaside Shack
The Seaside shack was certainly one of my favourite eating places on the Ritz. The seaside shack is positioned straight in entrance of the Grand seaside which is the general public seaside. The restaurant has a island rustic Bali model vibe that jogs my memory loads of the cafes in Bali.
The Seaside Shack was excellent after a morning of lazy lounging on the seaside in certainly one of their quite a few sunbeds. Meals on the seaside shack is a mixture of varied snacks and grilled seafood dishes. I completely beloved the grilled garlic tiger prawns and octopus.
The employees had been on prime of every little thing like at all times making us really feel like royalty. Even the chef got here out on quite a few events to garner suggestions from us however I had nothing however good issues to say.
Summer season Pavilion
Summer season Pavilion is the Ritz’s elevated Chinese language fusion restaurant. The menu consists of Cantonese gadgets together with dim sum, Szechuan dishes, and varied regional dishes like Peking duck.
The inside is gorgeous with trendy sharp edges and overlooks the ocean. The Chinese language chef at this restaurant prepares superb meals and our dishes didn’t disappoint. We bought the salt and pepper tiger prawns, eggplant, and Szechuan model cumin beef.
Arabesque
Arabesque is likely one of the finest eating places if not the most effective restaurant within the Ritz. Positioned on the Fari Village a ten minute boat experience away. Arabesque focuses on Center Japanese and Indian meals. The restaurant is small and comfy with a sunken eating corridor reminicent of a Bedouin camp like those you’d discover in Egypt or Jordan.
The meals was as scrumptious as promised. We ordered a meze platter to share the place we selected from quite a lot of choices which included truffle hummus, moutabal, garlic prawns, lamb sausages and extra. For the principle, we shared a braised lamb shank which had unbelievable flavors.
Ensure to guide at the very least one evening at Arabesque in your keep on the Ritz. They’re additionally open for lunch however I discovered the evening time vibe with its distinctive decorations to be the winner.
IWAU
IWAU is {the japanese} omakase model tasting restaurant of the Ritz Maldives. It’s positioned proper subsequent to Eau Bar adjoining to the principle pool. I by no means dined right here however from speaking to others, everybody actually loved the expertise.
You’re sat at a counter the place the chef preps all of the programs for you want in a standard Japanese omakase. The backdrop can also be stunning as you face the ocean and the open stars above you.
Tum Tum
Tum tum is positioned on the Fari Island village and is their “avenue meals” meals truck of the resort. It’s positioned in an airstream like those you’ll find in Joshua Tree (how on this planet did they get that to the Maldives?) and the meals right here is Asian informal snacks like Bao Buns.
We had their peking duck and beef rendang bao buns which had been sensational. The chef even got here out and supplied us his model of fried rice the place he needed our opinion on the dish. General, a scrumptious informal meal for lunch.
Subsequent to Tum Tum is one other meals truck serving burgers that seemed good in addition to a Gelato store.
Eau Bar sundowners
The Eau Bar is the spot to be for a sundowner. It faces due west and the solar units straight over the gorgeous round infinity pool. Day-after-day round 18:45, there’s a brief ceremony the place employees carry out a standard dance. This is freed from cost to attend.
The Eau bar additionally serves small snacks in addition to correct meals however we by no means ended up consuming right here as there was simply too many different choices.
We did smoke shisha twice throughout our keep and it was a correct expertise at that with the waiters very attentive.
Brasa
Brasa is positioned on Fari Village and is an Argentine steakhouse. We got here right here on our final evening to combine up the seafood we had been consuming all through the week. Brasa has a group of steaks, lamb chops, pork loin, and different grilled specialties. They’ve a big wooden fired grills excellent for producing the warmth required to cook dinner the steaks asado model.
We had wagyu and angus steaks they usually had been cooked to perfection. The steaks had been juicy and tender, but additionally filled with that beefy taste. The edges together with the mashed potatoes and yuca fries went completely with the steaks.
Particular Event Dinners
Along with the quite a few eating places supplied on the Ritz and the Fari Island Village, the Ritz will typically instances have particular themed dinners. Throughout our keep, that they had a Diwali evening dinner which featured a set menu from Arabesque and was phenomenal.
On one other evening, that they had a Maldivian themed BBQ on the seaside that includes native meals. There was even a complimentary cocktail hour on the seaside earlier than the BBQ.
Some of these dinners will at all times be a set worth; Diwali evening was $190++ and the Maldivian BBQ was $220++. I actually loved these themed dinners and would positively advocate going to 1 if it coincides together with your dates.
Actions on the Ritz Carlton Maldives
You may surprise should you’ll get bored staying on a non-public island for therefore many days however I can guarantee you the times is not going to be boring. There isn’t any scarcity of issues to do and I typically discovered myself questioning how the day handed by so rapidly.
In your room shall be a schedule of assorted occasions taking place all through the week. A few of these occasions are paid whereas others are free. Issues like snorkeling, a sandbank go to, {couples} therapeutic massage classes, cooking lessons, seaside yoga, and extra are at all times on the choices. After all, if you would like a non-public tour or to go scuba diving, that’s out there as nicely.
Dive Heart
As an avid diver, I had to take a look at the dive middle. Positioned on the southern tip of the resort, the dive middle is outsourced to the Dive Butler firm that operates in one of many nicest dive places of work I’ve seen. Having simply been on a Maldives dive liveaboard, I wasn’t so eager to dive any extra from a resort. The folks working right here had been very skilled and informed me that I in all probability wouldn’t be impressed with what the dives that they had if I already went on every week lengthy dive journey beforehand.
The worth of the diving is as costly as you’d anticipate from a excessive finish resort like this. A 1-tank dive on the Ritz-Carlton Maldives is $190++ with reductions out there from 6 tanks onwards. That is virtually double the value of the diving on the Park Hyatt Hadahaa which I already thought had loopy costs!
Sandbank Go to
There’s nothing extra stunning than a sandbank in the course of the ocean in my view. From the Ritz, there’s a sandbank you possibly can go to that’s about half-hour away by boat. The resort will set up weekly journeys to go to the Sandbanks and I feel that is really among the best offers in the whole resort.
We went through jet-ski to the sandbank as a result of I didn’t know that they had been providing boat journeys. In the event you like jet skis, I can extremely advocate a go to to the sandbank however be ready to pay an insane sum of money. We paid roughly $700 for one jet skito the sandbank and again (with a information in fact).
We didn’t know beforehand that the journey was just one.5 hours which was method too brief for such an tour. It took 20-25 minutes to get to the sandbank which meant we solely had about 30-40 minutes on the sandbank. After taking a couple of movies and pictures, we needed to depart once more. For $700, this was an enormous waste of cash and positively one of many few gripes I had with the Ritz.
Our Aris Meeha apologized for the confusion and made it as much as us later. The confusion was that this tour was extra of a “jetski tour” versus a sandbank tour (which we care extra for).
Snorkeling actions
There are quite a few snorkeling journeys you possibly can take from the Ritz Maldives. Snorkeling journeys can be found to see the turtles, nurse sharks, and reefs close by to the resort. These journeys are typically run as a bunch journey as soon as every week or a non-public boat with your personal information. We didn’t find yourself doing any of those actions since we had simply completed a Maldives dive liveaboard the week prior.
Children Membership
In the event you’re bringing the entire household, relaxation assured that your child shall be nicely taken care of if you would like some personal time.
The children middle on the Ritz is insane. Designed for these ages 4 to 12, this system makes use of its 4 pillars—land, water, environmental duty and tradition—to create a schedule of each day actions together with sports activities, arts and crafts, cooking lessons and extra. The expertise is predicated out of the Ritz Children Membership, futuristic indoor-outdoor house with playgrounds, napping pods, an space for video video games and films, and a pool with slides and jets. Babysitting service is accessible at a cost, upon request.
Spa Heart on the Ritz Maldives
The spa of the Ritz Carlton Maldives is positioned within the middle of the overwater ring. This large donut like construction is gorgeous inside and outside with a spherical gap within the center that enables rainwater to circulate by way of the middle of the constructing, just like the Jewel in Changi Airport.
Whereas I by no means bought a therapeutic massage therapy, different visitors I talked to raved about it. 1/3 of the masseuses are from Bali so I’ve little doubt they are going to be superb. They did provide a free {couples} therapeutic massage lesson on one of many days which was very enjoyable as we bought to be taught the right methods to therapeutic massage one another.
Professional Ideas for staying on the Ritz Carlton Maldives
Arrive early to the Ritz Carlton Maldives
That is my absolute #1 must-do tip for visiting the Ritz Maldives and basically another resort within the nation. In case your flight arrives in Male Worldwide Airport within the afternoon or within the night, completely keep in Male for the evening. In the event you’re already paying many hundreds of {dollars} an evening to remain within the villa of your desires, why would you waste all of that cash by arriving within the night when issues are already darkish and the day is over?
Keep in a resort close to Male Worldwide Airport within the city of Hulhemale simply north of the airport. There are 100 totally different choices with completely acceptable lodging for below $100 an evening. Your resort shall be not more than a 15 minute drive and many of the inns provide complimentary shuttle service and breakfast.
The next morning, you’re already refreshed and able to benefit from the resort. The Ritz’s boat runs all all through the day and you may get a slot on the primary boat experience to the resort round 9am. In the event you’re fortunate, your room shall be prepared upon arrival. In any other case, your baggage will already be saved and you’ll benefit from the full suite of services on the resort!
Get the native breakfast
As I’ve already talked about in earlier sections, getting an area breakfast is the way in which to go. Not solely is the native Maldivian meals scrumptious, however you get a more healthy breakfast for a lot much less cash with out overeating to start out your day. It’s a win-win state of affairs.
Pre-book all of your dinners
Whereas lunch is rarely busy, dinners can typically be booked out. The Ritz and Fari islands normally revolves round small and intimate eating places, versus large resort eating halls so ensure to guide issues forward of time. Widespread eating places like Arabesque will see loads of demand from visitors, particularly throughout excessive season months.
How a lot did we spend on the Ritz?
In complete, we spent about $4,000 USD on the Ritz for our 5 evening keep. This doesn’t embrace the round-trip speedboat transfers however is fully for the meals, actions, and alcohol.
We drank little or no (possibly 2-3 glasses of wine the whole keep) so this invoice may have been a lot increased if we elected for the $300 bottles of champagne. Every thing might be paid for by bank card on the resort.
Remaining Ideas
The Ritz is likely one of the finest inns I’ve ever stayed in. From the aesthetics, design, pure magnificence, and customer support, every little thing was prime notch. The employees went out of their solution to make us really feel like household and elevated the already unbelievable expertise. It felt like something we needed was attainable (though we’re very low upkeep folks).
You recognize you actually love a resort when you’re already dreading trying out on day 2 of a 5 day keep. It virtually felt like I left a bit of myself on the Ritz. Not a nasty factor as I’m already planning a visit again!
FAQ for the Ritz Carlton Maldives
What’s the distinction between ocean view and lagoon view at Ritz Carlton Maldives?
The villas on the ocean view and lagoon view sides are an identical. It merely comes all the way down to the view. Lagoon view will get extra solar normally and faces the sundown. The Ocean view villas face the open ocean and the dawn. Each side have that unbelievable turquoise coloured reef in entrance of the villa. The draw back to the lagoon aspect is that there’s a fixed circulate of boat site visitors that may see straight into your villa. If this bothers you, I’d positively elect to decide on the ocean view rooms.
How Costly is the Ritz Carlton Maldives?
Count on to pay someplace between $2,500 to $4,000 for the most cost effective ocean view overwater villa. This worth doesn’t embrace the velocity boat switch and doesn’t embrace worth for meals or alcohol as there aren’t any all inclusive choices.
For reserving on factors, you possibly can anticipate to pay 100,000 to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy Factors per evening. While you guide with factors, you’ll get the fifth evening free should you guide for 4 ngihts.
What’s the finest time of yr to go to the Ritz Maldives?
Like the remainder of the Maldives, the most effective time to go to is the dry season between November and April. Dec to Feb are the height seasons however costs shall be increased. Wet season could be a good time to go to as a result of it doesn’t rain the whole time. In the event you get fortunate, you’ll get image excellent climate at an affordable worth with much less vacationers.
Proceed Studying:
[ad_2]
Source link