Perfection in Paradise: The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands [In-Depth Review]

The author was an invited guest of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives. All opinions are the author’s own, and the hotel had no input into this review.

There are few destinations as aspirational as the Maldives.

Honestly, visiting hasn’t been high on my list as a solo traveler. I mean, you can snorkel in crystal-clear waters in the Mediterranean, too, right?

That said, I jumped at the chance to experience the Maldives in January 2024 when I was hosted by The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, which only opened a few years ago in 2021. This was a stay at a high-end luxury property, and best of all, it’s possible to book on points.

Booking The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Unsurprisingly, a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, doesn’t come cheap.

You can expect to find the lowest prices for the 100-villa property during the low season between May and November. Points redemptions range from around 88,000 to 164,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night depending on the type of room, with 88,000 being for an overwater 1-bed Ocean Pool Villa.

When paying cash, the same room would set you back from $2,469 per night in September in low season.

The same room in January would cost more than triple, starting at $8,596 per night.

Hot Tip:

If you’re going to spend cash on the room rate or incidentals, we’d recommend using a co-branded Marriott Bonvoy credit card to earn bonus points.

Location of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The hotel is located on the man-made Fari Islands, home to the Ritz-Carlton and 2 other neighboring luxury properties: Capella Maldives (opening in 2025) and Patina Maldives.

Some rates include the 1-hour speedboat transfer, but when it’s not, it’ll cost $850 per person return. Notably, travelers who redeem points will have to pay for the transfer cost.

The local time is 1 hour ahead of Malé, so guests can make the most of daylight hours.

Arrival and Check In

The Ritz-Carlton luxe life starts from the moment you enter the arrivals hall at Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé.

My Beond flight landed from Dubai (DWC) around 2:30 p.m., and a member of the team holding a sign with my name was waiting for me in the arrivals area. I was then whisked out into the hot and humid air and across the street to where a Ritz-Carlton Maldives speed boat was waiting to take me to the Fari Islands.

Once we got underway, a boat crew member explained the route we’d take along with the various resorts we’d pass on our hour-long journey to the hotel’s location.

I was offered a Ritz-Carlton-branded box of welcome snacks and an ice-cold bottle of water. I hoped that the use of the glass bottle would be the first of many proactive steps in the name of sustainability that I’d notice.

I was warned that we were due to cross a strong current, and that sick bags were available should I need them.

Luckily, the water wasn’t too choppy. A short while later, I arrived at my home for the next 2 nights and was greeted by Pako — my Aris Meeha, a Dhivehi word and phrase that essentially translates to someone who assists a member of royalty. In practice at the Ritz, the Aris Meeha is your personal butler.

At the end of the jetty was a small open-air reception area where guests are processed for check-in and checkout.

With just 100 rooms, I was the only guest arriving and had the entire space to myself.

I felt like I’d arrived on my own private island.

Rooms

My short but sweet 2-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, was made even sweeter when I found out I’d be staying in a 3,766 square-foot 2-bedroom overwater villa.

Of course, most paying guests or those using points won’t get this experience, so I’ll share a snapshot of my accommodations as well as others.

2-Bedroom Overwater Villa

I turned off the main sandy track through the middle of the island down a private narrow lane and arrived at my sanctuary.

Bikes are parked outside all accommodation types to make it easy for guests to get around the islands. A short wooden bridge across the crystal clear waters led to my front porch.

For a second I wondered if this was 2 separate accommodations that shared 1 huge space.

Alas, it was all mine.

Let’s take a look inside.

Master Bedroom

Given I only had around 48 hours, I tried to spend as much time as possible exploring the islands and soaking up the February sunshine.

When I was in the villa, most of my time was spent asleep in the vast master bedroom.

As the villa faced the sunrise, I purposely left the blinds and curtains open to allow the sun to wake me up naturally. I decided against leaving open the huge triple doors (which disappeared into the wall of the villa) for fear of being eaten alive by tropical bugs in the night.

Despite the jetlag, my plan worked and I awoke to this.

At arm’s length from the bed were the controls for everything from lighting to the opening and closing of the sheer curtains, blackout curtains, and blinds. Here’s where you’ll also find a universal power socket and 2 USB-A ports.

Turndown service each evening included fresh glass bottles of water and the tidying of cables.

Slippers were placed on a towel and nighttime amenities were left on a tray on the bed.

What could say bedtime more than a bookmark, pillow spray, and a decadent box of chocolates?

And yes, you spotted it. There’s a bathtub inside the master bedroom.

Master Bathroom

The double-sink master bathroom was equally and unnecessarily vast.

It was chock full of useful amenities: life jackets for keeping safe when swimming in open water, a beach hat and bag, slippers, flip-flops, and more hangers than I’d ever seen in a hotel before.

There were also no less than 10 drawers and ample shelf space which meant I didn’t even notice until now that there wasn’t a dedicated wardrobe in the bedroom.

As for the toilet, it was tucked away in a corner behind a translucent privacy door.

The double vanity was home to more high-quality amenities.

Some of the amenity classics that you’d expect from any half-decent hotel: mini mouthwash, shaving gel, a dental kit, a vanity kit, and more.

It’s always good when hotels make an effort to reduce single-use plastic like the Ritz-Carlton does here with its recyclable packaging and cotton buds.

On the vanity shelves were some higher-end goodies. The Ritz-Carlton partners with British skincare company Bamford. It was a nice surprise to learn the lip balm, SPF 50 sunscreen, and facial plumping moisture were complimentary for guests.

Not to be taken home were the in-shower amenities — also by Bamford.

I can’t speak for the power of the inside shower, as this outdoor rainfall shower with ocean views was my go-to.

Second Bedroom and Bathroom

The large second bedroom features 2 double beds.

And boasted the same fully opening sliding doors as the master.

Living Space

The entire ocean-facing side of the villa, including the main living space, has sliding doors that, when opened fully, harmoniously blended the inside with the outside.

The living space was also huge: probably more than double the size of the master bedroom and bathroom combined.

The space includes a large 6-seater dining table for a cozy night in with room service.

You’ll also find a third restroom through a sliding door off of the main living space.

From bathrooms to bedrooms to living space, the curated design of neutral stones and woods and high-quality BoHo furnishings made for a relaxing space that will stand the test of time.

Pool and Deck

My favorite part of the villa was definitely outside, where an expensive wooden deck runs from the master bedroom at one end to the second bedroom at the other.

Even with the few overwater villas in sight when looking left from the deck, I never felt a lack of privacy.

The huge circular day beds were great for a spot of private sunbathing by day.

And by night, a spot of stargazing under the moonlight with the soft ocean breeze was utter serenity.

I was even tempted to sleep outside but didn’t want to risk becoming a late-night mosquito snack — even though I only got bitten a couple of times overall.

Features and Amenities

I was very impressed by the variety of gadgets, gizmos, and complimentary products in the room. To kick off proceedings, I was welcomed with a display of sweet treats and a bottle of Ruinart Champagne.

The kitchen area was stocked full of sweet and savory snacks that were refillable and complimentary.

The pods were Nespresso, which are decent, but I wish there was a slightly higher quality alternative.

Guests also enjoy unlimited, glass-bottle refills of water. Alcohol in the minibar, however, is chargeable.

Whispering Angel rosé and Aperol Spritz in a bottle were also chargeable.

Little details like this mini chopping board and knife for slicing the lemon added a little extra sparkle. Sometimes it is the little things that make the most difference.

The room was also stocked with towels for lounging by the pool or drying off after a dip in the warm shallow waters.

These Bang & Olufsen headphones were not entirely necessary but still a welcome addition to the room.

Other Room Types

The type of accommodation you book matters, as the different categories suit different guests. For example, some may prefer the quintessential Maldivian overwater villas while others might prefer to be on the beach.

That would also have an impact on whether your accommodation was facing the sunrise or sunset.

Each room comes with a private pool.

1-Bedroom Overwater Villas

The majority of 1-bedroom overwater pool villas are positioned in a circle around the circular spa, which means you can choose from either sunset, sunrise, or north-facing villas.

Here are 3 more located on the main island to the right of my 2-bedroom overwater villa.

2-Bedroom Beach Villa

If the word ‘beach’ features in the title of your room, chances are that you’ll be facing the sunset.

The pools are huge and guests can enjoy direct access onto the beach.

1-Bedroom Beach Villa

You’ll also find 1-bedroom villas with pools on the sunset side of the island.

New friends that I made at the restaurant invited me over for sundowners on my last night and we were treated to this magical sunset.

Amenities

I’ve heard people say that the Maldives isn’t for them because there’s “nothing to do.”

At least on property at the Ritz, there’s plenty to do, from giant chess boards and beach volleyball to water sports and a glorious spa.

I was also given a list of daily activities. Some were complimentary, such as morning yoga and team games like beach volleyball and football.

More extravagant things such as tennis lessons, wine-tasting masterclasses, and couples massage lessons — as well as activities based out of the dive center like shark snorkeling — were chargeable and must be booked in advance.

Bicycles

As well as being the quickest and easiest way to get around the islands, going for a cycle is another great way to enjoy some exercise. I highly recommend heading out on a self-guided tour.

Bike dock stations are located at various spots around the island like restaurants, the beaches, and the gym.

To stop guests from losing their bikes, each one has a plaque denoting the number of the villa it belongs to –– similar to a number plate.

Gym and Sports

I was very happy with the quality of the gym, which is far better than an average hotel fitness center.

The dumbbells went up to 32.5 kilograms (72 pounds), better than most hotels’ maximum of 20 kilos (44 pounds). There was also a Smith machine and a Romanian deadlift bar.

There were also rope pulley machines. The cardio machines were strategically placed at the window for views over the beach and Indian Ocean.

Next door was a huge room for group classes. I also saw someone having a private personal training session here.

I only discovered the spa area next door to the gym on my last day as I was looking for a place to get showered and changed before catching the boat to Malé.

It featured male and female steam rooms and saunas.

Remember what I was saying about it being impossible to be bored on property? The game room comes complete with a snooker table, foosball table, and more.

And yes, that’s a tennis court in the background where guests can enjoy training sessions with a tennis pro!

Ritz Kids

There’s an impressive kids club on the island for parents in need of some rest and relaxation alone.

Pool at Eau Bar

I’ve never seen anything like the spectacular circular infinity pool at Eau Bar.

After breakfast one morning I went for a stroll around the edge of the pool. A member of staff spotted me from Eau Bar and shouted over asking if I’d like him to take my photo.

What followed was a mini photo shoot, including this shot.

Guest privacy is always a top priority at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands — even around the pool where greenery acts as a natural partition between sun loungers.

You’ll be relieved to know I managed to squeeze a couple of hours of sunbathing in on my last afternoon.

Spa

My Aris Meeha, Pako, picked me up and drove me to the northernmost point of the island and down the jetty to the circular spa.

Here’s the entrance of the spa area.

I was greeted with a refreshing scented towel and tea which I sipped while filling out the required health and safety forms before my treatment.

What followed was a dreamy hour-long signature Bamford massage. The spa menu can be found here.

Food and Beverage

Most of the resort’s 7 dining outlets are located near the rooms on the aptly-named Culinary Island.

Not all restaurants were open during my trip. That’s because availability is based on occupancy and the time of year, so I didn’t get the chance to dine at Arabesque, Summer Pavilion, or the Asian food truck, Tum Tum. However, I dined at 4 other establishments.

Bottom Line:

Many rates at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, include complimentary breakfast. However, elites do not get free breakfast automatically.

Beach Shack

Opening Times: 12 to 4:30 p.m and 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Beach Shack is the least formal place to dine on the resort. Not that it’s coattails and cocktail dresses elsewhere — the resort’s dress code is smart casual overall — but this beachside restaurant certainly exudes a sense of come-as-you-are chill.

It’s located on Grand Sunset Beach rather than on Culinary Island.

The vibe is a bougie beachside retreat with undisturbed views of the Indian Ocean.

On my final day, I went for lunch with a couple I’d made friends with on the island.

I started with this tuna tartare which was full of flavor.

I was craving pasta, so I followed up with a large portion of hearty plant-based meatball linguine.

I couldn’t help but steal a Panko Prawn from my friend’s plate and instantly wished I’d ordered some for myself, too.

I can also highly recommend the Rainbow Fish “catch of the day.”

By night, Beach Shack’s beach turns into a romantic spot for dinner where guests can enjoy a Lobster and Champagne set menu for 2 for $310 or $425 with Philipponnat Royale Réserve Champagne included.

While lunch was great, the sunset supper I enjoyed here blew my mind.

Maldivian lobster was the main feature of each of the savory courses.

We started with an amuse-bouche of truffle and cream cheese tart with winter black truffle, green apple, and pesto (left) and a mini lobster croquette topped with a dash of garlic mayonnaise and a sprinkle of caviar.

The first of 2 starters was citrus-marinated lobster and crab with cherry tomato, chives, pickled daikon, cucumber, and micro greens.

The corn and lobster ragout with mushroom and lobster cream that came next was my preferred starter of the 2.

For the main course, there was a choice of lobster thermidor with asparagus and broccolini or grilled lobster with chargrilled corn on the cob topped with chives and hollandaise.

I went for the beautifully presented lobster thermidor. And no, no amount of lobster is too much lobster.

Just when I was sure I couldn’t eat another thing, I found myself feeling hungry again at the sight of my dessert.

It was described on the menu as “hazelnut, 85% chocolate mousse, cherry crémeux, cherry ice cream, nut crumbles.” I would describe it as chocolate and cherry heaven.

All the best meals go hand in hand with amazing service, and that’s what we had thanks to the wonderful Cake. Yes, his name is Cake. I’ll never forget him, his beaming smile, and, of course, his name.

Iwau — Japanese Chef’s Table

Dining times: 6:30 to 8 pm. or 8:30 to 10 p.m.

My first night on the island I dined at the chef’s table at Iwau.

The 5-course omakase dinner costs $300 per person. For an additional $125 per person, diners can enjoy a pairing of wine or sake with each dish.

Seats are arranged side by side around the open-air kitchen while the chef does his thing.

As a solo traveler, this social setting suited me well as the lovely Dutch couple I was seated next to struck up a conversation with almost immediately.

I’m very accustomed to dining alone, but on this occasion, I was happy to leave my book to one side and get to know my new Dutch friends.

First was a choice of Maldivian tuna tataki or chicken gyoza. Keen to make the most of my Maldivian experience, I went for the tuna, which was served with edamame puree, asparagus, and citrus soy butter sauce.

Next, the chef prepared a selection of nigiri sushi: otoro, black caviar, Hokkaido scallop, spicy yuzu tobiko unagi, and foie gras.

We crossed the Pacific for dish number 3 which was a Chilean sea bass in a truffle butter ponzu (a Japanese citrus-based sauce) with mushrooms and asparagus. For the final savory dish, we had the choice of either A9 Wagyu beef truffle teriyaki or Maldivian lobster.

Judging by the number of lobsters on the grill, nobody was tempted by the Wagyu.

By this point, I was so full that I felt drunk. And I hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol.

I absolutely had to complete the meal, so I managed to squeeze in course number 5. The white chocolate and matcha cheesecake with raspberry and yuzu sorbet was surprisingly, and thankfully, light.

La Locanda

Opening Times: 7 to 11 a.m. (breakfast), 1 to 3 p.m. (lunch), and 6:30 to 10 p.m. (dinner)

Breakfast

La Locanda is where the buffet and à la carte breakfast is served. In my opinion, using the word “buffet” does this regal spread a disservice. Note that while elites do not get breakfast for free automatically, many rates offer breakfast. Points bookings do not.

With that said, this was far and away the best hotel breakfast I’ve ever had.

Facing directly east as the morning sun rose over the ocean, the pulldown blinds acted as both a blessing and a curse as they blocked out some of the heat but also some of the view.

Even with the sun shining bright almost directly at me, this was my favorite spot to enjoy the views with my breakfast banquet.

There was also a large air-conditioned dining room inside where the buffet was located.

Let’s go on a tour of the world by cuisine, starting with Asian.

Taiwanese-style pork belly bao buns became a firm favorite of mine when I visited Taiwan last year, so I loved seeing it served fresh for breakfast.

Guests looking for an authentic Maldivian way to start the day could opt for made-to-order mas huni — a savory tuna and coconut combination served on flatbread.

Now onto Europe and pastries (a contender for my favorite part of the buffet). These cronuts tasted even better than they looked.

This was truly a pastry lover’s paradise.

I was also impressed by the selection of gluten-free sweet treats.

It wasn’t just pastries. In fact, there was a balance of indulgent and healthier options to suit everyone, like this colorful array of fresh fruit.

Moving on to the continental section to keep the Europeans happy. There was a huge selection of cheeses and cold cuts.

These could be accompanied by a variety of breads, including gluten-free options …

… and a fridge of yogurts, chia, bircher muesli, and a bunch of toppings.

The fridges were also stocked full of freshly bottled juices and all kinds of milk for every dietary requirement and preference.

A selection of classic breakfast fry-up items were also available should that be your thing.

Here’s La Locanda by night.

Eau Bar

Opening Times: 12 to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 10:30 p.m.

You’ll find Eau Bar at the resort’s main pool in the center of the resort.

You’ll want to make sure to stop by here around sunset on at least 1 evening during your stay where staffers perform a “defining moment” ceremony with Maldivian music and dance.

I’d recommend arriving early to get the best view of the spectacle. I made sure to enjoy every sip of this Aperol Spritz, which retails for $20.

This was a magical sunset that I’ll never forget.

Even at almost full occupancy, dinner times never felt overcrowded.

Later into the evening, we were treated to a live set by island resident DJ Diego Samblás.

I also had a great lunch here on my last day.

Eau Bar serves up a delicious array of seafood-themed dishes and signature poke bowls.

A standout was the fiery and flavorful Mango California Roll ($39).

Service

I felt like royalty from the moment I arrived at Malé airport to the arrival back at the airport just a short 48 hours later. While, yes, I was hosted for this stay, I noticed the service shine throughout for all guests.

Nothing was too much for Pako, my Aris Meeha, who made sure I was well looked after by a doctor when I had a bad infection in my hand.

Every interaction I had with members of the team was as warm, professional, and genuine as the next.

Final Thoughts

How lucky I am to have experienced The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.

Given that my job often involves working in the luxury travel space, I’ve stayed in some seriously impressive properties, from budget to truly aspirational.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, falls into that latter category, and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there.