The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Review: Villas, Food & Spa

The Maldives is known for turquoise lagoons, white-sand beaches and private villas surrounded by the Indian Ocean. But not every island resort offers the same experience. Some focus on traditional Maldivian charm, while others take a much more contemporary approach.

During our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, I experienced a resort built around modern architecture, personalised service, excellent dining and plenty of privacy. The property sits in the Fari Islands in Kaafu Atoll and is designed around a distinctive circular concept that appears throughout the villas, pool and public spaces.

So, is this luxury resort worth considering for a Maldives holiday? This detailed review covers the location, transfer, accommodation, beaches, swimming, diving, spa, restaurants and family facilities, along with a few things worth knowing before booking.

Location and transfer

One of the biggest practical advantages is the relatively straightforward transfer from Malé International Airport. Instead of taking a seaplane, guests can travel by speedboat, with the journey taking around 45 minutes.

After landing in Malé, a member of the resort team welcomes guests and assists with the transfer. For travellers who want to start their holiday quickly, this can be more convenient than waiting for a seaplane departure.

The speedboat transfer is charged separately, so it is important to include this additional expense when calculating the overall holiday budget. For two people, the return transfer cost listed during our stay was around $1,800.

The resort forms part of the wider Fari Islands development, where several properties and shared facilities are connected by boat. Complimentary transfers make it possible to visit other areas of the island group during a stay.

A very different Maldives resort

The first thing that stands out is the architecture.

Rather than trying to recreate the look of a traditional Maldivian village, the resort embraces contemporary design. Curved structures, circular spaces and clean lines are used throughout the property.

The concept is based on the idea of embracing island life through circles, and this becomes especially obvious when walking around the resort. The main pool, spa and many buildings follow the same rounded design.

Personally, I found the architecture impressive because it gives the property a distinctive identity. However, travellers looking for a rustic tropical atmosphere may prefer a resort with more wooden interiors, traditional roofs and a warmer island aesthetic.

The islands themselves were artificially created and connected to form the resort. When the property first opened, the vegetation was relatively young, but it has matured considerably. Palm trees and other greenery now provide a more established tropical setting and help create privacy around the beach villas.

Birds, flying foxes and lizards can also be seen around the property, adding another layer of life to the surroundings.

Staying in a water villa

The accommodation is one of the main reasons to consider this resort.

The one-bedroom water villas have a distinctive circular shape and are positioned above the lagoon. Each has its own private swimming pool and a large terrace facing the ocean.

Inside, the layout is open and spacious, with a bedroom and sitting area arranged around the view. Large glass doors can be opened towards the terrace, making it easy to move between the indoor and outdoor areas.

The bathroom is positioned towards the rear and includes two sinks, an open wardrobe, a bathtub, a separate toilet and both indoor and outdoor showers.

The result is a villa that feels more like a private residence than a conventional hotel room.

One detail that makes these accommodations particularly memorable is the architecture. The rounded exterior gives them an almost futuristic appearance, which is quite different from the classic overwater villas found elsewhere in the Maldives.

Two-bedroom beach villas

For families or larger groups, the two-bedroom beach villas offer a different layout.

These villas are rectangular rather than circular and provide considerably more living space. The central living area includes a dining table, seating area and bar, while the bedrooms are positioned on either side.

Large glass doors open onto a private terrace with loungers and an outdoor seating area. A larger private pool sits between the villa and the beach, giving guests direct access to the lagoon.

Each bedroom has its own bathroom, making this accommodation particularly practical for families travelling together.

The combination of separate sleeping areas, generous indoor space, private outdoor facilities and direct beach access makes the two-bedroom option one of the most suitable choices for a family holiday.

Pool and beaches

Because every villa comes with its own pool, the main swimming pool tends to feel surprisingly peaceful during the day.

The large circular pool sits on the central island and is surrounded by the lagoon. It is also a good place to spend the evening, particularly when the weather allows for a colourful Maldivian sunset.

The beaches around the property are another highlight. Several quieter sections provide space to relax away from the main resort facilities.

For a livelier atmosphere, the beach around Beach Shack has a more social feel, with music, loungers and cabanas creating a relaxed beach-club environment.

This means guests can choose between a quiet afternoon beside their villa, a swim in the main pool or a more energetic afternoon by the beach.

Snorkelling and diving

This is one area where expectations are important.

Because the resort was developed on artificial islands, there is no large natural house reef directly surrounding the property. As a result, snorkelling immediately around the resort may not be as impressive as at some naturally formed Maldivian islands.

That does not mean there is a lack of marine life.

Nearby sites offer opportunities to see turtles, sharks, stingrays, colourful fish and coral. Excursions can be arranged for guests who want to explore further away from the resort.

During our stay, we also went diving around the reef edge close to the water villas and encountered a good variety of underwater life.

For serious divers, arranging excursions in advance is worthwhile. The surrounding waters offer much more than can be experienced directly from the resort's shoreline.

The overwater spa

The spa is one of the most visually impressive parts of the property.

It is built above the lagoon and follows the same circular architectural theme found throughout the resort. A central opening allows natural light to enter from above while also providing views towards the water below.

Inside, the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing, with treatment rooms designed for individual and couples' treatments.

We chose a couples' massage during our stay, which was a particularly enjoyable way to slow down after spending time in the sun and water.

For anyone planning a romantic Maldives escape, the overwater setting adds something special to the spa experience.

Breakfast and dining

Food is another strong part of the experience, with several restaurants offering different styles of cuisine.

La Locanda

La Locanda focuses on Italian food and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at different times of the day.

The breakfast combines a buffet with an à la carte selection, while the restaurant's Italian menu includes pizza and pasta. The Carbonara was a personal favourite during the stay.

Breakfast also includes the option of enjoying a Bloody Mary or Mimosa, making the first meal of the day feel particularly indulgent.

Summer Pavilion

For Cantonese cuisine, Summer Pavilion is the place to go.

The restaurant sits above the water and has an atmospheric interior decorated with lanterns and a koi pond. Dim sum is among the highlights, although some dishes can be considerably spicier than guests might expect.

Dinner here feels very different from eating at the beach or beside the main pool, giving the resort's dining programme plenty of variety.

Beach Shack

Beach Shack offers a much more casual setting.

Guests can sit with their feet in the sand beneath palm trees while enjoying Mediterranean-inspired food. The menu includes dishes such as tapas, paella and burgers.

Music and a relaxed beach-club atmosphere make this a good option when you want a break from formal dining.

Eau Bar

Located beside the main pool, Eau Bar is particularly appealing around sunset.

The menu focuses on Japanese dishes, including sushi and vegan bowls, while the bar provides a place to enjoy drinks after a day at the beach.

Evenings can include music and a traditional sunset ceremony featuring Maldivian drummers. Unfortunately, the weather during our stay did not give us the perfect sunset for the ceremony.

IWAU

IWAU provides a more intimate Japanese dining experience.

The restaurant features a live teppanyaki-style barbecue, with a small number of guests seated around the cooking station. Fresh seafood is available alongside Japanese Wagyu and vegetarian choices.

It is a good option for a special dinner and a noticeably different experience from the other restaurants.

Dining beyond the resort

One benefit of staying in the Fari Islands is that guests can also visit restaurants at neighbouring properties and the marina island.

A complimentary boat shuttle connects the different areas, making it easy to add variety to a longer stay.

One of my favourite meals outside the main resort was at Arabesque, where the menu combines flavours from Lebanon through to North India. The lentil soup was particularly memorable and showed how even a simple dish can become the highlight of a meal when the ingredients and preparation are right.

The additional restaurants make the wider Fari Islands feel more like a small destination rather than a single isolated resort.

Is it suitable for families?

Although the property has a strong romantic and luxurious feel, families are also well catered for.

The Kids Club provides indoor activities as well as an outdoor area with a climbing playground and water slide. Children can take part in activities connected with nature and sustainability while parents enjoy some quieter time.

The two-bedroom beach villas are particularly practical for families because of their separate bedrooms and generous living space.

What I liked most

The strongest part of the experience was the combination of service and design.

Staff were consistently attentive, friendly and quick to respond to requests. Having a personal butler who can be contacted through WhatsApp also makes communication straightforward throughout the stay.

The villas are another major highlight. Their unusual circular design gives the resort a personality that is difficult to confuse with other Maldives properties.

I also enjoyed having so many dining choices. Moving between Italian food, Cantonese dishes, Japanese cuisine and casual Mediterranean meals meant that there was plenty of variety during the stay.

The spa was another standout, particularly because of its unusual overwater architecture.

Things to consider before booking

There are a few drawbacks worth considering.

First, this is an expensive resort, and the cost does not end with the room. Food, drinks and transfers can add significantly to the final bill.

Second, the modern design may not appeal to everyone. If you dream of a traditional Maldivian villa with a rustic wooden interior and a more natural appearance, this property may feel too contemporary.

Finally, snorkelling directly around the island is not its strongest feature because there is no extensive natural house reef surrounding the artificial islands. Divers and snorkellers should plan excursions to nearby sites if underwater exploration is a priority.

Final verdict

For travellers who value modern architecture, attentive service, private pools and an impressive choice of restaurants, this is a compelling luxury resort in the Maldives.

The accommodation feels spacious and private, the dining programme is varied, and the combination of beach, lagoon, spa and water-based activities gives guests plenty to do without leaving the property.

The experience comes at a premium price, and the contemporary design will not suit everyone. The lack of a large house reef is another consideration for travellers whose main reason for visiting the Maldives is easy access to exceptional snorkelling.

For me, the biggest strengths were the service, unusual villa design, food and beautifully designed spa. If your idea of a Maldives holiday involves contemporary luxury rather than traditional island styling, this resort is well worth considering.

Overall, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers a polished and highly personalised island stay, with enough variety to make even a longer holiday feel fresh.