Hotel review: Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, is the ultimate modern Maldivian getaway

As I arrived in the thick of the night, the team hustled and checked me straight into the overwater villa. I was told that it was customary—as per ancient Maldivian tradition to signal the arrival of good news—for every arrival in the daytime to be warmly welcomed by the sonority of the traditional sangu horn. On route, I meet my Aris Meeha—named after the trusted custodians of ancient Maldivian royals—who serve as 24-hour butlers to ensure that no wish is left ungranted.

A handsome bottle of Ruinart Brut on ice and glittering skies accompanies me on my first night. The pitch-black surroundings, as if the villa were blindfolded, kept me in suspense for what was to come.

Waking up in the lagoon pool villa upon first light takes your breath away and it will continue to do so every morning, regardless of the length of your stay. Spanning 150 sqm, the room came with a worthy full marble bathroom, beautifully illuminated in the daytime by a translucent overhead opening. Each has a spacious rain shower and bath amenities by British-sustainably focused label Bamford. For obvious reasons, the marble soaking tub is intentionally separated from the bathroom, for those who simply can’t get enough of the views. Even the beds, made to be as comfortable as they are, bear trappings of the luxurious Frette linen.

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On the outside deck, lies the integrated infinity pool that blends seamlessly to the horizon and a sundeck with an overwater hammock and direct access to the lagoon. For that reason, I requested a set of snorkelling gear, which arrived promptly. During my stay, it was not rare to spot schools of fish, spotted rays and even giant pufferfishes in these clear blue waters.

Even the Aris Meeha, subtle as a tooth fairy, worked tirelessly to inject thoughtful surprises during my stay. When I arrived over the National Day weekend, a chocolate dessert, imprinted with the Singapore flag, decorated the living room dining table among a spread of sweets. The other evening, when the dolphin excursion was cancelled due to torrential rains, a cheese board and some wine, alongside a bubble bath, were delivered on a stormy night.

Tinkered up by Kerry Hill Architects, the resort’s masterful design vision makes it an instant modern classic. Yet, no element feels disconnected from the land. It respectfully blends references to stunning contemporary architecture with the natural landscape of the Fari Islands and its swirling ocean breezes.

Everything about this property is designed with the notion of totality, modernity and minimalism. Quite literally so, as you’ll notice villas are shaped in circles, giving guests a truly unparalleled 180-degree view of the sprawling turquoise waters.

For scale, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives boasts a total of 100 villas, including 38 ocean pool villas, 18 lagoon pool villas, and 18 beach pool villas. The remainder are a series of two-bedroom villas and the lavish 1500 sqm Ritz-Carlton Estate, perfect for larger families.

Nothing beats pampering at the spa after a spectacular day baking tenderly under the sun and sand. I sought rejuvenation at the Ritz-Carlton Spa, a gold-hued ring-shaped architectural marvel that is unmissable when centred and perched over the lagoon. There are a total of nine 60 sqm treatment rooms, each named and aligned after the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang energies. I opted for the winning combination that blends Japanese shiatsu and Swedish massage techniques to target stiff and tense muscles. 

In quick succession, my therapist located the knots on my shoulders and loosened them. The massage also incorporated native Maldivian organic coconut oils that nourish and moisturise the skin, leaving me relaxed, recharged and smooth as silk.

Boasting seven contrasting dining concepts on the island, you won’t go hungry during your stay. Start your day off with fresh juices or espresso at La Locanda, an Italian-inspired living room and overwater dining concept that doubles as the spot for an all-inclusive breakfast. The live dosa station and freshly baked viennoiseries were crowd favourites. Those who enjoy comforting Asian breakfast classics like dim sum and congee, make a beeline for the Asian live station.

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Come lunch, four options present themselves: Beach Shack, a sandy beachfront Asian Mediterranean-inspired restaurant; Eau Bar, a seafood-centric Japanese-inspired restaurant; Arabesque, a Middle-Eastern-inspired tent restaurant; and La Locanda. At the Beach Shack, I went barefoot on the fine sand and enjoyed a staff’s recommendation of the hearty soft-shell crab burger with tangy kimchi slaw. Don’t skip the gelato bar where some outstanding local coconut gelato makes for the perfect icy dessert treat.

On another afternoon, I opted for the Japanese nigiri platter at Eau Bar. While it included an array of sushi-grade seafood and Wagyu beef, it was the fresh local reef fish sashimi that stood out most.

Come nightfall, an unforgettable dinner at Iwau awaits where the private chef’s table experience promises a feast under a blanket of stars. Japanese teppanyaki sets the foundation of the experience but the progressive plates also weave in French techniques through a masterful range of complementing sauces. Besides luxurious Miyazaki Wagyu beef and fresh Maldivian lobster, my favourite course was the expertly prepared Chilean black cod. Think cod so fatty yet delicate, complemented by textures of crisped skin, with a bright lashing of yuzu-laced beurre blanc. It pairs well with a cup of Japanese sake, especially the tokubetsu.

To deepen your infatuation with the property, the Ritz-Carlton Maldives has tinkered up an ever-evolving initiative, titled Masters of Crafts, where they fly in Michelin-starred chefs, award-winning bartenders and other lifestyle-centric talents to showcase their chops. 

My second evening coincided with a bespoke experience graced by Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, the chef-owner of the highly acclaimed Potong in Bangkok and most recently, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2024. Her residency took over Summer Pavilion—the coveted Indian Ocean outpost of Singapore’s acclaimed Michelin-starred venue at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore—where she showcased her signature progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine.

Guests from all over the world, including myself, were treated to a storied menu centred around Thai-centric ingredients, peppered with genuine personal anecdotes, intricate culinary techniques, and artful presentations. From the famed Potong Pad Thai, presented in unorthodox fashion and a homage to the Thai flag, to the salacious five-spice squab that teases the original duck version back home, Pam brought a succinct but equally convincing dining experience over to the exotic location.

The world-class gastronomic experience continues at Eau Bar, where the award-winning Bangkok-based cocktail bar Opium shakes up a quartet of thought-driven libations that tell vivid stories through each sip. While the Masters of Crafts programme does come with an additional charge, it is certainly worth the splurge to be a part of such once-in-a-lifetime collaborations.

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