This resort may be built on 100 per cent reclaimed land but the experience it offers is nothing short of authentic
There are generally two types of travellers to the Maldives—those willing to embrace a (sometimes turbulent) seaplane ride across the vast Indian Ocean from the capital Male to secluded islands; and those who prefer to eschew that plane ride in favour of a calmer yacht transfer to a nearby resort.
If you belong to the latter ilk, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi could be your dream destination. This luxurious resort that officially opened in the last quarter of 2019 is only a 30-minute boat ride away from the capital and offers no less an authentic experience from its more isolated competitors.
From the outset, it’s obvious the owners of the resort (the Hilton Group) are big on size. This Waldorf is currently the largest island in the Maldives; boasts the largest spa in the country; has an additional 30,000 sqm private island (for royalty, celebrities and anyone with US$65,000 a night to spare) that is currently the largest private island in the Maldives; offers villas that are the biggest in their respective categories among all the resorts, and has 11 celebrated restaurants on-site—making it the current resort in the Maldives with the most food choices.