Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Poolside perfection in the Maldives. It doesn't get much better than this.
A Review of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
If you have never been to the Maldives, let us just say this: Your expectations are about to be exceeded, it is better than you imagine.
We have now visited the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi twice ( we have been to the Maldives a total of four times). Our first stay was for about a week. Our second was for a week and a half. And honestly? We are already planning how to get back. This isn't just a hotel stay. It is a masterclass in island living.
It starts the moment you land. Forget the cramped, sweaty seaplane transfer that is standard for most Maldivian resorts. Here, you are whisked away in a private yacht for a 40-minute cruise. By the time you finish your first glass of champagne, you have arrived. This resort feels massive, polished, and incredibly complete. It manages to balance the isolation you want from the Maldives with the scale of a grand hotel.
The Room Experience
We have stayed here twice, trying different villa categories, and we have a clear verdict for you: Book the Reef Villa.
While the Overwater Villas look great on Instagram, they are often located at the far ends of the jetties, making it a long trek to get anywhere. The Beach Villas are beautiful but lack that feeling of being "in" the ocean. The Reef Villa is the perfect hybrid. You get the overwater deck where you can jump straight into the ocean, but your entrance is on land, centrally located near the restaurants and amenities.
Inside, the accommodations are frankly unbelievable. "Spacious" doesn't cover it. The ceilings are soaring and the design is modern. But the real showstopper is the outdoor space. Every villa comes with a massive deck and a private pool that is large enough to actually swim laps in, not just a plunge pool for cooling off. The privacy is absolute. You can swim to the edge, look out at nothing but the Indian Ocean, and know that not a single other villa can see you. It is just you and the horizon.
The Reef Villa experience: Modern, spacious, and completely private. It feels less like a hotel room and more like your own luxury residence on the water.
The Dining Scene
With 11 different dining venues, food isn't just fuel here. It is the main event. You could stay for 10 nights (like we did on our second trip) and never eat at the same place twice.
We need to be very direct about the quality here. The Michelin Guide does not currently rate restaurants in the Maldives. If they did, we are certain several of the kitchens here would be holding stars. The culinary precision is that high. However, there is a reality check you need to be prepared for: Be ready to open your wallets. The Maldives is, without question, the most expensive dining destination we have ever visited. The prices here exceed what you would expect in Paris, New York, or Tokyo. The logistics of getting fresh, world-class ingredients and superstar chefs to a sandbar in the middle of the Indian Ocean are complex, and the menus reflect that.
Tasting Table: This is where your day begins, sitting right next to the water. The breakfast buffet is, without exaggeration, one of the best we have ever seen. On our last visit, we were blown away when the pastry chef revealed that their entire croissant and danish selection was vegan. They had taken it on as a personal challenge to create indistinguishable plant-based pastries, and they succeeded. Also, keep an eye out for the yogurt. We found our all-time favorite yogurt here, the French brand Beillevaire. It is life-changing (well, at least eye-opening).
Yasmeen: This was our absolute favorite. It is an open-air restaurant designed to look like a traditional Levant village, complete with antique decor. Eating incredibly fresh flatbreads and grilled meats under the stars here feels like a page pulled directly from an Arabian fairy tale. You absolutely must order the Kunafa for dessert. It is delicious.
Zuma: Yes, the world-famous Zuma has an outpost here, and the setting is spectacular. The entire restaurant is perched over the ocean with 360-degree views. The sushi is as precise as you would expect, but eating it while suspended over the reef takes it to another level.
The Ledge by Dave Pynt: If you are a foodie, this is a big deal. It is the island outpost of the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends in Singapore. The Australian BBQ here is smoky, rich, and perfect for a casual lunch.
Li Long: This is the spot for authentic Chinese cuisine. The Peking Duck is roasted in a wood-fired oven and carved tableside. The room itself, hovering over the lagoon, is stunning.
Glow: This is the resort's garden-to-table concept. The food is incredibly fresh, utilizing herbs and vegetables grown right on the island. It feels lighter and healthier, which is a nice break after days of indulgence.
Amber: This is the dedicated sunset champagne bar. It is the premier spot to watch the sun dip below the horizon with a glass of bubbles in hand. The vibe is relaxed luxury at its finest.
Peacock Alley: This became our daily ritual. We stopped here every afternoon for cocktails and the bartenders are fantastic. They are so personal and helpful, always eager to craft something new or suggest a twist on a classic based on what we liked the day before.
Where fine dining meets the ocean, literally. Unmatched views and world-class cuisine suspended right over the lagoon.
The Amenities
The activities here are world-class, and there is genuinely something for everyone.
The Diving: On both of our stays, we rented a private boat to go diving (the 2nd time, the boat ended up being a yacht!), and it remains one of our favorite travel memories. The resort has a full PADI dive center that runs like clockwork. Whether you are a master diver or a beginner, the team is fantastic at guiding you through the pristine underwater world. It is an absolute must-do.
The Main Pool: While everyone has a private pool, do not skip the main pool. It is a huge infinity-edge masterpiece located right on the white sand beach with breathtaking views. Because the villas are so nice, this pool was nearly always empty for us. It felt like our own private resort. The pool service is excellent, whether you want lunch, snacks, or just a drink delivered to your lounger.
Snorkeling: You don't need a boat to see the reef. You can snorkel right off your villa deck, or you can just walk into the water from the numerous beaches around the resort. It is incredibly easy and accessible.
Biking: Each villa is assigned bicycles based on the number of guests. If you like to bike on a tropical island with ocean views and warm breezes, we have the place for you. It is the most charming way to get from breakfast to the beach.
The Kids Club: We noticed a very large and seemingly well-supplied Kids Club on the island. We honestly never saw many kids during our stays, but if you do bring the family, rest assured they have a great spot designed just for them.
The ultimate couples' massage setting. Forget spa music, your soundtrack here is the gentle lapping of the ocean beneath you as the sun sets.
The Essentials
The Ambiance and Service:
The service is exactly what you expect from a Waldorf Astoria: polished, personal, and warm. It was incredible to return several years later and run into staff members who actually remembered us from our first visit. That level of recognition makes a massive resort feel intimate.
Every villa is assigned a Personal Concierge. They are your lifeline. Whether you need a buggy ride, a dinner reservation, or just advice on where the snorkeling is best that day, they are just a text away. We never felt like "Room 302"; we felt like welcomed guests.
However, we need to be honest about the one downside of a resort this size. Because the islands are so long, walking from your villa to dinner can be a hike. This means almost everyone relies on the buggy service. The result is that the main sand paths can feel a bit like a "buggy highway" with carts zipping back and forth constantly. If you are looking for that castaway “barefoot” feeling where you never see another soul, this might distract from the vibe.
Accessibility Notes:
Because this property is relatively new, the accessibility is better than many island resorts, but there are some realities to be aware of.
Getting Around: All of the paths are sand. The main paths are pretty hard-packed, and we never had issues getting around. However, the resort is massive. You will likely rely on the buggy service. Note that they do not have an accessible "roll-on" buggy. You will need to be able to stand or have someone assist you to transfer into the cart. This could be challenging for some travelers.
The Villas: Inside the villa and on the pool deck, accessibility is excellent. There is plenty of space to maneuver. Getting from the sand path up to the villa deck requires two steps, but the staff immediately put down a ramp for us, solving the issue.
Dining: All restaurants except for Terra (the treetop pods) are accessible. However, some venues have floors with softer sand, which did require some extra effort to push through.
Pool & Beach: They do not have pool lifts or a beach wheelchair at the resort, which is a bummer for a property of this caliber.
The Staff: While the hardware isn't perfect, the "heartware" is. The staff is so willing to assist with anything. The accessibility here isn't always obvious, but thanks to the team, it gets done.
This is what decompression looks like. There is a specific kind of silence here, just the sound of the water lapping against the stilts. It is the perfect place to reset.
The TudorTravels Perspective
The Waldorf Astoria Maldives is for the traveler who wants the Maldives plus. You get the turquoise water and the overwater villa, but you also get the variety of a major city dining scene and the service of a grand hotel. It is perfect for active travelers who worry they might get "island fever" at a smaller property.
When you trust us with your trip, we ensure you are treated like a VIP from the moment you step off the plane. We have personal relationships with the management team here, and as members of Hilton Impresario (Hilton’s invitation-only luxury partner program) and Virtuoso, we can unlock a level of care and priority that you simply cannot get by booking online. Let us handle the details so you can focus on the diving (or relaxing).
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