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Waldorf Astoria Maldives offers luxury leisure seekers unforgettable escape
Hilton’s luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, welcomes guests to a world of visionary design at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Having opened on July 1, 2019, the all-pool-villa resort is designed for elite travellers with a discerning eye, with all 122 villas, dining venues and spa and wellness sanctuary boasting exquisite architecture and design that blends perfectly into the landscape.
Spanning three interlinking islands in the South Male Atoll, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a tranquil retreat surrounded by crystal-clear azure ocean. Designed to meet local environmental requirements and needs, every aspect of the resort has been guided by the natural setting and local architectural style, with a luxury edge. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a breath-taking view of villas nestled within the sparkling Maldivian landscape, inspired by the islands’ beauty, natural resources and local culture.
The resort was built with the preservation of the natural beauty and ecosystem of the area in mind. Where possible construction made use of durable and recyclable materials and native or naturalised plant species in landscaping. Special care was also taken to limit energy and water consumption.
The resort’s villas, ranging from one- to two- and three-bedroom layouts, are contemporary in style and clad in solid wood. The rich exterior is contrasted by the modern open plan interior, with a lofty seven-meter-high ceiling elevating the space. All rooms boast spectacular views, with each space facing an enticing lagoon, ocean or beach view, where sun, sea and sand awaits. Every villa also boasts a large (minimum 10 metres in length) infinity pool, a hanging gazebo and a sunbed, as well as a covered terrace with contemporary Maldivian outdoor furniture.
“Over the years, Waldorf Astoria has continued to define the hospitality experience for the modern-day traveler through sophisticated and timeless style,” Etienne Dalançon, General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, said.
“No effort was spared in designing, crafting, engineering and building Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, right down to the final finishing touches. We are delighted that we are able to bring guests to a truly inspiring destination, where serene, generous spaces were made for the perfect escape from the busy world.”
The sensorial design experience is also evident in the dining venues. Stickman Tribe, an internationally recognised boutique interior design studio, led the creative vision for four of the 11 dining venues: Terra, Glow, The Rock and Li Long.
Terra
Inspired by the Latin name for Earth or Land, Terra invites guests to ascend into the treetops along a feature staircase, where they’ll enjoy a unique dining experience in bamboo pods amongst a vast canopy of foliage. Strategically layered to optimise the vista, guests can expect sublime views of the Indian Ocean.
Glow
A greenhouse-like structure shaded by greenery, with modern, contemporary lines creating an airy dining experience, Glow is a welcoming space offering plenty of sunlight during the day and a glittering view of the night sky in the evening. The eatery serves up delectable dishes with a focus on well-being, which are created from the resort’s own on-island nurseries and on-site herb garden — so diners are guaranteed the freshest flavours and ingredients.
The Rock
Set in an atmospheric cave, The Rock is a sumptuous wine cellar and dining experience that caters exclusively to 12 people each night. Guests begin their evening in a sunken seated area where pre-dinner drinks are served, before proceeding into the carved-out space for dinner, where the venue’s piéce de résistance awaits — a remarkable four-meter-long table crafted from a 3,000-year-old reclaimed Jarrah tree from Western Australia, which was retrofitted and shipped to the Maldives specifically for The Rock.
Li Long
Li Long serves contemporary Chinese fine dining in a setting that combines traditional elements with a modern twist to create the perfect blend of old and new. An 800-kilogram Ming Dynasty inspired chinoiserie bell draws the eye upwards when first entering the space. The kitchen has been designed to be fully visible, allowing guests to witness the cooking process as they dine on authentic regional delicacies such as Peking duck, prepared in the first wood-fired oven in the Maldives and carved tableside by a Chinese master chef.
“When considering the dining design briefs for these venues — a treehouse dining concept, a cave wine cellar restaurant, an organic farmhouse and authentic Chinese restaurant — the architectural envelope and interior must go hand-in-hand to ensure that the end result is as iconic as the vision,” Marcos Cain, CEO of Stickman Tribe, said.
In addition to the restaurants designed by Stickman Tribe, meticulous design is integral to other key venues at the resort.
Yasmeen
Yasmeen is a unique beachside restaurant where guests can admire the lapping waves of the Indian Ocean. Created from a historic Arabian house discovered on the island during construction, Yasmeen is filled with decorative artefacts and antiques, including 31 Arabic doors and windows, some of which have a 400-year-old history. A village square–inspired courtyard, complete with towering fountain, acts as the centrepiece of the restaurant, with each dining area offering guests a view of the soothing sight.
The Ledge
A partnership with Chef Dave Pynt, the culinary mastermind behind Singapore’s Michelin-starred Burnt Ends restaurant, The Ledge brings culinary theatre to the Maldives. With a warm, inviting ambience, the space embraces the sandstone of the surrounding walls and builds this texture throughout to give the feel of it being fused to the island. Complementing the fire from the chef’s custom-built oven, this warmth is further emphasised through the distinct selection of lighting, in-light troughs, fixtures and fittings, as well as the reclaimed timber floors, leather and antique bronze touches, exuding a sense of relaxed luxury.
Spanning three interconnected islands in the South Male Atoll, and a short 30-minute yacht journey away from Velana International Airport, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is an iconic resort paradise surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldivian landscape and the crystal-clear Indian Ocean.
Aside from the excellent restaurants and bars, the resort also boasts 122 spacious villas, the Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park and a world-class spa.
For more information or to make reservations, please visit www.waldorfastoriamaldives.com or call +960-4-000300.
RAAYA by Atmosphere has received its latest recognition at the Travel Time Awards, held in Moscow in August 2026, where the island resort was named “The Best Family Resort in the Maldives 2025”.
The award marks RAAYA’s second consecutive recognition from Travel Time, following its win as “Opening of the Year 2024”.
The recognition reflects the resort’s growing presence in the Russian travel market and its approach to family holidays in the Maldives, with a focus on shared experiences, exploration and activities designed for guests across generations.
Located on a private island in Raa Atoll, RAAYA is centred around the fictional story of Seb, a shipwrecked artist and adventurer whose narrative is incorporated throughout the resort experience. Guests can take part in island exploration, creative activities and ocean-based experiences, alongside family-oriented facilities and a range of dining options under The RAAYA Plan™.
The award was also presented during a visit to the resort by Russian film actress Katerina Shpitsa, known for productions including “Metro”, “The Crew” and “Poddubny”. During her stay, Shpitsa presented the Travel Time Awards 2025 accolade to RAAYA by Atmosphere General Manager Mario Stanic.
“Receiving this recognition for a second consecutive year is a proud moment for everyone at RAAYA,” Stanic said. “Winning the Travel Time Award 2025 for Best Family Resort is a wonderful recognition of what we stand for — bringing families together through shared experiences and lasting memories within a backdrop of a tropical island paradise.
“We are proud to create experiences that resonate with Russian families and families from around the world, offering a place to connect, discover and create memories together. We thank the awards team, our partners and our guests for their continued trust and support.”
The award adds to the international recognition received by RAAYA by Atmosphere since the resort opened in July 2024. The property has positioned its offering around experiential hospitality, design, family-focused programming and its castaway-inspired narrative.
RAAYA features 167 beach and overwater villas, a collection of dining venues and a range of land and ocean activities within its Raa Atoll setting.
With two Travel Time Awards in consecutive years, the resort continues to develop its position within the family travel segment in the Maldives.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli Maldives will welcome award-winning food creator Kabita Singh, the personality behind Kabita’s Kitchen, for a special culinary residency in October to mark International Chefs’ Day on 20 October 2026.
Known for making everyday Indian cooking accessible to a wide audience, Singh will move from her digital kitchen to the Maldives, joining the resort’s culinary team for a live cooking experience created for guests.
The collaboration will bring together Singh’s approach to Indian cuisine — centred on familiar flavours, accessible recipes and an increasing focus on wholesome cooking — with Sun Siyam’s Plant Based Bliss philosophy, which promotes the nutritional and holistic benefits of plant-forward dining.
As part of the International Chefs’ Day celebrations, Singh will cook alongside Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s culinary team during a live session in front of resort guests. The experience will feature a specially curated selection of vegetarian, vegan and health-conscious dishes developed in collaboration with the resort’s chefs and inspired by Singh’s own cooking philosophy.
Guests will have the opportunity to watch Singh prepare the dishes, learn about the techniques and stories behind them, and sample her interpretation of plant-forward Indian cuisine in a Maldivian island setting.
Kabita’s Kitchen has grown from a home-cooking channel into one of India’s most widely followed food platforms, with approximately 14.6 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Singh has built her audience through content ranging from regional favourites and vegetarian staples to festive dishes, street-food classics and everyday family recipes.
Her influence within India’s food and digital content sector was recognised at the inaugural National Creators Award in 2024, where she received the Best Creator in Food Category award, presented by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We are really excited to welcome Kabita to Olhuveli and bring a taste of Kabita’s Kitchen to the Maldives,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
“Food is such an important part of the way people connect, and this is about bringing our guests closer to the experience, watching Kabita cook, discovering the flavours and stories behind her dishes, and of course tasting them together. Her fresh, approachable style is a great match for our Plant Based Bliss philosophy, and celebrating International Chefs’ Day together with our own culinary team makes it even more special. We want dining at Olhuveli to be fun, social and full of moments that guests remember long after they leave the island.”
Located in South Malé Atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is part of Sun Siyam’s Lifestyle Collection. The resort combines beach experiences, dining, entertainment, wellness and other activities within its broader island offering.
You & Me Maldives has been named Best Adults-Only Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives (TTM) Awards 2026, recognising the resort’s positioning, guest experiences and continued focus on adults-only hospitality in the Maldives.
The award was presented during the TTM Awards & Gala 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on 27 August 2026, marking the conclusion of the 10th edition of TTM Maldives. The annual awards recognise achievements, innovation and contributions across the Maldivian tourism industry.
Located in Raa Atoll, You & Me Maldives has established itself as an adults-only retreat catering to couples, honeymooners, friends and solo travellers seeking privacy and tranquillity.
The resort combines its island setting with accommodation, personalised service and experiences centred on romance, wellness, gastronomy and exploration, creating an intimate environment designed specifically for adult travellers.
The recognition comes as You & Me Maldives marks seven years of operations and welcoming guests from around the world.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests, partners, and dedicated team members who have been part of this journey,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.
“These seven years represent not only growth and success, but countless love stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences created on our island. Receiving the ‘Best Adults-Only Resort’ award at the TTM Awards is a tremendous honour and a reflection of the passion and dedication of our entire team.”
The Best Adults-Only Resort award further strengthens You & Me Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality sector, recognising its focus on combining an adults-only concept with personalised service and island experiences.
Looking ahead, You & Me Maldives plans to continue developing its concept and guest experience through new activities, offerings and services, while maintaining its focus on the adults-only luxury segment in the Maldives.
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