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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.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will welcome Indian chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar for a culinary residency from 7 to 9 November 2026, coinciding with Diwali.
Kochhar, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, will bring the culinary approach of his London restaurant, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, to Helios. The residency will present his contemporary interpretation of India’s regional cuisines, drawing on the traditions and influences that have shaped his cooking.
Rooted in Kochhar’s connection to India, the menu will combine regional flavours with contemporary techniques and carefully selected ingredients. It will reflect his approach to developing Indian cuisine while retaining its cultural foundations.
With more than 30 years in the industry, Kochhar has built an international reputation for his contribution to Indian dining. He received his first Michelin star in 2001, followed by another in 2007. His culinary philosophy brings together India’s regional diversity, traditional cooking practices and contemporary methods.
At Patina Maldives, this philosophy will be interpreted through the resort’s Indian Ocean setting and the multicultural character of the Fari Islands. The residency will give Kochhar an opportunity to adapt his culinary identity to the island and the Diwali celebrations, creating an experience shaped by the occasion and its surroundings.
Kochhar leads the Atul Kochhar Hospitality Group, whose portfolio includes Kanishka in Mayfair, Vaasu and Sindhu in Marlow, Riwaz in Beaconsfield, Masalchi in Wembley Park, Indian Essence in Petts Wood and Essence in Tunbridge Wells.
The residency forms part of Patina Maldives’ culinary programme, which connects guests with different cultures, perspectives and creative disciplines. Through Kochhar’s cooking, guests will have an opportunity to explore India’s regional food traditions and celebrate Diwali through shared dining experiences.
Baros Maldives will welcome guests for its festive season from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with a programme centred on the island’s natural surroundings, Maldivian heritage and a series of culinary, marine and cultural experiences.
The programme will combine Christmas and New Year traditions with activities inspired by island life, including ocean excursions, local cultural experiences, festive dining and wellbeing sessions.
The season will begin with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, followed by a series of activities introducing guests to festive traditions and Maldivian culture. These will include a Christmas cookie workshop, an Ocean, Coconut & Spice cooking class, a Maldivian Heritage Evening and an Island Christmas Market.
Marine experiences will remain a central part of the festive programme. Guests will be able to join a Sunrise Nooma sailing experience, take part in fishing trips at sunrise or twilight, explore the house reef with the resort’s marine team or join a dolphin-watching cruise.
Private yacht excursions, visits to local islands and trips to Malé will also be available for guests wishing to explore beyond the resort.
Baros Maldives will also offer a series of culinary experiences throughout the festive period. These will include a Sake Pairing Dinner, a Great Gatsby-themed five-course dinner and a Champagne Dinner inspired by the Seven Seas.
Other dining experiences will include a Butcher’s Block buffet, an Omakase tasting lunch and a Master Chef Tuna Carving Show & Tasting. Guests will also be able to take part in wine discovery experiences, cocktail-making sessions and an Island Crafted Cocktails programme.
On Christmas Eve, guests will gather at The Lighthouse for a cocktail reception before continuing to Lime for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner.
Christmas Day will feature breakfast, festive activities and time for guests to enjoy the beach, lagoon and other island experiences with family and friends.
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a Gala Dinner, live entertainment and the countdown to 2027.
New Year’s Day will start with a celebratory brunch, followed by a selection of wellbeing and dining experiences. These will include a beachfront degustation dinner accompanied by live violin and saxophone performances.
Younger guests will also have a dedicated programme of festive activities, including mocktail-making, Christmas cookie workshops and island-based activities designed for families and children.
Throughout the season, Baros Maldives will host live music, marine presentations, yoga and meditation sessions alongside its wider programme of dining, recreation and ocean experiences.
The festive programme is intended to reflect the character of Baros Maldives by combining Christmas and New Year celebrations with the island’s marine environment, culinary offering and Maldivian culture.
From 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, Niva Kuramathi will mark the festive season with “A Tropical Festive Season”, a programme of dining, entertainment, outdoor activities and family experiences shaped around the island setting.
The programme will make use of Kuramathi’s natural surroundings, including its house reef and sandbank, alongside its 12 restaurants and seven bars.
The festivities will begin on the evening of 21 December with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the sandbank. Guests will be welcomed with drinks and live music at sunset, followed later in the evening by a traditional Bodu Beru performance.
On 28 and 29 December, the resort will host a traditional Maldivian Market, featuring Bodu Beru drumming, a folklore parade and locally made artisanal crafts.
Christmas Eve festivities
Christmas Eve celebrations will begin on the sandbank at sunset, with welcome drinks and Christmas carols. Santa Claus and his elves will also make an appearance before guests gather for a gala buffet dinner.
The evening will conclude with an outdoor screening of a classic Christmas film under the stars.
Countdown to 2027
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin at sunset with cocktails on the sandbank.
A gala dinner will then be served across Farivalhu, Malaafaiy and Haruge restaurants before the countdown to 2027. Fireworks will mark the arrival of the New Year, while live music and DJ performances will continue at Fung Bar and Sand Bar.
Festive activities
Throughout the festive period, Niva Kuramathi will offer a programme of recreational, culinary and entertainment activities.
Guests will be able to take part in moonlit yoga sessions on the sandbank, sand sculpting, Sip & Paint evenings for couples and fire dance performances.
Sporting activities will include beach volleyball, a football match between the Niva Kuramathi team and guests, as well as kayak, pedal boat and stand-up paddleboard races.
The entertainment programme will also include wine tastings, karaoke, music trivia, live music and DJ evenings.
Cooking classes will be held at Kobe, where guests will be able to take part in sessions centred around the restaurant’s open kitchen experience.
The festive programme is designed to allow guests to participate in scheduled activities while also having the option to spend time at leisure.
The season will conclude on 1 January 2027 with a late-morning brunch and the first house reef dive of the year.
Festive programme for children
Bageecha Kids Club will host a separate festive programme for younger guests, combining recreation, creative activities and environmental learning.
Activities will include treasure hunts, splash pad games, cookie-making, arts and crafts, eco workshops, nature exploration, holiday films, karaoke, bracelet-making and gardening in the resort’s hydroponic garden.
Children will also be able to take part in scavenger hunts, mini-Olympic games, yoga and disco dancing, as well as shared lunches and dinners with other young guests.
On Christmas Eve, the programme will begin with a family photograph session, followed by gingerbread house decorating, writing letters to Santa, a palm-leaf handicraft workshop and outdoor games.
Christmas morning will feature a pyjama party with musical games and pool activities. Later in the day, families will gather at Athiri Deck to welcome Santa Claus, who will distribute gifts to children.
New Year’s Eve activities for younger guests will take place during the afternoon, with music and games around the pool followed by a children’s disco as part of the resort’s final celebrations of 2026.
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