Ramen; Chinese Li Long –
dominated by a centrepiece
bell-like hanging vase- and for the ultimate
indulgence, breakfast was
brought to the deck.
Glow’s emphasis on
tasty, healthy food was
a highlight, and the
surrounding garden
(cucumbers, herbs,
pineapples, papaya) will
yield fresh produce.
Middle Easterners
will head to Yasmeen,
an authentic stone and
ornament-clad outdoor
restaurant, where you
can taste Mediterranean,
Levant, Maghreb and
Turkish flavours.
The most striking
restaurant is the treetop-
dining Terra, and look out
for Dave Pynt’s special wood-fired oven
which will elevate the poolside dining
experience. Fresh lobster rolls anyone?
LEISURE We took a short boat ride
out to snorkel above two reefs where we
saw abundant fish. Another good spot for
snorkelling is by the spa – itself grandly
designed with an outdoor lawn and
overwater and garden treatment villas.The gym is stocked with
plenty of machines, weights
and natural light, and there
are more than enough
leisure facilities to keep
everyone happy – adults
can burn o calories in the
40-metre mirror pool (or
kick back in the main lagoon
pool), while the ‘Young
Discovery Park’ has a small
water park and a combined
water sports/PADI dive
center is available.
Honors members earn
an additional 5,000 Points
per minimum stay of three
nights, for bookings from
July to September, when
booking direct.MEETINGS AND
EVENTS I was told the
private island is being lined
up for upscale corporate events – there are
some small islands o shore which might
be converted at some later stage – but this
is really a place you come to turn o from
work pressures.VERDICT Fabulous. Sure to raise the
luxury stakes in the Maldives and will
appeal to premium Middle East travellers
and Honors members. Dominic EllisBEST FOR...
Being cut o from the world, yet
accessible to every terrestrial
comfort. The ‘best’ aspect must
be the private island, even if
most guests won’t see it.DON’T MISS...
Snorkeling o the resortPRICE
Best Available Rate for a King
Reef Villa with pool is $2,033
in JulyCONTACT
Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Ithaafushi, Ithaafushi Island,
South Male Atoll, Male 20009,
Maldives. Tel: +960 4 000300,
waldorfastoriamaldives.comBACKGROUND This all-villa resort,
opening July 1, marks the Hilton luxury
brand’s fifth property in Asia.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? The most obvious
observation is the scale – spread over
3.5kms, it resembles a giant 9 with water
villas at each end, beach villas near the
grand open-air entrance and ‘reef’ villas in
the middle (so a di erent feel to the split-
island Conrad Rangali). At launch 121 villas
will open, and ‘122’ – a 32,000sqm private
island targeting elite travellers with chef/
concierge services, gym, spa, five pools
and entertainment centre – will open in
September. Other premium features include
two stand-alone Stella Maris ocean villas,
between the resort and private island.
WHERE IS IT? A key attribute is its
proximity to Malé, so you don’t have to take
a seaplane. I was told it is ‘half an hour’
away but the leather-seated yacht transfer
took nearer 45 minutes – allow time during
the current low season when the weather
is changeable.
ROOM Our one-bedroom King Reef
Villa (pictured) was beautifully designed
with spacious lounge, bedroom area
(both featuring supersized TVs) and large
bathroom with steps out to the outdoor
shower (one indoors too).
Sliding doors lead out to the deck, which
is framed around a decent-sized pool with
swinging daybeds and two hammocks, next
to steps leading to the ocean. Two- and
three-bedroom villas come with design
extras such as see-through glass on the
floors and Jacuzzis.
There are plenty of buggies for getting
around – special shout out to Mahmoud
for his prompt and professional service –
and the room had iPads and phones for
communication and room features.
FOOD AND DRINK I tried the casual
Tangled (Asian) with its tender black cod
Waldorf Astoria
Maldives
Ithaafushi
TRIED & TESTED HOTEL