14 fun facts we bet you didn't know about Waldorf Astoria Maldives

South Malé atoll is spectacularly lovely. Containing 30 islands, this is the ultimate desert island paradise. Three of the atoll’s islands are inhabited, 10 are uninhabited, and the remaining 17 are resorts. The Waldorf Astoria Maldives is one of the most popular luxury getaways in the area, but don't just take our word for it...

Just in case you needed a little extra seclusion, the resort plays host to an entirely separate private island – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Taking luxury to the next level, this additional isle (located right next to the first one) is one of the most magnificent private island complexes on earth. Oh, and it covers roughly 350,000 square foot – making it the largest of its kind. 

Known as The Private Island, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi opening date was 2019 and can accommodate up to 24 guests. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers nine bedrooms across a magnificent Three-Bedroom Beach Villa, a Two-Bedroom Overwater Villa, and a Four-Bedroom Grand Residence. Hey, hire the entire island if you like; that’s one way to enjoy an unforgettable retreat with friends and family… 

Because the South Malé Atoll is so very remote, the sense of peace, calm and tranquillity is something you rarely find anywhere else. If a genuine getaway is on your horizon, this place makes getting away from it all a dream. But there’s also plenty of excitement and thrills to enjoy thanks to exceptionally good fishing, surfing, and water sports.  

Discover how much it costs to stay at Waldorf Astoria Maldives, today.

Eating out at Waldorf Astoria Maldives is one of the most luxurious things to do here. With a total of 11 restaurants and bars, there’s a kaleidoscope of cuisines to devour during your stay. The dining experiences will surpass your expectations, from stunning elevated restaurants to Michelin-starred chefs, and classic barbecue on the menu. 

Terra, located at the island’s highest point, offers private bamboo dining ‘nests’ with beautiful views and superb international cuisine. While The Ledge, respected chef Dave Pynt’s restaurant, specialises in smoked and slow roasted BBQ dishes sure to leave your mouth watering.  

Of course, you can get hitched at this stunning island resort. Celebrate your love in the intimate setting of the resort’s overwater Wedding Pavilion surrounded by the Indian Ocean’s twinkling waters and pure white sands. The hotel’s event team will be on hand to help you plan the day of your dreams, catering to every whim. Imagine the photographs… 

The resort spans three islands that are linked together by bridges and often guests use bicycles to get from A to B. The bikes are provided to each villa so you can explore the surrounding island on two wheels, it’s a great way to see all the resort has to offer while adding to the fun.  

Waldorf Astoria Maldives has racked up all sorts of desirable accolades. Most notable include: The Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award 2021, the Travel + Leisure list of The Top 100 Hotels in the World 2021, the Travel + Leisure Top 15 Resort Hotels in Asia 2021, the Forbes Travel Guide Hotel Instagram of The Year 2021, TripAdvisor’s Travellers' Choice Award 2021, the Travel + Leisure Top 15 Resort Hotels in Asia 2020, the Travel + Leisure The Top 100 Hotels in the World 2020, and more…   
 

When wellness is on your horizon, the natural beauty surrounding the resort spa is hard to beat, as is the spa itself with its 10 luxurious treatment villas. A menu of serene facial and body spa treatments awaits you, plus yoga and fitness classes if you’re feeling active. Guests will have a truly immersive spa experience thanks to the hotel’s Wellness Concierge (the first of its kind in the Maldives). Its personalised approach includes a unique consultation process to deliver sheer excellence – plus, you’ll love the clever way its categorised the treatments according to the elements: earth, water, fire, and metal. 

Exclusive spa products are an everyday thing here, with classics from Carol Joy London, Elemental Herbology, Thalion, and LPG endermologie slimming technology. Philip Kingsley British hair products, London Town organic nail polish and beyond - the best products from tried and tested luxury brands. Customised exercises and holistic wellness programs are on the menu at the magnificent fitness centre, and you can enjoy the skills of passionate hair stylists and a team of true aesthetic experts who will pamper you from dawn to dusk. 

You’re going to adore the Aqua Wellness Centre, a brilliant pool split into clever zones, each targeting a different part of your body. The exhilarating jet bath, air jets, shower jets, and massage lounge harness different levels of intensity and water temperature to ease your muscles, boost your immune system, get your blood circulating, speed your metabolism and help you achieve the best quality sleep possible.  

Have you heard about the resort’s Wellness Visiting Practitioner programme? World-class specialists are brought in throughout the year to provide unique treatments from around the globe, including acupuncture, Pilates, personal healing, and herbal medicine. 

The Stars Club for Kids and the Club Nova Teens Club are designed to delight your little ones and older children. They feature oodles of brilliant activities of every sort, from cultural to creative, sport to conservation, all designed to capture their imaginations. Making great friends while they’re having fun will only add to the joy of their holiday.  

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Recreation Activity Schedule means you’re never short of fun things to do, see, and experience. The resort puts on a daily choice of cool activities to add even more adventure and excitement to your luxury Maldives holiday. Here’s just a small sample of what’s on offer:  

• Padel challenge -  a game combining tennis and squash, fun to learn and a thrill a minute  
• HIIT training 
• Beach Volleyball 
• Silent Disco 
• Meditation 
• Yoga with a visiting expert 
• White Party Sip & Paint 
• Core training 
• Maldivian Leaf Origami 
• House Reef Snorkelling 
• Table Tennis Challenge 
• Coconut Painting with the resort’s in-house artist   

Water sports, anyone? There’s a fine list of fun water activities, both motorised and non-motorised, for everyone to enjoy. On-site experiences and adventures blend with discovering life under the surface of the ocean at the dive centre and water sports centre.  

• Ride the underwater scooter, the Seabob. It’s amazing  
• Go parasailing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing or kitesurfing 
• Enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, try your hand at paddleboats or test drive a transparent kayak – perfect for seeing underwater while you paddle  
• Master wakeskating, wakeboarding, and kneeboarding 
• Go Jet skiing or X-Jets Jetblading 
• Have a go at surfing 
• Enjoy bubblemaker sessions underwater – such fun!  
• Get busy with PADI diving courses or go wreck diving  
• Adopt a coral frame to help create a new reef  
• Enjoy a wide variety of outstanding diving and snorkelling experiences including snorkelling with dolphins, sharks, and whale sharks 
• Hire private charters on board luxury speedboats and other stunning luxury craft 
• Discover empty desert islands perfect for sunbathing and picnics in total privacy and seclusion   
• Go Big Game fishing and sport fishing 
• Escape to a remote sandbank   
• Have glass bottom boat adventures  
• Hire a private speedboat hire to discover great surf further afield    
• The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers masses of wonderful activities, from coral conservation to diving with manta rays 

Have you heard about Waldorf Astoria Maldives Diamond Benefits? The Diamond Benefits at Waldorf Astoria Maldives are accepted here, so if you’re a member of the scheme, you’re in luck!