The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Where do I start? We just got back from the Maldives yesterday and it all feels like a dream. Our entire stay is the definition of paradise and I’m 10000% sure we would not have had this incredible experience at any other resort because though the rooms, facilities, the views, the food and experiences were top notch, ultimately it was the PEOPLE and the service that made this the best trip we have ever had. And we have traveled to many countries, in luxury hotels - (Rosewood, Four Seasons, Ritz, St. Regis, Fairmont, etc) and the service has always been great everywhere so we have high expectations. Our experience here was exceptional. First and foremost I would like to recognize our incredible aris meeha, Aslam. We couldn’t have asked for a more kind, thoughtful, humble and hard working person. He was always available by WhatsApp, replied so quickly and never made us feel like we asked for too much. I don’t know how he does it. He booked our dinners and activities for us and went above and beyond by giving us gifts for our kids!! We weren’t able to bring our kids with us and Aslam went and had personalized tshirts made for them with their names on them and brought goodies from the kids club for them. Our kids were thrilled! I had also mentioned I would love to get some seeds for their chilis and Aslam arranged for seeds to be brought in from Male for us! When we left to go to the airport and realized Aslam won’t be with us anymore, I suddenly felt anxious not knowing what I would do without him. When we return, we would request that Aslam to be our Aris meeha again! So many others to recognize. Shiyan our room keeper was always thoughtful by drawing us a nice warm bath if it was raining outside and organizing and cleaning our room to perfection everyday, twice a day. I would like to thank Naseem, the restaurant manager, Chef Ayman and Samooh for going the extra mile to remember our conversations and sending us with falafels to our room, their special chili sauce packaged to take home with us and the sauce recipe. Ting for so generously sending delicious food to our room to try- everyone must try the pistachio ice cream at beach shack! It’s the best we have ever had. Marie, for remembering our fun conversations about Paris and adding little memorable touches to our experience throughout! Hishu, Sam and the eau bar team. Audy, for so thoughtfully getting us a plate to try Maldivian food! Other things to mention- the room was incredible, the water is soo blue and clear you could see the colors even at night! Turtle snorkeling was incredible!! The food is downright amazing. The facilities are extremely well kept. This is easily the best vacation we have ever been on. We always heard that people tend to visit the Maldives multiple times but our thought was this would just be a once in a lifetime for us and without the kids. Then we thought, if we do go back we would try other resorts. However, now we feel that we would only want to go back to visit the Ritz and see all of our familiar faces and friends there and bring the kids too! We know they will be very well taken care of. A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone at the Ritz for making this the most unforgettable experience for us.

It was our 10 year wedding anniversary so we decided to do it big and go to the Maldives! First off I’m sure most people agree you cannot go wrong with visiting the Maldives no matter where you stay. BUT there are certain resorts that go above and beyond and The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands IS THE PLACE for this level of service and experience. Let’s just talk about the resort itself. So of course most resorts in Maldives have great views. great over water and beach villas. But the rooms at the Ritz were just incredible. Well maintained with no issues whatsoever in the appearance or functionality of the rooms. Curtains and shades automated along with mood lighting . The entire resort was immaculate with constant landscaping to ensure appearances were up to par. Whenever it rained they made sure to pave the wet sand immediately to ensure carts and bikes can be ridden with ease. Then there are the wide variety of places to eat. This is not only on the Ritz property (4 excluding in room dining) but also at neighboring Patina resort there are other options including one our favorite restaurants Arabesque. A short boat ride can take you to the Patina resort. Our most enjoyable part of the trip was the snorkeling adventure to view sea turtles! OMG…saw so many turtles and the coral was beautiful. It was about a 45 minute boat ride out but wow! I know some other resorts have much better coral on the property itself or closer but to me unless you want to snorkel like everyday this isn’t a deal breaker. Next, they offered us a complimentary photo shoot with of course extra costs for photo packages. These pictures were amazing! Now granted we lucked out in the weather but they turned out incredible. We were like these could be used by the Ritz themselves to promote the resort they looked so good! Props to their shutterfish photographers (company they use to do photo shoots). I save the best for last…THE SERVICE! I mean speechless. Never have we experienced such impeccable first class service. You are greeted of course at the airport who arranges everything for your boat ride to the resort. Then at the resort you meet one of the managers and the most important person you’ll meet during your stay, your Aris meeha, aka butler. We had the privilege of having Aslam as ours and words cannot show the gratitude we have for this gentleman. He made sure our entire stay was flawless. The amount of detail he along with the entire staff did for us was above and beyond. The names are plentiful for those who made such an impact on this trip. The management team including Oscar, Marie, Ting, Dan, Audy are a dream team! We never got to thank you Ting for the special delivery of the food and ice cream to our room just so we could try it before we left the resort. The staff of Naseem and Samu, who packed us a special vacuum sealed Maldivian chili sauce we just loved, we appreciate you so much. Thank you to the chefs who specially made separate vegetarian dishes for my wife and for delivering falafels from Arabesque to our room since we enjoyed them so much. Thank you to our room attendant that made sure our room looked amazing throughout our stay. To whoever did the chalk designs in front of our room, WOW! Especially the personalization of each message and design. To one of the best spa services and experiences we have had , thank you so much to the staff and our masseuses. And again thank you Aslam for the generosity and hospitality. I know you have been in this position for a long time but I can say you are one of the best to do it. He had just joined the Ritz Maldives recently and you would think he had been there for years. So would I suggest staying at the Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands…what do you think!?

One of the most exceptional resorts we’ve ever visited. The overwater rooms are modern and luxurious, the island serene and the service outstanding. We snorkeled right off our deck and felt restored after 7 nights here. The RC Maldives is a truly unique experience!

Everything at the resort was excellent! The room, service, amenities, food - all excellent. What made the experience extra special and makes us want to come back is our Aris meeha (butler), Aslam. Aslam made sure that our time at this resort was exactly what we wanted. His attention to detail was far beyond our expectations. Thank you so much to the team at this resort! And especially Aslam.

My stay at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, was nothing short of extraordinary. We had the unique opportunity to stay in both an overwater villa and a beach villa, and each offered its own version of paradise. From stepping directly into the sea from our deck, to walking barefoot out onto powder-soft sand each morning, the villas were tranquil, private, and exquisitely designed — a perfect balance of barefoot luxury and thoughtful comfort. Every detail — from the architecture and views to the care taken in daily service — made this escape feel like a deeply personal sanctuary. But what made this journey truly exceptional were the people who brought every moment to life with warmth, artistry, and grace. This trip was especially meaningful, as we were celebrating my husband’s birthday — and thanks to the incredible team at the resort, it became a celebration we will never forget. Every single person we encountered went above and beyond to make it special, personal, and filled with joy. Dining Experiences Beyond Compare La Locanda was an absolute culinary gem. The staff were incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and warm. What truly elevated each meal was the personal touch from the chefs, who visited our table during dinner to share the inspiration and stories behind their creations — making every dish feel like a shared experience. - Azu, our amazing waitress, made every meal feel joyful and personalized with her thoughtful service. - Chef Abhay Singh turned breakfast into a daily highlight. He prepared unique dishes tailored to us, taught me how to make Masala Tea, and visited us each morning to share his knowledge of Indian spices and culinary traditions. - Chef Lorenzo, originally from Sicily, created a heartfelt and unforgettable dining experience that deeply resonated with us — especially since my husband's family is also Sicilian. Each evening, Chef Lorenzo prepared authentic, beautifully crafted Italian dishes. He connected with us through stories and passion, and even arranged for the pastry chef to prepare a custom dessert just for us. - Chef Jill at the Chef’s Table engaged us in an unforgettable interactive meal — refined, delicious, and full of character. - At Arabesque, Chef Fouly prepared stunning custom dishes that made our experience over the top, infusing each moment with generosity and flair. Transformative Dive & Snorkeling Adventures The highlight of my trip came at the Dive Center, thanks to Luca, an extraordinary instructor who went far beyond what anyone could expect. As someone who was a hesitant snorkeler, I approached the water with fear — but Luca changed everything. With calm encouragement and expert guidance, he helped me feel safe, confident, and eventually, excited to explore the ocean. His patience turned a moment of anxiety into one of the most empowering experiences of my life. Even more impressive was the time and dedication Luca gave to my husband, who hadn’t been scuba diving in over 16 years. Luca spent countless hours reacclimating him to diving, supporting him through refresher sessions and advanced scuba certifications. He not only helped restore his confidence in the water, but also deepened his knowledge and skill in a way that left my husband feeling accomplished and inspired. Our snorkeling adventures were breathtaking and unforgettable — filled with vibrant coral, graceful sea turtles, and a dazzling array of marine life. One of the most enriching experiences was attending the “Cities Under the Sea” session led by the resort’s marine biologist, whose passion and knowledge were both inspiring and deeply educational. She took time to explain the fragile ecosystems of the reef and even gifted my husband a thoughtful piece of literature about marine life in the Maldives, which he treasures. Impeccable Personal Touches and Service - Packo, our Aris Meeha (butler), was always present at just the right moment — intuitive, gracious, and effortlessly helpful throughout our stay. - Madheeh, our room attendant, brought heart and creativity to his work. He kept both villas pristine and added truly artistic flourishes — sand art on the walkway, floral and leaf designs on our bed, and even a warm bath drawn with care after long days. His thoughtful details made us feel seen and celebrated. Every detail at the Ritz-Carlton — from the scenery and architecture to the people and service — reflects a philosophy of genuine care and excellence. This was far more than a luxury vacation. It was a celebration of life, love, and connection — deeply personal, restorative, and unforgettable. We didn’t just feel cared for — we felt known. This trip for my husband's birthday will be one we remember forever. I already can’t wait to return.