Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

I really enjoyed my stay at this property. Everyone was kind, welcoming, and genuinely helpful, which made the experience even better. The beach was beautiful and very relaxing, and the overall atmosphere was calm and peaceful. The food was decent with a good variety, and everything was well organized and comfortable throughout the stay. Most importantly, the experience truly made me happy. I would definitely consider coming back again.

Amazing, large, well designed rooms. Amenities on the island are great. The Art Atelier is a very nice touch. Staff were incredible, as is true throughout the Maldives in my experience. The variety of eateries is excellent at ten. So why three stars? Because it bills itself as an ultra-luxury resort which it certainly is not. At this price point it is probably subpar to genuine ultra-luxury hotels in the Maldives. They seem to routinely confuse ultra-luxury with overpriced which gets abusive after a week. For instance, while the variety of eateries is great, Li Long charges $52 (+tax which should be inclusive) for a bowl of mediocre corn soup. They run the same hustle as a Radisson might with breaking out a 'Service Charge' from bills so they don't have to include 18% tax in the prices. This falls more toward tacky than ultra-luxury. Our transfer from Malé had 14 people aboard our boat, not including the captain and first mate. We couldn't even sit together as a family. Overcrowding a small yacht isn't really something a hotel billing itself as ultra-luxury should consider doing. Simply run a boat large enough for everyone to sit or two separate transfers, instead of lumping people together. As another example, every single one of our spa appointments began late. Meaning the therapist came out to the waiting room after the scheduled appointment time despite arriving 20 minutes prior. As discussed in other reviews, there is a lot of traffic on the island roads. There are no serene walks or cycle trips to be had as there is constantly e-motorcycle and golf cart traffic (many without headlights at night, which is unnecessarily dangerous). There are loads of such easily solvable problems throughout the resort. Its simply not what I would expect of an establishment charging $6k per night.

Four years ago, we visited the Waldorf Maldives and had an absolutely wonderful stay , it was one of the best vacations we’ve ever had. The resort’s service, attention to detail, and world class hospitality made it truly unforgettable. Unfortunately, our recent experience has been the complete opposite. A shocking decline from what used to be a five-star standard. We were stunned to find out that the resort is closing during our scheduled stay in July and the worst part is that no one bothered to notify us beforehand. We only learned about it through a flyer that was posted, which is completely unacceptable for a property of this caliber. To make matters worse, the management has done nothing to assist us in rebooking at another Hilton resort, nor have they offered any viable alternatives besides asking us to “change our travel dates.” We can’t do that. Our flights are already booked and paid for! What’s even more appalling is the complete lack of communication from management. Emails and calls have gone unanswered, and there has been zero accountability or empathy toward guests who are now stranded with expensive flights and no place to stay. It’s infuriating to see how far the Waldorf Maldives has fallen from the exceptional resort we once loved. I would urge anyone considering a stay here to think twice. The management’s disregard for guests and failure to communicate or assist in these circumstances is beyond unprofessional.

Leaving with wonderful memories. Big thanks to butler Yvonne for her warm, spot-on guidance. Loved the plentiful breakfast, Lilong's Sichuan grouper, and Yasmeen's unforgettable Arabian grill.

very beautiful stay, thanks to our housekeeper Yousery we love the hotel and sea. The villa so clean and comfortable.