Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

My seventh visit to the Maldives, I won't repeat everything you have no doubt already read about this outstanding resort, it is truly luxurious. All I can add is that if you are expecting a robinson crusoe feel, you probably won't get that here. It's a large strip of island - 3.7km long and if you choose to go to the beach club, it does very much have beach club vibes, similar to The Palm Dubai. The beach itself also feels similar to The Palm, in that you can feel it is man-made. Having said that, you do not need to leave your villa. We stayed in 512, over the water, so did not have use of a beach unless going to the beach club, but we were very happy to stay in our villa, dipping in and out of the pool and snorkeling from our deck, ordering lunch in, which is the same price as going to the restaurant. There was no reef snorkeling from our deck, when looking out it looks as though you can snorkel out to a reef, but it's not a reef, just a sand bank that drops off, no coral. If, like us, you go to the Maldives for the snorkeling, ask for a villa closest to the dive centre. If this is not possible, for snorkeling you will need to ride your bikes to the dive centre and go in from the beach there. there is a snorkel lane here so you can get to the drop off without worrying about touching the coral. Once you get to the drop off, turn right and you can snorkel all the way down this stretch and back again. The snorkeling itself is good, not the best I have seen in the Maldives, but much better than I was expecting for a man-made island. Lots of beautiful corals and all the usual marine life you would expect to see here, although I did not see any clown anemone. The coral is also very healthy looking, I expect due to the newness of the resort and the lack of snorkelers/divers who visit this island. I am guessing people don't really choose this island for the marine life, which has had a positive impact to it. It is a bit concerning that some reviewers are advising to bring swim shoes as the coral is sharp.... YOU SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHING THE CORAL. YOU WILL KILL IT. The Aesop amenities in the villa were super luxurious, they provide rain macks, umbrellas, yoga mats, beach bag, flip flops, sun cream, after sun etc. all in the villa, along with robes and slippers of course.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional service and hospitality we received during our stay. Your team went above and beyond to make our experience truly unforgettable, fulfilling all our requests with warmth and enthusiasm. The surprises and thoughtful gestures you organized exceeded our expectations, and we greatly appreciated the constant follow-up to ensure everything was perfect. It’s clear that your team takes pride in delivering a remarkable guest experience, and it certainly made our stay memorable. Thank you for your dedication and for creating such a welcoming atmosphere. We would highly recommend your hotel to anyone seeking an exceptional stay and look forward to visiting again in the future.

Those who claim "less is more" have clearly never experienced "more" – and the Waldorf Astoria is the epitome of more! Everything about this resort screams luxury. We stayed in a Grand Reef Villa, and based on what we saw of the other options, we couldn’t have chosen better. A word of advice: pack swim shoes, as the coral can be sharp. The villa itself was breathtaking – the pool was massive, and the overall design was stunning. A special shoutout to our butler, Zak, who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was seamless. Thank you, Zak! One standout feature was the gym. It was state-of-the-art, spacious, and well-equipped. Huge thanks to Nicole and Ahmed, the trainers who guided me during my workouts. Your expertise and recommendations were spot on, and I’ve already started implementing your tips! Dining was another highlight. The breakfast and most of our meals were enjoyed at the Tasting Table, where the service and food were consistently five-star. Thank you to the incredible staff, especially Sonam and Becky, for making every meal special. Zuma was a whole new level of culinary excellence. It felt like dining in London or New York, but in paradise. The black cod was the best we’ve had in 20 years of trying it, and the team there was exceptional. A special mention to the two South African staff members who gave us fantastic food recommendations – your knowledge and service were top-notch. This place is truly amazing. If I could rate it six stars, I would. We can’t wait to return!

Those who say "less is more" have clearly never tried more—and the Waldorf Astoria is the epitome of more! Everything you’ve read in previous reviews is true: this place is pure luxury in paradise. The villas are phenomenal. We stayed in a Grand Reef Villa, and after seeing the others, I’m confident we made the best choice. Just a heads-up—bring swim shoes, as the coral can be sharp! That said, the villa itself was spectacular, with a massive pool and breathtaking design. Our butler, Zak, was incredible—thank you, Zak! One highlight of our stay was the gym. It was world-class, spacious, and equipped with everything you’d expect. Special thanks to the two trainers, Nicole and Ahmed, who were incredibly knowledgeable and gave me excellent advice—I’m already incorporating your recommendations! The dining experience was equally exceptional. Most of our meals, including breakfast, were at the Tasting Table, which was truly five-star. A big shoutout to all the staff there, especially Sonam and Becky, for their wonderful service. Zuma, however, was on another level. Dining there felt like being in London or New York, and the black cod was the best we’ve ever had—and we’ve been enjoying black cod for over 20 years! A special thank you to the team there, particularly the two gentlemen from South Africa (I didn’t catch your names, but you were fantastic!) for your excellent recommendations. This is truly an amazing place, and we can’t wait to return. If I could, I’d give it six stars!

This November we have visited Waldorf Astoria Maldives. We were impressed with the high level of service of all people working there. Especially we want to highlight kindness, responsiveness of Oliver, Hamdhee, Mubbe and Dima. We have never seen such a level of service, stuff attitude towards guests This is the only place in the world with such incredible treatment and super professional therapists in SPA. Thank you and we wish to come back soon