Luxury Hotel · The Maldives
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives
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At a glance
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is a five-star resort in North Malé Atoll, with 100 pool villas in a Kerry Hill-designed ring and a circular overwater spa.
Opened in 2021 in the North Malé Atoll, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives is the brand’s Maldives debut and part of the wider Fari Islands development, alongside Patina Maldives and the shared Fari Marina Village. It was the final Maldives commission of architect Kerry Hill, whose circular design draws on the forms of the lagoon and the cycle of island life, with the overwater villas curving in a ring around the spa.
Accommodation runs to 100 villas across overwater and beachfront categories, all with private infinity pools and a dedicated Aris Meeha butler. The range covers one- to three-bedroom layouts.
Reached by a 45-minute speedboat or a short seaplane from Malé, the resort holds a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, with seven restaurants and bars, a circular overwater spa, and a strong activities programme.
Highlights
- 100 overwater and beachfront villas, all with private infinity pools and a personal Aris Meeha butler.
- Kerry Hill-designed circular architecture, with overwater villas curving in a ring around the spa.
- A 45-minute speedboat from Malé, with seven restaurants and bars and Forbes Five-Star service.
Accommodation
Overwater Villas
You can choose between an Ocean Pool Villa or a Lagoon Pool Villa, each offering panoramic views of the ocean or a stunning sunset. These luxurious villas feature expansive sundecks seamlessly integrated with infinity pools, creating a sophisticated space to unwind. Oversized king beds are strategically positioned to face the ocean, allowing you to wake up to unparalleled views, complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interiors with natural light.
The bathrooms are equally exquisite, designed with indulgence in mind. Enjoy a separate bathtub within the room, a spacious rain shower in its own private shower room, and an additional outdoor shower for a truly immersive experience.
These villas redefine the classic Maldives overwater villa experience with thoughtful enhancements that elevate the resort to extraordinary levels of luxury. From the expansive layout to the premium Bamford shower and bath products, every detail is meticulously curated to provide an unparalleled sense of comfort and sophistication.
Beach Villas
The Beach Villas offer all the luxurious amenities found in the Overwater Villas, with the added benefit of more space and a unique connection to the shore. While Overwater Villas are often a favorite, the Beach Villas stand out with their larger layout and the unparalleled privilege of stepping directly onto what feels like your own private beach. In Beach Villas, you will enjoy uninterrupted sunshine throughout the day.
Just a few sandy steps separate your villa from the crystal-clear lagoon. Each Beach Villa ensures exceptional privacy, creating a tranquil retreat where you can fully unwind. The seamless indoor-outdoor design allows for direct beach access, while the oversized daybed by your private pool invites you to lounge in absolute comfort, surrounded by the natural beauty of your own secluded paradise.
Further information
Dining
The resort runs seven restaurants and bars. La Locanda covers all-day Italian, served overwater or alfresco, while Summer Pavilion handles modern Cantonese in a lantern-inspired room with Maldivian lobster and Peking duck. IWAU is the theatrical Japanese venue with two Chef’s Tables, and EAU Bar runs day to night around the round infinity pool. Beach Shack covers barefoot Mediterranean, Arabesque serves Levantine and North Indian, and Tum Tum handles Asian street food at the marina village.
Wellness
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, in partnership with sustainable wellness brand Bamford, sits in a striking ring-shaped overwater structure open to the lagoon. Each of the nine treatment rooms is oriented to a cardinal compass point, with a spa suite, salon, and boutique alongside. Signature treatments include the 150-minute Bamford Signature Journey and a 180-minute Maldivian Rejuvenation using coconut and sand. A 24-hour fitness center, yoga studio, and round infinity pool complete the wellness side.
Location
The resort sits in the North Malé Atoll as part of the Fari Islands, a multi-resort development shared with Patina Maldives and the communal Fari Marina Village, home to a beach club, boutiques, and additional dining. Access is by a 45-minute speedboat running on demand around the clock, or a short seaplane from Malé. A PADI five-star dive center, Manta Point snorkeling safaris, and nearby local-island visits round out the setting.
The Maldives
The Maldives is made up of more than a thousand coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, each resort occupying its own private atoll. No shared beaches, no neighbouring properties, no traffic. The geography does something that no amount of hotel design can replicate: it removes you completely from everything else. The range across those islands is wider than most people expect.
Our Experts
The Maldives is a stand-out when it comes to luxury travel and our most popular destination. We are also proud to be able to work with properties that are welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
Staying in an over-water bungalow is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'd recommend to any traveller. It's amazing to swim in some of the world's most impressive coral reefs and the sunset's divine.
We were one of the first guests to stay at the Ritz Carlton. The beach villa was the best room I've ever stayed in!
John P.
The most beautiful resort with the most attentive staff I've ever had. And the spa was incredible.
Sam W.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Ritz Carlton. I liked that it was only a speedboat from the mainland too.
Emma G.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
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Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
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