…

Known for its unique design and recognized as one of the best in this tropical paradise called Maldives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Faroe Islands. There really is a perfect playground for everyone! Old, young…and everyone in between will find endless ways to have the most exciting time at this luxurious resort.

Welcome

My family and I visited the resort for the first time a year ago as we had heard some wonderful feedback from friends and colleagues who had visited before. It was one of our best stays in the Maldives, even after trying about a dozen other places in the archipelago (as you can read in my previous review). But is it too good to be true, a lucky shot… a coincidental alignment of the stars? There was only one way to find out, and before we knew it we were on a flight back to Male to revisit this crown jewel.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by very genuine smiles from several staff members that made our previous visit so special. Our Aris Meeha (or butler if you prefer the more generic name) from our previous visit was also there to welcome us back, immediately scoring brownie points with our kids thanks to the cool backpacks full of gifts she handed out to ensure everyone The person felt right at home again. If there’s one thing the Ritz-Carlton Maldives does well, it’s train their staff on how to interact with guests in a casual way that’s still professional enough, yet makes you feel immediately at ease. We joked about it when we got to the island, but there really is a feeling of being away from home, and that’s one of the hardest things to achieve as a resort.

room

Last time we stayed in an insane 2-bedroom beach villa that still beats the Maldives if you ask me. However, making sure we try something new, this time we stayed in a 1-bedroom beach villa. The round design is definitely unique and while at first you might find it a bit odd, it quickly dawned on me that it makes perfect sense!

The interior is still impeccable with soft tones, high-quality finishes and all the bits-and-bobs you can imagine to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

From the endless array of welcome goodies on the table to the little touches like sun-hats, slippers for both indoors and outdoors, practical beach bags,… you name it, it’s all there. And if not, just tell your Eris Meeha and they will work their magic in ways you can’t even imagine.

Bath house

The bathroom is still one of the best in the business. Not only does it have a his and her sink, it also has plenty of space, indoor and outdoor showers, plenty of space for your luggage, clothes and more, and most importantly great lighting. It sounds crazy but I hate it when you come to a luxury property and then struggle to get the right light in the bathroom. That is non-negotiable in my opinion and the Ritz-Carlton understands that brief perfectly.

By the way, Bamford is still the go-to brand in the bathroom and I’m all for it. Nothing beats the smell of eucalyptus with a touch of peppermint while taking a nice bath after a day full of activities.

facilities

One of the highlights of the resort last time for us was the quality of the food and I am happy to report that every food outlet is still delivering the same high standards. Good news for your belly, a little less for your waistline but calories don’t count when you’re on holiday in paradise so enjoy and enjoy. Stand-out dishes that still make my taste buds sing include the truffle wagyu beef dumpling at Summer Pavilion, the tempura soft-shell crab burger at Beach Shack, and the potato hara at Arabesque. Trust me, my tailor at home gave me the wrong look when I came back after this trip but zero regrets from my side! I told him he would do the same if he were in my shoes. The children’s menus still rotate at the same level as before, and while my youngest is a really picky eater, the staff made sure she catered to all her food cravings, quite literally.

And the funny thing is….the food is a very small part of what makes the Ritz-Carlton Maldives so amazing. The stand-out for me was, and still is, the staff. They are really on another level. I mean, even though this resort has 100 villas, we were greeted by name almost constantly. If you don’t tell me your name 2831 times I’ll forget it in the next 10 minutes, how are they even going to do that for a constant stream of guests? It remains a mystery but one I can really appreciate. It’s also the little touches that really make a difference and the fact that you can feel the genuine joy they get from the smiles they put on our faces makes it all the more impressive.

Both of our kids quickly found their favorite people to hang out with. My son who is 10 had so much fun with Luca (one of the dive instructors at the dive center) last time that it was a no brainer for him to meet again and get more serious with diving. Within minutes they were both suited up, ready to dive close to the center, clean some coral reefs, see loads of cool marine wildlife and all the while learn more about my son’s new hobby. Our daughter who is 6 however loves hanging out at the Ritz Kids Club which I can’t blame her for. I mean, the whole team has been on her since the doors opened and more than once we’ve had to almost literally drag her away to do some activity together or go out for a family meal.

But as the title suggests, this place is literally a Garden of Eden for everyone, including us middle-aged parents trying to find that “off-switch”. In the interest of not writing an entire trilogy to cover all the bells and whistles this resort has to offer for adult entertainment, I will highlight just a few.

First there was of course diving and snorkeling. See….my wife has never been a big fan of swimming in huge waters surrounded by tropical fish, but over time (and I usually thank the Maldives because in recent years it has become an escape or escape) we have become more relaxed in the water and Now we can enjoy multiple snorkeling trips as a family. Although the staff will always keep a close eye on us to see if everyone is still having a good time, something that is easier said than done. But the fun and attention to detail doesn’t stop there of course.

Those who prefer to explore more can take a 10-minute boat ride to Fari Island where they’ll find shops, bars, restaurants, food trucks,….you name it, they’ve got it. Be more active instead? No problem, from an amazing gym here to the best yoga sessions across the island and professional tennis players ensure that your serve and backhand will be a formidable force for your opponents. And then we haven’t even started talking about all the other stuff like the water toys, the main pool which is really crazy, both sizes in appearance, and so on….

Finally, the magnificent spa remains the beacon of ultimate relaxation while the numerous little nooks and lounge areas on the 3 islands (yes, the resort is spread over 3 different islands because why have just one when you can have multiple) finally A good place to sit. Get down and take it all in.

And that’s where the Ritz-Carlton succeeds where most others struggle, it sets the mood board to make each guest truly relax, in whatever way possible. Although every resort in the Maldives tries to be different, in doing so they actually become more and more alike. Here at the Ritz-Carlton they don’t try to be different, they give you all the tools you need to feel…….home! Being in absolute heaven knowing that you can do anything you want because everything is readily available to you, but not feeling like you have to, is truly a luxury on another level.

location

As usual the uber-friendly staff from the resort was waiting for us at the airport. No fuss, no waiting, just a warm welcome and straight onto the speedboat that would take us to the resort in less than an hour. I love these boat transfers, as they really save you a lot of time compared to seaplanes which can be troublesome at times. You may not get amazing aerial views but you do get an air-conditioned speedboat that has everything you need for this short transfer, from WiFi and comfortable seating to onboard toilets, snacks and tasty goodies to start your calorie intake strong.

Another nice touch

This property is all about being 5 steps ahead of the game, be it through the staff or the facilities and amenities provided in general. They seem to have this sixth sense of knowing exactly what your next move will be and anticipate everything accordingly, and while that’s rare in a place of this size, they accomplish it effortlessly (at least it did to us). That’s what it looks like from the side, even though I know a lot goes on behind the scenes).

It makes you feel special, from the welcome amenities to the line-up of all the different suncreams, oils and lotions at the pool and on the beach, to the personalized name tags they hang on your bike to ride around the island. It’s all in a day’s work and I’m here for it! Or how about your Aris Miha sending you some images of the little one living the best life at the kids’ club while you’re sipping cocktails by the pool or enjoying quality time in your villa? As mentioned earlier, all this is with one goal in mind “Complete Peace of Mind” and that my dear friends is something you cannot put a price tag on!

expenses

Of course, this all comes at a cost but let’s be honest, the Maldives isn’t really the place to go when you’re looking for a cheap holiday. Prices start just shy of $2,000 USD/night for an overwater villa, and if you like our 1-bedroom beach villa you’ll need to spend at least $2,400 USD/night. Of course, a lot depends on the season and if they are running any promotions. Exact prices can be obtained from their website.

I know many will say these are steep prices but I like to believe (having visited about a dozen properties in the Maldives) that I can compare and often you pay half of this price but the overall experience is mediocre at best. is So why not splurge a little and enjoy what The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has to offer?

The best bit

A favorite among many guests, including us, is the evening ritual at the main pool. It’s a vibe! Guests arrive a little before sunset to have one of the amazing cocktails (ok ok….a couple) at the EAU bar. As they sip those liquid gems, the sun begins to set and the ritual of lighting the ring of fire to the beat of drums begins. It is theatrical, dramatic and beautiful all at once. If you carry the drums you can hear the penny drop as all the guests are absorbed in the spectacle. It’s a wonderful way to start an evening and no matter how many times you watch it, it’s always different and equally impressive in its own way.

final judgment

Should I still continue to look for other properties in the Maldives to see if they can crack it? Absolutely! But at the same time all I know is that I have a house in the Maldives that fits the bill perfectly, like your favorite shirt. This is one place where you can truly relax and appreciate the setting that Ritz Carlton has created at Faroe Islands.

Disclosure: We were sponsored by Invest The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Faroe Islands.