The Maldives is one of those once-in-a-lifetime destinations, a sunny playground for luxury travelers of all kinds. Last year, we decided to go all out on a tropical “seize the day” vacay and knock the Maldives off our bucket list. We spent 10 luxurious nights at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi and wish we would’ve stayed another 10.

Here are our top Top 21 Reasons to Visit Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives:

1. Luxurious Yacht Transfer

Getting to the Maldives is an adventure on its own. For some US travelers, it can take up to 40 hours to reach Malé, the island nation’s capital, depending on the city of departure. It took us 34 hours to arrive in Malé’s Velana International Airport (MLE), departing from JFK! 

Upon arrival to the small airport in Malé, a dedicated Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi team awaits. The guests are greeted and promptly whisked away on one of Waldorf Astoria’s six Princess yachts—a requisite transfer—complete with hors d’oeuvres and free-flowing champagne. The trip to the property takes about 40 minutes.

As we were booking this trip, we balked at the prices for inter-island transfers in general. The Maldives is a very remote and incredibly expensive destination, and so the transfers to/from the different island properties can be costly. But, this particular transfer felt really overpriced. Well… that was all forgotten as soon we stepped foot on board. 

Floating on the water in the middle of the Indian Ocean, on a multi-million dollar private yacht, being served some perfectly-chilled rosé champagne felt like a dream. The boat also comes with Wi-Fi, and has bedrooms for jet-lagged travelers. So, in hindsight, we both now agree that it was worth every penny. 

That being said, transfer rates have gone up since then to $900 per adult (or anyone over 11 years of age) and $450 per child (ages 5-11). Ouch! This rate applies to everyone, even points bookings, and the resort does not allow outside transfers, so this is your only option to/from the property. 

Takeaway: Be sure to add $2,000+ in round trip transfers to your stay at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi. 

2. Social Media and Ballyhoo

Are you ready to up your Insta game?

Forbes Travel Guide named the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi’s instagram feed, “Hotel Instagram of the Year” for 2021. How cool is that? 

As followers of @waldorfastoriamaldives, we have to say they really do a great job transporting you to their dreamy destination! 

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi Wins Hotel Instagram Of The Year

LIST OF AWARDS:
(AS OF 2022)

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3. True Privacy, Peace and Quiet

The Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives offers some next-level privacy. The kind where in-villa dining is available 24 hours a day and you can take advantage of a personal concierge that will cater to any whim you may have. You’re literally sequestered on a private island, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, sitting back in your own luxury villa. Even if you opt to stay in your villa for your entire visit, you would still feel pampered. It’s the ultimate luxury.

Of course, if you start to develop villa fever, there are plenty of relaxing things to do during the day. For instance, you can take your bike to the one of the pools or “secret” beaches. We had a lot of fun embellishing our bikes and riding around the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafush Island.

4. Hilton Affiliation

The Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives is a Hilton Property. This means you can actually book this incredible property with points. We love an amazing hotel, and even more so if we can book with points! For as little as 120,000 points per night you can have your very own villa with private pool in this sunny tropical paradise. Finding availability for said points bookings may prove difficult. 

Of course you can also pay for your stay! To the tune of around two grand per night, it’s not a cheap endeavor. But, can you name a hotel in the Maldives that is?

If you choose to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, or any other Waldorf property, I HIGHLY suggest you book with a Hilton Impresario Agent who can guarantee perks like free breakfast, resort credits and room upgrades (based on availability). Booking through Hilton Impresario is like having Platinum Status, but without all the work. We happen to hold this title and would be happy to assist you in planning your dream vacation.

5. All-Suites Property

Every single room at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi is a suite—and not just any suite, but a private stand-alone villa, with its own infinity pool and personal concierge! 

We spent 10 glorious nights in Reef Villa 512. It was complete bliss and exactly what we needed after having lost our event business to COVID, desperately needing time to reconnect and chill, while also getting pampered. 

In our search for the perfect property, we looked at many resorts and compared every room or villa to make sure we made the right choice. Spoiler alert: We did!

I dare you to find a resort, other than the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives, that offers such an astonishing entry-level room. 

6. The Food and The Wine

Even though the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives is situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean and hundreds of miles away from continental-land, there is nothing lacking in the food and beverage department—take a look at their impressive Master Wine List, for example, and you’ll see what I mean. They only list 4 of the 5 first growths of Bordeaux; but don’t worry, they have Château Pétrus!

We savored every single meal, from breakfast to dinner, from simple to elaborate. Truth be told, we ate so well during our 10 night stay that I still day-dream of room service, delivered to our deck, and enjoyed poolside and ocean side. 

In addition to 11 restaurants, the Waldorf Astoria Ithassfushi often hosts celebrity chefs and special events. This bonus feature is definitely something to keep in mind when booking your next trip to this tropical paradise.

A.M. tip: Hilton Honors Gold and Platinum members as well as Hilton Impresario bookings receive complimentary breakfast. Also, although not listed on the menu, champagne and mimosas (made with freshly-squeezed oranges) are happily available on request!

7. The Pastries

If you like to travel to tropical destinations like we do, then you also know how pastries tend to suffer from high humidity and heat. They become stale almost instantly. The bakery at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives is impressive; somehow, they manage to stop this awful process in its tracks. Every single slice of bread or viennoiserie we laid our hands on was flawless. All I can say is “WOW!”

Friendly reminder: Island calories don’t really count. Just saying…

8. Wellness Sanctuary

As more and more people choose to travel for wellness, they are booking vacations that are both relaxing and explorative. The Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives’ Aqua Wellness Center, set amid a jungle-like garden facing the Indian Ocean, is a wellness seeker’s delight. Amenities include:

• Wellness Concierge
• Hydrotherapy Pool Private Sessions*
• State-of-the-art Fitness Center
• Steam Room and Sauna
• Ice Fountain
• Bespoke Spa Experiences
• Poolside Restaurant with Health Menu
• Dedicated Sunset Yoga Pavilion

*We recommend booking the Hydrotherapy Pool in advance, as the private sessions are exclusively for two people.

Feeling jet-lagged? No Problem!
The Aqua Wellness Center’s world-class facilities are designed to quickly reset your body so that you can enjoy the your stay to the fullest.

9. Boutique Shopping

One thing you should know about me is that I love to shop. For years, I was a self-diagnosed shopaholic—and proud of it. These days, as a recovering shopaholic, I’m more selective with my purchases. 

Anyway, if you appreciate a wonderfully-curated resort boutique—and can keep a straight face when glancing at the price tags—then, you must visit the on-site “gift shop” at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi. It’s filled with gorgeous designer duds, jewels, bags, shoes, hats… you name it!

Also for sale: Extremely overpriced sunblock—as every good resort should! Also, if you ask nicely, a confounded lady will take you to the back of the store for tampons and other feminine products, so neatly stored in the bottom of a cabinet, behind closed doors… 

10. Top Notch In-Room Amenities

The villas at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi come fully stocked with a fabulous array of in-room amenities. From exquisitely-scented bath and body products and sumptuous robes and slippers to the outdoor shower and luxurious bathroom, everything was carefully thought-out and designed beautifully.

The in-villa wet bar is a fun punch of color and is outfitted with everything you need to make your dreamy stay even dreamier. Room service menus offer 24 hour in-room dining and a wide variety of dishes, delivered straight to your villa. 

Impressive: Upon arrival, we asked if an Apple TV was available, and the staff fulfilled our request within hours. Talk about 5-star service!

11. Personal Concierge and VIP Service

Each villa at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi is assigned a personal concierge to provide VIP service for the duration of the stay.

To tell the truth, we didn’t really take advantage of this service as much as we could have; we’re pretty independent and we really craved some privacy while at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi.

Boos, our personal concierge, did go out of his way to give us a tour of the Stella Maris—a standalone floating villa that is on an entirely different level. We tried to get a tour of the Private Island; unfortunately, they were preparing it for their next arrivals. Maybe next time.

12. A Picture-Perfect Backdrop

The Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives resort is a man-made marvel. Yet, when you arrive, it feels as if you’ve disembarked on a pristine island that has been there for centuries. Lush landscapes and pathways spread out over three islands and are perfectly situated for exploring on foot and by bicycle. The soft and buttery white sand, the swaying palms and the crystal clear turquoise waters make the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi the ultimate tropical paradise.

13. Bicycles

Each villa at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives comes with bicycles—enough for every guest. They are perfect for getting around the island and to go back and forth to any of the 11 restaurants. We mostly used ours to explore the island and to get in some exercise. 

Side note: We loved our bicycles and had fun embellishing them with all sorts of tropical foliage! However, the resort doesn’t do a great job at servicing them. We were constantly dealing with flat tires and chains that would fall off during our entire stay. ALSO, there was a serious theft problem amongst the guests—our bikes were stolen twice!

14. Hidden Beaches and Pools

We loved exploring the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi and discovered a few beaches that felt completely hidden and fairly private. Although, there is always a beach villa nearby—so, it’s not completely private (wink, wink).

While riding around one day, we discovered the adults-only pool. To our amazement, the whole area was completely empty. It felt as if we had discovered our own hidden paradise.

15. Watersports and Activities

The Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi has a myriad of options for enjoying the gorgeous waters and marine life that surround the island:

• Scuba diving
• Snorkeling
• Fishing Trips
• Dolphin Excursions
• Jet Skiing
• Surfing
• Paddle Boarding
• Water Skiing
• Wakeboarding
• Kneeboarding
• Jetpack or Jetblade(ing),
• Parasailing
• Seabob(ing)

Joe and I chose to go on a dolphin cruise; it was definitely a highlight of our trip.

16. Kids Club

No, we don’t have kids. But, we can definitely appreciate the fact that the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi has a dedicated kids club for those who do. PLUS, they offer babysitting services, so you can have a date night with your honey. How’s that for luxury?

Not kidding! Kids under 6 eat free when ordering from the dedicated Kids Menu (all restaurants except the adult only ones have kids menu; does not apply to in-room dining)

17. Chill and Meet New Friends

Peacock Alley, the lobby bar at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi, is a great place for afternoon drinks. As a bonus, if you’re a Hilton Honors Gold or Platinum member, your beverages and snacks will be complimentary during happy hour. It’s an enjoyable way to beat the heat, step out of the sun and save a few bucks. 

Showing up at Peacock Alley was about our only social time throughout the stay, and it was nice to hang out with fellow countryfolk. And yes, we ended up making some great friends!

18. Maldivian Sunset at the Champagne Bar

In my mind, champagne and sunsets always work well together. Now, add in views of the Indian Ocean and this serene paradise just got even better! Make sure Amber, the sunset champagne bar, is on your reservations list—you won’t regret it. With their fantastic bubbly selection and chill vibes, this spot is a must at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives. 

19. Unique Dining Options

With 11 incredible restaurants to choose from—including the insta-famous Terra, where you can dine amid the treetops; and Yasmeen, designed to look and feel like an ancient middle-eastern village—there is no shortage of elevated dining options. 

The restaurants at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi:

• TASTING TABLE (see menu)

• NAVA (see menu)

• TERRA (see menu)

• THE ROCK (see menu)

• YASMEEN (see menu)

Yasmeen was undergoing some renovations while we were there and was not open. We had really been looking forward to dining there. Bummer.

• LI LONG (see menu)

• THE LEDGE BY DAVE PYNT (see menu)

• GLOW (see menu)

• AMBER (see menu)

• PEACOCK ALLEY (see menu)

• PRIVATE DINING EXPERIENCES

Our 2 favorite restaurants during our stay were The Ledge by Dave Pynt (try the lobster roll and the burger—you won’t regret it!) and Li Long, where the Peking duck reigns supreme. There is also a great artisanal pizza joint next to the main pool—so authentic, they even brought in their wood-fired oven from Italy. It’s definitely worth trying! 

• IN-VILLA DINING (see menu)

We also took advantage of room service on more than a few occasions. Nothing beats breakfast oceanside with a dip in the pool afterwards! 

20. Stella Maris and Ithaafushi Private Island

Stella Maris

You may have read earlier that our personal concierge, Boos, gave us an exclusive tour of the Stella Maris—a 5,767 square feet floating villa, situated away from the island.

With indoor and outdoor living spaces, a large infinity pool and hot tub, PLUS a rooftop with a chef’s kitchen and bbq station, you may never want to leave. And we wouldn’t blame you!

Ithaafushi Private Island

If you’ve got some money to burn and want to take it to the next-level, then you simply must check out the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Private Island. With 9 bedrooms, 5 pools, a private clubhouse and tennis courts, you can have a fully-staffed, five-star experience with your friends or family.

21. Red Velvet Cake

Last but not least, the legendary Waldorf Astoria red velvet cake. It’s simply divine and a must-have treat. 

Legend has it that the world-famous red velvet cake was created at the Waldorf Astoria New York, where a guest once requested the secretly-kept recipe. The chef went on to send out the now-not-so-secret recipe along with a pricey bill! Not cool, chef!

In Closing

We absolutely loved our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Maldives! It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip (until next time, anyway). And, it was worth all of the planning, organizing and budgeting to make it happen. We hope you enjoyed our post and that you find it helpful when you get a chance to check out the resort for yourself. If you ever do, please let us know!