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Updated June 2021 to update opening, added opening offer
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has opened early, in June 2021. The Maldives is one of the more desirable international luxury beach destinations open to U.S. citizens. Entry requires a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 96 hours prior to flight departure, as well as a Traveler Health Declaration form submitted online within the 24 hours prior to arrival.
Here are more details about the new resort, along with our recommendations for the Maldives.
Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands STARS Benefits for TravelSort Clients
- Priority for an upgrade, based on availability at check-in
- Welcome amenity
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 resort credit
- Complimentary WiFi
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Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Opening Offer: 4th Night Free + STARS Benefits
- Book 60 days or more in advance to enjoy 4th night complimentary
- May be repeated (4th and 8th nights free)
- Includes STARS amenities
- Valid for stays until April 30, 2022, except for blackout dates of December 18, 2021 – January 9, 2022, January 29, 2022 – February 06, 2022, April 9, 2022 – April 17, 2022.
- Excludes Two Bedroom Villa categories and The Ritz-Carlton Estate
- Not combinable with any other offer
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Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Location
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives will be a 45 minute speedboat or 10 minute seaplane flight from Male Airport (MLE), closer than many other Maldivian luxury resorts, apart from the Four Seasons Maldives at Kuda Huraa, which is also a speedboat ride away. That's good news for visitors who don't like small planes or seaplanes, but also keep in mind that North Male Atoll isn't as ideal for scuba diving, manta ray sightings and other marine life as the Baa Atoll resorts such as Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, or the southern Maldivian resorts such as the Park Hyatt Maldives.
Despite being so close to Male, the resort appears to be charging $900 per person for roundtrip transfers, which seems inordinately expensive. Four Seasons Kuda Huraa charges less than $350 per adult roundtrip for its 25 minute speedboat transfer, so even if the Ritz-Carlton speedboat is about double the distance, that would indicate a cost more on the order of $700 rather than $900.
The Fari Islands will also host two other resorts, Capella Maldives, with its 57 villas, the interiors of which are designed by Andre Fu, who also designed The Upper House in Hong Kong, and Patina Maldives near the Fari Marina and Beach Club, with 110 studios and villas.
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Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Villas
All accommodations at the Ritz-Carlton Maldives are stand alone villas, each with its own private pool. The entry level One Bedroom Villa with Ocean Pool Villa is spacious, at 1614 square feet (150 sq. m.). Since One Bedroom Villas only have a single king bed, families will need a Two Bedroom Villa. These accommodate a total of five guests, given the twin bed in the second bedroom, sofa bed, and the possible addition of a rollaway bed or crib.
The largest accommodation is The Ritz-Carlton Estate, with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms over its 16,140 square feet (1500 sq. m.).
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Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Restaurants
The resort will have 7 restaurants and bars, including:
- La Locanda: Southern Italian (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Summer Pavilion: Cantonese (afternoon tea, dinner)
- Iwau: Japanese (dinner only)
- Arabesque: Lebanese and North Indian (lunch, dinner)
- Tom Tum: Bao buns, noodles, dumplings, salads and soups from a marina food trailer
- Eau Bar: luxury wellness, plant-based dishes (afternoon tea, dinner)
- Beach Shack (lunch)
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The Verdict
The new Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands seems ideal for travelers who, for whatever reason, are averse to seaplane flights and want to be able to reach a newer Maldivian resort by speedboat. It's on the large side, allowing it to have more dining options, so that's attractive to travelers who want a variety of cuisines on offer.
The resort won't be ideal for those looking for incredible snorkeling or scuba diving. For that, we recommend heading to Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru or Park Hyatt Maldives.
For couples looking for a more intimate and more luxurious resort, we recommend Cheval Blanc Randheli. For those seeking the latest in water toys and the only Maldivian resort golf course, Velaa.
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wonder if booked with points include breakfast for 2 or not as marriott excudes Ritz for platinum benefit
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives does include breakfast for all paid rates, and typically when a Ritz does this it also includes breakfast for points reservations, although there could be exceptions.