{"id":181842,"date":"2022-01-26T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/news\/the-ritz-carlton-maldives-fari-islands\/"},"modified":"2024-05-31T14:18:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T18:18:21","slug":"the-ritz-carlton-maldives-fari-islands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/reviews\/hotels\/the-ritz-carlton-maldives-fari-islands\/","title":{"rendered":"Review : The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands | Marriott Bonvoy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Open since June 1, 2021, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands<\/strong><\/a> is Marriott’s newest upscale property, complementing The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort <\/a> and the JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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After 5 days at the JW Maldives, a stop at the Ritz-Carlton resort was mandatory.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”178268″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_custom_heading el_id=”booking” text=”Booking” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]A 5 night booking cost us a total of 385,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for an Ocean Pool Villa. However, it’s hard to know how much it will cost in points in the future with the recently announced changes<\/a> to the Marriott Bonvoy program.[\/vc_column_text]

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<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>[vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Two weeks before our arrival, we were contacted to pay for the transfer. It costs $678 USD per person for a speed boat transfer or $1,300 USD by seaplane.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”178402″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_message]<\/p>\n
Book with milesopedia!<\/h6>\n

Did you know? You can support milesopedia by using our affiliate link with Marriott Bonvoy<\/a> to book your hotels! You won’t pay any extra, you’ll get all the benefits of your status, and you’ll contribute to the future of the website and its community!<\/p>\n

Check our partners’ pages regularly!<\/a>[\/vc_message][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading el_id=”earning_marriott_bonvoy_points” text=”Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy<\/a> points to stay for free at over 7,000 hotels<\/a> worldwide is to be a Marriott Bonvoy American Express<\/a> (and\/or Marriott Bonvoy Business American ExpressMD<\/sup> Card<\/a>) cardholder.<\/p>\n

In addition to the great welcome bonus<\/a> on both cards, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on all purchases and 5 points per dollar at Marriott locations.<\/p>\n

And each year, you’ll earn a free hotel night certificate<\/a> (35,000 point value) as well as 15 Elite nights towards your Marriott Bonvoy status<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text]

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For example, with the American Express CobaltMD<\/sup> Card<\/a>, you earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar of purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, bars, convenience stores and home delivery. It is one of the best credit cards in Canada<\/a> for travellers. Find out why here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check out this page<\/a> for all the welcome offers on cards that earn Marriott Bonvoy points.[\/vc_column_text]

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands<\/a> is located on the Fari Islands, only 50 minutes by boat or 10 minutes by seaplane from Mal\u00e9. The resort has 100 villas, 56 of which are on stilts. The Ocean Pool Villas offer a view of the sunrise and are sheltered from the wind, while the Lagoon Pool Villas offer a view of the sunset.<\/p>\n

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Each villa has its own Aris Meeha who is in fact a butler who will assist you during your stay. Your butler is always available via WhatsApp or directly from the room phone.<\/p>\n

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands<\/a> is all about the environment. Solar panels are installed on the roofs of the villas to produce energy. In order to reduce plastic consumption, the water is directly purified and bottled on the island in glass bottles. Also, in restaurants, the straws are made of metal.<\/p>\n

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<\/div>\n[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading el_id=”transfer” text=”Transfer” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Coming from the JW Maldives, we were escorted directly to the docks opposite Mal\u00e9 airport. If you are arriving from the airport, a team will be waiting for you at the exit once your luggage has been collected to take you there.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”178398,178396,178394,178390,178388″][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

The speed boat is very comfortable. We were served a plate of fruit, small cakes and drinks. For the return trip, we made the transfer at night and there was a lot of swell. Take this into account if you are seasick, in which case a seaplane transfer would be preferable.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading el_id=”checking-in” text=”Checking-In” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Check-in is directly to the room on arrival. Thanks to our Titanium Elite status<\/a>, we were able to upgrade to a Lagoon Pool Villa<\/em>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”178266″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]We were given electronic bracelets that allow us to easily open the room. We found this very convenient. If you prefer the traditional plastic cards, these are also provided.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”178202″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”]

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<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading el_id=”the_room” text=”The room” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]The villa is circular in shape and has a beautiful mix of wood and marble for a very relaxing result. The lighting also provides a subdued atmosphere in the evening. The villa is divided in two parts, with a bedroom area consisting of a living room and a bathtub, and a bathroom and dressing room area.[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading el_id=”living_room_and_bedroom” text=”Living room and bedroom” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=””][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178212,178190,178234,178238,178224,178232,178220,178216″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_custom_heading el_id=”dressing_room_and_bathroom” text=”Dressing room and bathroom” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=””][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178240,178242,178186,178218,178196,178208,178244,178230,178228,178226,178210,178178,178176″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]The room is also equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine and a mini-bar that is refilled daily. Sweet and savoury snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available free of charge. A large selection of spirits, champagnes and wines are also available for a fee.[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178198,178194,178222,178192″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]You can enter the ocean directly from the ladder on the terrace and the water is shallow. You can sometimes see stingrays swimming around the villa, but beyond that there is not much to see underwater on the lagoon side. We saw a lot more when we went to the ocean view villas.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Finally, the circular pool is of a good size and shallow (1 meter). It also offers a magnificent contrast with the ocean. [\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178214,178184,178174″ img_size=”large” onclick=””]
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<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/article>\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>[vc_single_image image=”178180″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading el_id=”services_at_the_ritz-carlton_maldives” text=”Services at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives” google_fonts=””][vc_custom_heading el_id=”restaurants” text=”Restaurants” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” google_fonts=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]The complex has 7 restaurants, 2 of which are located on the neighbouring island (L’arabesque and Tum Tum). A shuttle service is offered every hour to the Fari Marina Village. Other restaurants are available on this island but are not part of the Ritz-Carlton. We were able to test all the restaurants except the IWAU and the Eau Bar.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”178284″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

La Locanda is an Italian restaurant and the main restaurant of the hotel. This is where breakfast is served between 7am and 11am.<\/p>\n

This is served as a buffet ($65 USD), but also offers \u00e0 la carte options. If you take the buffet, the \u00e0 la carte options are included in the buffet offer. The \u00e0 la carte options cost around $20USD, but the portions are a bit small, so consider ordering multiple courses if you have a big appetite.<\/p>\n

We tried the buffet on the first day and then opted for the more economical and sufficient \u00e0 la carte options on subsequent days.<\/p>\n

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For Marriott Bonvoy members, The Ritz-Carlton offers a local version of afternoon-tea between 4 and 5 pm.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178170,178172″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]L’Eau Bar is a seafood restaurant, so you can find oysters, caviar or Japanese influenced dishes. Every day, weather permitting, you can attend the sunset celebration around the circular pool. It’s a magical moment![\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”178300,178304,178302,178250,178280″ img_size=”large” onclick=””][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n

The Summer Pavilion (our favourite) offers modern Cantonese tapas-style cuisine. However, while the portions are modest, they are larger than you’d expect from tapas. A dumpling brunch is also offered on Wednesdays, to please your taste buds.<\/p>\n

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The Beach Shack is directly on the beach with a DJ all day. The cuisine served is international. There is even a S’mores sundae.<\/p>\n

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IWAU is a Japanese restaurant. This restaurant serves only multi-course menus and is the most upscale restaurant in the hotel. Seating is very limited and the restaurant is only open for dinner, so reservations are required.<\/p>\n

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Tum Tum is the first food truck in the Maldives. It offers very affordable and delicious Asian street food.<\/p>\n

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Arabesque offers Lebanese and North Indian cuisine. We were able to meet the chef in person so he could recommend dishes. Everything was delicious and well spiced.<\/p>\n

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Good to know: Marriott Bonvoy members receive a discount at the following restaurants:<\/p>\n