The villas on Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi are an ode to harmony. Each one was designed in balance with the island landscape. Traditional thatched roofs blend with swaying coconut palms. The topaz blue of every villa’s private swimming pool — which rank among the largest in the Maldives — mirrors the Tiffany hues of the Indian Ocean beyond.
The harmony continues inside the villas, where Western comfort meets Eastern geometry. Minimalist lines frame sumptuous sofas. Linens and stone echo the sustainable ethos of Aesop wellness products. Guests may luxuriate in the circular bathtub overlooking the water, or rejuvenate in the outdoor shower under a tropical sky.
Maldivian design elements are present too. High ceilings ensure a cool flow of air. Woodwork motifs describe marine life, ocean waves and an eternal conversation with the sea.
The most life-affirming element of each villa is perhaps the outdoor terrace. Swing chairs and in-water loungers sum up the carefree spirit. So do hammocks suspended above the crystalline sea. From each terrace, a private staircase spills directly into the warm lagoon. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels dissolve the boundary between indoors and out, creating a seamless connection between grandeur and nature.
In short, all 117 villas are private oases. No terraces are overlooked. No private pools can be seen from other properties. No sound disturbs the serenity, unless guests include the lilting call of white-tailed tropicbirds that play in flowering sesame trees.
For the ultimate sense of exclusivity, dishes from every dining venue — including The Ledge by Michelin-starred chef Dave Pynt — can be served in one’s own personal kingdom.
Ithaafushi itself is one of the longest single-resort islands in the Maldives. Individual residences are discretely sited along 3.5km of interconnected islands and wooden boardwalks. Three bespoke types of villa await.
Reef villas feature overwater terraces, with swift access to one’s own Technicolor reef. Water villas are built on stilts to scan an endless horizon. Beach villas are nestled in emerald forest and invite residents to pad across the sand directly into the shallows. Each villa type adapts effortlessly for couples, families and multi-generational groups. Each is ideal for honeymoons, holidays or celebratory memories of a lifetime.
One enduring spirit distinguishes Ithaafushi — the Waldorf Astoria service, perfected for almost a century. For example, if a guest samples Don Julio tequila from the minibar, it will be replenished the next day, along with fresh limes for a flawless margarita. The cocktail can even be prepared in your villa by a personal mixologist. Every wish is anticipated, every detail refined.
Even departures from one’s villa evoke a sense of Maldivian tradition. Guests pass through antique wooden doors, painted turquoise like the sky, which connect each villa’s garden to a fragrant pathway.
Once again, harmony reigns. Bicycles whisper past beach cabbage blooms. Electric buggies glide under the shade of butterfly trees. A seamless symphony of island experiences awaits.
