W Maldives – Review

W Maldives, the Original Wavemaker, has returned after a complete renovation, bringing with it cutting-edge design, playful new additions and that free-spirited energy it is known for. From award-winning marine life to private island escapades, from bold villa design to seamless, intuitive service, this is a resort that balances barefoot glamour with high-energy fun. It is as suited to a blissful retreat as it is to an adrenaline-filled escape.

Background and Concept

W Maldives takes the traditional charm of the Maldives and gives it a vibrant twist. The resort’s Whatever/Whenever service ethos is more than just a slogan. Guests can design their own bespoke moments, whether it is a night on a private island, a fully tailored spa day or a romantic dinner under the stars, and the team will make it happen to the highest standard.

I could message the team at any time on WhatsApp. When I accidentally dropped my phone and tripod off my villa’s pool deck, a quick SOS had the wonderful Ishara at my door within minutes to retrieve it. He even returned moments later with a bag of rice to help dry it out. This intuitive, thoughtful approach sums up the W Maldives experience. Nothing is too much trouble and it is all delivered with genuine warmth.

The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, with management as approachable as the front of house team. You will find pockets of peace and calm as easily as you will find DJ sets, sundowners and lively gatherings. The staff are every bit as memorable as the scenery, always smiling and genuinely making sure each guest feels special. Being greeted by name and asked how your day has been might seem small, but it makes a big difference and is one of the reasons this property stands out as a jewel in Marriott’s Maldivian portfolio.

Location

Set on heart-shaped Fesdu Island in the North Ari Atoll, the resort is a 25-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport with Trans Maldivian Airways. The journey is a treat in itself, offering a bird’s eye view of scattered atolls, shifting sandbanks and endless shades of blue. From the moment you check in at the seaplane terminal lounge to the moment the aircraft skims across the lagoon on landing, the sense of arrival is unforgettable.

Its position in one of the Maldives’ richest marine environments means the house reef is accessible directly from the beach or villa steps. The resort is playful, energetic and calm all at once, with each mood perfectly balanced. Mornings often began with a walk around the island, pausing to say hello to George, the resident heron, who became a quiet and comforting presence during my stay.

Food and Drink

Dining at W Maldives is as much about setting and atmosphere as it is about flavour. Every restaurant makes the most of the island’s views, whether you are perched above the reef, sitting barefoot in the sand or gathered around a poolside table.

Kitchen is the resort’s all-day dining spot with an open plan layout and live cooking stations. Mornings begin with freshly baked pastries, tropical fruits and eggs made to order, while evenings bring an international menu that blends familiar comfort dishes with local touches.

• FISH is the culinary highlight, an overwater restaurant that champions an ocean to table approach. Much of the seafood is line-caught that day and prepared with creative flair. Dining here under the stars, with the sound of the water below, feels romantic and refined.
• FIRE takes its inspiration from the art of barbecue, offering grilled meats and seafood in a relaxed beach setting. Guests can dine with their feet in the sand and a backdrop of flickering torches.
• SIP is the place for a sunset ritual. Its circular deck sits above the lagoon and serves Nikkei-inspired small plates alongside a cocktail list that is inventive and colourful. Watching the sun sink into the horizon here is a must.
• WET Deck brings together the social side of the resort with a swim-up bar, poolside seating and a menu of tapas-style bites, fresh salads and tropical drinks. Music plays throughout the day, creating a lively yet relaxed scene.

For an extra special occasion, the resort offers private dining experiences ranging from sandbank picnics to in-villa chef service.

One of my personal highlights was the floating breakfast. Some may see it as purely for photos, but there is something very special about enjoying a beautifully prepared breakfast in your own pool, looking out across the lagoon. Perfectly poached eggs, tropical juice and the quiet of the morning made it one to remember.

Guest Rooms and Suites

All 77 villas have been redesigned as part of the renovation, each with a private plunge pool, direct access to the beach or lagoon, and interiors inspired by the island’s natural surroundings. Beach Villas draw from mangrove tones, while Overwater Villas take cues from whale shark patterns.

The new Oasis Two Bedroom Beach Villas are standout additions, complete with spacious decks, games tables and a two-storey water slide into the pool. I had to try it. As if flying into the Maldivian bushes on my first attempt was not enough adrenaline for one morning, I climbed back up for another go. Equal parts thrilling and hilarious, it is a detail that sums up the resort’s playful spirit.

My Villa During My Stay

I stayed in a Premier Overwater One Bedroom Villa, where every design detail nodded to the sea. Whale shark rugs, fish scale wall textures and wardrobes fading in a sunset ombré created a sense of place. The centrepiece bathroom featured a striking clear blue bathtub that matched the lagoon beyond.

Outside was my own private cabana, a sea urchin-inspired swinging seat, sun loungers, an infinity pool and an outdoor shower. Few pleasures compare to stepping back into your private villa and slipping into the still waters of your own pool, a serene sanctuary that feels entirely your own. Attention to detail was faultless, and the evening turndown service felt like a small ceremony in itself after hot days exploring the island.

Other Facilities

• AWAY Spa offers overwater treatment rooms and steam facilities. My session with therapist Yangchen began with a refreshing welcome drink and time in the steam room. I was then led to the open-air spa deck over the sea for a traditional foot ritual using lavender oil, orange spray, coconut scrub, lime for detoxification and coconut milk water to rinse. The 60-minute full-body massage that followed was bliss.
• FIT Gym has ocean-facing equipment and is open 24 hours, but it is more than just a place to lift weights. The resort runs a schedule of fitness classes for all levels, from sunrise yoga on an open deck to energising HIIT circuits, core conditioning, and functional training sessions. Guests can also join stretching, mobility or guided meditation classes for something more restorative. Every class is small and personalised, allowing the instructor to adapt to individual needs, making it easy to keep your fitness routine on track or try something completely new.
• WAVE Watersports Centre offers everything from diving and parasailing to yacht trips. The house reef, however, is the star attraction. Snorkelling with my instructor Adhil was a personal highlight. The resort’s win for Best House Reef at the Travel + Leisure Asia Awards 2025 is well deserved. We glided past coral gardens teeming with fish, spotted eagle rays and met Bob, the resident sea turtle, before being joined by needlefish darting around us. It was the most spectacular reef I have seen in the Maldives.

You may also choose to charter the resort’s private yacht, Escape, for a sunset sail, an intimate dinner or even an overnight ocean escape. Alternatively, hop on a dhoni for island-hopping, fishing or dolphin-spotting excursions.

We also spent an evening on the resort’s private island, Gaathafushi. Sundowners, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails by candlelight on bean bags, with soft music in the background, made for a night like no other. Guests can also stay overnight in an open-air cabana for the ultimate castaway experience.

USPs

• Recently renovated with fresh design and playful new additions
• Water slide equipped two-bedroom villas
• Award-winning house reef
• Exceptional, intuitive service
• Private island experiences on Gaathafushi

TLE Top Tips

• Book a Premier Overwater Villa for ocean views and a sense of privacy
• Try the water slide in the Oasis Two Bedroom Beach Villa, at least twice
• Do not miss a floating breakfast for the ultimate treat
• Spend an evening on Gaathafushi for a memory you will talk about for years
• Snorkel the house reef with a guide to meet its most famous resident, Bob the turtle

Final Thoughts

From sunrise walks with George the heron to sliding into my pool from a two-storey deck, from dancing needlefish on the reef to candlelit cocktails on a private island, W Maldives was as much about moments as it was about luxury. Snorkelling alongside Bob, the resident sea turtle, eagle rays and shoals of colourful fish was a reminder of how extraordinary this setting is. The dining could keep you happily on the island for weeks, with each venue offering its own atmosphere, from the elegance of FISH to the barefoot charm of FIRE and the lively energy of WET Deck. Even the simplest meals, like breakfast at Kitchen or a floating feast in my villa pool, felt elevated by the setting and service.

The Whatever/Whenever concept is not just a clever brand line; it works in practice. Whether it was rescuing my phone from the depths of the pool deck, arranging a last-minute spa session, or setting up an evening on a private island, the team anticipated what I needed before I had even asked.

W Maldives has the beauty you expect from the Maldives, but also an energy, warmth and sense of fun that makes it stand out. This is a resort that knows how to deliver high style and high spirits in equal measure, whether you are here for romance, relaxation or a little adrenaline. It is not just a place to stay, it is a place to live fully in the moment, and it does so flawlessly.