Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Iconic luxury hotel brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, this week announces the highly anticipated opening of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi with a claim of setting a new standard of luxury in the Maldives.
The 122 all-villa resort spans across three interconnected islands, including an independent private island for guests seeking an exclusive enclave equipped with a dedicated staff and luxury amenities.
“Asia Pacific is enjoying a golden age of travel, and the launch of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is part of the growing momentum of Hilton’s Luxury and Lifestyle portfolio throughout the region,” said Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton.
“This is especially significant as the Maldives becomes an increasingly popular destination for global travellers.
“As the first international hotel brand to have opened in the Maldives over 21 years ago, it is especially fitting that this opening takes place as we celebrate Hilton’s 100th year milestone as a leader in global hospitality.”
Each luxuriously appointed beach, reef and overwater villa opens onto either a white sand beach or an expansive deck, and features a private infinity pool with uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, allowing guests to bask in the island’s natural beauty in the privacy of their villa.
The resort also features two Stella Maris Ocean Villas, which can only be reached by boat.
These villas feature floor-to-ceiling windows and direct ocean access.
At the height of exclusivity is the Ithaafushi Private Island.
Accessible only by yacht, the 32,000-square-metre sanctuary features a four-bedroom residence, a three-bedroom beach villa and a two-bedroom overwater villa, giving guests a transcendent sense of space.
The private island comes complete with a dedicated chef and personal concierge team, an overwater spa and gym, five swimming pools, an entertainment centre and of course, pristine beaches.
Continuing the brand’s legacy as a pioneer in culinary innovation, Waldorf Astoria’s landmark opening in the Maldives features an array of choices for its guests with 11 specialty-dining venues, many of which are brand new concepts developed with the Waldorf Astoria guest in mind.
Chef Dave Pynt, the mastermind behind Singapore’s Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends, offers his expertise to the island’s barbeque grill restaurant, The Ledge.
The restaurant features his signature, custom-built, four-ton, dual-cavity oven and elevation grills, enabling the use of techniques such as smoking, slow roasting, baking and grilling.
Other dining highlights include Terra, located on the island’s highest point and providing a unique gastronomic dining experience in private dining pods crafted from natural bamboo (see homepage image).
Nestled among boulders, The Rock is a rustic wine cellar and dining experience set in a carved-out space, where guests can indulge in wine pairing meals or an elevated dining experience with a menu that pays homage to renowned wine regions around the world.
Yasmeen offers guests the chance to savour authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.
Hot pittas and puffed breads baked in ovens based on centuries-old designs, charcoal-roasted meats, and hot and cold mezzes are served in dining rooms filled with decorative artifacts and antiques.
The immersive journey continues at Glow, which is set in a greenhouse-like structure shaded by lush greenery. It celebrates the concept of interactive garden-to-table dining by serving healthy and holistic cuisine made from fresh ingredients harvested from the island’s garden.
This latest addition to Hilton’s Asia Pacific luxury portfolio is part of Hilton Honors, the guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 17 distinct hotel brands.