The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands: Design oasis under the sign of the circle

The CC Maldives tip!

The breathtaking aerial view of this island resort in the Maldives is iconic. But even beyond the spectacular design by Kerry Hill Architects, The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands has nothing but superlatives to offer, both in culinary terms and in terms of sustainability.

The water villas clinging to two elongated jetty arms, hugging the ring-shaped building, are a majestic sight. Those who arrive here usually don't get to see this view from a bird's eye view - because the resort in the North Malé Atoll is only 45 minutes by speedboat from the international airport in Malé.

First-time visitors can experience this on a buggy tour: the resort extends over three islands connected by bridges, each of which offers its own special experiences. Our Beach Villa 220 is located directly on one of several small bays and presents itself as a modern, minimalist oasis of well-being: a combined living room and bedroom, a free-standing bathtub, an indoor shower connected by a door and an outdoor shower protected from view. Everything is compactly laid out - short distances, well thought-out architecture. From the bed, the view falls through floor-to-ceiling windows over the patio with round daybed and semi-circular private pool directly onto the beach and sea. When the glass doors are fully opened, the interior and exterior spaces merge spectacularly into a single, iconic unit.

We are moved by the lovingly arranged welcome gift from our Ari Meeha (as the private butlers are called here) - chocolates and fruit galore. But first we want to explore the island on the bicycles provided. L'art de vivre in the villas
Right next to our villa is The Ritz-Carlton Estate: the largest residential unit of the resort, which comprises a total of 100 villas. A fantastic hideaway with three pavilions, four bedrooms, a gigantic infinity pool and 1,500 square meters of "playground" on a private bay - a hedonistic hangout for families and groups of friends.

The smallest of the resort's three islands is called "Culinary Island" and is home to four of the resort's seven restaurants. A culinary mini-paradise, where artfully staged buffets with international favorites beckon in the Locanda restaurant in the morning. Our cappuccino is served with a frothy milk heart that reads "Good Morning" - framed by a sun and two palm trees. With this smile in the cup and a view of the sea, the day gets off to a fantastic start. At lunchtime and in the evening, the Locanda is transformed into a southern Italian specialty restaurant with delicious pasta, pizza, meat and fish dishes. For dinner, the extremely attentive staff member Ali recommends the neighboring Chinese "Summer Pavilion", a tapas-style restaurant where we experience a culinary kick in the evening with steamed sea bass in shallot oil and soy sauce as well as a gigantic selection of dim sum dumplings filled with various ingredients.

At a pop-up event here last year, Chef Pam, who was named Asia's best female chef in 2024, conjured up an 8-course menu as part of the "Masters of Crafts" culinary series. This series of events with top international chefs takes place regularly throughout the year. Dates can be found on the website - and may well influence your travel plans.

Green luxury class

We meet marine biologist Jennifer at the diving center where we are introduced to the coral restoration project and attach small coral fragments to metal frames with cable ties. She tells us about the many sustainability initiatives behind the elegant design backdrops: drones monitor the sea in cooperation with scientist Dr. Melissa Schiele to quickly detect and dispose of plastic waste and ghost nets. In addition, the "Ambassadors of the Environment" program, developed together with the legendary marine researcher Jean-Michel Cousteau, trains guests, children, students and employees in maritime environmental awareness. From time to time, the 87-year-old Frenchman also teaches on the island in person.

As we launch the coral netting on the jetty, we can also see the impressive floating solar garden, which - together with the photovoltaic systems on the villa roofs - provides a considerable proportion of the green energy supply. Other highlights await right next door: the Ritz Kids Club, which looks like a castle rondau overgrown with plants. In the center: a spectacular outdoor play structure with a slide, net bridges and hammocks. Right next door: a state-of-the-art fitness center open around the clock with aerial yoga and a panoramic view of Grand Sunset Beach. From here, you can dive straight into the sea after your workout. The resort's largest beach is also the location of the relaxed Beach Shack, where light dishes such as ceviche, salads and burgers are served during the day.





The Fari Islands themselves are an archipelago of four islands built under strict environmental regulations. The Patina Maldives Resort, home to the Fari Marina with its marina, restaurants and (art) boutiques, also operates on one of these islands. Here, the Ritz-Carlton operates the Bedouin-inspired Arabesque restaurant, which serves mezze and tandoori specialties, as well as the colorful Tum Tum food truck, which serves Asian street food favorites such as bao buns, chicken wings and Thai pad thai at lunchtime. A regular dhoni shuttle shuttles between the two islands in just a few minutes - a highly recommended excursion, as you can enjoy the infrastructure of two resorts at once, which of course provides plenty of variety.





Back on Culinary Island at the Ritz Carlton, we experience the evening sunset ritual: "Defining Moment" at the Eau Bar. As soon as the sun sinks into the sea, Bodu Beru dancers in black and white fely sarongs drum their way around the circular pool, lighting a fire on a metal ring - an impressive and sublime performance that some guests even attend several times. The many circular design elements throughout the island follow the "Circle of Island Life" narrative and are inspired by the cyclical energy of the ocean.

Right next to the Eau Bar is another culinary experience: the Japanese IWAU restaurant. Here, only a few guests dine on selected menus at two open-air chef's tables with six seats each. Chef Baghi presents the highest level of Japanese cuisine in an intimate atmosphere: tuna tartare and chicken gyoza, nigiri with bluefin tuna, scallops and eel with foie gras. For main courses, Patagonian hake with truffle butter ponzu or Wagyu beef tataki. Everything is carefully and painstakingly prepared before our eyes - and accompanied by a selection of sake or wines on request.

Time for the iconic, circular spa pavilion, which appears to float so spectacularly over the ocean in the aerial view. During a Bamford Relaxing Massage, we let two experienced spa therapists massage us almost into a deep sleep. Mission accomplished: The spa consistently focuses on harmony and well-being - a claim that is easily achieved in this natural environment with the sustainable Bramford cosmetic products, which are also available in the bathrooms of the villas. www.marriott.com