I W Maldives

By Juweyria Hersi

• HOTEL REVIEW •

W Maldives

The Maldives offers the perfect environment to reboot and get away from city life. These small islands offer big experiences, while providing complete tranquility.

H

Having been cooped up in my home for an extended period, I really felt like I needed a relaxing vacation to rediscover the beauty of travel, so my mother and I headed to the Maldives to experience the famed paradise islands. We chose the W Maldives resort, located on the heart-shaped Fesdu Island in the North Ari Atoll. The island is small but encircled by glorious beaches and remarkable reefs. It seemed like a perfect lush getaway where we could enjoy great food, marine life, and, most importantly, tranquility.

The journey Our vacation started as soon as we arrived at Malé Airport, where we received a warm welcome from two W Maldives staff members who took complete care of us and went through our itinerary in detail while we waited for our seaplane tickets to be booked. We were then taken by bus to the W Maldives lounge. You get the W Maldives vibe as soon

as you arrive at the W lounge. It encompasses the brand’s glamorous and playful design and offers drinks, snacks, and comfortable seating in a tech-friendly fun atmosphere.

The seaplane ride to the resort took approximately 25 minutes. Because of the time of year, we expected the weather to be rainy, but to our surprise the temperature was 28 degrees, with fluffy clouds dotted across blue skies. It was picture-perfect. As we were landing, we could see a group of staff waving to welcome us. When we landed, they each introduced themselves, which was a very warm and friendly touch.

Accommodation Seclusion was important to us, but because of the location and shape of the jetty at W Maldives, we didn’t have to worry too much about privacy. The island houses 77 private villa escapes and suites, and we stayed at one of the overwater villas. We had a large king-sized bed, an outdoor deck, and private beach and pool access. It was very spacious for two over-packers. It also had a high-quality sound system, which was great for unwinding with a movie after a day full of activities.

The villa felt like it was floating as the waves hit the room’s foundations, which was very dreamlike and peaceful. With a stylish interior design, the modern and sleek white and earthy-brown tones let the most vital element of the room come alive—the azure sea view from the bed was unforgettable. There was also a round glass porthole in the floor of the room, allowing you to see the waters underneath, which my mother would use to communicate with me as I swam past daily. You may see other guests snorkeling at a distance, so if you are extremely concerned with privacy you may want to check before leaving the room.

The room service during our stay was impeccable. It was as though the staff were telepathic and knew what we would want before we even mentioned it. They were able to quickly find us a Shattafa, and surprised us with daily midday treats, like red velvet cakes for our afternoon tea.

The resort During our stay, we felt more like we were in a private club than a hotel resort. Each corner of W Maldives has a unique, carefully-constructed design and ambiance, with upbeat music playing everywhere you go. But while the resort has boundless features—including a fully-equipped water sports center, spa, and fitness center—the rooms are designed to make guests feel like they are on discrete personal retreats. It was the ultimate sanctuary for two people eager to get away from city life.

I also noted that it was rare to see plastic around the resort. The entire W Maldives team is committed to sustainability, with paper packaging and glass water bottles used across the entire island.

Activities If there was one thing on our schedule that we were thankful for every day, it was the pool and ocean right outside our balcony door. We snorkeled, swam, sunbathed, stared out to sea, read, and played music. Then we did it all over again—and again, not missing a single day.

For my first-time snorkeling, I was assisted by an instructor from the Down Under & Wave Center, who guided me for an hour and provided me with snorkeling gear to use for the rest of my stay. We went into the sea from the beach and swam deeper until just before the point where the light blue water turned darker. We then glided around the island from near the water villas up to the spa. We saw the enormous W underwater reef sculpture along the way—the W Maldives does not limit its funky branding to land. I will never forget the countless exotic fishes, giant turtles, and eagle rays. When I first saw reef sharks I was terrified, but I soon got used to them, and the instructor assured me that if I did not get in their way they should not be of any harm. Being among the colorful marine life was an unimaginable experience. It almost made me want to

turn into a real-life mermaid and just live under the ocean.

Of course, our itinerary included some spa time, and getting my first massage since the pandemic started was everything I dreamt it would be. The Spa at the W Maldives has four treatment villas that offer indoor and outdoor facilities. As we walked in, the therapist gave us a form to fill out, and they provided several massage options to unwind, divided into Inner Glow, Outer Glow, and After Glow treatments. We opted for an Inner Glow, 60min detox massage, which left us feeling relaxed, recharged, and rejuvenated. My mother woke up from her sleep to the sound of the sea and an overwhelming feeling of bliss. The area was so serene that we sat back and continued to unwind with a hot ginger detox drink after our session.

Dining We were not expecting the dining scene to be as extraordinary as it was—it was the highlight of our trip. The W Maldives houses three vibrant restaurants and two bars. For breakfast, we savored the fresh burst of Maldivian flavors at the KITCHEN’s open buffet while barefoot in chilly waters and listening to the rustling leaves of the palm trees and watching the small island creatures waking up. The fresh coconut toast is sensational. Our juice connoisseur Farouk would go the extra mile each morning by bringing us the freshest fruits and juice mixes made of local bananas, oranges, passion fruit, mangos, and other tropical fruits.

We also had the opportunity to dine at the SIP bar and enjoy Halal drinks and sushi while watching the pink sunset with a great live DJ. The signature seafood restaurant FISH is set over the lagoon and was a fantastic way to soak in the atmosphere and see a shooting star. Dinner there was an altogether elegant affair. But our favorite dining experience was the full moon dinner at FIRE. This restaurant has breathtaking rustic and natural surroundings, with light from firepits flickering across the sand around us. My mother and I enjoyed fresh BBQed local seafood and made memories with marshmallows in hand by the bonfire with the perfect full moon overhead. It was just divine.

Lastly, the team at W Maldives prepared a private destination dining experience for us at the W Coral Terrace. This was our first time having fresh caviar, and it set extremely high standards for both of us. We had a five-star three-course meal and gazed out at the ocean, giving us a beautiful, cozy, and peaceful end to our journey together—it is safe to say I am her favorite daughter now.

Final thoughts W Maldives was one for the books, and I would gladly return with a couple of friends to experience this exotic magical escape island again. We experienced the most fabulous moments and created memories that will last forever.