Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to open this summer

Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands opens this summer.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is to open this summer on June 1.

Part of a ‘super resort’ across four islands in the North Male Atoll, the property boasts 100 villas and is an easy 50-minute speedboat ride, or ten-minute seaplane flight, from the international airport at Male.

Originally slated to open in 2020, the multi-island resort will also host Capella Maldives, which opens later this year, and Patina Maldives.

The Ritz-Carlton villas are one- to three-bedroomed and each comes with an ‘aris meeha’, or personal host.

Further facilities at the luxe property include six restaurants, a spa and a Jean-Michel Cousteau sustainability programme to manage dive and snorkelling explorations. Littlies will be kept entertained courtesy of the Ritz Kids programme.

Guests are free to move between all four islands of the resort. Along with the three properties, there will also be a ‘hub’ area around Fari Marina, with beach club, boutique shops and more dining spaces.

The project has been led by Pontiac Land, a Singapore-based luxury property developer. It has collaborated with award-winning architects and designers to develop the resort, including architect Kengo Kuma, who designed Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium, and Hong Kong designer Andre Fu, who was the mastermind behind the city’s recently opened St Regis property. Both worked with Capella Maldives for this project.

Meanwhile, Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan was brought in to design Patina Maldives, a resort aimed at “progressive travellers of a new generation”. It offers 20 studios and 90 beach and overwater villas with one to three bedrooms.

The Maldives has enjoyed a successful winter season following its reopening to all international visitors relatively early on in the pandemic last July. Arrivals must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel.