W Maldives

We just returned from the most unforgettable family vacation at W Maldives, and I couldn’t wait to share our heartfelt thanks—especially to Dhikko, who made us feel truly at home from the moment we arrived. 💙 Traveling with a 7-year-old, we were initially concerned there wouldn’t be enough to keep him entertained since there’s no traditional kids club. But we were so pleasantly surprised! The Energy team – Mark, Artti, and Shakil – went above and beyond to engage our son with daily activities. He had the time of his life and was so well cared for—we are incredibly grateful for the warmth and patience they showed him every single day. We were also celebrating our anniversary, and the arrangements were beyond anything we expected. Every detail was thoughtful and meaningful. From the decorations to the personal touches, we felt incredibly special. Thank you for making it so memorable. 💕 The snorkeling experience was another highlight—truly magical. We swam alongside sharks and even a sea turtle, all just a short swim from the villa. The house reef is stunning, and the underwater world left us speechless. The newly renovated rooms are exceptional—sleek, luxurious, and comfortable. W Maldives truly offers top-tier, high-end facilities, but what sets it apart is the heart behind the service. Every team member made us feel welcome, cared for, and part of something special. Thank you again to Dhikko and the entire W team for such a meaningful, luxurious, and joy-filled stay. We’re leaving with full hearts and beautiful memories—and already dreaming of our next visit. With gratitude, Lauren & Family Read less

We were at the W Maldives last week for a 1 week vacation and we had the most awesome time filled with great memories. House reef was superb. We could even spot turtles, reef sharks etc within the villa waters! We also had the opportunity to try off menu delicacies like Sri Lankan & Maldivian dinners at Kitchen as well as Peruvian-Japanese Omakase dinner at SIP. Worth highlighting is the impeccable service at Kitchen where we had breakfast every morning and a couple of dinners - many thanks to Kitchen restaurant manager Hassan and his team.  Our 1 week trip was packed with activities from manta ray snorkeling, parasailing, catamaran sailing,sunset fishing to special cocktail masterclass and Maldivian cooking class, etc it was never a dull moment in W Maldives! Special thanks to GM Amila and his very hospitable team - Saito, Claire, Sandra, Hassan, Ben, Anna, Ding, Celine, Adam, Nihal, Launsy,  Honda, Christopher, Mani, Silwai who made our stay a truly memorable one. We look forward to coming back! Read less

We have already been twice to W, back then in 2009 and 2011, thus we were pretty excited to come back and see their transformation. This time we stayed in a premier overwater villa on the reef-side with uninterrupted view over the ocean towards their private island Gaathafushi. The contemporary design of the water villas is influenced by the sea, for example the outside hanger is formed like a sea urchin. Outdoor area is comfy with a private pool and lounging area. The superior overwater villas differ a bit, for example the bathtub isn’t free-standing and all of those face lagoon-side. The reimagined beach villas are pretty attractive with a fresh and bright look. Especially the bathroom nicely changed compared to the former times. Beach villas feature two different kind of bath thubs, the orange, translucent one is certainly the cooler option. And a new category 2 bedroom beach villa with private slide has been established. The island itself is beautiful and lush, with fine sandy beaches all around and a turquoise lagoon. In addition to the stylish pool area & bar WET, sun loungers are also placed directly on the beach. Ideal for water villa guests or those who want to relax on that wide stretch of sand. Sun protection for comp use is provided on the towel station, always a nice treat. On sunrise side, the beach is smaller, and especially at high tide narrow. Things can of course always change, it’s nature. Snorkelling was amazing! We started our trip at SIP bar towards AWAY Spa. We encountered about 5 sharkies and turtles, and many of the other usuals were around as well. Also coral-wise it was really nice. Definitely one of our best snorkelling experiences in the Northern part of the Maldives within the last years! Water sport fans will surely love the legendary sea bob. Every guest gets one complimentary photo shooting, that's a lovely souvenir. Also, private island Gaathafushi is definitely a fantastic option for a romantic picnic or a rustic overnight stay. Culinary-wise, the offer is on a very high level. FIRE is kind of jungle meets beach outlet. Now it features also a rustic-chic covered area, which is a real upgrade. FIRE is a stunning and romantic venue with its iconic fireplace in the middle. On the first night we enjoyed a lovely beach BBQ along with a pleasant evening entertainment. Different popular musicians and DJ’s are performing on a regular base. Breakfast at KITCHEN was not bad at all, yet the choice of bread/rolls and fruit I found a little bit limited. The danish fruit pastries were lovely and hubby was very satisfied with his eggs royale. SIP bar now Nikkei cuisine under the helm of talented chef Diana. A super addition to the other restaurants, and surely a light dinner alternative. We enjoyed some nice bites whilst watching the sunset. FISH outlet is located next to the bar, as well in the overwater complex. It’s elegantly and airy designed and focusses on freshly caught fish. Our dinner there was superb. Glass-bottled house water is served free of charge in all outlets. The island vibe is chilled and laid-back, staff team attentive and amiable. Of course the original philosophy “whatever you want – whenever you want” is still in force. RM Christian and GM Amila have been visible which is always a should-be in the luxury league, especially on a small island. Even if you are in the not less populated Ari area, it’s a pretty remote feel here on the island with a good view from all points. W is a chic place and combines a relaxed beach club vibe with an authentic Maldivian ambiance. We had a fantastic time on the island and will surely return. Read less