Susan’s Blog: My Stay at the Spectacular W Maldives

Have you ever had to pinch yourself to check you’re not dreaming? That was me as our seaplane touched down at the W Maldives. Looking out across that dazzling blue water, I spotted a line of smiling staff waving from the jetty. Check-in had already been taken care of in the VIP lounge at Malé, so from the moment we stepped off the plane, it was all welcome drinks and warm smiles.

After an introduction to the island from the Manager and a buggy tour of the resort, we were shown to our Escape Beach Villa, complete with its private pool and direct access to the sand, which quickly became my walking route for the island’s 12-minute loop.

The W had just reopened following a major renovation in May 2024, and we were among the first lucky guests to experience its fresh new look. Set on Fesdu Island in the North Ari Atoll, just 20 minutes by seaplane from Malé, it now has 77 revamped beach and overwater villas. They describe the design as “bio-boho” – a stylish blend of indoor-outdoor living that feels fun, vibrant, and just a little bit playful.

Each villa has its own private pool, but there’s also a main pool complete with a one-of-a-kind water slide that never gets hot in the sun (yes, really!). Expect every modern convenience too, including 24-hour WhatsApp service, high-end organic toiletries, and even a Bluetooth speaker you can take to the beach. They’ve truly thought of everything.

Dining here is something special. FISH is the overwater seafood restaurant (Ocean to Table and delicious). FIRE is the resort’s relaxed smokehouse on the beach. The KITCHEN serves up bistro-style dishes all day, and easily one of the best breakfast buffets I’ve had in a long time.

You can grab lunch and drinks by the pool at the WET Bar, and in the evening, head to SIP - the overwater sunset bar - for cocktails with a view.

The hotel also has a spa (obviously gorgeous), a fitness centre with daily activities, and a boutique shop. There’s even a pickleball court being added - though I didn’t feel the need for much more activity than a snorkel and a sunset drink… Speaking of snorkelling, the house reef here is amazing. A real highlight. We saw turtles, reef sharks, stingrays and too many colourful fish to count. Diving’s available too via the DOWN UNDER Dive Centre.

What really made it, though, was the staff. They’re warm, fun and genuinely welcoming. “Whatever, whenever” isn’t just a tagline here - they mean it. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and the service throughout our stay was flawless.

If you’re after a luxury escape with a bit of edge and energy, W Maldives could be just your thing.