Every one of the 117 villas has its own pool, and even the entry beach villas are over 230 sqm. Families get a lot here: many one-bedroom villas sleep two adults and two children, and The Stars Club has its own water park. The dining includes Zuma, Li Long and a treetop tasting menu at Terra.
The verdict
Who it suits, and who it doesn’t.
The shared yacht takes about 40 minutes but can mean a 30–60 minute wait, so book a private yacht after a long flight. Check-in is at 15:00. Grand villas add space and room for an infant, and two-bedroom villas start around 600 sqm.
Travellers who want a small, barefoot island where everything is a short walk away; this is a large three-island resort. Milaidhoo Island Maldives, a single small island in Baa Atoll, suits them better.
Getting there
Speedboats run regardless of daylight, so a Gulf flight landing in the evening still reaches Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi the same night. The resort's own yacht, running 24 hours; allow 30–60 minutes' wait for a shared departure. Send flight details at least 72 hours ahead.
Villas
19 categories, from entry to signature.
The island
Dining, wellness, water.
- DiningZuma Maldives
Japanese izakaya over the water, with robata grill and sushi; closed 1–30 June 2026.
- DiningTerra
Seven-course tasting menu served in bamboo pods up in the treetops.
- DiningLi Long
Chinese restaurant known for Beijing duck from a wood-fired oven.
- DiningGlow
Mediterranean garden-to-table cooking built on seasonal produce.
- DiningThe Ledge
Australian-style wood-fire barbecue of Wagyu and seafood beside the pool.
- DiningTasting Table
Beachside terrace with the breakfast buffet and an international dinner menu.
- DiningThe Rock
Food and wine pairing menus at a jarrah-wood table in a cave-style room.
- BarNava
Pool and beach club with cocktails, wood-fired pizza and light bites.
- BarPeacock Alley
Open-air lounge with drinks, small plates and live music.
- BarAmber
Champagne lounge on the beach, facing the sunset.
- Spa & wellnessSpa
Private couples’ treatment villas, some of them overwater.
- Spa & wellnessAqua Wellness Center
Hydrotherapy pool with jets, an ice fountain, steam room and sauna.
- FitnessFitness Center
24-hour gym with Technogym equipment, personal training and classes.
- FitnessTennis and padel courts
Professional-grade tennis and padel courts.
- Kids’ clubThe Stars Club
Supervised club for ages 4–11 with a water park, splash pad and creative spaces.
- Diving & water sportsUnder & Over the Blue
Diving, snorkelling, sailing, kayaks, Jetblade and other water sports.
- ExperiencesEDEN Gallery
Contemporary art gallery on the resort.
The practical detail.
- Check-in / out
- 15:00 → 12:00
- Children
- All ages · The Stars Club for ages 4–11 with a water park; childcare for younger children
- Board
- Room only, bed and breakfast or half board
- Dining
- 11 restaurants, bars and lounges, plus 24-hour in-villa dining
- Spa
- Waldorf Astoria spa: overwater couples’ villas and an Aqua Wellness Center with a hydrotherapy pool
- Diving
- Resort dive and water sports team: scuba, snorkelling, sailing, kayaks and Jetblade
- Languages
- English, Arabic, Chinese, German
- Nearby
- Malé, about 30 minutes by boat · Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi Private Island
- Cancellation
- Varies by offer — confirmed in writing before you commit
Day by day
Five nights, and how the days tend to go.
The resort yacht meets you at Velana airport for the 40-minute crossing. Settle into your villa and have dinner at Tasting Table.
Morning snorkel or dive with the resort’s water sports team while children spend time at The Stars Club water park. Wagyu at The Ledge in the evening.
Hydrotherapy circuit at the Aqua Wellness Center and a couples’ treatment, then sunset at Amber and dinner at Li Long.
Tennis or padel in the morning, a lazy afternoon at Nava, and the tasting menu at Terra.
Breakfast, a final swim in your pool, check out by 12:00 and take the yacht back to the airport.
Questions we get about Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.
Yes. The resort’s yacht runs 24 hours and takes about 40 minutes. Shared departures can mean a 30–60 minute wait, so book a private yacht after a long flight.
Very. Many one-bedroom villas sleep two adults and two children, Grand villas add room for an infant, and The Stars Club (ages 4–11) has its own water park.
Some halal dishes are offered, and alcohol can be taken out of the villa on request. There is no published halal certification, so we confirm details with the resort before booking.
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 12:00. Ask for early access if you land in the morning.
Beach villas have direct sand access and suit young children. Reef and overwater villas are larger and sit over the water. All have private pools.
