Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: Villas, Dining and Guide

South Malé Atoll · Three private islands · 122 pool villas

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

A three-island resort 30 minutes by yacht from Malé, with a pool in every one of its 122 villas, eleven places to eat and an exclusive private island for groups. It is the closest of the big-name resorts to the airport, so no seaplane, no daylight-only transfers and no lost first day. Choose it for dining, families and convenience; skip it if you want a small, remote island.

122villas, all with pools

11dining venues

30 minby yacht

3private islands

Atoll: South Malé
Transfer: Yacht, about 30 min
Villas: 39 beach, 24 reef, 56 overwater
Largest: 3-bed overwater, 1,113 sq m
Exclusive: Ithaafushi Private Island
Spa: 10 treatment villas
Children: Young Discovery Park
Service: Personal concierge

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01The resort

Three islands, a private reef and no seaplane

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi spreads across three private islands and a private reef in South Malé Atoll. The main island holds the beach villas, restaurants, pools and Nava beach club; jetties carry the overwater villas out over the lagoon; and a separate island is kept entirely for groups booking Ithaafushi Private Island.

The big advantage is time. The resort's yacht reaches Ithaafushi in about 30 minutes from Velana International Airport, day or night, so you can land on a late flight and still sleep on the island. Service follows the Waldorf model, with a personal concierge for every villa. If you are weighing up resorts close to the airport, see our North Malé Atoll guide and Velassaru in South Malé.

Lit infinity pool and loungers on an overwater villa deck at dusk with villas on the horizon at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — An overwater villa deck at dusk. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

02Villas

Beach, reef and overwater villas, every one with a pool

Every villa has a private pool, a swing daybed, a dining gazebo and an in-water lounge. One-bedroom villas come with a king bed or two queen beds.

From Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi villa data. Two queen versions of one-bedroom villas are slightly larger. Stella Maris and the Private Island are listed separately.
Villa	Collection	Size from	Beds	Private pool
King Beach Villa with Pool	Beach	234 sq m	King	Yes
King Grand Beach Villa with Pool	Beach	276 sq m	King	Yes
Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool	Beach	599 sq m	King + two queens	Yes
Two Bedroom Grand Beach Villa with Pool	Beach	626 sq m	King + two queens	Yes
Three Bedroom Grand Beach Villa with Pool	Beach	1,023 sq m	Two kings + two queens	Yes
King Reef Villa with Pool	Reef	279 sq m	King	Yes
King Grand Reef Villa with Pool	Reef	319 sq m	King	Yes
King Overwater Villa with Pool	Overwater	283 sq m	King	Yes
King Grand Overwater Villa with Pool	Overwater	334 sq m	King	Yes
Two Bedroom Overwater Villa with Pool	Overwater	624 sq m	King + two queens	Yes
Three Bedroom Overwater Villa with Pool	Overwater	1,113 sq m	Two kings + two queens	Yes

Sand and garden

Beach

39 beach villas with gardens and white sand.
One-bedroom villas from 234 sq m, two-bedroom from 599 sq m.
The Three Bedroom Grand Beach Villa is 1,023 sq m.

Planting and water

Reef

24 reef villas among tropical foliage.
An overwater hammock, a dining gazebo and an ocean terrace.
From 279 sq m, Grand versions from 319 sq m.

Over the lagoon

Overwater

56 overwater villas with a glass floor to the lagoon.
One-bedroom from 283 sq m; two-bedroom from 624 sq m.
The Three Bedroom Overwater Villa is 1,113 sq m.

White beach villa with a thatched gable roof and long pool in front of sliding doors at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A beach villa with pool at Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Bright villa bedroom with a vaulted timber ceiling, white bed and glass doors to the ocean at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A villa bedroom at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Every villa type is listed with photographs in the villa section below. Compare: overwater villas with a pool, private pool villas and multi-bedroom residences.

03Ithaafushi Private Island and Stella Maris

An island for your group, and two villas reached only by boat

Ithaafushi Private Island

Reached only by yacht, kept for one group at a time.
A three-bedroom beach villa, a two-bedroom overwater villa and a four-bedroom residence.
Five pools, a jacuzzi, a club house, spa, gym, children's pool and playground.
Dedicated chefs and a personal concierge.
Compare: private island buyouts.

Stella Maris Ocean Villas

Two duplex villas accessible only by boat.
A 17 m infinity pool, a private jacuzzi and direct ocean access.
Chef's service and floor-to-ceiling windows on the night sky.

Aerial view of a small wooded island with overwater villas and a sandbank at Ithaafushi Private Island, Waldorf Astoria Maldives — Ithaafushi Private Island, reached only by yacht. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Infinity pool and lawn beside a thatched pavilion at sunset on Ithaafushi Private Island, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — The three-bedroom beach villa on Ithaafushi Private Island. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Overhead view of a long pool, lawn and beach umbrellas beside white sand on Ithaafushi Private Island, Waldorf Astoria Maldives — A pool and beach on Ithaafushi Private Island from above. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

04Restaurants and bars

Eleven places to eat, from treetop nests to Burnt Ends barbecue

Terra

Treetop dining

Private dining nests crafted from bamboo, raised among the treetops for a tasting dinner with the horizon in view.

The Ledge by Dave Pynt

Wood-fired barbecue

From the chef behind Burnt Ends in Singapore: modern Australian barbecue, poolside by day and an intimate grill at night.

Li Long

Shanghainese

Contemporary Chinese cooking and Peking duck from the Maldives' first wood-fired duck oven, with a private dining room.

Yasmeen

Middle Eastern

A traditional Arabian village by the ocean, with mezze, puffed breads and charcoal-roasted meats.

The Rock

Wine dinners

Set among boulders, with curated menus paying tribute to the world's great wine regions.

Tasting Table, Tangled, Glow

All day

Gourmet breakfasts and international dinners, Asian noodles and dim sum, and garden-to-table dishes from the island's edible garden.

Amber and Peacock Alley

Bars

Sunset Champagne and canapés at Amber; cocktails, wine and live music at Peacock Alley.

Nava

Beach club

The lagoon and mirror pools on the beach, with a resident DJ, live music and poolside favourites.

Golden bamboo dining nest with a table for two raised among palm trees at dusk, Terra at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A dining nest at Terra, raised among the treetops. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Open-sided beachfront restaurant with timber roof beams and tables facing white sand and the lagoon at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — One of the beachfront restaurants at Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Restaurant with timber beams, a glass roof and hanging lamps opening onto a garden and the sea at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A restaurant under a timber and glass roof at Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

05Waldorf Astoria Spa

Ten treatment villas, some over the water

The spa

Ten treatment villas, including overwater spa villas.
Crafted treatments and wellness programmes focused on relaxation, rebalance and results.
An overwater yoga pavilion for sunrise and sunset sessions.
Couples treatments and spa days on the private island for groups.

Thatched overwater spa villas on a jetty beside a small island and sandbank at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — The Waldorf Astoria Spa, with treatment villas over the water. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Domed thatched yoga pavilion on a deck over calm water at dawn at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — The overwater yoga pavilion at the spa. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

06Families

A discovery park for children, multi-bedroom villas for everyone

For children and teens

The Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park with a water recreation area.
Enriching activities for kids and teens throughout the day.
Nava's lagoon pool and watersports for all generations.
Two and three-bedroom villas on the beach and over the water.

Planning a family trip? See our luxury family resorts guide.

Overhead view of a long dark pool with white parasols beside a thatched villa and garden at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A villa pool from above at Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

07On and under the water

A private reef, watersports and sandbank dinners

Snorkel and dive

A private reef around the islands.
Scuba diving and snorkelling trips in South Malé Atoll.
Channel dive sites a short boat ride away.

Watersports

Sailing, windsurfing and fishing trips.
Watersports and recreation from Nava beach club.
Cycling and walking on white sand beaches.

Celebrations

Private dinners on a sandbank, in a beach cabana or in your villa.
Menus crafted by the chefs for anniversaries and proposals.
Sunset Champagne at Amber.

Snorkeller seen from above swimming over a coral reef at the edge of deep blue water near Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — Snorkelling on the reef at Ithaafushi. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Candlelit table for two on the sand surrounded by lanterns and torches at dusk at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi — A private dinner on the beach at dusk. Photo: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

08Our honest view

Who Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi suits, and who should skip it

Choose it for

Short stays and late flights: 30 minutes by yacht, day or night.
Food lovers: eleven venues, from Terra to The Ledge by Dave Pynt.
Families who want two and three-bedroom villas and a kids park.
Groups taking Ithaafushi Private Island.

Skip it if

You want a small, remote island: this is a big, busy resort over three islands.
You want a seaplane arrival: transfers are by yacht only.
You want a barefoot feel: it is polished and formal by Maldives standards.

When and how long

December to April: dry and calm, peak season.
May to November: more showers, quieter and better offers.
4 to 6 nights; the short transfer means no night in Malé.

09Getting there

A 30-minute yacht from the airport

Transfers

Met at Velana International Airport by the resort team.
About 30 minutes by yacht to Ithaafushi, at any time of day.
Stella Maris and the Private Island are reached directly by yacht.
More on arrivals: VIP transfers.

Compare and plan

Compare with One&Only Reethi Rah side by side.
See fine dining resorts and luxury weddings.
Browse the best luxury resorts.

10FAQs

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi: your questions answered

Where is Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi?

It is on Ithaafushi in South Malé Atoll, about 30 minutes from Velana International Airport by the resort's own yacht. The resort spans three private islands and a private reef, which makes it one of the closest true luxury resorts to the airport.

How many villas are at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi?

There are 122 villas across the three islands, and every one has a private pool. The resort lists 39 beach villas, 24 reef villas, 56 overwater villas and two Stella Maris Ocean Villas, plus the exclusive Ithaafushi Private Island, with one, two and three-bedroom layouts.

What is Ithaafushi Private Island?

It is a separate island within the resort, reached only by yacht, with a three-bedroom beach villa, a two-bedroom overwater villa and a four-bedroom residence. It has five pools, a jacuzzi, a club house, its own spa and gym, a children's pool and playground, dedicated chefs and a personal concierge.

How many restaurants does Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi have?

Eleven dining venues, including Terra with private bamboo dining nests in the treetops, The Ledge by Dave Pynt of Burnt Ends for wood-fired barbecue, Li Long for Shanghainese cuisine and Peking duck, Yasmeen for Middle Eastern food, The Rock for wine dinners, Glow for garden-to-table dishes, and Amber for sunset Champagne.

Is Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi good for families?

Yes. The Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park has a water recreation area and activities for children and teens, and two and three-bedroom beach and overwater villas let families stay together. The Nava beach club adds a lagoon pool, watersports and live music for all ages.

What are the Stella Maris Ocean Villas?

Two duplex villas reached only by boat, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a 17 m infinity pool, a private jacuzzi, chef's service and direct ocean access. They are among the most private villas in the Maldives while still being 30 minutes from the airport.

How do you get to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi?

The resort meets you at Velana International Airport and takes you by yacht, about 30 minutes across South Malé Atoll. Because there is no seaplane, late arrivals and early departures are easy, which suits short stays and tight flight connections.

Which villa should we choose?

Couples usually choose a King Overwater Villa with Pool, from 283 sq m, or the Grand version for more space. Families do well in a Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool. For large groups, the three-bedroom villas of over 1,000 sq m or Ithaafushi Private Island give everyone room.

Why book Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi with HolidayVibe

Trusted brand

HolidayVibe Maldives is a trusted brand in the Maldives travel industry, a Malé-based agency licensed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT.O1.RS.TA.25.RD9933). You deal with one local team from the first message to your transfer home.

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