Best of the Maldives: Wellness Concierge – Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi

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Waldorf Ithaafushi - spa concierge

When we first started coming to the Maldives in the 1990s, most resorts didn’t have spas. A few 5-star properties we stay at had a therapist on staff who could do a treatment by appointment often in some jury-rigged, tucked away part of the island. But now, spas are don’t just offer relaxing massages, but rather an array of treatments as extensive as a typical breakfast buffet. And to help navigate this bewildering set of options at Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi is the Maldives first “wellness concierge”:

  • “Aqua Wellness Centre, featuring a brand-new Hydrotherapy Pool, Maldives first-ever wellness concierge as well as unique spa treatments, all surrounded by a lush botanical garden facing the Indian Ocean. The brand new 7,735 square-foot elaborate Aqua Wellness Centre features a custom-built Hydrotherapy Pool, ice fountain, steam room and sauna. Set atop the crystal Maldivian waters, the 2,906 square-foot outdoor pool is designed in zones, where each station of the pool targets a different part of the body. The zones – which include jet bath, air jets, shower jets, and massage lounger.”
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Best of the Maldives: Flying Dress Photoshoot – Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi

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Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi - dress shoot 1

In the Instagram era, photoshoots have become a choreographed art form in themselves. Some memes, like the “Flying Dress” not only require a keen aperture, but also sophisticated setup and probably more dress than one typically want to pack in a suitcase (never mind the chore of ironing it all out). But Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi has introduce the Flying Dress experience to make this elaborate portrait both easy and dramatic:

  • “Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi announces the debut of its unforgettable ‘Flying Dress’ photoshoot experience in collaboration with Santorini Dress. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi will be the first and only destination in the Maldives to offer this one-of-a-kind exclusive guest experience. The experience will start with guests selecting their picture-perfect dress to capture the unforgettable moment. With 10 colours to choose from, the all-fit, custom-made flying dresses are designed to flatter guests of all ages, shapes and sizes. Imagine the delicate toss of a flying dress, the warm wind catching your hair at sunset, and the split-second moments where it all comes together.”

Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi - dress shoot 2

Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi - dress shoot 3

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Best of the Maldives: Wellness Concierge – Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi

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Waldorf Ithaafushi - wellness concierge

One of Maldives Complete’s initial objectives was to help people sort through the myriad resort options. Options which have only expanded with the resort growth and the profusion of diverse room types. It’s almost like Maldives Complete is a “resort concierge” (or “room concierge”). When we first started visiting the destination in the 90s, spas were an anomaly, but now they are standard fare. And spas at the luxury properties have as many bewildering choice of treatments as the Maldives has resorts. So Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi has introduced its own “Wellness Concierge”:

  • “Aqua Wellness Centre, featuring a brand-new Hydrotherapy Pool, Maldives first-ever wellness concierge as well as unique spa treatments, all surrounded by a lush botanical garden facing the Indian Ocean. The brand new 7,735 square-foot elaborate Aqua Wellness Centre features a custom-built Hydrotherapy Pool, ice fountain, steam room and sauna. Set atop the crystal Maldivian waters, the 2,906 square-foot outdoor pool is designed in zones, where each station of the pool targets a different part of the body. The zones – which include jet bath, air jets, shower jets, and massage lounger.”
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Best of the Maldives: Largest Private Island – Ithaafushi

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Ithaafushi - private island

The Maldives pioneered the concept of “one island, one resort”, and now it is also leading the notion of “one island, one guest” (well, one guest group/party). The notion of a “private island” (one guest rents out the entire resort island) is getting bigger, and the biggest to date is Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi’s entrée. At 32,000 sqm, it is bigger than 20 other full resort islands.

The island booking includes a dedicate chef and concierge as well as…

  • “Mix a slow-paced island getaway with action-packed adventures. The island features a private entertainment clubhouse, spa, gym, watersports, and playground. This is an unrivalled Maldivian experience.”
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Best of the Maldives: Birds Nest – Waldorf Ithaafushi

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Waldorf Ithaafushi - bird nest 2

Part of the fun of having visited the Maldives for two decades and written about them for over a decade is seeing the dramatic changes. As someone who studied development economics at university and first cut his teeth in travel writing posted in Togo, West Africa who were trying to build their economy with tourism dollars, the Maldives has been a brilliant and diverse case study of this evolution. For example, I first encountered the charming “Birds Nest” swing at Lily Beach years ago. In a matter of years, it seemed like standard fittings for the luxury properties. Now Waldorf Ithaafushi has pushed even higher (literally) with elaborate birds nest lounges for people to sip their sundowners in while enjoying an elevated vista over the ocean.

Waldorf Ithaafushi - birds nests 1

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Best of the Maldives: Private Island – Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

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 Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi - private island

When you see effusive PDA in the Maldives, it’s not just “get a room”, but “get an island”!

At current count, the Maldives Complete has over 900 room categories (909 to be precise), but Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi’s “Private Island” is the first dedicated room type you can book (as opposed to booking the whole island like Coco Prive). Maafushivaru has its Lonubu villa, but this is booked more as an “excursion” than a room category.

  • “For those who want added privacy, the Stella Maris Ocean Villas will do just the trick. Accessible only by boat, these one-bedroom duplexes also come with chef’s service, an alfresco barbecue station, and a hot tub. But if you’re really looking to be sequestered from everyone, there’s also an exclusive-use island up for grabs. The 32,000-square-foot sanctuary boasts a two-bedroom overwater villa as well as a three-bedroom beach villa and comes with a personal concierge team, dedicated chef, its own spa, an entertainment center and five pools.”
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