
Three words – epitome of paradise. That’s how I’d describe my stay at W Maldives. But beyond the unspoiled beauty, I’ll be back for their cool culinary collabs, exciting events and warm hospitality.
Para-para-paradise… I’m not sure what Coldplay meant when they composed this song. But if you need to put a face to the name, step this way to W Maldives.
I recently swapped our high-rise buildings and buzzin’ SG life for crystal-clear waters, azure skies, and laidback island vibes during this short getaway. I ate to my heart’s content, swam with a turtle and reef sharks (kinda) in one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, witnessed breathtaking sunsets, rubbed shoulders with a cocktail maestro and met some of the kindest staff at W Maldives. You can imagine how cranky I was during check-out. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Here’s a recount of my unforgettable stay. Fair warning: major wanderlust ahead!
A slice of paradise awaits at W Maldives

Located in the North Ari Atoll of the Maldives, on Fesdu Island, just 25 minutes away via seaplane from Male, the resort has just the right amount of space for a sense of seclusion but is also within arm’s reach of all amenities including the award-winning Away Spa. There are 77 private overwater and beachfront villas, all elegantly designed and equipped with amenities.

I checked into the Fabulous Overwater one-bedroom villa which boasts a spacious king-sized bed, a separate bathtub and shower, and a double vanity. But my eyes immediately pivoted to the floor-to-ceiling door which opened to an outdoor deck with sun loungers, a private plunge pool and direct access to the ocean. First pinch-me moment, right here.

I knew I had to make the most out of the trip. Suddenly, this night owl turned into a morning person who caught every sunrise at the crack of dawn. Any free time in the room was spent chilling in the pool until I turned into a prune. Or snorkelling in the ocean with the FOC gear provided. My neighbours included a school of angel and powder blue surgeonfish, along with George, the grey heron, and Roger, the great egret. Yup, everyone has a name here.
Food, glorious food

Put your hanger pangs to rest as there’s a variety of dining options that cater to different tastes and preferences. The beachfront restaurant Fire, which looks like the Tribal Council from the Survivor series, offers grilled specialities in an open-air kitchen and live grill station. I also got to experience the Eid dinner and the Bodu Mas tradition where fishermen ‘catch’ a big fish made by weaving palm leaves. The tribe has spoken – this restaurant is lit. Intimate date nights are reserved for Fish, an overwater restaurant that serves the freshest seafood picks. Just a hop away is Sip, a vibrant outdoor bar with overwater hammocks to enjoy lazy tipples and magical sunsets.

The all-day dining bistro Kitchen is where everyone gathers for the international breakfast. I’m still thinking about the coconut French toast, multiple fruit compotes and Middle Eastern offerings. And I had my fair share of Maldavian cuisine at the beach pop-up cafe, Kada.

Finally, make a splash at the poolside bar Wet, which serves everything from wood-fired pizzas to a mean poke bowl. I spent the bulk of my time playing friendly games of ping pong, foosball and life-sized Jenga with other guests. The bar is also home to W Hotel’s Get Wet pool parties with a live DJ on deck and multiple floaties for you to lounge on the pool.
Exciting collabs with culinary maestros

The resort makes each stay interesting with a series of events and collaborations with like-minded experts. We had the pleasure of experiencing the second instalment of the ‘She Shakes’ series, an exciting event that spotlights female mixologists making a mark in the industry. Each guest shift features a selection of cocktails created by the mixologist, including a ‘legacy’ cocktail that’ll be available to order at the Wet bar for a limited time after the event.
The June 2023 edition of She Shakes welcomed Laura Prabowo, the co-founder and managing director of one of Hong Kong’s most celebrated bars, Penicillin. During her guest shift, Laura curated four unique drinks that combined her passion for environmental sustainability and W Maldives’ spirited cocktail culture. Laura’s ‘Her Legacy’ cocktail is called Forage & Found which signifies her time in the Maldives – it’s created with ingredients inspired by the resort. A mix of Oregano gin, local bilimbi sherbet, carrot-turmeric seed cordial and mezcal is served in a kooky coral-looking glass. How apt!

We also enjoyed the refreshing Pandan Colada shaken with caramelised pineapple rum, Overproof pandan rum, pineapples, coconut water and coconut cream. Watching the skies switch colours while sipping on her creations was another pinch-me moment.
Snorkelling fun and activities for water fiends

If you’re itching to experience the ocean in all its glory, W Maldives is a few steps ahead. The in-house water sports centre Wave offers windsurfing, jet-skiing, parasailing, guided snorkelling tours, night snorkelling sessions, scuba diving… you name it, they’ve got it. I’m not the best swimmer but I wanted to explore the magnificent reefs down under so the guided snorkelling sesh was the best option.
My guide was patient and encouraging as he shared tips on how to use the gear. I had an otherworldly experience as we drifted to the magnificent house reef filled with underwater caverns and diverse marine life. I spotted mantas, a shy turtle, reef sharks, and countless schools of fishes welcoming me into their home. The third pinch-me moment right here. Special thanks to the sweet couple that shared this clip of our favourite turtle.
Cast away to Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ own private island

Beyond water sports, you can also escape into oblivion by chartering the resort’s private yacht or hopping on a Dhoni boat. Enjoy a sunset cruise with bubbly and dinner or book a full-day charter which includes a stopover at a local island and a cultural tour.
If you’ve got a couple of hours to spare or simply need a private island all to yourself (‘cos why not?), W Maldives boasts its own private island. Unleash your wanderlust on Gaathafushi, an untouched paradise just 10 minutes away via speedboat. I’ve never seen such powdery white sand and sparkly waters. This tropical playground can be all yours for the day, or for an overnight ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experience complete with a candlelit BBQ and a private chef, a champagne breakfast, and an overnight stay under a thatched roof. It’s no surprise that we met a couple who got engaged right here.
The staff love their job and it shows

The icing on the cake of this unforgettable experience has to be the warm hospitality of the staff. From the bubbly head chef who made sure to check in with us during each meal to the friendly server who offered us the most refreshing yuzu sorbet even though we declined dessert, to the housekeeping staff who helped connect my music to the outdoor speaker just so I could vibe with my ocean view, the service is immaculate. Even after we checked out, we had a staff accompany us for the six hours before our night flight. These are the small things that made my stay memorable.
Now that I’m back with a glowing tan and a newfound love for the ocean, W Maldives will be keeping my island dreams alive for a long time. I’ll be back for you!
W Maldives, Fesdu Island North Ari Atoll, 09110, Maldives