W Maldives: There's a lot of heart here

Arrived in paradise

At the beginning of March, the W Maldives reopened on the island of Fesdu in the North Ari Atoll after a brilliant design upgrade. Fans of the resort, which first opened a good 20 years ago, can now look forward to hit innovations.

Wow, the almost one-meter-high wooden letter "W" greets you at check-in in the Beach Escape Pool Villa with many temptations: surrounded by chocolate bars, macarons and pralines as well as a bottle of Moët and a bulging fruit basket. The welcome arrangement at the new W Maldives is perfectly staged and immediately deserves a cell phone snapshot. Just like the Escape Villa Beach Deck behind the floor-to-ceiling doors facing the sea, where two chlorophyll-colored deck chairs and a circular daybed await under white filigree wickerwork in front of a shimmering blue-green infinity pool.

The bathroom is also a sensual surprise: the free-standing, orange-colored glass bathtub stands under an open "stargazing window" carved into the ceiling. The interior concept of the Miaja Design Group from Singapore can be classified as both sophisticated and boho-style. The color concept for the beach villas was inspired by the island's lush mangrove vegetation, while the overwater villas reflect the colors of the sea. There you can take a seat on seating furniture upholstered in knobbly coral fabric or luxuriate in a lightning-blue glass bathtub.

Small island - really great

There is room for 23 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom beach villas on the bird's eye view of the heart-shaped island of Fesdu. In addition, three restaurants, two bars, a dive and fitness center as well as the open lobby "The Lounge" with souvenir store complete the building ensembles on the island. The centerpiece is the spacious pool landscape "Wet Deck" with a highly polished steel sculpture - the first water slide by British design studio Splinterworks in the Maldives - an absolute eye-catcher. All facilities are within easy walking distance, creating an intimate, very private island atmosphere. The 50 overwater villas, including new two-bedroom Supreme and Oasis villas, are grouped around a long jetty that stretches far out into the lagoon. If you don't want to walk, simply order a buggy via WhatsApp using the "Whatever/Whenever" service - and you'll be picked up in minutes.

"Do you know Bob?", every newcomer is asked by dive guide Mohamed before their first snorkeling trip on the house reef. He is referring to a lady turtle with a battered shell who has been living between the "Fish" restaurant and the "Away Spa" for years. She remained loyal to the island during the renovation phase - she is now part of the W-Maldives family and is even mentioned in the resort brochure. But Bob is not alone: there are numerous members of his species on the colorful house reef, as well as eagle rays,
baby sharks, parrotfish and schools of fish, all just a few swims away from your own villa.

In pleasure heaven

In the early evening, the overwater terrace of the "SIP" bar with a view of the sunset also offers a colorful glow in yellow-orange: excellent drinks - including a great pisco sour - and tasty Nikkei snacks are served. Right next door is the fine dining restaurant "Fish", which serves maritime delicacies such as oysters, Beluga or Ossietra caviar, Alaskan king crab, scallops or lobster. Those who prefer to try local dishes can opt for the "Catch of the Day" - "Retox Style", an original name for deep-fried fish. The culinary offering at the W is varied, dazzling and of high quality: guests notice this right from breakfast in "The Kitchen". The buffet is lined with an endless number of dishes from different cultures, including Parma ham dissected by the Berkel machine, fresh grilled chicken, French cheese, Asian soups or the novelty "pistachio chocolate croissant".

Exclusivity with responsibility

Of course, the "cuddly island" Fesdu is particularly popular with couples, perhaps also because there is also a great romance and adventure movie theater on the beautiful sister island Gaathafushi, which is only 2 minutes away by speedboat. This uninhabited Crusoe Island can be rented exclusively for excursions, a private beach BBQ, sunset cocktails or a dream wedding. If you want to sleep under the stars, you can have a luxurious bed set up in a pavilion and spend the whole night there - equipped with a hotline cell phone for the "Whatever/Whenever" service, of course. Similar exclusivity can be experienced on the glamorous private yacht ESCAPE, which offers a stylish backdrop for diving trips, private dinners or celebrations - with overnight accommodation for four people on board.

What may not be immediately apparent is the resort's strong commitment to sustainability. Harald Schaller, the first Sustainability Manager at W Maldives, has ushered in a new era. Among other things, he is responsible for the operation of one of the largest biogas plants in the Maldives and is actively involved in promoting local, particularly female, employees.

W Escape - the new spirit

With the redesign of the W Maldives, the Marriott Group is pursuing the goal of not only renewing the resort aesthetically, but also positioning it in a more contemporary, grown-up way. A sensual design, local experiences, proximity to nature and a credible sustainability promise make the W Maldives a resort with heart, style and attitude.

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