W Maldives

Playful, social and energetic, the W Maldives injects a little bit of personality into the otherwise secluded and subdued North Ari Atoll. But likewise, if it’s a ‘sleep all day, party all night’ atmosphere you’re after, look elsewhere, because here it’s all about balancing a mature island retreat with a young-at-heart-mentality. After waking up in a contemporary private-pool-endowed villa either overwater or sitting on the beach, it’s an easy-going five-minute walk to anywhere on the island to start the day; from energising sunrise yoga or glass-walled gym session to getting a head start on the extensive breakfast selection. Opt for a pre-breakfast snorkel session on the thriving house reef, though, and there are rewards to be treasured in the form of abundant turtle sightings just steps from shore (they’re most active early doors).  

Afternoons melt into evenings to an upbeat soundtrack courtesy of the resident Music Curator at WET Deck, the main hub of the resort, where guests congregate to savour expertly crafted cocktails and light bites, and to release their inner child in the lagoon pool complete with silver wave-shaped slide. The jovial nature of this space extends to the other dining spots too, where the only thing taken seriously is the exceptional quality of every plate. With the location of each venue hinting at their individual personalities, expect to find sundowners at west-facing bar SIP, grilled feasts in beachfront venue FIRE, the freshest of seafood at overwater restaurant FISH, and soulful cuisine crafted in an open-kitchen setting in (fittingly named) KITCHEN at the centre of this heart-shaped island.