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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
Ithaafushi Island, Maldives · Waldorf Astoria · Grand Luxury
Opened in 2019 on Ithaafushi Island in South Malé Atoll, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi holds the largest spa in the Maldives and operates 11 specialty dining venues — more than any other resort in the country, including the world's first overwater Zuma restaurant (opened 2022). The 119-villa all-pool resort spans three private islands, and Forbes Travel Guide calls it the Maldives hotel with the most culinary choices. It ranked No. 31 on Travel + Leisure's World's Best Hotels 2025 and No. 4 among Waldorf Astoria properties globally.
- 117 rooms
- Opened 2019
- Neighborhood: South Malé Atoll
About Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
- Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi houses the world's first overwater Zuma restaurant, opened in 2022, extending the global Japanese izakaya brand's footprint to a suspended-over-lagoon format the Maldives location designed around natural materials and local craft techniques.
- With 11 specialty dining venues, the resort holds more individual restaurants than any other Maldives property — a record cited by Forbes Travel Guide — including Terra, Shimizu, The Ledge by Dave Pynt, Li Long, Yasmeen, Zuma, and five others.
- The spa at Ithaafushi is the largest in the Maldives, according to Forbes Travel Guide and the Michelin Guide, operating in a resort where every villa category — from reef to beach to overwater — includes a private pool.
History
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi opened in 2019 as a new-build ultra-luxury resort under Hilton's Waldorf Astoria brand on Ithaafushi Island. Hilton describes it as a 117-villa property with reef, beach, and overwater accommodations, plus a private-island component called Ithaafushi – The Private Island. The resort is notable for its large-scale residential-style villas, extensive dining program, and secluded setting in the South Malé Atoll. It is marketed as one of the Maldives' most exclusive modern resort developments.
The setting
The resort sits on Ithaafushi Island in the South Malé Atoll, reached by yacht from Velana International Airport. Hilton markets the island as a secluded private-island sanctuary within the Maldivian archipelago.
Amenities
- Spa
- Infinity pool
- Private pool
- Fitness center
- Kids' club
- Tennis
- Beach
- Water sports
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star (2026)
- Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels (2026)
- Condé Nast Traveler Gold List (2025)
- Indian Ocean's Leading Luxury Island Resort 2024 (World Travel Awards) (2024)
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More hotels in Ithaafushi Island
- Ithaafushi – The Private Island — Waldorf Astoria · Grand Luxury
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