10 Great Reasons to Stay at the W Retreat & Spa, Maldives

The W Retreat & Spa Maldives in conjunction with AirAsia, has made holidaying in the Maldives, a dream come true!

Connectivity to the deep blue atolls, endless pristine white sand, exhilarating water sports, groovy club nights, gastronomy and or just plain luxurious seclusion.. it is all at your fingertips now.

And here are 10 GREAT reasons why you should stay at the W, Maldives!

1. W’s signature “Whatever Whenever”

Arriving at the W Retreat & Spa, we were not sure, how much had changed. Staying at the Sheraton Maldives for one night, we had already experienced the Starwood hospitality that was really top notch. Would the W top that?

Well, well.. it’s good to know, that some things never change. Talk about all the 5-star Island Holiday luxuries and amenities at your finger tips, and friendly, hospitable staff to boot.

The “Whatever Whenever” motto personified, to say the least. Seriously, the service and food was sensational and we found the management staff at the W to be intuitive yet fun and laid-back.

They seemed to encourage creativity here and it showed in the dazzling behaviour of the staff. Having said that, the staff were also polite and unobtrusive, allowing us to enjoy the peace and beauty of the place and just soak up the fabulous ambiance.We would highly recommend this place to all our friends!

2. The Grand W Reception

Once you arrive at the platform, it’s hard to miss the warm W Welcome. We were greeted by the trademark W reception.. and talk about VIP treatment. Everyone from the Managers to the Chef of the resort will be there to greet you with a wave, a smile and a signature welcome drink. Welcome to paradise island!

Sure we felt like rockstars for a day… so much personalized attention, fit for celebrities..

The signature wave be it arriving, or leaving…

Welcome cocktails.. You have ARRIVED at the W

Flying Trans Maldivian Air to the resort is probably the best way to get to the W Retreat & Spa, Maldives (only 40 minutes from Male), and not as bone wrecking as the 1.5 hours speed boat ride, if the weather is bad. The seaplane that costs around USD160 per way, per person, is faster, more comfortable and definitely the recommended mode of transport out to the W Maldives, situated on Fesdu Island, North Ari Atoll.

3. The W Ocean Villas

The villas are to die for, designed around the natural beauty of the environment, yet cool and trendy.

There are amazing plunge pools, daybeds, plasma screen TVs and, Oh.. the W Signature Bed.. super comfortable!

Who wants to leave this room ever, when u can spend all day swimming or snorkeling in the gorgeous lagoon below with direct access by steps leading from your deck.

This suite that stretches over the deep blue is a private playground of serenity and the never-ending turquoise-aquamarine ocean view is just mad. You can read, lounge, relax on a super-spacious sundeck, overlooking an oversized infinity plunge pool. In the living room, a clear glass floor means the ocean is literally at your feet.

There are many different types of rooms but the ultimate is the Ocean Haven. The coolest part about these chalets are that the distinction fades between where the land ends and where the ocean begins, with a glass-panel floor that reveals ocean fauna right in the center of the living room. It’s like walking on water!

Plunge into the over-sized infinity edge pool with bubbling jacuzzi seats, or saunter down the lagoon access stairs and slip into the turquoise ocean. Talk about chilling out in style!

4. The W Workout – Land & Sea

We were told not to miss diving, snorkeling and the water sports this trip. The underwater world was a breathtaking wonderland, teaming with live coral and fish. Seabob, Parasailing, Windsurfing and Diving are all must do’s at the W, as they have state of the art equipment and instructors to guide you.

photo credit : @ivanojhx

The water is so clear, even just snorkeling is good enough.

parasailing for a great bird’s eye view of the Atolls. 

photo credit seabob : W Maldives

First time I went on the seabob and it was terrific! Imagine being powered underwater.. you can follow the coral banks for as long as you can hold your breath. It’s really rather awesome.

photo credit : @ivanojhx

Of course, every diver will tell you that crossing the Maldives off their diver’s bucket list is a must..

photo credit : @ivanojhx

And they would be right!

Be it an early morning swim in the ocean, or hitting the gym, it is a good idea to workout as the feasting & drinking is non stop. If the ocean is not your cup-of-tea, then you may choose to check out W’s Sweat fitness center before breakfast. This was one of our favourite gyms on this holiday, as it had a state-of-the-art Technogym. Later you can gorge on a fabulous breakfast spread at Kitchen without guilt (or with less guilt, should I say!)

5. The W Spa

There was also plenty of opportunity to de-stress at the innovative Away Spa. My recommendation is sunrise yoga, followed by working out at the gym, then hitting the spa for some pampering.

At Away spa, very single place has a perfect view of the ocean..

We highly recommend the Swedish massage that employs hot oil that is effectively rubbed into tired limbs.

Start off with a 10 minute foot rub followed by an hour long massage.. bliss!

6. The W Sweet Spot

And if breakfast, lunch and dinner is not enough, there are plenty of “sweet-spots” around the island for you to gorge on ice-cream and cool off with wet towels, should the need arise due to your oh-so-hectic snorkeling and diving schedule.

Or, if you have nothing better to do, after a swim.. hit the “Sweet-spot” for some Magnum! Dial “Whatever.Whenever” for a good time!

7. The W Yoga Sessions

W’s morning sunrise yoga is a must. I mean how gorgeous is that backdrop as you start to perform your yoga positions, at dawn..?

And what I like best is that, this isn’t a retreat of juice cleanses and mantra chanting, but of yoga sessions followed by post-workout cocktails! The W rocks because it balances health with sinful pleasures. That’s what a great island holiday is all about, if you ask me..

8. The W Gastronomic Experience

Be it BBQ time at Fire, Seafood at Fish or just daily dining at Kitchen, it’s all good!

Early morning breakfast and daily dining at Kitchen  – so green and beautiful ..

Be it breakfast…

Or lunch…

Kitchen serves the most fabulous food, I’d go for the 60 degrees egg for breakfast, then the prawns, wagyu or smoked tuna for lunch and do not forget the amazing desserts too.

wagyu for lunch..? Don’t mind if I do.. 

That amazing dessert that finds the sweet spot between refreshing and decadence! This is W’s Lychee jelly, pistachio raspberry granite!

Romantic al fresco dining at Kitchen… cute concept of feet submerged in water to cool off from the heat..

Then for dinner, fabulous options include FIRE for BBQ meats, or FISH for more fish and seafood inspired dishes..

Wow, when I saw the lobsters, crawfish, and seafood, I had to do a double take. What a spread!

Sri Lankan Egg Apom (egg hoppers) – eggy, fluffy and moist at the center, but crispy on the sides. Serve with a spicy chile sauce, chutney and fresh herbs this dish is just sublime.

Executive Sous Chef Bryan Hooi who hails from Malaysia carves up the fish for his guests. Fancy meeting a Malaysian Chef at the W Maldives.. serendipity!

At Fish, we highly recommend the lobster, oysters and chili crabs.. smoking hot and spicy! But don’t forget the crispy succulent suckling pig either! The crackling is a must.

Oysters and salmon roe served at Fish .. the simpler the oyster, the better.

Delicious cheese slathered signature lobster and herb stuffed fish, at Fish restaurant.

9. The W Cocktails & Party

Then there’s the legendary, most creative signature cocktails, at Fish. And for the clubbing/ party scene, try 15 below in the evenings and also the afternoon pool party!

Cocktails at Fish 

Party the night away at Fifteen Below

Set your night on fire with the flaming lamborghini

And if champagne pool parties are your thing, while soaking up the sun, the W’s pool party is just the thing the Dr. ordered.

“Too cool for school..”

No points for guessing who won the wet t-shirt contest:P

Yay for Hamburger sliders and smiley chefs! 

endless free flow of bubbles.

International DJ spin their cool ‘choons’ at Fifteen below as well as the Pool Party that starts at noon.. and ends whenever, whatever! 

10. The W Sunsets

Gorgeous sunsets which were a common sight every evening at the W, made it hard to say goodbye! 

Just you, the sand and sun, and a flute of champagne or two.. The W Retreat & Spa Maldives is definitely, a paradise we won’t soon forget. And I’m just lucky that I’ve visited this place .. twice. 

It’s highly recommended that if the Maldives is on your bucket list, then now’s the time to take advantage of AirAsia’s promo and stay at the W Retreat & Spa Maldives as certain rooms are discounted for as much as 40%. What are you waiting for… book your holiday now!