The Ritz-Carlton Maldives Fari Islands to open in 2021

Marriott International has announced that The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, will open its doors next year.

Located in the North Male Atoll, the resort will comprise 100 villas built across four islets – all with views of the Indian Ocean and cared for by an ‘Aris Meeha’, or personal host – as well as seven restaurants, a spa and a range of experiences to protect and explore the surrounding waters.

The project’s design concept – conceptualised by Kerry Hill Architects – is centred around ‘beru’, the Maldivian name for drums and round spaces, representing the circle of island life and the spirit of the Maldives. The interior and exterior design will be humble, minimalist and lightweight, with little environmental impact and maximum views of the horizon.

Cocooned by the clean architectural lines and sweeping curves, each villa will provide guests with total privacy. All guestrooms will feature panoramic sliding doors looking out to the horizon, in addition to a curved deck and private pool merging into the ocean beyond.

The villa interiors continue the simple approach to detailing with a limited palette of natural materials and colour hues. Furniture, rugs and fabrics, custom designed by KHA in collaboration with local and international artists, will draw influence from local craft traditions.

In a bid to minimise the impact on the fragile reef ecosystem, KHA has used prefabricated design methods and materials which ensured that no cutting was necessary on the island, reducing heavy operations and generating zero waste or pollution.

Where possible, natural breezes will be harnessed to cool the public spaces, while highly sophisticated glazing will be used elsewhere to limit the use of air-conditioning. This, alongside the widespread use of solar panels, the intrinsic sustainability of the design materials and the low-maintenance natural weathered finish, will enable the resort to achieve a low carbon footprint.

The resort is also part of Fari Islands, an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton. Guests will have access to a picturesque Fari Marina – the archipelago’s communal beating heart. Built around a vibrant Beach Club, Fari Marina will be home to charming boutiques and a handpicked selection of dining options.