JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa

Just returned from the most magical honeymoon experience here. We stayed in an overwater villa on the sunset side. This was perfect for privacy and being able to enjoy the views of the sea and skyline. We enjoyed the infinity pool and even did some snorkeling off the deck and saw some fish and sharks. Our thakaru was Naawish and he was very helpful and kind. It was our first time staying at any resort like this and first time in the Maldives so we did not know what to expect and he was very welcoming and helpful for any questions we had. He even gave us a gift upon leaving and some reccomendations for Male as we were staying there as well before venturing home. It was really a treat to have him there! For our stay we booked with points and decided to do a la carte pricing. For us, this made more sense as we wanted to do some of the unique dining experiences and are not big drinkers. If you book with points and want all-inclusive you can wait until you get there and can choose a package on the first day if you are not sure what you will need. This review will be long but I want to cover everything we tried for anyone looking to book. Breaking it all up into sections so you can skim. But also - just do it!!! It's the best place. Dining experiences we tried: Riya (shared table) - This was the best meal I have ever had. Chef Rohit is so talented and takes you on an incredible culinary journey. I cannot reccomend this experience enough. One tip - skip lunch or eat light, it's a TON of food. Malaafaiy (beach dinner with traditional foods and songs) - This was a really special experience. We scheduled the dinner for sunset so were able to sit on the beach in a gorgeous decorated and lighted setup prior to a meal. Next you will enjoy a few special traiditional songs and then a TON of traditional foods. We loved this as we got to learn and enjoy some things about the culture through food. Another tip for this - do not eat lunch, it was so much food. Also you will get some hermit crabs after the sun sets but they won't bother you. Floating breakfast: On our last morning we booked the flaoting breakfast. Again this is a TON of food. You have a few choices to make about eggs and coffee/tea but the rest is essentially a small sampling of the buffet delivered to your villa pool. This was really fun and a cute send off for our last morning. The food was really good as well. I've seen some reviews not understanding how to eat in the pool - we just sat on the steps in the pool and it was no problem, didn't feel weird at all. Just an indulgent and cute way to end the trip. Ohter then that we visited all the restuarants and had great food with large portions at each. The breakfast buffet is phenomenal and I really enjoyed the Thai treetop restaurant. The duck red curry was my favorite! Also there's a pastry chef in house so dont skip desserts either. All the food is so good truly. Excursions we tried: Beginner diving - This was my first time ever trying scuba diving so we took the course around the house reef. The instructor was SO good an patient (I can't remember her name sadly). She was very good at explaining everything multiple ways to make you feel comfortable and then takes you around the house reef. She even shot some footage of us with our goPro. If you have never been diving before this is a great place to try it out as the reef around the resort is SO nice so it will feel like more than just a training. Snorkeling excursion - although the house reef is amazing, I still highly reccomend taking a snorkeling excursion out with the team. You will go to a few places and have a really enjoyable boat ride too. We saw nurse sharks, eagle rays and tons of fish. The guys were all alot of fun and very knowledgable Paddleboarding (free) - this was nice and relaxing. You can't go out too far or you'll be in the seaplane path but everything is clearly marked and the water was so calm it was an easy paddle. Tip - go in the morning as it gets very hot to be paddling around by mid-day Spa things: Yoga/meditation: We had the chance to take 2 yoga/meditation classes with Usha. One sunrise, one sunset. These were SO nice and relaxing. Usha is great at working with people of all levels and injuries so even if you have never tried it - you should go. It's also the most beautiful place you will do yoga overlooking the water. We even saw more eagle rays there during class one morning! Couples session - We booked a couples massage, coconut body scrub, hair oil scalp massage, and champagne bath. This is a definite do not miss. For us, this was a better deal than our luxury spas at home and the most gorgeous spa room. For the package we chose you will be in a large private suite with a couples massage room, relaxation area with plunge pool, and a room with a sauna/ice bath/sound shower. You have plenty of time after your treatments to enjoy the space and unwind with tea . My therapist was also Usha! She gave one of the best massages I have ever had. Some other notes - we booked the week leading up to Easter not realizing this is a popular place for families to come on holiday. Honestly we barely noticed that the property was busy and even though we were on honeymoon, it did not feel at all like it was less romantic even with family activites. It was so private everywhere that we barely noticed at all. And service was always perfect no matter how booked the resort is. There is also a great 18+ pool near Kashi if you really want to be sure there are adults only and that was our favorite pool anyway. We joked it was our "second private pool" as there was hardly ever anyone there. I really have nothing bad to say about this property and experience. We are already planning on coming back for our 5 year anniverary. Read less

Great stay.. the staff of this resort is exceptional and they make you feel at home immediately.. they take care of you and your needs with warmth and smile. Malla, our villa butler, was amazing in his service and assistance! The resort need a bit of freshening up especially on the wooden deck side and overall food and beverages / activities prices are a bit on the high side (but you are in the Maldives and that should be expected anyhow). Overall it was a very relaxing and joyful holiday thanks to the warmth of the staff.. indeed a 5 star rating! Read less

One cannot go wrong choosing this resort for a luxury holiday, situated on a beautiful, green tropical island with unforgettable turquoise waters. However, the most outstanding aspect, and the reason for us considering returning, is the world class staff. All make an immediate connection, learn your name, and make you feel so welcome, attended to, and appreciated until the very last minute of your stay! Our butler, Malla, was outstanding. Initially, we booked a water villa, but it did not meet our expectations regarding proximity to the beach and access to the ocean. We requested Malla to relocate us to a beachfront villa, and he immediately worked on this request. Within a couple of hours, we were in the beachfront villa, and he upgraded our package to ensure we had the best experience. He was patient in explaining the options and quickly understood our needs. Malla and his professional team provide a unique, personalized, and exceptionally attentive luxury experience. The breakfast team’s pastry chef, Dinesh, was exceptional, offering fresh croissants, fresh fruit, and yogurt parfait. The entire staff was always very attentive, warm, and made us feel welcomed. The Thai restaurant and cocktail bar, set in a treehouse, offered superb cuisine and great service from Reni, Anaahu, and Rohila. Chef Rohini and Chef Dinesh prepared a special lunch menu for our last day, Biryani, paneer, and amazing mango ice cream to name a few. The steakhouse offered world-class steaks, and seafood, chef Sameera we ate dinner at the steakhouse 5 out of 6 nights during our stay. Cocktails were a daily delight, prepared by amazing mixologists Ashraful, Satyam, and Kanishka, often enjoyed at the restaurants and in the main bar while witnessing yet another epic sunset. Morning yoga classes and HIIT sessions were a must, followed by relaxing spa treatments with top-notch massages. The villas were spacious and luxurious, each with its own pool and a piece of almost private beach. Importantly Bonvoy members, the benefits and amenities were very well respected! This is the only resort I’ve stayed at in this country, so I can’t compare it locally. However, I can compare it to other resorts across the world, including Grand Cayman Ritz, which I wouldn’t consider returning to as we didn’t feel as comfortable, and only some of the staff were as attentive and nice. We have stayed in other countries and other resorts comparable to JW, and I can say this resort stands on its own. I wanted to take the time to highlight a few people who made our trip very special and memorable: • Chef Dinesh: Chef Dinesh took his time to give us a tour of the garden, not only he went out of his way, but he also described all the different vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown and how they were used in the different restaurants. • Chef Sameera, Anaahu, Sovia, and Satyam: They surprised us with an unforgettable dinner, preparing a special dish native to Chef’s country. I can’t describe the feelings, and I literally cried with joy. • Sovia, Adam, Aalif, Lalit, and Shinaazm: They made every morning memorable with their smiles, joy, and attentiveness. It’s contagious. • Shijoh: The morning and evening instructor for some of the stretch and HIIT workouts. His attentiveness and kind spirit were invaluable. • The Spa Team: I was lucky to enjoy spa services a couple of days. It was one of the best massages I’ve experienced, with amazing products and techniques. • Reni: She was the sweetest server, knowing me by name every time. Even when walking around, she was always eager to greet everyone with her amazing energy and positive energy. Read less