W Maldives

Some experiences are so surreal and indescribable that they take time to fully digest — you need to let them settle before you can even begin to share them. It’s been over a week since we returned from the most awe-inspiring and unforgettable vacation celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary, and we’re still reeling from the magic of it all. My husband could not have chosen a better destination than the W Maldives to surprise me with. From the moment we landed in Malé, the entire experience was first-class — incredible and seamless from start to finish. At the airport, we were greeted by Ibrahim, who escorted us to the Seaplane Lounge. He was courteous, professional, and attentive, handling every detail for us until we reached the departure gate. First Impressions Matter The moment we stepped onto the dock over the mesmerising, azure-blue waters surrounding the beautiful W Maldives, we were warmly welcomed by the wonderful staff — including Koki, who greeted us with refreshing lavender-scented towels and drinks in cool coconut cups. We were then introduced to Callisa, our personal guest host, who gave us a brief tour of the resort, showed us the amenities, and escorted us to our Overwater villa. She connected with us via WhatsApp to ensure she was always available to answer questions, make dinner reservations, or arrange anything we desired — whenever, whatever. This signature W motto truly defined our stay and made it the most personalised and memorable holiday we’ve ever had. The entire staff was consistently courteous, attentive, and genuinely committed to making sure our experience was exceptional — and they absolutely succeeded. The Villa Our Spectacular Overwater Villa was incredible. I fell in love with the glass portal in the floor that offered a direct view of the tropical fish swimming beneath our bungalow. The room was thoughtfully designed, stocked with every imaginable comfort and curated detail. The resort grounds were pristine — seamlessly blending natural beauty with luxurious design elements that constantly caught our attention. Exceptional Team & Service The guest experience managers and front office team, led by Saito (The Great), Nishula, and Koki, ensured every detail of our stay was perfect. Callisa, in particular, went above and beyond to make our 25th-anniversary celebration unforgettable. What stood out most was how sincere the entire team was — they didn’t just ask how they could improve our stay; they genuinely meant it. When I mentioned that our pillows weren’t to our comfort level, the issue was already resolved the very next morning. Their drive to make guests feel cared for and at home was evident in every interaction. Culinary Excellence Our dining experience was simply outstanding from Ocean to Table. Each meal was a celebration of flavour, artistry and sensory pleasure. Executive Chef Karan and the teams at Kitchen and FISH, as well as the various bars on the resort, were simply outstanding. Special thanks to Adam, Mani, Nihal, Ara, and John (Aquaman) — they were simply exceptional in how they made us feel celebrated, seen and appreciated during our week there. Vasanth treated us to the most incredible Sri Lankan feast — a meal so delicious and thoughtfully prepared that it will remain one of our fondest gastronomic experiences from our trip. Housekeeping & Special Touches The housekeeping team was equally exceptional. German and Sonte went above and beyond to make our villa feel special — from the welcoming decorations upon our arrival to the breathtaking display they created for our 25th-anniversary night. Their attention to detail, creativity, and pride in their work truly touched our hearts. Every Moment was Memorable We are grateful that Aarti captured a beautiful video of us practising Laughter Yoga - Joy Rituals with Rajendra Kumar and Katrin Berger of Happy Hormones Yoga, and for the complimentary photoshoot - beautiful reminders of the love, happiness, peace and connection we felt throughout the week. Final Reflections I cannot say enough about W Maldives. We were pampered, cared for, and completely spoiled with attention beyond our expectations. As we were leaving, we made plans for our next trip to paradise — regardless of when we return, this 25th anniversary trip will hold a special place in our hearts forever. 💙