Hotel reviews: W Retreat and Spa Maldives

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Around 200 islands of the archipelago are inhabited (recorded at the time of our visit in April 2010). Each hotel has its own island (unless you stay in the capital or Hulhule, the airport island). Among the 200 or so inhabited islands, some are inhabited by locals only - hotels and locals rarely mix unless in a work environment within a hotel structure. By this, we mean that there are no local villages which share a hotel's island and vice versa. Tourism and local life are kept separate. This means that there are no cultural activities on hotel islands, although most hotels tend to organise excursions to neighbouring local islands for the day.

Upon arrival at the airport, everything may seem very confusing, with people milling around all over the place looking lost - you will notice a row of hotel kiosks, and a row of Maldivian Air Taxi or Trans Maldivian Airline kiosks behind that. When you come out of the arrival doors, just look out for your host who should be waving a W Retreat and Spa placard. Go with him/her. Make sure you have bags of patience with you, as the wait may last a little longer before you board the seaplane (up to two hours). Your host has to collect all the passengers heading the same way as you before asking you to check in at the Maldivian Air Taxi desk. You will then be whisked off into a van and to the opposite end of the island to the seaplane terminal. A 5 minute drive later (make the most of it to gaze over at Malé, the capital, on the neighbouring island with its quirky colourful urban skyline), you will arrive at the hotel lounge, where you will be served complimentary refreshments while you wait to board the plane. The process may seem long, especially after a ten hour flight, but it is definitely worth it! Rest-assured that you will reap the benefits sooner rather than later!

The hotel also operates on a 'Whatever Whenever' principle and will usually provide absolutely anothing for guests as long as it is legal.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

Clean lines and crisp white linen is what the W is all about. Fresh and contemporary, the hotel will not disappoint the luxury aficionados among you. The hotel wants itself as the coolest resort in the archipelago and they've got to be doing something right at W as everyone who has been to the Maldives all want to try the W. The island is fairly small, but it is lovely for a short walk among the lush green vegetation. The definite highlight is the fridges of delights dotted all over the island which have free Haagen-Dazs ice cream! Something we haven't seen at any other hotel before and a great treat to cool down on those hot scorching days on the beach.

The main bulk of the activity is around the main reception area which has a crisp African lodge ambience, and goes off to the right down a path of water pools and neatly planted palm trees. The garden here was inspired by Japanese gardens and are supposed to instil peace and tranquillity. The funny-looking triangular beanbags scream out to be tried as you pass by. Kitchen, the main hotel restaurant can be found off to the left and straight on the main bar sits by the pool. Further along you will come across the other three restaurants which really come alive at night; the entire hotel really comes alive as soon as the darkness falls upon the island, which feels like an entirely different place. Romantic, mysterious, and wild, the W sets itself apart from its rivals. Mainly attracting couples to its lair of modernity means that the atmosphere tends to be relatively calm despite having a club playing decent electro music.

Although the hotel's cooler than a cucumber surroundings attracts the world's socialites and fashionistas, the staff remains extremely friendly and dressed in comfortable crisps white polo shirts and half-calf white jogging bottoms to match. Smart, yet casual, the staff's attire balances the surroundings that could be perceived as somewhat pretentious. This is an adult hotel so there are no facilities for children.

Emblematic of the hotel's style and image, the hotel spa is another highlight here. With its white sails, it sits on its own deck away from the rest of the resort. Otherwise in the way of facilities there is a gym, a diving centre, three restaurants and three bars.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

There are 78 rooms spread over the island, available in four categories: 46 spacious Ocean Oasis water villas (146m²), 26 (188m²) Beach Oasis villas, 3 two-bedroom (328m²) Seascape Escapes and a two-bedroom (491m²) Ocean Haven. All the rooms are decorated in the same retro-contemporary style and all are laid out in the same way. Each room features the latest in the range of Bose surround sound systems, plasma screen TV, DVD, spacious indoor and outdoor living area, plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, and day beds for lounging about outside in the sunshine with your other half. Although seaplanes are audible between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm are audible, the deck is a very pleasant area to relax especially as each villa has its own plunge pool.

The bed faces the turquoise ocean, which is a real delight upon waking up! All rooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities - be aware that for tea water is boiled in the Nespresso machine. Otherwise all rooms are equipped with cable internet which comes at an extra fee. The water accommodation has a glass floor in a circular shape at the bottom of the bed which adds that extra luxury touch. The interior design of the rooms has been carefully thought-out. The clean lines of the heavy-grained retro style furniture mixed with the latest in the way of contemporary cream seating and circular purple rugs feels restful. The land accommodation is set in the mangrove lining the beach and has private pools out in the garden. The two storey villas have viewing decks from which you can see the ocean and your neighbour's backyard. Despite this however, there is a feeling of peace, tranquillity and intimacy here. The villas are so beautiful that one cannot help but enjoy!

The bathrooms at the W are very aesthetically pleasing. Well-appointed and bright, the area is lined by a large bay window. Having a bath whilst looking out onto the ocean is the highlight here. There is also a separate free-standing shower cubicle and toilets. The his and hers sinks also add a touch of elegance. The bathrooms amenities are of the Bliss brand produced especially for the W Retreat and Spa and come in generous formats. Some bathroom items (loofa, nail files...) are of the luxury British brand, Molton Brown. The larger land accommodation has semi open bathrooms which add an island atmosphere to the otherwise very slick villa.

The W Retreat and Spa has a fairly commercial atmosphere which is reflected in the carefully placed items guests can buy in the rooms. There is a stylish beach bag with towels for sale, as well as a pair of flip flops in the wardrobe - be aware that once these are open guests are expected to purchase them.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The highlight of the resort is its aspect once the sun has fallen behind the horizon due to its carefully designed lighting. The restaurants especially come alive at night. There are three restaurants and three bars at the resort. The restaurants, Fish, serving a range of seafood dishes from haute-cuisine starters of calamari and courgette, to sushi, although we found that it was fairly thickly sliced, so do request the chef slice them thinly if you happen to have a sushi craving. The restaurant itself is in a superb location on a wooden deck above the water with an open kitchen. The tables are well spread out so as to maintain maximal intimacy. The service here is irreproachable. Lit only by candle light, nifty little clip-on torches enable you to read the menu. Fish also has a well elaborated wine list. Guests here tend to dress to impress, so make you pack your party clobber if you don't want to feel like you missed out on your opportunity to shine! The restaurant is however unpretentious, so for those who prefer to dress down, rest-assured, the staff will not be sneering in your direction. (open 6:00 am to 11:00 pm).

Set in the sand among the mangrove, the grill restaurant, Fire, is also a good choice for dinner. The open kitchen staff is very friendly and the food looks enticing. Lit by fire torches in the dark, the setting is different from Fish but just as magical (open 7:00 pm to 11:00pm).

The all-day restaurant, Kitchen, is also a good option. Although it gets very hot inside, there is a varied selection of international food to satisfy all types of cravings. The breakfast is particularly healthy with a range of cereal and fresh fruit juices to choose from. Not an English breakfast in sight here! Guests can choose to eat in the very stylish lime green and cream setting or outside on the terrace lined by a water feature and a well kempt lawn (open 7:00 am to 11:00 pm - schedule varies).

In terms of bars, there is 15 below, the only nightclub in the archipelago. Although the electro DJ is well-chosen, there is rarely a party atmosphere here. Most guests go down for a few pre or after dinner drinks, but rarely stretch as far as a boogie. There are however over 96 varieties of vodka to try! Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 9:30 pm to 2:00 am. The second bar, Sip, is located above the water and provides a restful setting for a relaxing evening or afternoon (open 5:00 pm to 12:00 am). Wet, the pool bar also serves drinks and gourmet snacks most of the day (open 10:00 am to 11:00 pm).

All the outlets are of good quality although a little pricey. The only downside is that in terms of lunch there is only Kitchen or the Wet bar to choose from which although serve good food, can get a little repetitive for guests staying the entire week.

• Z Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel beach is just a sumptuous as all Maldivian beaches - guests will not be left disappointed here. There is a good house reef for snokellers but for diving it is best to go out to the open sea in the atoll.