Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Villas built for families

The resort offers around two dozen beach, reef, and overwater villas in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. Most villas have a private infinity pool, outdoor dining pavilion, and direct access to the beach or lagoon. The two- and three-bedroom options are well-suited to families: the second bedroom is often detached from the main villa, giving parents and older children their own space. Some villas even include a separate quarter for a nanny or extra guests. Good for families with teenagers to the Three-Bedroom Grand Beach Villa with Pool—it sleeps up to six and comes with a 60-square-metre pool, a jet-pool, and a Maldivian swing big enough for the whole family to share.

• One-Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool: 234 sqm, sleeps 2 adults + 2 children
• Two-Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool: 333 sqm, detached second bedroom, sleeps 2 adults + 2 children + 1 infant
• Three-Bedroom Grand Beach Villa with Pool: 334 sqm, jet-pool, sleeps 6
• Two-Bedroom Over Water Villa with Pool: 346 sqm, direct reef access, sleeps 2 adults + 2 children + 1 infant
• Three-Bedroom Over Water Villa with Pool: 1,113 sqm, two infinity pools, standalone third bedroom

The Young Discovery Park: a kids club that parents actually like

The Waldorf Astoria Young Discovery Park is split into two age groups: four to seven and eight to eleven. Kids under four are welcome with a guardian. The club runs daily programmes that include trampolines, a water park, Instagram classes, and cooking sessions where children make their own salads and pasta. There’s also a baby-sitting service for infants from six months to eleven years, so parents can enjoy a spa treatment or a quiet dinner. The club is open from morning until evening, and the daily schedule is posted around the resort and on iPads in each villa.

Dining: eleven restaurants and a private chef for special occasions

With eleven dining venues, families can try something new every night. Terra offers tree-top dining in handcrafted bamboo pods, Yasmeen serves Middle Eastern flatbreads and crispy Peking duck in an Arabian village setting, and The Ledge by Dave Pynt is a poolside grill with a Michelin-starred chef. For families staying on Ithaafushi Private Island, a private chef is onsite to create bespoke menus. The resort also offers destination dining experiences like sandbank dinners and floating breakfasts in your villa pool. Kids can order their own meals at the beachside Nava, which serves wood-fired pizzas and small bites in a relaxed setting.

• Terra: tree-top dining with ocean views (dinner only, degustation menu)
• Yasmeen: Levantine cuisine in an Arabian village (open for lunch and dinner)
• The Ledge: poolside grill by Michelin-starred chef Dave Pynt (dinner only)
• Tasting Table: international breakfast buffet and beachside dinner (open all day)
• Nava: wood-fired pizzas and small bites (open for lunch and dinner, family-friendly)
• Private dining: sandbank dinners, floating breakfasts, in-villa chef service

Activities for every age

The resort’s house reef is accessible from most villas, so families can snorkel straight from their deck. The PADI-certified dive centre offers guided snorkelling trips, coral conservation workshops, and underwater scooter rides. For land-based fun, there are tennis and padel courts, a fitness centre with an outdoor yoga pavilion, and a variety of non-motorised water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. The resort also organises dolphin cruises, big-game fishing, and private yacht excursions. Kids can join marine conservation talks or beach games, while parents can book a professional photo shoot or a sunset champagne cruise.

• Snorkelling: house reef accessible from most villas, guided trips available
• Diving: PADI-certified centre, underwater scooters, coral conservation workshops
• Water sports: kayaking, paddleboarding, Seabob, parasailing (200m above sea level)
• Land activities: tennis, padel, beach football, yoga pavilion, fitness centre
• Excursions: dolphin cruises, big-game fishing, private yacht charters, sunset cruises
• Kids activities: marine conservation talks, beach games, trampolines, water park

Ithaafushi Private Island: the ultimate family celebration

For families celebrating a milestone—like a wedding, anniversary, or multi-generational reunion—the resort’s private island is the largest of its kind in the Maldives. It spans 32,000 square metres and accommodates up to 24 guests across three villas: a three-bedroom beach villa, a two-bedroom overwater villa, and a four-bedroom residence. The island has its own paddle tennis court, tennis court, children’s playground, jacuzzi, plunge pool, and helipad. A dedicated team of chefs and a personal concierge are on hand to organise private dining, spa treatments, and excursions. Guests can also take a short boat ride to the main resort to enjoy its restaurants and facilities.

• Accommodation: 3-bedroom beach villa, 2-bedroom overwater villa, 4-bedroom residence
• Facilities: 5 pools, whirlpools, entertainment clubhouse, spa, gym, kids club
• Dining: private chef, tailor-made menus, or access to the main resort’s 11 restaurants
• Activities: paddle tennis, tennis, private excursions, spa treatments

Transfers: a yacht ride that feels like part of the holiday

The resort is a 45-minute yacht transfer from Velana International Airport. The yachts are spacious, with comfortable seating, onboard refreshments, and a friendly crew. Unlike seaplanes, the yacht runs 24 hours a day, so families with late-night flights don’t have to rush their last day. Upon arrival, guests are escorted to their villa for check-in, and the yacht ride itself sets the tone for the luxury ahead. It’s a small detail, but one that makes the journey feel like the start of the holiday, not just a transfer.