Maldives Ritz-Carlton | Stay Experience

Room Rate:
After three years without travel, I had accumulated a pile of credit card points—this trip was entirely redeemed with them! For all four nights, we were unexpectedly upgraded to two-bedroom suites (both overwater and beach villas) without any special requests—just pure luck, I suppose. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a bottle of champagne. Coincidentally, my lunar calendar birthday fell during the stay, so they surprised me with another bottle of champagne, a delicious birthday cake, and a handwritten note. It felt like I had snagged a $200,000 experience for free—absolutely thrilling!

Transportation:
There are no direct flights from Guangzhou, so we transited through Bangkok, staying overnight for convenience. On the return journey, we stopped in Singapore for a few days of exploration. Reaching the hotel required a one-hour boat ride.

Dining:
The resort features seven restaurants, of which we tried five. Honestly, the food wasn’t impressive. Breakfast for three cost $160 daily (including tips), while dinner started at $400 per meal (with an additional 10–20% tip). For the last two days, we visited the neighboring Patina Island, where restaurant prices were noticeably lower, though the flavors were similar—just average.

Activities:
The kids’ club offers free childcare for ages 4–12 with plenty of engaging activities, like collecting tiny sea creatures and examining them under a microscope while learning about marine life. Every day at 3 PM, kids could claim free ice cream, which was a highlight for my little one.

Complimentary activities included kayaking and sailing, while snorkeling gear was provided by the butler. From our villa’s private deck, we spotted fish and even a small stingray, though we didn’t see any turtles. My partner tried fishing but caught nothing—still, it was fun to try!

Spa treatments, especially signature options, require early booking as there’s only one room available. Unfortunately, I missed out due to the Easter holiday crowd. Water activities are generally pricey, so this may not be ideal for thrill-seekers. However, the stunning ocean alone was enough for me—I found it deeply therapeutic just to sit and gaze at its beauty.

Tips for Families:
If you’re traveling with kids, bring saline nasal spray. The outdoor heat combined with strong indoor air conditioning caused my child to catch a cold by the second day.