The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to Host the First Marriott Maldives Cocktail Competition

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to Host the First Marriott Maldives Cocktail Competition

Taking place in July 2022, this luxury resort will host Bartenders from each of the Marriott properties present in the Maldives.

Representatives from Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa W Maldives, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will put their skills into action to create their signature cocktails, inspired by Maldivian flavors, for an afternoon to remember.

Eau Bar and La Locanda, two of the resort’s 7 restaurants and bars will host this 2-part competition, where guests and celebrity Judge, Colin Chia, will select the best cocktails, winner of the Iconic Hospitality Award 2022 and renowned bartender from Nutmeg & Clove, based in Singapore.

“This is the first cocktail collaboration amongst all Marriott properties”, says Marco Barsotti, Director of Beverages for The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, who is eager to establish the Maldives as a destination known for its local flavors in both food and drinks.

This activation follows the resort’s Behind the Bar initiative, with its inaugural event in 2021, where the exquisite island retreat burst onto the scene introducing exceptional gastronomic experiences to the unique Fari Islands’ concept.

Each residency has introduced some of the world’s most talked about libations – some with a twist, and will incorporate exclusive masterclasses for guests to create an enviable cocktail arsenal to take home.

After the competition, Colin Chia will be the next to take over the resort for a new edition of Behind the Bar, on July 21st and 22nd.

About The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The property is ideally located at Fari Islands, in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, which is a 45-minute journey by speedboat or a 10-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport. The resort features white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, and coral reefs with marine life. Shaped by the Maldivian sun and shored by the Indian Ocean, guest villas at The Ritz Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands are expected to range in size from one to three bedrooms, featuring the refined elegance and legendary service that define The Ritz-Carlton brand. The property is also expected to offer a choice of outstanding culinary venues serving an array of international and local cuisines, in addition to a full suite of fitness and recreational facilities including a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is part of Fari Islands, an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton. The guests are expected to have access to a picturesque Fari Marina – the archipelago’s communal beating heart. Built around a vibrant Beach Club, Fari Marina features charming boutiques and a handpicked selection of dining options. Spaces have been designed by the renowned Kerry Hill Architects, to bring about a delicate balance of serene and social.

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Bethesda, MD, part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 100 hotels in 32 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

New Opening | The Ritz-Carlton Opens Its First Resort in the Maldives

The first Ritz-Carlton property in the island paradise opened on June 1.

It’s just a 10-minute seaplane or 45-minute speedboat trip from Malé’s Velana International Airport up to the Fari Islands archipelago in the North Malé Atoll, where the first Ritz-Carlton property in the Maldives opened June 1. The all-villa resort offers everything you’d want in a tropical getaway—white sand beaches, crystal-blue lagoons, overwater, and beachfront accommodations—as well as the type of elevated offerings you would expect from the luxury brand. As seen in these exclusive first-look photos, it’s all wrapped up in a striking, modern design by the late Australian architect Kerry Hill, who took inspiration for the spherical buildings from the circular forms of the lagoon, the swirling ocean breezes, and the cyclical nature of island life.

With seemingly every major luxury brand already operating in the Maldives, it is noteworthy that Ritz-Carlton is just now entering that market. “Expanding into this destination is something we have had our eye on for a long time, as we continue to evolve our portfolio, [and this] is the perfect moment for us to debut in the Maldives, as luxury travelers continue to seek out opportunities for meaningful exploration and reconnection, as well as destinations that offer access to open spaces and natural beauty,” Donna McNamara, vice president and global brand leader for Ritz-Carlton, tells Robb Report.

When asked how Ritz-Carlton might differentiate itself from the other five-star options in the country, McNamara says that “thoughtful expansion remains a top priority for the brand. We want every Ritz-Carlton property to be the gateway for immersion into the unique cultures where we operate. I love that from the moment you arrive at the resort, you feel deeply connected to the destination.” McNamara further notes that as “the Maldives offers so much more than a stunning physical environment, [the resort is] focused on bringing the rich culture to life for our guests.”

To help make these connections to the destination, guests of each of the 100 overwater or beachfront villas will enjoy the round-the-clock services of a dedicated aris meeha, or personal butler, who can organize activities such as Maldivian cooking classes, traditional drum performances timed to sunset, beach cricket matches or kids’ arts and craft sessions. Along with featuring organic products from UK-based Bamford, the ring-shaped, nine-room spa—which floats over the lagoon—performs signature treatments using local ingredients like heated sand, fresh coconut and native herbs. Guests of all ages will also be able to engage with the underwater world around the resort—home to a resident pod of dolphins—via activities led by experts from Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, with which Ritz-Carlton has had a longtime partnership.

The resort’s four sections include a dedicated “culinary island,” home to seven restaurants featuring dishes from Japan, Italy, India, Lebanon and China; the Cantonese-focused Summer Pavilion is an outpost of the Michelin-starred Singapore eatery by the same name. A large kids’ club, tennis courts, a photography studio (offering equipment rental and a range of classes) and areas for water sports round out the facilities, while the villas themselves feature private pools (the three-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Estate has two), indoor-outdoor showers, al fresco lounging space and—depending on their location—direct beach access or overwater hammocks. To help honor the destination further, the resort was designed to minimize impact on the reef ecosystem through the use of pre-fabricated materials and construction techniques, and solar panels, glazing and other sustainable methods have been employed to help lower the carbon footprint. Rates start at $1,500 a night for one-bedroom villas, $4,400 a night for two-bedroom villas and $22,500 per night for the Ritz-Carlton Estate.

Visit Maldives | The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Opens

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands Set to open June 1, 2021, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands invites guests to embrace island life from the moment they arrive on its white-sand shores. Guests will be able to absorb a plethora of Maldivian culture and traditions, whether they are relaxing in their luxury overwater villa, watching the sunset from the sandy shore, or sipping an afternoon tea on property.

Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, guests are greeted by The Island Caller. To signal their arrivals, the Caller will blow the traditional Maldivian Sangu shell, also more commonly known as Triton’s Trumpet. The shell signifies an important piece of the Maldivian culture, as they were mostly used in the region by quiet island villages to share warnings or signal public gatherings, as the sound of the Sangu can be heard across the island.

As guests check in to the resort, they may notice many circular shapes and structures around the property. The resort encourages guests to embrace the cyclical nature of island life through distinct choices in architecture as well as in-room amenities. Each villa includes an artfully crafted Beru, or drum, which coincides with the evening Bodu Beru, an indigenous form of dance and music with drums - made locally from coconut wood on the island - and one of the oldest surviving traditions dating back to the 11th century. This sunset ritual at the resort’s Eau Bar is unique to the property and allows guests to reflect on a day full of discoveries, while transitioning into an evening of relaxation, indulgence and reflection.

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will each have an Aris Meeha, or island butler, a concept inspired by the royal courts of the ancient Maldives. In Dhivehi, the local language,

Aris Meeha refers to a person who is assigned to a royal member, one of the most important positions among the many titles and rankings in a Maldivian Royal household. Similar to a modern-day butler, Aris Meeha fulfills every detail of the life of a royal and considered to be the closest confidant much like a Gentleman's gentleman or Lady in waiting or Gentlemen or Lady of the Chamber. (The concept also relates to The Ritz-Carlton’s brand motto of ‘We are Ladies & Gentlemen serving Ladies & Gentlemen’).

Once guests have eased into the pace of island life, they can focus on being present and together. The resort offers a traditional afternoon tea that is perfect for connecting and sharing the day’s discoveries with one another and planning for the evening ahead. Guests can enjoy their afternoon tea by the pool at Eau Bar, where the contemporary version of this ceremonial tea is based on Maldivian Hedhika and focused on providing local, light bites to guests. Shaping the country and culture, the Maldives lies in the old maritime spice route, and as such, the resort’s signature cocktail selection is inspired by the archipelago’s favorite five spices: cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin, and turmeric.

In an effort to reduce import footprints, guests of the resort will enjoy sustainably caught fish from local fishermen, fresh vegetables, and herbs cultivated from the resort’s organic garden. Guests also have the option of participating in Maldivian cooking classes to the art of making Mashuni, a breakfast staple in the island nation, made with tuna and fresh coconut.

As guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands continue to explore the resort and its surrounding areas, they may find themselves at The Marina at Fari Islands, which is built around the vibrant Fari Beach Club, high-end boutiques, a selection of upscale restaurants, an art studio, and Fari Lagoon Coral Adoption & Marine Biology Center. With around-the-clock boat transfers courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, guests are welcomed with an array of meaningful experiences during their stay. This archipelago redefines the Maldivian experience, allowing guests of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to experience a balance of cosmopolitan and private island life never before seen in the region.

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