JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort

The Island

Upon arrival at Male Airport you will be met by JW Marriott's team and escort to a speedboat for transfer to the island. With high speed internet on the board and bottled water right away the speedboat ride takes 15 min, fast and smooth. The boat crew will provide you with useful information that set the tone for your stay.

With crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and luxurious villas that epitomize comfort and style, the island itself is breathtakingly beautifully decorated, and despite being newly built, the vegetation has already matured, providing ample shade. The resort’s architecture, envisioned by Turkish architect Cuneyt Bukulmez of Atolye4N, seamlessly integrates Maldivian design with modern elements inspired by the island’s natural beauty. The arrival jetty, modelled after the graceful flight of the Maakana heron, sets the tone for the resort’s aesthetic. The villas reflect traditional Maldivian ‘Gedhoru’ huts, featuring kajan roofs, vibrant turquoise doors, and neutral-toned interiors. Thoughtful design elements, including Maldivian lacquerware crafts and contrasting textures, contribute to a serene and harmonious retreat.

Committed to sustainability, the resort has partnered with INVENA in a groundbreaking environmental initiative. This collaboration introduces a 30-meter-long underwater coastal structure, designed with the Self-Assembly Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to mitigate wave action and prevent beach erosion. Additionally, the structure fosters vibrant marine ecosystems by creating reef habitats that attract diverse fish and coral species. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with this innovative project, contributing to scientific efforts addressing climate challenges.

The resort’s meticulously designed public spaces provide moments of tranquility for reflection, helping guests restore balance and focus. Whether indulging in gourmet cuisine, unwinding at the spa, or engaging in ocean adventures, every aspect of the resort is designed to inspire renewal and connection.

With impeccable service, all the staff at JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort are very friendly and helpful.They are always around but somehow manage to be invisible, ensuring our space is immaculate without being intrusive. Feell welcome, at home, and truly rested thanks to the service here.

The resort has weekly cocktail event with their management team at Wahoo and you get to meet their team - they genuinely want to meet the guests and understand what's working in their resort/what they can improve on.

Location

Picture perfect beaches, calm lagoons with turquoise waters and one of the best diving in the Maldives - all this about the South Male Atoll. South Male Atoll (South Kaafu) is a group of islands in the Maldives, just south of the North Male Atoll. Showing the best of the Maldives, South Male Atoll offers everything you can need for a memorable and comfy holiday. The days here revolve around swimming, relaxation, water sports and snorkeling - and nothing more.

Surrounded by the warm, turquoise waters of the Kaafu Atoll, the resort can be reached in just 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport.

Villas and Suites

JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is home to 80 thoughtfully designed private pool villas, including 47 overwater pool villas, combines traditional island aesthetics with contemporary luxury to foster a deep connection with nature. A Beach Villas on the sunset side are perfect for swimming in deeper waters. The east side villas provide a pristine, boasting stunning turquoise colors of the lagoon. Almost all water villas have excellent locations with sandy bottoms and no corals, making it ideal for relaxation.

Each accommodation is designed for relaxation, offering expansive terraces, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, and access to pristine lagoons. The resort offers a butler service, which is incredibly helpful in every aspect. The daily surprises in a room —delicious treats and thoughtful little gifts—is such a delight!

An Overwater Villa is spacious, beautiful, and clean. There are his and hers sinks, a tub, an indoor and outdoor showers. The private pool and hammock are the best places to admire the ocean views. Expect to see lots of fish around the villa (and if you're lucky even a dolphins). The water sports center provides fins and a mask free of charge, and if you want to swim around your villa, make sure to go when it's low tide because the current can be really strong!

The Three-Bedroom Ocean Residence, positioned above the turquoise waters, provides an unparalleled sanctuary, blending luxury with breathtaking views. Perfect for group vacation in the Maldives this elegant residence caters to families and groups of friends, offering a refined space to connect and create lasting memories while enjoying panoramic ocean vistas.

Dining

JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has seven distinct dining options, offering a diverse culinary experience that showcases global flavours and high-quality ingredients.

With a menu celebrating fresh ingredients and panoramic views Veyo is the resort's main restaurant serves Western, Asian, South Asian, Italian, and grilled dishes) every day for breakfast and some nights for dinner. Great breakfast buffet with plenty of healthy options, and the Asian/oriental spread stands out in taste. Quality of food is excellent, and the staff is super attentive. Athiri, the resort’s signature steakhouse, boasts a striking two-story design inspired by ocean waves, where premium cuts, fish and South American inspired dishes are served with breathtaking Indian Ocean views. A coconut ceviche, black cod chorrillana, catch of the day with shallot butter, and sauted potato are highly recommended. Nikkei, perched above, presents a vibrant bar experience with craft cocktails and light bites influenced by Peruvian, Japanese, and European traditions. Wahoo, the infinity pool bar, offers a relaxed yet refined atmosphere with refreshing beverages and aromatic dishes. Riva delivers a sophisticated interpretation of Indian Ocean cuisine, blending Indian, Sri Lankan, and Maldivian flavours in a contemporary fine-dining setting. Pure focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, highlighting the island’s natural bounty, with herbs such as rosemary, mint, basil, thyme, and sage harvested directly from the JW Garden. Tito’s, a deli and patisserie, offers an array of handcrafted delights, including chocolates, macarons, truffles, cakes, and pastries designed to indulge the senses.

For those seeking exclusive dining experiences, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort provides bespoke destination dining options in intimate settings, allowing guests to create unforgettable culinary memories.

Child care

The resort embraces the joy of togetherness with its Family by JW program, which offers thoughtfully curated experiences that encourage families to create lasting memories. Designed to cater to guests of all ages, the resort features a dedicated Kids’ and Teens’ Club, a colourful playground, and a child-friendly swimming pool to ensure younger visitors are entertained and engaged.

The JW Kids’ Club offers enriching activities designed to educate and inspire children through exploration and play. Families can participate in interactive cooking classes, using fresh, sustainably grown produce from the JW Garden. The garden not only supplies ingredients for the resort’s cuisine but also serves as a space for guests to reconnect with nature through gardening. Through a combination of vibrant adventures and shared moments of creativity, the Family by JW program ensures a memorable and joyful experience for all generations.

Activities and Pampering

The overwater Spa by JW offers renewal through exclusive treatments featuring BABOR’s precision skincare products, making it the first spa in the Maldives to collaborate with the brand. The signature treatment, Ocean Bliss, incorporates BABOR’s prestigious anti-aging skincare range, SeaCreation, enriched with deep-sea active ingredients for a transformative wellness experience.

Fitness and wellness enthusiasts can enjoy sunrise yoga sessions, a state-of-the-art fitness centre overlooking the ocean, and a lap pool. For adventure seekers, the resort offers marine activities such as snorkelling, diving, and tailored ocean excursions. Additional experiences include dolphin safaris, Maldivian cooking clasess, Nurse Shark snorkeling excursion, parasailing, and sunset cruises for those seeking relaxation and serenity.

Reviews

Surrounded by the beautiful nature of the Maldives, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is celebrated for its exceptional service, with staff members frequently commended for their warmth and professionalism. Guests are delighted by the new, clean and spacious villas, offer both privacy and comfort. The resort's facilities is another highlight, with immaculate island's grounds and beaches. Guests consistently commend the resort for its comprehensive amenities, including the stunning lagoons, luxurious overwater and beach villas, a luxurious spa, two pools, and varied activities and dining experiences. Comparing this hotel with other luxury resorts in the Maldives, we can confidently say this resort really stands out. While the experience is recognized as pricey, the immaculate cleanliness and exceptional JW service from arrival up to departure, with instances of bespoke care, are frequently highlighted as worth the cost.

Why stay here? What Guests Love

• Modern, newly built and conveniently close to the airport
• Very beautiful place
• Villas are amazing, tastefully decorated, spacious and well appointed. The soft drinks and snacks in the minibar are all free, which is a nice touch.
• A sumptuous breakfast wit a variety of food and cuisines that are impressive, and the food quality is on par with top-tier luxury hotels; Top-notch dinner quality from all three restaurants: Athiri, Riva and Veyo. Especially the Indian and Maldivian cuisine from Riva, they are mind-blowing
• The meditation classes by the spa
• The kids club exceeds all expectations. The programs are well-structured, the facilities were very clean and comfortable, and the staff was extremely friendly.
• The swimming pool and waterside fitness center are excellent
• Staff is a great, sympathetic, friendly and helpful
• Beautiful Spa and a fun diving;

What You Need to Know

• JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is 13 km from Malé Airport. Although there is occasional noise from landing planes, this should not be too bother.
• Check-in from 3:00 PM; Check-out until 12:00 PM;
• Children of all ages are welcome. Children 12 and above will be charged as adults at this property. Cribs and extra beds aren't available at this property.
• Don't miss out on enjoying the sunset at the Nikkei bar