First off, according to StarWood, the W Retreat & Spa is the best they have to offer. I must heartily disagree. The W in Montreal is possibly the best one I’ve been to, if not the Walker Hill location in Seoul. The Maldives location tries too hard to be chic, pumping music out of the flower beds, servicepeople who try to strike up conversations with you randomly (which would be ok if they were professional too), Spa service that’s more like an hour long rub down, and rooms that are more photogenic than hypoallergenic, not to mentino crowded together (a problem that plagues most Maldives resorts). The rates are a good deal for the Maldives however, and for a young couple it’s quite the experience. Baros is quite an experience as well, but at the prices you’re paying at Baros, and if you’re planning a honeymoon however, or you want something special without being overly trendy, Soneva Gili is by far the most superior and complete resort in the Maldives. Run by the Six Senses Spa and Resorts company, Soneva Gili will send an escort party to the airport to pick you up and bring you to the atoll by speedboat. On the speedboat you are given a bag that says “No News, No Shoes” in which goes your shoes and anything that would bring you outside news. Once you arrive, the attention to detail and service is amazing. They greet you with a complimentary bottle of champagne, show you to your private rowboat for transport to your suite (the Crusoe Residences aren’t connected like all Maldives resorts, they are stand-alone for privacy), and given invitations for the General Managers Cocktail Party, a 50 minute Couple Spa Therapy session, and a pair of his-n-hers bikes with soft coverings on the pedals for your feet. The rooms are eco-friendly and beautiful. None of the overdramatic colors of W, yet materials that are amazingly luxurious. The rooms aren’t even setup like suites, they are setup like true residences. I would have no problem living in one of those rooms for a long period of time. All the amenities are there. The bathrooms are open air yet totally secluded because of your distance from other suites. There are terra cotta pots around the island with fresh cold water and a coconut scoop to wash the sand and cool your feet off. There are several ways to eat including an excellent restaurant, wine cellar dining, even room service will setup a candle-lit dinner on your rooftop. The service is excellent and most of the time (except at the cocktail parties) you’ll feel like your the only ones on at the resort. Activities are so various that a 10 day stay won’t even scratch the surface of boredom.

Thanks!

the place was luxury like i’ve never experienced before.
get there as soon as possible