Maldives, August 11, 2025 – This September, the Fari Islands Archipelago in the North Malé Atoll will host the inaugural Fari Islands Festival—a celebration of music, art, gastronomy, wellness, and nature from September 19 to 22, 2025. The festival brings together globally celebrated creatives and thought leaders—from acclaimed Canadian poet and illustrator Rupi Kaur to the Amarta, a James Turrell installation. Complementing this artistic and cultural convergence is the guest residency of WAGYUMAFIA, the Tokyo-born culinary collective that has reimagined the potential of Japanese wagyu through innovation and exclusivity, at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.

Amidst the vibrant celebrations, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives presents a rare opportunity for two couples to savor a one-night-only dining experience by WAGYUMAFIA on September 20, hosted under the stars at the resort's signature Japanese restaurant, IWAU. Founded by self-taught chef Hisato Hamada, WAGYUMAFIA is revered for its precision, storytelling, and bold reinterpretation of tradition. Known for its exclusive, invite-only dining experiences, the brand commands a global following and will bring its extraordinary approach to wagyu cuisine to the Maldives for the very first time.

At IWAU—which translates to “celebrate” in Japanese—guests are invited to dine in an open-air setting where the art of Japanese cooking is elevated through technique, seasonality, and elegant simplicity. The restaurant's serene, design-forward environment offers a fitting stage for the WAGYUMAFIA team's artistry.

This immersive culinary journey is offered as part of an exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments, available to Marriott Bonvoy members. The experience includes a three-night stay in an Ocean Pool Villa at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands from September 19 to 22, 2025, return luxury speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport, and daily breakfast at La Locanda. Guests will also enjoy curated lunches and dinners across the resort's distinguished dining venues, as well as a private dinner for two at Fari Marina Fiesta. Full access to the Fari Islands Festival is included, priority reservations for festival activities, exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with featured talent, and a night hosted by award-winning mixologists from 50 Best Bars, Danico and Nutmeg & Clove, at Fari Beach Club. The highlight of the stay is the reservation for two at the exclusive WAGYUMAFIA dinner at IWAU on the evening of September 20.

This exceptional collaboration between The Ritz-Carlton Maldives and WAGYUMAFIA exemplifies the spirit of the Fari Islands Festival—uniting world-class artistry, culture, and culinary mastery in one unforgettable setting. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in this unique celebration of creativity and luxury, creating memories that will endure long after the final toast.

Members can now bid for an exclusive WAGYUMAFIA dinner, access to the Fari Islands Festival, and a three-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands until August 21, 2025 through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.

Guests seeking to immerse themselves in the vibrant spirit of the Fari Islands Festival are invited to reserve the exclusive Fari Islands Package. This thoughtfully curated experience includes three-day access to the Fari Islands Festival, an elegant villa stay at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, round-trip luxury shared speedboat transfers, and daily lunch and dinner at the resort's distinguished signature restaurants. Additionally, guests will enjoy two specially hosted dinners at select venues within Fari Marina Village on September 19 and 21, as well as two bespoke Fari Islands Festival experiences from a handpicked collection.

For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com/Maldives and for real-time updates follow the resort on Instagram and Facebook.

Link to download images here.

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About The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The property is ideally located at Fari Islands, in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, a 45-minute journey by speedboat or a 10-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport. The resort, designed by Kerry Hill Architects, is shaped by the Maldivian sun and shored by the Indian Ocean, featuring a series of 100 interconnected villas, with its design-masterpiece Ocean Villas hovering over a turquoise lagoon. With white sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and coral reefs, the destination is abundant with marine life.

Guest villas at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, range in size from one to four bedrooms, with legendary service refined by an Aris Meeha (butler). The property offers a choice of outstanding culinary venues under Executive Chef Pedro Samper, serving an array of international and local cuisines, alongside a full suite of fitness and recreational facilities. The signature Ritz-Carlton Spa introduces Bamford to the region, while the resort's Naturalists lead its sustainability initiatives. In addition, the Visiting Hero programme brings leading scientists, conservationists, and environmental educators to engage with guests, the local community, and the Ladies and Gentlemen.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands forms part of an archipelago that features three world-class hospitality brands inclusive of The Ritz-Carlton. Guests 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.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

Delivering the Gold Standard in service in coveted destinations around the world, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC currently operates more than 120 hotels in over 35 countries and territories. From iconic urban destinations to stretches of paradise in untouched corners of the earth, The Ritz-Carlton offers the opportunity for true discovery and transformative escapes that stay with guests long after they depart. Committed to thoughtful innovation, The Ritz-Carlton encompasses two groundbreaking brand extensions, Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a collection of rare estates set apart from the world, where personalized care and cultural immersion are paramount. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection translates the brand's legendary service and hospitality for sea, reimagining the ultra-luxury cruising category. For more information or reservations, visit the company website 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 complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. The Ritz-Carlton is committed to supporting the destinations where it operates through Community Footprints, the company's social and environmental responsibility program.

About Marriott Bonvoy®

Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

Press Contact

Canan Karabagli, canan.karabagli@ritzcarlton.com
Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands