If the Maldives has long been a postcard of paradise, Kaafu Atoll is an island you can reach before your coconut cools! A short, breezy 15-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort skips the usual seaplane shuffle. Instead, you're in turquoise heaven before you even have time to switch your phone to airplane mode!
Opened in early 2025, JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort marks the evolution of the brand’s 2019 Maldivian debut at Shaviyani Atoll. Like its elder sibling, this new resort in Kaafu Atoll is helmed by Turkish architect Cüneyt Bükülmez of Atölye4n, a master of barefoot luxury design. For this creation, he has blended local Maldivian craftsmanship with modern minimalism.
Here, traditional gedhoru-inspired huts with kajan-thatched roofs coexist with contemporary furniture and art. The overall design philosophy is a nod to biophilic principles, inviting the outdoors in. The palette is a mix of neutral sand, beige, and sun-bleached wood, allowing the ocean’s blues to take centre-stage.
The generously proportioned 80 villas, 47 of which float above the lagoon, are rich in woven textures, soft linen upholstery, and natural light that floods through wide glass doors. There are eight categories in total. For people who seek a bit extra, the signature Ocean Residence is a two-and-a-half-bedroom villa which comes with a private spa and gym, a sauna, a round bathtub with panoramic ocean views, and even a water slide that leads directly into the lagoon.
Dining at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is a seven-stop affair through global flavours, with each restaurant using herbs and produce from the resort's own garden. Athiri is a sleek steakhouse serving outh American-style cuts. Try the signature Peruvian Spatchcock Chicken, marinated in Aji Panca, cumin and garlic, finished over beechwood for a smoky, flavourful result. Upstairs, Nikkei pairs Peruvian and Japanese with craft cocktails and sunset views. Riva celebrates Indian, Sri Lankan, and Maldivian classics, with highlights including the Local Lobster Boashi, grilled in island spices and served with coconut rice and drumstick leaf pancakes; and the spicy Kulhi Boakibaa fish cake. Veyo’s breakfast buffet is a world tour of morning favourites, from tropical fruits to made-to-order dosas, while Tito’s is perfect for light bites and sweets. Wahoo, the poolside bar, keeps the cocktails flowing alongside seafood dishes that taste like summer in every bite.
Guests at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort can indulge in Babor's cutting-edge treatments, showcasing the brand’s most prestigious anti-ageing range, SeaCreation. Infused with potent active ingredients sourced from the depths of the ocean, these products harness advanced marine biotechnology to revitalise the skin, restore luminosity, and leave a lasting sense of renewal.
The signature Ocean Bliss treatment, created exclusively for the Overwater Spa by JW, embodies the essence of Maldivian serenity. Combining Babor's scientifically advanced products with soothing maritime elements, this ritual takes inspiration from the island’s turquoise waters to deliver visible results and deep relaxation. Offered at the resort’s four expansive overwater treatment villas, each space is designed to heighten the connection between the senses and the surrounding seascape.
For adventure seekers, there is enough to keep them occupied. Guests can snorkel, dive, or try sea bobbing with dolphins, which is an underwater scooter experience.
The icing on the cake, though, is that luxury here comes with a sense of responsibility. The resort demonstrates its strong commitment to sustainability through a forward-thinking initiative that protects low-lying island nations such as the Maldives. In collaboration with Maldivian climate technology company Invena and the Self-Assembly Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), together they have developed a 30-metre underwater coastal installation designed to reduce wave impact, prevent erosion, and encourage coral regeneration.