This was our third visit to the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands in the Maldives, and every stay only deepens our love for the Ritz. The setting is paradise, but what truly makes us return again and again are the people who go above and beyond. From our very first trip in October 2022, Abu has been the reason we fell in love with this resort. He was our Aris Meeha at that time, and his attentiveness and genuine care were unmatched , not just for the Maldives but for any hotel I have ever stayed at. What’s remarkable is that on each of our returns, he has been in different roles across the resort, but always just as helpful , always anticipating our needs and always making everything feel effortless. Every stay feels like coming home to family because of Abu, and he remains the main reason we’ve returned three times already. Our most recent trip this july 2025 , we had the pleasure of meeting Mango, who looked after our housekeeping. He was great ,cheerful, friendly, and kept our three villas spotless. Our kids loved his little towel surprises shaped like turtles and sharks and manta rays. Evgeny, who we often saw at the restaurants and bars, was another highlight. Always smiling, warm, and attentive, he made every place we went enjoyable. A mention must go to Chef Pedro, the head of the resort’s culinary team. not only did he oversee some of the best dining we’ve had in the Maldives , their breakfast is some of the best we’ve experienced anywhere. he even shared a list of restaurants in his home region of San Sebastián for our future travels. His passion for food is felt in every meal at the resort. And of course, our day at sea with Captain Ali, Wadde, and Elaf was unforgetable from helping us catch a beautiful wahoo, to snorkeling with sharks, to simply laughing and enjoying the catamaran. They made it one of the best days of our trip. And also the catamaran was new and great. The Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands is paradise on its own, but it’s people like Abu, Mango, Evgeny, Chef Pedro, and the amazing boat crew and many more.. who make it extraordinary. We can’t wait to return for another visit next year.