During our trip to the Maldives this year, we stayed at Kandolhu, which is a resort owned by the same owner as Kuramathi and Maafushivaru. We got to stay at the Kandolhu Island Resort for three nights together with Small Luxury Hotels in one of their beach villas, and we had the most magical time.
Kandolhu is, to be honest, the best and most price-worthy resort I’ve stayed at in the Maldives. From the food and environment to the service and activities – it’s a great resort. Down below you can read more about our experience in my Kandolhu review.
Table of Contents
Room Standard (Duplex Pool Villa)
We got the honor to stay in one of their biggest villas for 3 nights, the Duplex Pool Villa. Our villa was a two-story villa with a living room area, two bathrooms, big bedroom, private pool, terrace and balcony with a view over the water villas.
It was an amazing experience staying in that villa since it was so beautiful, spacious and had everything that we needed during our stay.
One thing that I really appreciated about this beach villa was that the resort really had been thinking about everything. They had provided us with a GoPro (with different grips), a fruit platter, and a beach bag with a frisbee, beach tennis and towels. The villa also had several international outlets where we could charge all of our camera gear – something that’s rare among hotels and resorts. It’s those kinds of things that make this resort extra special since they’ve been thinking about all the small details.
The bed was also comfortable, which is one of the most important things, and I also liked the outdoor bathroom with the jungle shower and bathtub – especially when it was raining.
This is what you get when booking a Duplex Pool Villa
- Comfy bed with fluffy pillows and soft sheets
- Livingroom area with TV, desk and several outlets
- 2 Bathrooms with toilets and showers (one is an outdoor bathroom with tub)
- Balcony with ocean view
- Terrace with private pool
- Free toiletries
- Free Wifi
- Free Water
- Robes & slippers
- Minibar
- Air conditioning /fan
- iPod dock,
- Wardrobe/closet
The Water Villas
We actually got to stay in a water villa a couple of hours one day to get the experience. And WOW, I have no words for how amazing these villas are. Sure, the villa that we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous, but the water villas were more of my taste since I love to be close to the sea.
It was how the water villas were designed that I loved. I especially liked the open bathroom with the ocean view bathtub and, of course, the infinity pool. It was also cool that it had a private stair into the ocean, so you could go anytime from the villa out snorkeling. Except for the bathroom and pool, the rest of the villa was just as nice as the one that we were staying in.
If you prefer staying on land, the beach villas are perfect for you, but if you like to be close to the ocean like me, then you just have to book yourself a water villa – they’re to die for!!
Breakfast
I absolutely loved the breakfast at Kandolhu. It was actually one of the best I’ve had at a resort in the Maldives. I loved that they offered both a breakfast buffet and a menu with several delicious dishes. The breakfast buffet was quite small, but all the options were delicious, healthy and fresh with fresh fruits, bread, cold cuts, freshly squeezed juice, yogurt, and nuts/dried fruits.
In the menu, there were several yummy options, and once again, I loved that they had many healthy options such as the salmon bagel and the tomato salsa toast with eggs and avocado. For drinks, they had both coffee and tea – and of course the freshly squeezed juice.
To be honest, this was one of the best breakfast I’ve ever been to, not only in the Maldives. Just have a look at the pictures below and see for yourself.
Outside the room
When you’re not hanging around in your dreamy villa, you’ll be out doing fun activities, eating delicious food and relaxing on the beach.
At Kandolhu Island you can enjoy great snorkeling, water activities, go on fun cruises/excursions, relax under the sun, eat food at one of their many restaurants, work out at the gym, or pamper yourself with spa treatments.
In other words; there are many fun and relaxing things that you can do around the island. So you’ll never get bored.
Spa
One of the days we went to the spa to get a 60-minute massage. The staff at the spa were very friendly and professional, so we felt comfortable in their company. The massage itself was great, and we both felt relax afterward. In the spa, they also have a pool, relax area and a sauna that you can use both before or after the treatment.
If you ever decide to stay at Kandolhu Island Resort, make sure to spoil yourself with a spa treatment, it’s worth it.
Sunset Champagne Cruise
One of the nights we went for the sunset champagne cruise. It was a lovely cruise around the island where they poured up some champagne and served us some delicious canapes. It was magical to sail the calm ocean while watching the sun go down with a glass of champagne in our hands.
Even though there were other guests on the sunset cruise, we still felt that it was a relaxing and romantic experience.
Lunch & Dinner
Lunch
We had lunch every day at the Market, and there they offer many delicious options. We’ve tried the pizza, pasta, and salads, and everything was so good. The pizza and pasta can be measured with the yummy ones you find in Europe, and the salad was just so flavorful and fresh.
Dinner
During our three nights at Kandolhu Island, we had dinner at all restaurants, except the Market since we had lunch there every day. Olive, Sea Grill and Banzai were the restaurants that we tried for dinner, and down below you can read some more about them.
Olive Restaurant
Olive lies right above the Market, and from here you can enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and modern Mediterranean dishes. The food was really good and creativity presented on the plate.
Sea Grill Restaurant
Right on the beach, you’ll find Sea Grill, which is a restaurant that focuses on meat and seafood that’s served from the grill. The dishes that we tried was delicious and the environment is cozy.
Banzai Restaurant
Banzai is the resort’s Teppanyaki restaurant and here you can enjoy Japanese dishes and enjoy the performance – the chef himself cooking your food right in front of you. This was definitely one of the highlights during our stay, and the food was really good too.
Staff
The staff was definitely one of the highlights of our stay. Everyone was so friendly, helpful and relaxed, so we felt really comfortable in their company. They always smile and is around 24/7 if you need anything.
WiFi
The WiFi worked well in our villa, both upstairs and downstairs. In the restaurants, it wasn’t as good, but that’s not really a problem for me since it’s not so nice to be on your phone all the time – especially when you’re on vacation.
Location
Kandolhu is located in beautiful Maldives and is surrounded by lush nature, white soft sand, crystal clear waters and a reef that’s full of colorful fishes and other sea animals. We got to see several “Doris” fishes, and even Nemo’s home, also known as an anemone. Unfortunately no sea turtles and bigger reef sharks, but other guests did.
It takes around 25 by seaplane from Male Airport to Kandolhu Island Resort.
Summary of my Kandolhu Review
Oh wow. Alex and I had such an amazing time at Kandolhu resort, and I can honestly say that this was our favorite resort that we’ve visited so far in the Maldives. The service was perfect, the food was delicious, and the villas were absolutely stunning. I liked the reef around the island and a great plus was that they had many good photo spots haha – something that’s important for us as photographers.
I don’t think I can recommend you enough to visit this resort. It’s just magical and gives you great value for your money. I’ll be back for sure!
Useful information about Kandolhu Island Resort
Flights and Hotel
What other guests say about Kandolhu on Tripadvisor:
Other guests who have stayed at Kandolhu is typically describing this Maldives resort as a “paradise island” and “heaven on earth”. They also mention the high level of luxury and service. Some reviewers who have stayed at several islands in the Maldives implies that this is the best of the best, and a perfect place to go on a honeymoon!
Do they offer Vegan food?
Yes, they do!
Difference between all inclusive and full board
Full Board
This option includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can choose any of the restaurants during their opening hours for their meals.
All Inclusive
This option includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and a wide range of drinks from soft drinks, cocktails, all spirits, selected bottled wines, all beers, juices, specialty coffees and teas, and house mineral water, minibar including alcoholic drinks. For their meals, guests can choose any of the restaurants during their opening hours for their meals.
Map of Kandolhu Resort
Down below you can see a map of where Kandolhu is located in the Maldives.
Hope you enjoyed this Kandolhu review! If you have any further questions about the resort, don’t hesitate to leave a comment with your questions!
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