Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma

Overview

Accommodation

Our Opinion

A smart, well-equipped resort that knows its audience — families looking for convenience and value. It doesn't try to recreate the traditional Maldivian island feel of older, more established resorts, and there's no house reef to step off from the beach. But the pricing is fair, the transfer from Male is short, and it works well as a practical, fuss-free option for a shorter break, particularly if you've got kids in tow.

Summary

Set on a lagoon-facing island in South Malé Atoll, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is a modern, tropical escape reached by a 40-minute speedboat transfer from Male International Airport. From the moment you step ashore, the resort invites you into island life — with exceptional diving and surfing right on your doorstep.

The beach villas are stylish and well-appointed, featuring outdoor showers and iPod docking stations for that extra touch of comfort. Over at the Bokkuraa Coffee Club you can grab a coffee and wood-fired pizza beside the infinity pool, or settle in with a book overlooking the lagoon. The Kandooma Spa offers Thai massage and beauty treatments, and the Spa Suite's private garden with plunge pool makes for a wonderfully romantic afternoon.

For those looking to explore, catamaran sailing trips take you around the region's sandbanks, and sunset cruises offer a more relaxed pace with alcohol-free cocktails in hand. Just five minutes by boat, you'll find excellent diving and snorkelling among colourful reef fish.

Younger guests are well looked after with face-painting and fun games in the Kids' Club, while adults can enjoy a game of tennis, a session in the gym, or simply a cocktail by the water.

Evenings are best spent on the deck at The Kitchen restaurant, where Maldivian seafood feasts are served against a backdrop of stunning sunsets.