Kandooma is one of the more approachable resorts in the South Malé Atoll, and it makes a good first private-island stay for travellers who want a proper Maldives setting without paying for a boutique hideaway. The resort occupies its own island, Kandooma Fushi, with a private beach and a long run of white sand that is only a few minutes' walk from most rooms. It is a 4.5-class resort with 154 individually furnished rooms, spread across standard rooms, one- to three-bedroom Beach Houses and villas, and overwater villas, with garden, beach, sea and ocean outlooks. That range is the main attraction: couples can take an overwater villa, while a family of five can book a multi-bedroom house and still stay together. Food and drink are handled by three on-site restaurants covering breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with international menus, plus a poolside bar and a lagoon bar for sunset drinks. Breakfast buffet is usually part of the rate, and all-inclusive plans are available with some restrictions, which helps families who prefer to fix the cost in advance. The pool area is generous: an outdoor pool, a separate children's pool, a water slide and plenty of loungers. Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala offers massage, reflexology and hot stone treatments, and there is a gym with fitness and yoga classes.
Location and getting there
The resort sits in the South Malé Atoll, which is the gentle end of resort-island geography because it is reached from Velana airport by boat rather than a long domestic flight. Transfers are normally an extra cost, and the rate depends on the method, so look at what your booking includes.
A round-trip airport shuttle is typically sold per person, and some packages bundle a seaplane, a speedboat or a domestic flight plus speedboat. Confirm your arrival time against the transfer timetable when you book, because late flights may need a night in Malé or Hulhumalé before you continue.
The rooms
The standard rooms are the entry point and suit couples who plan to spend their days on the beach or in the water. Beach Houses and villas, from one to three bedrooms, are the better answer for families and groups, with space to spread out and, in many cases, direct access to the sand.
Overwater villas give you the lagoon-view deck for a special occasion. Rooms are air conditioned and come with free wifi, and infant beds are provided at no charge. Look carefully at the room description before you book, because garden-view and sea-view rooms are priced very differently and sit in different parts of the island.
Things to do
The resort is built around easy activity. Guests can swim, paddle, windsurf, fish, play volleyball and table tennis, or take the children to the water park, with the water slide included for guests. Supervised childcare is available for a fee, which gives parents a few unhurried hours at the spa or the bar. The house reef and any diving or excursions are worth asking about on arrival, since conditions and availability change with the season and the tides.
Who it suits and what to know: Kandooma works best for families, groups of friends and couples who value variety and a lively but not overcrowded island. It is not a silent retreat, and in school holidays the pool area is busy. The calmer seas of the dry season, from roughly December to April, are the most popular and the best booked months, so reserve early. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a rash vest and a hat, and check when you book which meal plan and transfer options your rate includes.
Why stay here
- ✓154 rooms, houses and overwater villas
- ✓Three restaurants and a lagoon bar
- ✓Outdoor pool and children's pool
- ✓Water slide
- ✓COMO Shambhala spa
- ✓Gym with yoga classes
- ✓Windsurfing and water sports
- ✓Supervised childcare for a fee
Good questions
Where is Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma?+
It is on its own island, Kandooma Fushi, in the South Malé Atoll, reached from the airport by boat. Transfers are charged separately, so check the cost and timetable when you book.
Is it a good choice for families?+
Yes. It has a children's pool, a water slide, infant beds, supervised childcare for a fee and one- to three-bedroom houses and villas that keep a family together.
Can I book all-inclusive?+
All-inclusive rates are available with some restrictions, and breakfast is often included in standard rates. Check what your rate covers before you book.
