Niva Kurumba Maldives

Niva Kurumba, formerly known as Kurumba Maldives, is the practical resort pick. Its own page describes the island as ten minutes by speedboat, which makes it one of the easiest resorts to reach from Velana International Airport. The circular island is ringed by a house reef and offers a range of rooms and villas, including Superior Rooms, Deluxe Bungalows, Beachfront Deluxe Bungalows, Garden Pool Villas, Beach Villas, Deluxe Pool Villas, Family Villas and a two-bedroom residence. Seven restaurants cover international buffet, grill house, Japanese teppanyaki, Middle Eastern, Indian and Thai dishes plus an all-day café, which is unusually varied for an island this size. Veli Spa handles treatments, and a PADI-certified dive centre runs dives and courses. It does not list overwater villas on its page, so treat it as a beach and garden resort rather than a water-villa stay. It suits families, couples on a budget, short stays and travellers who want an easy start or finish to a Maldives trip.

Location and getting around: Kurumba sits in the North Malé Atoll right beside the airport, which is its main advantage. A ten-minute speedboat means you can land, transfer and be on the beach quickly, and it makes the island a good choice for a first or last night. The island is compact and walkable, with paths linking the rooms to the restaurants, spa and dive centre, so you do not need transport on the island. Excursions to sandbanks, snorkel reefs and Malé are easy to arrange given the short distance.

The rooms: the resort offers a wide spread of rooms, from simple Superior Rooms to pool villas and a two-bedroom residence for families. Garden and beach options are common, so if you want an overwater villa you should look elsewhere, such as Gili Lankanfushi or Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Rooms are well suited to families who want space and a quick transfer rather than seclusion. Ask for a beach position if you want the sound of waves and the sunset.

Who it suits and what to know: Niva Kurumba is a good value choice, with seven restaurants making dining easy for fussy eaters. The house reef gives you snorkelling from the shore, and the PADI centre gives beginners a place to start. Because it is close to the airport, you may hear aircraft at times, so ask about room position if you are a light sleeper. Check the meal plan, as half board suits the many restaurants. The Expedia page for the hotel carries current rates and room options. Peak periods are the dry season from December and school holidays, and November can be cheaper with calmer seas arriving.