Maldives is the perfect location for travelers who want to experience luxury accommodations and see the finest beaches in the world. The small island in South Asia is on everyone’s bucket list, especially family travelers. For this reason, my family decided to check what the fuss is all about, and it’s safe to say that Maldives did not disappoint.
Maldives travel hub consists of exclusive tourist hotels and resorts. There’s an overwhelming amount of options, so we know that our overall experience in the country will all boil down to the resort, activities, and accommodations we’re going to choose for the kids, Mikko and Zoey. After conducting thorough research, I’m glad that my husband and I picked the best of them all: Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma. The resort is quite convenient to visit because it doesn’t require an additional flight from Male.
Accessible Location And Seamless Transportation
Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is an all-inclusive, family-friendly resort in Maldives. It can be accessed via speedboat from Velana International Airport for only 30-40 minutes. I can attest that the given time frame is accurate. We arrived at the airport at 8:00 PM. By 8:30 PM, we’re already at the resort! We were greeted warmly by the delightful staff at the resort’s arrival jetty, and then proceeded to the reception for a speedy check in where the property’s features were explained in detail while enjoying our welcome drink! We had our well-deserved rest after that seamless transportation medium and resort transfer.
Day 1 – Meeting Maldives
- Speed boat experience – the seamless transfer from the airport to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma only took us 30-40 minutes.
- Hotel check-in – we easily got acquainted with all the staff in the area upon arrival.
The Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma has several types of villas. Some are located on land, while others are over-water. The Overwater Villas are located on the opposite end of the island from the reception, in a very quiet area. The resort’s buggy service made it convenient to move from one end to the other with ease.
Day 2 – Trying New Food And Island Experiences
- On our second day, we were welcomed and accommodated by the guest manager, Bandula at Kandooma Cafe where we had our buffet breakfast.
- After breakfast, my husband and I let the kids try the best available activities for them at Kandoo Kids Club and the main beach near the hotel.
- We had dinner at Bokkura Coffee Club in front of the pool area and tried out Bokkura’s sumptuous cuisines. All of the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma’s food and beverage outlets are located in one area. Both a la carte and buffet options are available. The restaurants offered a large variety of food from all parts of the world. I found the dishes to be always changing and interesting throughout our week-long stay. The great-tasting food was very consistent.
Day 3 – Chilling At The Island
- On our 3rd day, we visited The Lounge Bar – the resort’s lounge bar offered us live entertainment and customized drinks. My husband and son also had a chance to visit their Kandooma Spa. This was unique, as it’s two different brands incorporated that usually aren’t found together. The spa is located in the center of the island and surrounded by greenery.
- We also went sightseeing at the Sunset Cruise – a long cruise ideal for family and couples. It let us witness the Maldivian horizon under the golden sun. What impressed us about the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma was the amount of activities offered. So many great activities and so little time! Our favorite of them all was the sunset cruise!
Authentic Food And Accommodating Services
From our 2nd to the last day in the resort, we’ve tried all the delicious things Maldives can offer. We had our buffet breakfast at Kandooma Cafe for four days. Each day at the buffet table gave us a perfect view of the Indian Ocean and Kandooma Café’s selection of global cuisines and tropical island fruits. The buffet is open from 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
For our lunch, dinner, we tried what Bokkura Coffee Club and Baraveli Bar have to offer. Aside from their excellent food, the two bars also offer some of the best cocktail drinks on the island. My husband and I, in particular, instantly felt a connection to Bokkura Coffee Club. On our first dinner there, we learned that the club’s singer and guitarist are Filipinos. Like us, they also have two kids; both are in the Philippines.
Day 4 – Trying Out Fun And Extreme Island Activities
- Mikko and my husband tested the gentle waters of the beach through jet skiing on our fourth day.
- In the evening, while having dinner at Kandooma Cafe, the staff of Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma surprised the guests with a cultural performance
Unforgettable Family-Friendly Island Activities
There are times when I had to stay with Zoey while Mikko and my husband enjoyed island activities like swimming and jet skiing, but all four of us had the opportunity to enjoy quality family time at the main beaches and the resort’s cruise activities.
Day 5 – Leaving Paradise
We visited the third and final beach on our last day. The third beach is near our hotel room, so we saved the best for last.
In total, we visited 3 beaches near our hotel—each has its own wonders. Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma has the best island activities and resting areas for families of all sizes and kids of all ages. We had a lovely stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma in Maldives and would recommend it for your next family holiday!
