Kandolhu Maldives Resort

Leaving was hard. I cried watching the island grow smaller while the crew waved goodbye. We were there on our honeymoon, and the team surprised us with a romantic beach dinner from the hotel. It was magical, and this little island will stay close to our hearts. The place felt private, peaceful, and almost like a hidden paradise where we immediately felt at home. Right by the island we could see sharks, rays, turtles, and more. Everyone was warm and attentive, checking in and anticipating even small needs. The restaurant and spa teams deserve a special thank you. Their smiles felt genuine, and they made everything personal and memorable. We feel very lucky to have been there.

Our six days on the island were wonderful, and the house reef was one of the best parts. Snorkelling was incredible, the scenery was stunning, and the peaceful, romantic setting suited a couple. The staff were friendly everywhere, and restaurant employees remembered our names and room number. Nana was especially kind and helpful. They also arranged a speedboat from our previous resort and a late checkout for our 11 p.m. flight, which made things much easier. We enjoyed the food's range and quality, though breakfast had fewer choices than the other meals. One morning we were served raw pork sausages and a mouldy lemon. The lemon was concerning, since that seems easy to catch. Before our stay, we emailed and followed up asking for a more private beach villa but got no reply. At check-in we were given one directly opposite the water villas, with a clear view onto our balcony. There was a lot of foot and buggy traffic in the mornings, so we often kept the curtains closed and couldn't enjoy the view from our room. Even with those issues, it was a relaxing stay and we'd happily return for the lovely staff and scenery. Better attention to food safety and communication would make the resort even better.

The overwater villa had a gorgeous view and location, though the water below was so shallow that getting into the ocean there was uncomfortable. We found other parts of the island better for snorkeling. The island is small and secluded, with a house reef that has some dead sections but also spots you can snorkel. Its remote location takes a 25-30 minute seaplane ride and then a 5-7 minute speedboat trip, and means you don't hear planes, which made it peaceful. The main restaurant food was delicious. We thought the themed dinners and separate menus cost extra without being worth it, and preferred the regular menu. Some staff were outstanding and clearly tried hard. It was a lovely touch to have our villa cleaned and turned down during dinner. Two parts of the stay caused real disappointment. We paid $200 for a floating breakfast. It was ordinary restaurant food on a tray with flowers, which felt overpriced, though we accepted the cost as part of the experience. But once we were in the pool, we found there was no cutlery at all. We had to message reception and wait while the food got cold. At that price, missing forks and knives spoiled the moment. The return transfer was worse. Our trip home, with a connection, was about 14 hours, and our Malé flight left at 10:55 AM. We had specifically asked not to be booked on an early transfer so we could sleep. Still, the hotel put us on the earliest one, at 5:50 AM. We got up at 5:00 and were offered only sandwiches and coffee because the full breakfast wasn't ready. At reception, the rest of the group was taken to the seaplane, but we were told to wait until 6:00-6:10 for a different plane. At 6:00, we were told the seaplane company had delayed us because of overload, and that we'd now leave at 7:00 since ours was the latest international flight in the group. We returned to the villa. Nobody called by 7:10, so at 7:20 we went to reception and were told to wait another 20 minutes. We finally left around 8:30. We woke at 5 for no reason and spent nearly two hours waiting, which ruined the day. The hotel could have given us a later transfer so we could sleep, eat a full breakfast, and be rested for the long trip. The place is beautiful and has plenty of potential, but important details weren't handled with the care we expected at this price. We paid a significant amount and chose the Ultimate Inclusion package, yet left disappointed. Attention to detail and better organization matter at this level.

We can't wait to come back after this unforgettable Maldives stay. Our villa was dreamlike, the SPA was fantastic, and the service made it feel special. The food was top class, and the house reef was perfect for diving and snorkeling. A heartfelt thanks to Claudio & Luciana and the whole team for being so warm and professional. Everything felt perfect.