An afternoon on Kandolhu Island Resort
In November 2016, one of our Marketing Executives visited Kandolhu for an afternoon tour of the island and a spot of lunch. This intimate paradise island is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is renowned for its vibrant house reef. Read on to learn the ins and outs of this beautiful Maldives Island.
Kandolhu Island Resort is one of the smaller islands in the Maldives, with just 30 rooms! It definitely has the paradise island feel, its quiet and tranquil and there’s hardly a person in sight apart from at breakfast, lunch and dinner in the restaurants.
Upon arrival guests will receive fruit plates and bed decoration. Honeymoon guests receive a beach dinner with half a bottle of wine.
The Island is very relaxed and most furnishings are imported from Europe, which projects a homely ambience. I especially loved the library area, which is the perfect place to just loose track of time, with a collection of books that have been left by visitors to the island.
Photo: arrival views
Luckily enough to squeeze in some snorkeling during the trip, which takes around an hour, Kandolhu has a colourful marine life and I was luckily enough to spot a sea turtle! During your stay you can choose from either a complimentary guided snorkel tour or a champagne sunset cruise!
The rooms are absolutely stunning, from the hideaway villas to the lush over water villas. During the tour I had a sneak peak into the Ocean Pool Villas, and as soon as you step onto the sun terrace to reveal the views, the pool and that bathroom, my breath was taken away. It’s very beautiful and has that WOW factor! If you’re staying at Kandolu Island on the all inclusive basis, your in-room wine chiller is included.
Photo: Ocean Pool Villa bathroom and bedroom with complimentary snorkel equipment and in each room
TIP: the best accommodation for sunset views is the Jacuzzi Beach Villa!
Non-motorized watersports are complimentary such as windsurfing, stand-up paddle boating, kayaks and bottom glass kayaks. The island also features a wide range of activities at an additional fee such as snorkeling desert islands, cruises, big game fishing and much more. Due to the capacity of the island, diving excursions are usually private.
Photo: Scuba diving jetty
I was luckily enough to enjoy some delicious food in Olive on the upper floor, the stunning panoramic views of the Ocean just adds to the culinary experience. The only restaurant which requires a reservation is the Teppenyaki, which can be easily done upon arrival to the island. Fresh seafood is imported just 15 minutes away from the island.
Contact us for a quote at Kandolhu Island Resort.
Discover Kandolhu Island Restaurants
The small and breath-taking island of Kandolhu boasts a variety of mouth-watering dining options ranging from 4 a la carte restaurants to both beach and in-villa dining, so you have plenty of choice when it comes to enjoying your meals.
One of the 4 restaurants situated on the island resort is The Market. This is a delightful all-day dining venue which offers a resplendent breakfast buffet and delicious a la carte lunches and dinners. Overlooking the glittering waters of the Indian Ocean, The Market dishes up delectable local and international favourites ranging from flavourful Panini and sandwiches to Italian pasta, Maldivian curry and good old fashioned fish and chips. For dessert why not tuck in to a slice of Arabica Cheese Cake or perhaps a Lagoon Banana Split, made with tropical fruit flavours such as mango, pineapple and coconut.
If you are partial to Mediterranean and Italian cuisine then make your way to Olive, a relaxed open-air restaurant which provides panoramic views of the sea. From pasta and risotto to mouth-watering meat and poultry dishes and the freshest fish and seafood, Olive’s menu is guaranteed to titillate your taste buds. After your meal treat yourself to a decadent helping of tiramisu or Cannelloni alla Siciliana for the perfect indulgent treat.
Searching for the ideal location for a romantic meal on the island? Grab a table at Sea Grill, which is situated right on the beach and opens as the golden Maldivian day transcends to a balmy star-lit night. As the name suggests, this eatery serves juicy cuts of meat and freshly caught seafood, all grilled to perfection. Be sure to leave room for White Chocolate and Olive Oil Mousse or an Exotic Fruit Compote with Brittany shortbread
The fourth and final restaurant on Kandolhu is Banzai, a Japanese restaurant specializing in succulent sushi and sashimi as well as seafood and meat expertly grilled on the teppan. Enjoy an exotic dinner surrounded by the velvety star-pricked darkness of the Maldivian night and finish off with a complimentary Matcha Dorayaki, a pancake stuffed with custard pumpkin paste and accompanied by a helping of vanilla ice cream and maple syrup.
In between meals, Kandolhu guests can sip exotic cocktails and refreshing fruit juices at Vilu Bar, a laid back venue where you can enjoy movie nights or live music while digging your toes into the soft sand floors and gaze out over the sea.
If there are times during your holiday when you feel too relaxed to leave your villa for a meal, in-villa dining is available between the hours of 07:30 and 23:00 – but for the ultimate private dining experience why not opt for a personalized meal on a secluded corner of the beach after discussing your ideal menu with the skilled chef.
If you are thinking of a holiday or honeymoon to Kandolhi Island or anywhere else in the Maldives, check out our selection of stunning resorts at PureDestinations.co.uk
Denise Van Outen hits Kandolhu Island
Television presenter Denise Van Outen enjoys a luxury holiday at Kandolhu Island!
Denise has made it apparent through her previous holidays that she has a taste for luxury holidays, having visited places such as New York, Dubai, Seychelles, Thailand and South Africa. With the heavy workload and schedules that Denise faces, she decided to treat herself to a well deserved break and jetted off for a Maldives luxury holiday. The star visited Maafushivaru Island before island hopping over to Kandolhu Island, having described the two islands as paradise.
Denise indulged herself in complete relaxation by opting for the Voya treatement through her stay at Kandolhu Island. The Voya experience primal focus is to leave you feeling rejuvenated, healthy and at bliss. With treatments such as:
- Pearl of the body sea treatment
- Organic warmed spiced mud wrap
- Detox herbal bag massage
Having tweeted to the Voya Spa ”It was amazing thank you” we believe it was a job well done.
However it was not all fun and games, Denise also took part in a photoshoot during her stay, featuring the glamorous Esmaya swimsuit.
