Kandolhu Maldives

Extraordinary experience, high quality services, wonderful resort team, fabulous gastronomy in all 5 restaurants, superb home reef with quality corals, numerous and various fish, sharks, rays, turtles in less than 50 meters from the beach, excellent diving center with very good team and equipment and dive sites (sharks, mantas, wreck, coral reef...). It was a wonderful experience on a magical little island surounded by a super clean beach and lagoon. We would love to come back again.

After searching online for a small resort with a great house reef, we found and booked an eight-day holiday in December directly with Kandolhu. With just 30 villas, it has the amenities of a larger resort (spa, gym, water activities and five restaurants) plus direct access to snorkelling from various points on the island. This is a place to relax in quiet barefoot luxury. Kandolhu has a peaceful and intimate magic about it, making you feel as though you have the island to yourself while being completely looked after. The seaplane transfer was seamless from our arrival at Terminal 1 at Velana Airport in Male with the accompaniment of Ishan and after a short boat ride we were warmly greeted at Kandolhu. Everyone was welcoming and clearly happy to give guests the best experience, from Landysh’s orientation to the resort and our water villa, to Jenny and Rennie at Varu Spa (the four-day relax massage series is a must), to Navide from Noovilu excursions whose youth belies his camera skills in the water (amazing videos from our swim with manta rays).  The variety of food on the island makes you feel like you’re in a much larger resort but without the crowds. All of the wait staff knew us by name and quickly picked up on our preferences. We felt very much at home and well cared for by Elvie — who made sure we got our favourite tropical fruits for breakfast — Shaamin, Ameen, Nana, Shifa, Sharif, Maan and all of the restaurant staff (too may to mention!). Kudos to the chefs with their inventive menus and well executed dishes and desserts, where we got to appreciate the delicacy of Maldivian food as well as every other cuisine. The housekeeping is impeccable and we looked forward to the sweet treats from the turn down service every day. The groundsmen make sure to sweep the leaves off the paths and keep the beach pristine after a storm, allowing us to walk around the island barefoot. It was also great to get an insight into the intricacies of running an island resort from managers Claudio and Luciana. The recently renovated deluxe ocean pool villas are large and well appointed, with a generously sized bathroom, his and hers sinks and a fantastic view from the bathtub. We appreciated having an eternity pool on the private deck of our deluxe ocean villa, the colours perfectly matching the turquoise and pale aqua of the reef waters beyond. The water villas face west, giving the best view of the endless ocean and spectacular sunsets. As a tip, it is fascinating to go out to the jetty at night after dinner to look at black tip reef sharks and other sea life in the water. There's also a resident grey heron that can be seen catching fish on the beach. All in all, we had the most wonderful and relaxing stay at Kandolhu, which encapsulated everything anyone could want from a beach holiday.

I wasn’t sure what I could say that hadn’t already been said by the other reviewers. We’ve been to the Maldives a number of times and been to some fabulous resorts. This was our first time on Kandolhu, and at Christmastime too, so no pressure. We were not disappointed, in fact we were surprised and delighted by this small piece of paradise and its wonderful hosts. The island is very small (tick), good house reef (tick), a variety of restaurants (tick), great mix of accommodation (tick). We had a duplex beach villa. Lots of space and the addition of a plunge pool - a lovely treat. The spa was very luxurious and treatments felt indulgent. Special thanks to Reni and Tshering our therapists on both our visits. We tried all of the five restaurants, some several times. Our favourites were Ata Roa for ceviche and tacos (shout out to talented young chef Astrid), Sea Grill and Banzai for teppanyaki (and chef Philip’s entertainment). Best evening was the gala dinner on Christmas Eve. The decoration, the food, the service and the whole organisation was just superb. Not to mention the lovely touches of Santa hats and gifts in our rooms. Special mention to Chef Justin and his pastry team for the incredible giant gingerbread house. And finally, the thing that sets Kandolhu apart - it’s incredible staff. From reception, to villa hosts, to watersports team, to bar staff and food and beverage staff - all take pride in their work and a genuine interest in guests. We couldn’t remember all of their names (although they all knew ours) but had to mention Nana, Skye and Ameen from Elvie’s restaurant team. Congratulations Luciana and Claudio for such a wonderful paradise. We hope to be back again in the future.

Our family of four from Singapore stayed at Kandolhu from 24 December 2025, and although this was our first visit, it certainly won’t be our last. We’ve been to the Maldives (previously staying at Soneva Gili, now Gili Lankanfushi, and Conrad Rangali), always choosing overwater villas, and all three resorts were beautiful in their own ways. The main reason we chose Kandolhu was for its renowned house reef, and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. This tiny private island is surrounded by spectacular reefs, and you can snorkel around the entire island in about 2 hours. We swam with friendly nurse sharks right under the jetty and spotted black and whitetip sharks all around the island. I’ll admit I was nervous at first, but they always swam away when humans approached. We had a stingray gliding beneath our villa, saw three majestic manta rays on an excursion, and even swam with a sea turtle on another outing. Truly magical moments. Because the island is so small, the staff quickly felt like friends. Their genuine warmth made our stay feel extra special. Shaamin introduced us to Maldivian chili (which I loved!) and even gave us one to bring home to grow. Ameen, who once watched Taylor Swift in Singapore, shared lovely stories of his journey through Malaysia and Singapore. The staff at the Sports Centre were incredibly helpful and proactive in arranging all our activities, from manta ray encounters to snorkeling excursions. A special mention goes to Nishan who took our family on a catamaran ride around the island. He was entertaining, engaging, and made the entire experience wonderfully fun. We truly had a fantastic time and appreciated the warm, enthusiastic service throughout. Although we didn’t manage to learn all the staff names, they knew each of us by name, and we felt so welcomed by everyone. Always greeted with smiles, always asked how our day was. Their sincerity is unforgettable. On our last day, we joined the cooking class led by a very friendly (and yes, handsome!) chef. It turned out to be such a highlight. All the guests bonded easily, chatting like old friends. Chef, if you ever read this, thank you for the wonderful Maldivian curry recipe; we’re already planning to recreate it at home! And a big thank you as well to the charming “assistant chef", actually a fellow guest, which made the class even more fun. The resort is run by a very hands-on German/Swiss couple, and their dedication shows in every corner of the island. They create a warm, homely atmosphere that explains why so many guests return year after year. We met people who had been coming back for 7 or 8 consecutive years and now we understand why. This unforgettable holiday wouldn’t have been the same without the wonderful team at Kandolhu. The stunning house reefs are reason enough to visit, but it is the people who truly make the experience complete. Thank you to everyone at Kandolhu for giving our family such a fantastic holiday.

An unforgettable Maldives experience. Excellent service, a dreamlike villa, and a fantastic SPA made our stay truly special.The food was top class, and the house reef is perfect for diving and snorkeling. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing hosts Claudio & Luciana and the entire team for their warmth and professionalism. Everything was simply perfect … we can’t wait to return ☀️ 🌴✨

After reading plenty of reviews about Kandolhu and working ourselves in the tourism industry, our expectations were high - and Kandolhu more than delivered on all fronts! If you are looking for a wonderfully intimate, relaxed, unpretentious hideaway paradise with a truly one-of-a-kind service – your search has come to an end. Accommodation: Our Beach Villa was spacious, well-equipped, beautifully designed and thanks to our amazing Housekeeper Adam in absolute perfect condition. We greatly enjoyed our outdoor shower and stunning beach access from our terrasse. Food & Beverage: Having 5 restaurant options on such a small island already says it all - outstanding. The culinary experience under the amazing Executive Chef Justin was a real treat. It is hard to come up with a ranking for all the fantastic meals we had the pleasure of enjoying. Astrid, the chef in the Peruvian Mexican fusion lunch restaurant treated us to great Tacos and Ceviche. The themed dinners (Indian Night, Seafood Night) as well our Teppanyaki evening left us with no open wishes and the Wine Tasting Dinner was showcasing Executive Chef Justin's skill set that would easily fit in any high-end dining setting. However, apart from all the culinary delights, the restaurant and bar personnel were the true stars of the show. Our special thanks go to Ameen, Maan, Nana and Anjelita who lived personalized service culture to the highest extend. Snorkeling & House Reef: In two word: Absolutely Stunning. This has been a key criterion on all of our trips to the Maldives and the Kandolhu House Reef is without any doubt one of the best on the Maldives. Black and White Tip Reef Sharks, Grey Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Eels, huge schools of Jackfish, the list is endless. The Dive Center Team under the lead of Chiara and Mike was equally as impressive as the fantastic house reef. They organized amazing Manta excursions for us (one that was memorable on all fronts 😊) and our special thanks go to Shaad who introduced us to the world of free diving and whose free diving talent, dedication and enthusiasm was truly inspiring and contagious. Our greatest respect go to the Management couple Luciana and Claudio. You created something that is very hard to replicate: an atmosphere of true personnel relationships between guests and staff. When the holiday is over and you depart from Kandolhu, you will surely miss the beautiful island, the amazing food, the stunning reef, but what you will miss the most is the staff that you truly connected with. That is an accomplishment that not many places worldwide are able to achieve and the secret ingredient why we, amongst so many other regular Kandolhu guests, want to be back again and again. Thank you! Martin & Angela

We’ve been coming to Kandolhu for quite a few years now and we don’t know anywhere else that can top it. If you’re coming to the Maldives, you’re coming for the soft white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water and spectacular underwater life. Kandolhu has all of those in spades, and it has a special magic that no photos can convey. Add to that the top class accommodation, an excellent range of dining experiences and a superb spa, and you’ve got just about anything you might want. It is a small island with just 30 villas, so the tranquility and sense of privacy are palpable - especially if you’re lucky enough to have booked a beach pool villa, where you basically have a beach to yourself. But the greatest thing of all on Kandolhu is that it feels like home, albeit a spotless, luxurious home where you don’t have to lift a finger. The staff are truly exceptional and will make your stay special and memorable. They get the combination of high levels of service and human warmth just right, making for a gentle, friendly environment where you feel genuinely looked after. Kandolhu is the perfect mix of barefoot luxury without the swagger and brands. If like us you’re looking for calm and relaxation in beautiful surroundings, this is the place for you. There is some serious competition on the island for the most infectious smile, but from an in-depth survey of two, we agree that Elvie, Naveen and Justin are the deserving winners. Thank you to all of you who made our stay so special: there are far too many of you to name, but you know who you are :-). A special mention nonetheless for Samad, who kept our villa positively gleaming each day, and Raghu who constantly pandered to our predilection for Sri Lankan food. See you next year!

The stay was simply fantastic. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The beach villa perfectly suited our needs. The beach dinner for my birthday was wonderful. If we return to the Maldives, it's definitely Kandolhu again! Der Aufenthalt war einfach grossartig. Sehr freundliches und herzliches Personal. Die Beach Villa hat unseren Bedürfnissen bestens entsprochen. Das Beach Dinnerzu meinem Geburtstag war wunderschön. Wenn wieder Maledieven, nur Kandolhu!!

It was a perfect stay in every sense, and we are deeply grateful for the care and professionalism everyone showed us. We would like to extend our special appreciation to • Landysh, great and highly professional host • the Market Restaurant Team, specially to highly competent Elvy and her colleagues Nana and Ameen, • the Mexican Specialties team, with skilfull Astrid in charge at the Ata Roa Beach Restaurant • then the Vilu Bar team, with Angelita, Sudharma and Naveen who posess outstanding interpersonal skills • and last but not least to Les Hartung the F&B Manager, sharp and a true host personality Thank you for your outstanding kindness and professionalism! We met the charming managers Luciana Codiferro and Claudio Stupan on our last day, because they were on holiday during our stay, so you might think "When the cat's away, the mice will play", but not on this island! A5 Star Hotel in Paradise!

From the moment we landed at Malé airport, the Kandolhu experience began. We were warmly greeted by hotel staff who assisted us with our seaplane check-in and escorted us to the private lounge at the seaplane terminal. After long travels, the snacks, drinks, and welcome shower were a refreshing start to what would become the most unforgettable 10 nights of barefoot luxury. The seaplane touched down at a neighboring island, followed by a scenic 20-minute speedboat ride to Kandolhu. We were welcome d on the boat by friendly staff, cold towels and some chilled water. Management and staff greeted us personally on arrival at the Kandolhu jetty and we were immediately escorted to our Duplex Pool Villa, our home for the first five nights. The villa was stunning—private, beautifully designed, and complete with a lovely pool. The minibar and wine fridge were standout features that added a touch of indulgence. For the final five nights, we moved to an Ocean Pool Villa. All we can say is: WOW. The bathroom alone is a masterpiece—luxurious, spacious, and offering a 180-degree view of the turquoise waters. It was like living in a dream. And what more can you ask to just go down a few steps, and you are snorkelling on the amazing housereef. Lets touch on the housereef. This was one of the main reasons I chose Kandolhu, and we were not dissapointed. The variety of fish is incredibale. The reef itself with such a colourful variety of both soft and hard corals are a feast on the eye. Top that off, by seeing eagle ray, stingray, turtle, reefshark, nurseshark, eels and so much more. This was by far the best reef I have had the privilge to snorkel on. Dining at Kandolhu is a culinary journey. Breakfast at The Market includes a small buffet and a delightful à la carte menu. For lunch, we alternated between The Market and Ata Roa, where Mexican-inspired tacos and ceviche stole the show. A special mention must go to Astrid, the chef at Ata Roa. Her warmth, creativity, and genuine hospitality made every meal memorable. On our last day, she surprised us with a dish from her personal recipe—an absolute treat. Dinner options included The Market, Sea Grill, Olive, and Banzai. While the Japanese experience at Banzai was exciting and a lot of fun, we found the flavors at the other restaurants more to our taste. Olive was a standout, especially the Tuna with Truffle and Saffron Jus.....a flavor bomb and our favorite dish of the trip. Sea Grill offered the freshest seafood, prepared to perfection. What truly elevated our experience was the exceptional staff. From the moemnet you arrive, the staff no your firts names, which makes the experience so personal. Besides Astrid, we were looked after by Elvie and Ameen, who remembered not only our names but also our preferences from the second meal onward and always had thoughtful recommendations. By the end of our holiday they were not staff anymore, they were our friends. Maan crafted exquisite cocktails, and Nasru shared his passion for wine—definitely a future sommelier! A heartfelt thank you to Claude, the GM, and his wife (whose name sadly escapes me), as well as Les, the Food & Beverage Manager. Their presence, warmth, and attention to detail made us feel like part of the Kandolhu family. This was my seventh resort in the Maldives, and without a doubt, Kandolhu is number one. I never thought I’d return to the same resort twice—but Kandolhu may have changed my mind. It’s not just a resort; it’s an experience of a lifetime. 10 nights of barefoot, feet-in-the-sand, 7-star luxury. Thank you, Kandolhu. We’ll be back.

This was our second time staying, the last time was 9 years ago. We were pleased that nothing had changed, it remains as beautiful as ever. We stayed in water villa 211 which is the one on the end, which is great ti access the snorkelling channel to the reef. The weather was unfortunately not kind and was very windy & rainy for the majority of our time there, so i would avoid October in future. The staff are definitely who make this place special from the grounds men working to constantly keep the paths & walkways free of leaves, to Elvie, Maan, Iffam and all the team at the restaurants who are always happy & smiling and offer great service. The cocktails are also amazing and such a great selection. The star of the show for us would be chief Raghu who made some special spicy curry’s for my partner who enjoys his curry’s hot & they were the best! The seafood grill was our favourite place to eat, definitely a must for those who love fish. We also ate at the Teppanyaki which was very entertaining. I had the best message I’ve ever had from Jenny at the Spa. I also made use of the gym during the rainy weather, so it’s great to have that facility. The main purpose for our visit was the snorkelling and although it was a bit rough, we did still manage to get out most days, and the final two days when the weather was good, it was the best snorkelling ever, seeing turtles, sharks, tuna, eels, as so many fish. My partner also went to a local reef diving, with Ibrahim, who was great, he did say snorkelling at the house reef was just as good as the house reef is excellent.

My husband and I spent 10 nights at Kandolhu in January for our honeymoon, and it was absolutely incredible from start to finish. We split our stay between a beach villa and a water villa, and both were equally amazing in their own ways. The beach villa felt private and peaceful, with our own stretch of sand and the most beautiful sunsets, while the water villa was a dream - spacious, romantic, and perfect for a dip straight into the sea. The house reef was another real highlight. We went snorkelling almost every day and were blown away by how much there was to see - turtles, colourful fish, and so much vibrant marine life right off the beach. My husband also went scuba diving one day, which he really enjoyed, but honestly, you can see so much just snorkeling that you don’t even need to go far to experience the reef’s beauty. We chose Kandolhu because it’s small and boutique, with only around 30 villas, and that intimate feel made it so special. You really do feel like you’re on your own private island. The staff were wonderful - they get to know you by name and are so warm, welcoming, and attentive in a way that feels so personal. A special mention to Ameen, who always made us laugh and brightened every meal when he was our waiter, and to Astrid, whose food and company were absolute highlights of our trip. She went above and beyond to make every lunch special, and we adored chatting with her - we eat there every day if we could, she’s an incredible chef! We’d return to Kandolhu in a heartbeat. It’s the perfect mix of luxury, privacy, and genuine hospitality. For anyone looking for a truly romantic and unforgettable Maldives experience, we couldn’t recommend it more highly! We hope to be back!

Wow what a fantastic Island! We stayed for 14 nights in a Duplex villa in September and from the moment we pulled up to the welcome jetty to the most warmest welcome from Lucy, Claudio and several staff members to the day we left we were made to feel very special and treated with the utmost care. It seemed all staff knew out name from the first day! Our villa was perfect - the view from the bedroom of the ocean was amazing, waking up to that every morning was a dream. Sunsets were spectacular. The room had everything you needed the fridge and wine fridge were replaced daily with whatever you used. A fantastic wine selection which i must admit we didn't really use - it was too hot to drink through the day! Our room attendant was brilliant - the room was cleaned exceptionally well every day. The island was perfect for chilling and relaxing, hubby used the gym every day which was well maintained, i made use of the Spa! Jenny was amazing and i was totally relaxed after my 5 day tranquil package. The island was very well maintained - the staff behind the scenes worked hard at keeping it immaculate. Even though it is a small Island you never felt like there were many people there - Although there were only about 11 guests when we first arrived Lol! the snorkelling and house reef were amazing, we go for the relaxing and snorkelling and it did not disappoint. We saw Black, and white tip sharks every time we snorkelled - they were a lot larger than we had seen at Vilamendhoo previous years. Eagle rays, turtles, so many different fish - i'm not into the names but my husband was very impressed. The highlight of our trip was snorkelling for 2 hours with Manta rays - thank you Shaad for helping to fulfil my wish. First time in our 4 visits to the Maldives we have had such a special and magical experience! We spent an afternoon helping do a reef clean with the staff which made us feel like we were helping the environment. Now the restaurants - the food and service were out of this world - i don't think i could name a favourite they were all exceptional. I could go on and on, we will definitely be returning. Special mention to all the restaurant waiting staff - Elvie, Ameen, Shameen, Maan and Sharif. They made us feel so welcome and nothing seemed to be too much trouble, we miss you all ! The chefs looked after my husband well - making him a special lactose free dessert every night, many thanks ! Lucy and Claudio - thank you to you and all your amazing staff for making our stay so memorable it was the perfect place to chill, relax and heal. We hope to see you again!!

I had an absolutely wonderful stay at Kandolhu Maldives. The sunset view room was an unforgettable experience ,waking up and winding down to those breathtaking views felt truly magical. The pool was fantastic as well, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. What really made the stay special, though, was the staff.Everyone was extremely friendly, attentive, and accommodating, going out of their way to take care of even the smallest requests promptly and with a smile. Kandolhu is a perfect mix of comfort, natural beauty, and exceptional service. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable Maldivian getaway.

From my first day of arrival, the Kandolhu team treated me like family. Everyone on the island greets you with a smile and are never too busy to chat and genuinely interested in my stay. The room was extremely luxurious and had all amenities required for the duration of the stay. Housekeeping turn down was always on point and once again, extremely friendly staff, The restaurants and their dining selection was 6 stars, and I always had options to my dining needs. The menus, buffet labeling were clear and marked accordingly and show cased all dietary requirements on the menu options. Bar and restaurant staff were extremely helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate my mealtime experience. I highly recommend Kandolhu to any traveler and is truly a hidden gem. The "hardware" is truly magnificent, however, the "software" (staff), makes Kandolhu tick

Gorgeous, peaceful setting with an excellent house reef (recommend the night snorkel tour), spacious, luxurious villas are scrupulously clean and comfortable (wonderful sunsets from the overwater villas), five restaurants delivering a wide range of high quality food with an inclusive package providing a good selection of easy drinking wines and spirits; marvellous massages at the spa, good range of activities on offer (manta ray trip was a highlight); all underpinned by friendly, thoughtful staff who go the extra mile to make your trip special. Lots of renovation done since our first visit three years ago and Kandolhu was even better this time.

Beyond my expectations. The Kandolhu team made me feel like home. Excellent infrastructures, services, food. Thank you all. It was my third time in Maldives and as a solo traveler I have to say I didn't get bored a minute. The house reef is healthy and vivid , the restaurants have excellent choices for all tastes and even me that I have to be gluten free never felt I had limited choices. The villa was very well equipped with everything you might need. The size of the island makes you feel almost like you are on a private one. Big resorts and crowds are not for me. If you are searching for the best in a serene place with nothing to annoy you and everything to please you, just choose it. You will be rewarded with the rest and renewal of your life. I have to refer only some of the team members that were excellent and helped me to have such a wonderful time. So many many thanks to: Luciana and Claudio that take care the so smooth run of everything. Cornelia from the diving center for making me so safe during our dives. Navide for the snorkeling and his videos Elvira for her supreme service at the restaurants accompanied by Ameen, Zameeh, Saamim. And of course Landysh and Sameena from customer relations and reception. Already miss everything there. See you the sooner possible.

A little paradise! The island is small and full of nature, with beautiful trees, and the sea is crystal clear. The house reef is amazing with colorful fish just a few meters from the beach. It’s very peaceful and private, perfect for relaxing. The food was another big surprise. Even if the island is small, there are different restaurants, and every meal was delicious and different. A special mention goes to fresh seafood that were fantastic, and the view of the ocean made every dinner special. Also, we really appreciated the gym, small but well-equipped and always clean, perfect for a quick workout before breakfast. What makes everything even better is the management: always present, kind, and very professional. The whole team is smiling, helpful, and always ready to make your stay perfect. You really feel welcome and well taken care of. This was my first time in the Maldives, and Kandolhu made it unforgettable. I will gladly recommend this beautiful, peaceful, and well-managed island to all my friends looking for a perfect honeymoon or vacation.

This place truly is something special, and I can understand why people keep coming back (we met a couple, who were there for the 16th time). It’s a beautiful tiny and totally unspoiled island, surrounded by an incredible house-reef. Despite the Island being very small, they have 5 restaurants, which is pretty unique I think and all the food we had was great. What we loved the most, was the way Kandolhu is a full blown luxury nothing-is-missing-5-star-experience - but in a very laid back, relaxed, almost homely way. And then the peace and stillness. Watching the sunset from the pool in our over water villa was one for the books. As was watching the ‘shark after party’ from the jetty at night time. Lastly I wanna complement the staff, who were all so kind, attentive and beautiful souls, and it seemed to us, that they where very happy with their work and life at the resort. Also had a nice conversation with Claudio and Luciana, who runs the place - thank you for having us and making it such a memorable stay.

We had the immense joy of celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary at Kandolhu Maldives, and it truly exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, we were embraced by the peaceful beauty of the island and the genuine warmth of the entire team. Every detail—from the perfectly prepared villa to the thoughtful surprises that made our anniversary so special—reflected the care and dedication that make Kandolhu such a unique and magical place. What impressed us the most was the exceptional service: always attentive, never intrusive, and delivered with such kindness that we felt genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout our stay. Kandolhu is not just a stunning destination; it’s an experience of serenity, beauty, and heartfelt hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. We are deeply grateful to the whole team for making this celebration unforgettable and cannot wait to return to this little corner of paradise.

Kandolhu Maldives was pure perfection. From the serene atmosphere to the incredible food and vibrant reef, everything felt effortless. The staff were warm, attentive, and made the whole experience feel personal — I couldn’t have asked for more. The tranquil atmosphere paired with truly world-class food was beyond anything I expected.Honestly the meals alone were worth the trip. 😁 And snorkeling… I wasn’t even keen at first. But with a little encouragement from the amazing water sports team, that completely changed. Swimming with turtles and exploring the reef right off the beach turned me into a full-on snorkeling fan. 🐢🐠

We have just returned from a wonderful 11 nights in paradise. This isn’t the holiday for you if you are looking for 24/7 activities and entertainment but if you are looking for pure relaxation, amazing hospitality, stunning snorkelling and great food then I couldn’t recommend Kandolhu more highly. Yes, some areas of the villas need some TLC but as mentioned in a number of reviews this is due to take place in the next couple of months and we certainly came across nothing more than general wear and tear. Our villa was kept immaculately clean - as were the public areas - and if you needed anything you simply had to ask. The staff were all amazing and helped make the holiday but we would particularly call out Elvira, Ameen, Maan and Shering (the best massages I have ever had!). The food was varied, tasty and with more restaurants to choose from than you would expect for a resort of this size. A big thank you to chef for the amazing prawn and coconut curry he made for us one evening after I had commented how much I liked coconut! My only slight niggle was on the departure arrangements. Our flight was late at night which meant we had around 5 hours at the airport. On our day of departure we were told that we could have booked the Kandolhu lounge at the sea plane terminal - but as this required 24 hours notice it was not possible to do so and instead we had to pay for the use of an airport lounge. It would be really helpful to make guests aware of this option with plenty of notice please. We are looking forward to coming back. We very rarely visit the same place twice but will definitely be making an exception for Kandolhu 🥰🥰

We have visited the Maldives several times , but for us the peace and tranquility of this small island was the best.On an island like this nothing else is required. The service one of the island’s outstanding features .From Gobbson our room boy to the restaurant staff all were outstanding. Our particular favourites were Elvira , Ameen and Maan. As for Raghu the chef,as well as his cooking skills he was the most delightful and modest person. The cocktails were the best we’ve had in the Maldives. The barman from northern India was so interesting to talk to.( so sorry I can’t recall your name) I recently read a review written by someone from The Czech Republic , it seemed she must have been to a different island!!!! I recently read