Kandolhu Maldives

非常好，美麗的小島，肯定還會再去！

What can I say? I've waited 20 years (of marriage) to celebrate an anniversary in the Maldives and - after extensive research - we chose Kandolhu. I can't image a better place to be with your loved on. The island is small and intimate with way more dining options that you would think was viable on such a small island. We didn't have a bad meal and many of them were absolutely incredible - especially for an All Inclusive! As others have mentioned with wine fridge was fabulous and mini-bar had some lovely snack options. The staff absolutely make this resort, they are just so friendly - Elvira, Maan, Sharif and Zinadh in the restaurants as well as others who's names I have, sadly, forgotten were incredible also. I can't imagine an island that gives a better "maldives" experience than this one - book with confidence if you're thinking about visiting.

If you prefer smaller unpretentious resorts (but still luxurious!), where you are made part of the family, and enjoy scuba in tiny groups then consider Kandolhu, on North Ari atoll, run by a French & German speaking Swiss couple. The scuba (SSI) is run by an adorable German-Italian couple efficient and passionate about the underwater world!

Wow! Best holiday ever! Did nothing for 10 days except relax, snorkel and eat wonderful food. From being met at the jetty on arrival by the management team of Guillaume and Monika, to waving (and crying!!) goodbye it was a fantastic experience. Estela gave us such a warm welcome every morning and evening at The Market - she certainly enjoys some friendly banter. Elvira greets you by name every day and always has a happy smile on her face. Irushad looked after us and our villa extremely well whilst Zinahd was excellent serving our meals and looking after us on our sunset cruise. The guys in Banzai were great fun and the chef in the Sea Grill cooked wonderful Indian food. Kandolhu from the air looks like a heart and we definitely left ours there!

This was our first time in Maldives and it was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel so welcome and very well looked after. The staff quickly learn your names and preferences without being intrusive. Food was really good. Lots of choice, lots of fresh fish, good portions sizes - we were never hungry! Staff were very attentive, Special thanks to Elvira who looked after us really well in the restaurants, although all staff were so friendly and always asked how our day was going. The bar was excellent with an extensive cocktail list and if it wasn’t on the menu they’d make it for you. Really nice nibbles served every evening with our drinks, and if you went after dinner they’d bring cooling flannels which was fab. Managers Monika and G were highly visible and one or both was in the bar every evening. My husband particularly enjoyed finding out how such a small island operates and manages water and electricity! Housekeeping and turndown service we really good, they quickly got to know when you went for breakfast and dinner and your room was cleaned accordingly. It was a very unobtrusive service. We were visiting for a special birthday and on our last evening our bed was decorated and I received a card and cake. Such a lovely touch. The snorkelling was incredible, we saw an array of fish, rays, turtles and sharks. The guys at the water sports centre were really helpful. My husband wanted to wakeboard but the boat was awaiting a part. As soon as the part arrived on the island they quickly fixed the boat so that he could go out. The island is small and you definitely have that desert island feel. It was a truly magical experience, I can only assume that the reviewer below has visited a totally different island. We have travelled extensively and stayed in some world class hotels, Kandolhu is up there with the best.

Sad to say, this did not reach the levels expected ( and could be demanded at this price level) Plus points. The Beach villa is very good indeed, well appointed and generally well serviced. #110 is in a very good position on the small island with plenty of sand in front of it. Some villas are not so lucky and sand is washed out by the erosion. Food - The breakfast buffet never changes for the entire stay. Same cheeses, same meat, no salmon or smoked fish at all. Only the flavour of muffin varies. One day I wanted smoked salmon so I ordered the salmon bagel from the chilled section of the menu. The salmon was hot, clearly having been microwaved, and the bagel was so hard as to be inedible. How can this be allowed to leave a 5 star kitchen? The whole thing was left uneaten. No comment or apology received. Portions are really small. My wife had pasta one night and it was smaller than you would expect on a kiddies menu. I had sliders and there were 2 tiny things. 2 small bites and gone. Bar cocktails are good but despites the high cost no nuts or anything is served with them. This is expected in any 3 star hotel. When I asked for some nuts I was told that they would try to find some! We caught a fish on our fishing trip and asked for it to be grilled for the following day lunch. We sat for a full hour waiting with no service and no explanation or apology. We were on the point of leaving when it finally arrived. Tables remain uncleared for very long periods. Often at breakfast we sat with our empty plates in front of us for at least 45 minutes. Staff go past but don't do what would be expected. Champagne is available at breakfast which is something we enjoy. Say more often than not it sits on the bar for so long before it's brought to the table, that it finally arrives very warm and not pleasant. Great way to turn a positive into a negative. On more than one occasion I ordered a drink that never arrived having simply been forgotten. It is mentioned that they have 30 different wines on offer but only two mediocre by glass. Staff - A big thank you to Elvira and Estella who were really great and helped us forgive many issues. Otherwise service was at best random and often unprofessional. Nobody smiled and ever asked how is the holiday going. Diving centre staff were miserable all the time and when we returned the snorkelling gear again not one question if we enjoyed it or not. We were simply asked to repeat our room number. Special dinners - We were only notified of one such dinner in advance, which we attended and enjoyed. All other times we arrived for dinner to be asked if we were reserved for the special menu, to which we replied that we knew nothing about it. We were told that the information was available on the iPad in our room but we searched and could not find it (the information, not the iPad). Eventually I found it by chance under the "Island Pursuits" icon. Silly me was looking under "wine and dine" ! We returned from our fishing trip

This is short and sweet- I’ve been to the Maldives 9 times so far, and Kandolhu is truly a class apart. The only downside being the dive sites are often a little further than on some other islands, so you get back a bit later. If that’s not an issue, this island is absolutely fantastic.

We returned from this, our 5th trip to the Maldives and our first to Kandolhu a couple of weeks back. I’m lucky enough to live just a 4 hour flight from the Maldives, so I’m returning next week for another short trip, I just wish it was to Kandolhu !!! It is a testament to the island and its team that very many of the fellow guests that we spoke to were indeed multiple-time repeat visitors. We have a stayed at some high-end islands in the Maldives, but most have been “normal” in size, but Kandolhu is very small, and I can’t deny having some trepidation prior to our arrival. I shouldn’t have worried. In all respects, the island is exceptional. We stayed in a typical over water villa with pool, and aside from the slightly strange set up with the outdoor bathroom being “disconnected” from the bedroom which requires you to step outside to the loo during the night and which in my view could be improved with some minor construction - I’m no architect or builder though !!) we were very happy with it. The room was kept spotlessly clean, the room attendants very quickly learned when you went for breakfast and dinner so that your service was completed whilst you were out, and the choice of wines in the in-room wine cooler was beyond exceptional, and was kept well stocked. My earlier mentioned trepidation was partially due to the absence of a typical buffet option (understandable in a small island) but I would say that the food is the best I have had in the Maldives. The resort has 5 Al la carte options and all are outstanding. Our personal favourite was Bansai (Tappanyaki) the best Churros I’ve ever tasted at the lunchtime Mexican offering, to the numerous whole fish dishes at Sea Grill to the wonderful lunchtime pizzas at The Market, the food is to die for and the island should be incredibly proud of its amazing chefs. It should also be very proud of is amazing team of “servers” who know your name from day 1, quickly learn what your favourite wine is (mine was the Wither’s Hill - sorry if there’s none left !!!), what you like for breakfast, what your intolerances are and the like. The service is fantastic and incredibly personable. I’ve probably forgotten someone, so apologies, but call-outs to Nasru and Franck who “run” what I suppose you’d say is F&B “Front of House”, Elvira (a rock star) and Kris (who we understand is leaving - keep her at all costs !!), Maan, Sharif and Zinadh. Also shout outs to Finela and Gilbert in Vila Bar who make the best cocktails. Of course, great resorts need great leadership and what we loved (and in my experience is a much underrated aspect of typically hotel management) was the visibility and amiable nature of Guillarme and Monika who can be seen around the resort and in the bar having a drink with their guests, this enables you to raise any minor issues observations, concerns or requests with them personally. We chose the resort partly because I dive, and wanted to experience a new atoll, all r