Kandima Maldives

Set on its own private island a short flight and boat ride south of Male, the 266-room Kandima Resort Maldives offers an upscale yet relaxed stay suitable for families, couples, and groups of friends. It is not quite a boutique resort due to the high room count, but it’s easy for those wanting to get away from it all to find a secluded spot. The island is a long slip of white sand surrounded by turquoise waters on both sides and dotted by lush trees and plants. There are two miles of beach here, and the property is divided into two main areas: a smaller section home to the arrival jetty, the lobby, a couple of restaurants, and a pool with a bar, plus a larger section with an additional pool, all other restaurants, and the overwater villas. Studios grouped in small buildings and stand-alone villas connect both areas, and there is free shuttle service around the property 24/7.

The vibe here is mellow and relaxing, with some music around the pools, fitness activities in several spots throughout the grounds, and even an art studio with a resident artist. The dress code is beach casual during the day and smart casual for dinner and drinks. The property offers (quite literally) a toes-in-the-sand experience, with sand instead of proper floors in the lobby, and sand-and-wood paths throughout the grounds. Decor-wise, Kandima is cheerful and tropical, with lots of colorful seating in common spaces, an indoor-outdoor design throughout, and tons of plants that further blur the line between the gardens and the indoors.

Although the Kandima is a wonderful honeymoon retreat -- with private dinners on the sand, spa treatments for two, and villas with outdoor bathrooms outfitted with double hot tubs -- the resort also draws lots of families with a kids’ club, a small water park, family-friendly boat tours, and spacious rooms that can sleep up to eight adults and four children.

Travelers wanting a luxury all-inclusive experience should consider the highly regarded Constance Moofushi, which impresses from start to finish.

Kandima Maldives is located on a secluded private island in the southern Dhaalu Atoll, which is made up of a few dozen tiny islands, only a handful of which are inhabited. Although this may sound like a remote location, it is actually more easily accessible than some other resorts in the Maldives, as the atoll is served by regular domestic flights rather than just privately owned seaplanes. Still, the trip from Male Airport to Kandima Maldives requires a 30-minute flight, plus a 20-minute boat ride. Kandima staff greet guests at both airports, guiding them through immigration and/or the transit area. There can be long waits between the international flight and the domestic one. The airport transfer to/from Kandima Maldives must be arranged in advance with the hotel.

There’s nothing on the island aside from the resort, but transfers to nearby snorkeling and diving spots, as well as to other islands, can be arranged by front desk staff for a fee.

Kandima Resort Maldives features 266 studios and villas spread over a vast area that takes up roughly half of the island. Studios are arranged in groups in small two-story buildings set amid lush gardens, while villas are stand-alone units with ample decks opening directly to the sea. Decor is cute and cheerful in all, consisting of turquoise accent walls, polished wooden floors and furniture, contemporary pendant lamps, and neutral sofas decorated with red, yellow, and blue throw pillows featuring ocean-inspired patterns.

The resort offers several room types, ranging from entry-level, 593-square-foot Beach and Sky Studios with balconies or small patios to large Honeymoon Aqua Pool Villas, complete with spacious living spaces and private infinity pools. Six studios can be combined in one booking to create a Family Sky Studio with a shared lounge. Villas, of which there are seven types, are either on the beach or built on stilts in the water. They all feature either double hot tubs in the outdoor bathroom or private pools -- except Aqua Villas, which are overwater units with private decks offering direct access to the sea.

All units feature outdoor spaces with sea views and either swings or loungers, plus free Wi-Fi and large LED TVs. Minibars are stocked with drinks and snacks, and espresso machines are available in all rooms. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary. Studios have walk-in rainfall showers, while Beach Villas have large outdoor bathrooms with showers, soaking tubs, double hot tubs, and round daybeds. The rest of the Villa categories have huge bathrooms with glass walls overlooking the lagoon. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided in all room types.

Kandima Maldives offers an array of dining options, all serving well-reviewed fare in stylish indoor-outdoor spaces with sea views. The main restaurants are Flavour and Zest, both offering a varied buffet spread that includes live-cooking stations. Flavour is located by the main pool, while Zest is set on the southern tip of the island, closest to the overwater villas. Additionally, there are three a la carte eateries, including a Mediterranean restaurant serving lunch and dinner, a pan-Asian spot with tanks from which guests can choose their seafood (also open for lunch and dinner), and a grill with its own smoker and excellent meat cuts, including South African and Australian black angus, Wagyu beef, and seafood.

Breeze and Beach Club are the two pool bars, each located adjacent to a different pool and offering food and drink menus. DJs and happy hour specials keep things lively, but not loud or rowdy. Aroma is the resort’s coffeeshop, while Deli offers grab-and-go snacks, as well as sandwiches, salads, ice cream, and pastries.

Kandima Maldives offers an array of meal plans, from bed-and-breakfast to Platinum All-Inclusive. While it is convenient to have different options, most guests find the two-tier all-inclusive the way to go, as there are no restaurants or bars on the island aside from the ones owned by the resort, and meals not included are expensive.

Bed-and-Breakfast, Half Board, and Full Board Plus include only buffet meals and soft drinks. Snorkeling equipment, wine, beer, and liquor are extra. The Dine Around package is the most basic of the all-inclusive packages, and covers all buffet meals, plus three-course dinners at any of the three a la carte eateries, plus unlimited selected drinks and non-motorized water sports. Those wanting to forget about charging items to the room may want to get the Platinum All-Inclusive plan, which covers all buffet and a la carte meals, plus unlimited premium drinks; resort credit to be used in water sports, spa treatments, or excursions; minibar items (refilled daily); and even cigarettes and shishas from any of the on-site bars.

Meals from the resort’s two pool bars are not included in any meal plan. Guest may also want to know that there is a 10-percent service charge added to all items and services purchased in the resort. This is standard practice in the Maldives.

The hotel’s two-mile beach is beautiful and pristine, with turquoise waters and fine sand lined by palm trees and shrubs. While the beach runs the length of the resort on both sides, loungers and umbrellas are only available in a small section by the Beach Club pool, located on the southernmost tip of the island. However, guests are free to walk down the beach and find their own secluded spot.

Kandima Maldives has two pools, one on each side of the resort. Both have loungers, umbrellas, cabanas, and panoramic sea views, and food and drinks can be ordered from either of the pool bars (for an extra charge with all meal plans). DJs keep things lively but not rowdy, and the vibe is generally serene and relaxing around the pools.

EsKape Spa is a pleasant wellness center featuring several treatment rooms -- including some for couples -- a steam room, a plunge pool, and a nail and hair salon. Kids’ treatments are also available. The 24-hour gym is airy and well-equipped, and it offers a personal trainer, a quiet outdoor pool, and a studio with free, 30-minute yoga and cardio sessions. Additional fitness classes are available for a fee, including TRX, CrossFit, and aerial yoga. The resort also offers free use of a tennis court and a soccer field.

Non-motorized water sports are also available on-site, from snorkeling to diving and kayaking. Motorized water sports are available for a fee, as are glass-bottom boat tours, sunset cruises, dolphin-spotting and fishing trips, and private boat rentals.

The entertainment program includes a range of mellow daily activities, such as art classes with a resident local artist, live music, and beach volleyball. Children ages 4 to 12 get free access to Kandiland, the resort’s great kids’ club, complete with a colorful indoor area for arts, crafts and games, and a spacious patio with a small water park that has several water features and a pirate ship. Younger kids can use the facilities if they’re supervised by an adult, and babysitting services are provided on request for a fee.

The resort also features a full medical center on-site with a doctor, a nurse, and a dentist.