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What is Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
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Travel safe during COVID-19
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What you can expect during your stay
- All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
- Face masks required for staff in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
- Stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Staff required to regularly wash hands
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Updated 03/04/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
A note from Kandolhu Maldives
Updated 03/04/21 Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
About
#3 of 56 hotels in North Ari Atoll
Location
5.0
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
4.9
Value
4.7
2022 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best
The best kept secret in the Maldives - Kandolhu is tiny yet it encapsulates luxury and bespoke service presented in rich Maldivian hospitality. Ringed by a stunning house reef with thriving marine life complete with wide stretch of white sandy beaches, Kandolhu makes for an idyllic getaway. Five distinct villas are your choices for slumber. Inspired by contemporary Maldivian architecture, all villas are lavish and unique in its own way. They come adorned with world class furnishings complete with modern technology to offer you the perfect home for your stay with us. For the top Kandolhu experience, book an Ocean Pool Villa with its spacious living space, "glass box" bathroom and the promise of breathtaking views of the sun setting over the Indian Ocean. Embark on gourmet journeys at four fine restaurants. Create your own quintessential Maldivian experience on Kandolhu with the Ultimate Inclusions package. Dine at a restaurant of your choice as you enjoy over 30 globally accredited old and new world wines, tropical cocktails, and a spectrum of premium spirits that are just some of the perks included in this package. World class dive sites are within easy reach of Kandolhu, where amazing encounters of the deep is made easy. Snorkel in the house reef and meet resident turtles. Tour the island whilst paddling a kayak or a stand up paddleboard, and come evening engage in a fluo night snorkelling. Invigorate your mind, body and soul at Varu Spa, and uncover complete wellness. Select sensual therapies from our signature product line, Voya an organic product range made from hand harvested seaweed.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Hot tub
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Airport transportation
Spa
Wifi
Private pool
Pool / beach towels
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Snorkeling
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot massage
Full body massage
Head massage
Massage
Concierge
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun umbrellas
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Private beach
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Minibar
Flatscreen TV
Safe
Laptop safe
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Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Languages Spoken
French, German
Location
Full view
Contact
39 Orchid Magu, 09110
Getting there
Rental CarsSee all North Ari Atoll rental cars
1100Reviews153Q+A100Room tips
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This resort was recommended by our travel agent for my wife’s big birthday. It does take a while to get there and the wait for the sea plane when you’ve been travelling all night was frustrating. However, all that was forgotten on our arrival; we were greeted on the jetty by the management and the head chef. They were very friendly and welcoming and looked after us for our whole stay. We were taken to our beach villa which was fantastic and after 5 nights switched to a water villa. Views were simply stunning and you could relax on the decking or in the pool and watch turtles, rays, a variety of fish and the odd shark swim past. The house reef was superb and the amount of sea life was stunning; even better was the go pro camera provided which we made use of and swam every day. The 5 restaurants were excellent and if you wanted something different the staff would do their utmost to arrange this which meant it was done! We also went for the private dining on a jetty and although the weather tried hard to spoil the evening, due to the quality of the food and the service provided we had a memorable night. This was our first visit to the Maldives so you might ask how can we say it was so,good. The majority of fellow guests were either returning for a second or third visit or we’re on a dual resort holiday and everyone said Kandolhu was THE best. For us the staff made the holiday. Every day we were greeted by smiling happy staff who did their utmost to look after us every meal and would address us by our names. The managers would regularly check that we were happy and that their high standards were maintained (which they were!) It seemed that the company look after their staff which meant the staff were happy in their work and the island just seemed a happy place. There is a small gym which was well maintained, air conditioned and had machines and free weights. The only negative which the hotel couldn’t do anything about was the weather. It was unusually unsettled for beginning of May and the winds were strong which reduced visibility in the water and a strong swell but it didn’t stop us going in. This was a once in a lifetime holiday but we loved it so much we are looking to return next year, a little earlier in the year to get the better weather. A big thanks to the management and all the staff that made our holiday so memorable and enjoyable and we look forward to returning next year.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded 3 days ago
Dear 279Chrisc279, Greetings from Kandolhu Maldives, Thank you for choosing Kandolhu for your celebration, we are extremely happy to know that your expectations were met and you had a memorable experience on our little island. It was a great pleasure to have you staying with us. The personal recognition for our happy staff is wonderful to read as well and on behalf of the whole team, we hope to welcome you back shortly. Warm regards, Guillaume
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Hotel's Favorite
My wife and I just returned from 8 nights at Kandolhu. This was our second trip to the Maldives, but our first time staying at Kandolhu. Without question, Kandolhu far exceeded our expectations and truly blew us away. Everything about the island is world class, but with the intimacy and attention of a smaller, more private experience. The housekeeping, mini bar, front desk, spa, and most importantly - restaurant staff are truly phenomenal professionals. Each and every Kandolhu staff member contributed to our memorable experience from the moment we arrived. A very special group of people work at Kandolhu. The dining and beverage experience across all the restaurants is excellent. We opted for the all inclusive plan and found the choices to be diverse and of high-quality (even by "big city" standards). We didn't have a single "bad meal" while visiting. Our mini bar was well stocked and included top-shelf liquors. Our only regret was not trying the "bar snacks." The diving & snorkeling right off the island is incredible. The house reef is full of diverse marine life and made for a great morning/afternoon activity. Our room (water villa with pool) had - what I imagine is - one of the coolest hotel bathrooms in the world. There are a variety of relaxation/seating options within the room/deck. We spent most of our relaxation time out back on our villa deck. A week after leaving the island, we continue to glow when speaking about our experience. We look forward to returning to Kandolhu and recommending this property to others.…
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
4 Helpful votes
Helpful
I only started travelling to Maldives in 2020 and I’ve been very lucky to travel to lots of countries and stay in amazing hotels. I can honestly say after being here I cannot wait to be back next year it’s one of the best,. The staff, the food , the rooms, the gym, the beach and sea life. The only downside is I wish I could bring my dog as he would love it too. Here’s to 2023 and see you in Feb.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded May 8, 2022
Dear 652vikkis, Greetings from Kandolhu Maldives. Thank you very much for taking the time to write such nice words about your stay on our little island. I'm glad to read that you enjoyed every aspects of our services. We will be delighted yo welcoming you back next year. Kind regards, Guillaume
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+1
This was my bucket list holiday to celebrate my retirement. Kandolhu was chosen after many hours of research and I will say not only did it live up to my expectations, it surpassed every single aspect. The location, style, layout, cleanliness, staff presentation, knowledge, friendliness, room facilities, variety of restaurants, food quantity and quality all exceeded my hopes. Swimming with turtles, sharks and fish so numerous and in colours unimaginable was a blessing. Fantastic weather was a complete bonus. We stayed in a duplex pool villa for 3 nights followed by 4 in an over water pool villa. Both were impressive in their own ways. The personal touches from the welcome on arrival and farewell by management add to the overall experience. I could go on and on and on, but will wrap up by simply saying that if you find yourself in a position whereby you are searching for that luxurious paradise island, Kandolhu will not let you down. I dream of returning and look back over the hundreds of photos to brighten up my day.…
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded Apr 11, 2022
Dear Fillip95, Greetings from Kandolhu Maldives. Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable feedback with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay, our services, as well as our house reef. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Warm Regards,
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+1
The GM gave us a warm welcome at the arrival jetty on our arrival. In the beach villa was a card with a welcome note from the Team. This is a very good first impression for our first time at Kandolhu, which we’ve chosen for the good house reef. Lunch at the Marketplace was delicious Nasi Goreng and Bang Bang Prawns. After a rest, we went snorkelling to check out the reef and were not disappointed. We first came to the Maldives in 2014 when the corals were excellent. There has since been a lot of coral bleaching and it was great to see corals are steadily recovering. The water sports centre is good and the staff are friendly and helpful. Many thanks to Mr Saaif, Mr Adam and Mr Shaad. The condition of the well-used equipment is acceptable. There are kayaks, stand up paddle boards (SUP), windsurfing boards, a few sails, masts and booms and windsurfing harnesses. For wind powered water sports, the windy season is during the south west monsoon. The water sports centre also organise activities and tours posted outside the centre. These are also posted on Kandolhu’s website. On the second day, we booked a one hour SUP tour with Mr Saaif and familiarised ourselves with the surrounding sea. We also booked a Manta Ray spotting trip with him. Only one was spotted on the day. He did take us snorkelling at the edge of the atoll. The coral was in very good state. We saw a sting ray. My wife spotted an octopus. I’ve never got close to an octopus when snorkelling. We thank the boatman, Mr Didi, for the safe trip and for taking care of the boat when it is moored alongside the jetty. We went on the Sunset Cruise on the third day. The sea was calm and we witnessed a beautiful sunset. Thanks to Mr Shaad for looking after us. As the strength of the sea current varies between tides, some tidal information could be useful for snorkelers and water sports users. When we arrived at Kandolhu, it was neap tide transitioning to spring tide over a few days. We went on a late afternoon snorkel, 4:30pm, two days before we left and the conditions suddenly changed after a storm approached. We were both caught in the strengthening current and bigger waves but managed to swim back. If we had known the tide times we would have worked out the best time for snorkeling. One water sports staff member, Mr Shaad, watched from the service jetty and told me that the current had got stronger and weather was changing. The island is a well landscaped garden. Trees and shrubs provide shade and privacy around the villas. Landscaping staff start work early in the morning and, by breakfast time, paths and sandy areas were cleared of dead leaves. We had a few chats with restaurant staff. Mr Ziyad is very informative on the Maldives. We talked about sand erosion and sand movement during the two monsoon seasons, tuna fishing and life in the Maldives. Miss Elvira, is a bubbly person always smiling and a busy bee. Another is Mr Sinan, a veteran of Kandolhu. Kandolhu is a small island with a lot on offer. If you’d like a relaxed, stress-free and peaceful holiday, good food and good house reef then you won’t be disappointed. There are no jet skis, no live music and no TV. Of course, nothing is perfect. Kandolhu’s website shows that GoPros are available but there was none in the villa. When I asked for one a few days later I was told at reception there was none available. On my way to reception I saw a guest leaving with a GoPro. I presume that over the years the number of GoPros has dwindled due to wear and tear. My other expectation is the yacht “Ari Explorer”. It wasn’t there. It would have been great to go on a trip on this beautiful boat. Never mind, I still enjoyed the sunset cruise as the service was excellent and the sunset was beautiful. Overall, we had wonderful time. Kandolhu, thank you for the good memories.…
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Date of stay: March 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded Apr 11, 2022
Dear CharlieMie, Greetings from Kandolhu Maldives. Many thanks for this amazing review, the personal recognition of Elvira, Saaif, Didi, Shaad, Zihad and Sinaan is wonderful to read as well and your feedback has been gladly shared with the whole team. Thank you once again for the kind words, and we are looking forward to your next visit. Warm regards, Guillaume
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Where do i even begin! My husband and i discovered Kandolhu in 2015 during our first ever visit to Maldives and have been dying to go back ever since. We are intense researchers and after evaluating every hotel possible and reading endless Tripadvisor reviews for all places - we realised nothing can and will beat Kandolhu!! We have travelled all over to some of the most amazing luxury boutique hotels but there is something about Kandolhu that just keeps pulling us back. Be it their constant communication and support while planning the holiday or the experiences you witness from the minute you arrive at Male. This was our first holiday in 2 years and im so glad we chose to start with Kandolhu. Every person here is just exceptional. Be it Monika and G who were there throughout to ensure my hundred expectations and desires wrt excursions or diving were met with, or the ever so adorable staff at the restaurants and bars or the dive shop. Special thanks to Pato, Lesley, Adam and Shahad at Noovilu Sports for giving us some of the best experiences of diving and snorkeling with mantas and whale sharks or taking us to some of the most surreal dive sites. Would also love to mention Trishna, Elvira, Ayu, Maan, Yuyu, Gilbert, Abija who were always happy to serve us (sorry cant remember all the names) and take care of all our dining needs! Anna and Linda in Guest Relations were so helpful and were always checking to make sure we were having a great time.. Apart from the absolutely amazing staff, the place itself is so magical. The house reef surprisingly has gotten even better than it was 6 years ago and we swam with sting rays, turtles, octopus and a million fish. It is truly one of the best house reefs we have snorkelled at. Even the all inclusive meal plan at Kandolhu is one of the best we've come across with all items in a la carte (we hate buffets!) and an endless variety of wines and spirits and cocktails. I always love to explore new places and countries, but i can say for sure that Kandolhu will definitely be the one place we keep returning to.. Thank you again to the entire team at Kandolhu for making this our most magical holiday and an amazing start to our travel ventures post COVID. Cant wait to be back..…
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: Overwater ocean pool villa is the best to enjoy endless views of the ocean and watch sharks and...
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded Apr 11, 2022
Dear Chaitalidua0803, Greetings from Kandolhu Maldives, Thank you for taking a moment of your valuable time to write such a comprehensive and detailed review following your recent stay at our blissful Kandolhu. We are glad to read that our team provided an exceptional service during your stay and that you enjoyed the natural beauty of our little piece of paradise. We are always delighted to see personal recognition of our team members, your feedback was gladly shared with them. Thank you once again for your kind words and on behalf of the whole team, we hope to welcome you back shortly. Warm regards, Guillaume
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We had hoped to be back on Kandolhu in 2021 but of course all plans changed so we moved our trip to Feb 2022. The sea plane arrangements were all easy and felt safe. Our welcome on the island was fantastic, lovely to take off masks and not not worry for the next two weeks. We had a water villa which was beautiful. It faced west so we had some amazing sunsets, with a chilled wine from our fridge. One of our main reasons for going to the Maldives is for the snorkelling and Kandolhu reef is fantastic. We always saw turtles, a couple of rays and so many different kinds of fish. It was lovely to see the new growth in the coral, hopefully that will improve every year. We took one trip with the water centre to see manta rays - hard to describe how amazing this was. It was just the two of us and we snorkelled with 3 manta rays for over an hour. So close to us I was a bit nervous but they were friendly and non threatening. The food at Kandohlu is delicious and varied. We ate in most of the restaurants. The bar is a great place for pre-dinner G&T and for lunch too. The staff are fantastic here -without exception all so friendly and helpful. The island is lush and so well looked after by the team of gardeners. A wonderful two weeks in paradise - while we were there we already booked our trip for 2023. Thank you to all the team…
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Date of stay: February 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded Apr 15, 2022
Dear Nigelanne, Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable comments with us. We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful stay at Kandolhu for the second time and that you enjoyed the reef and the services. It was a pleasure to host you. Thank you once again for your kind words, we look forward to welcoming you back in few months. Kind regards, Guillaume
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This tiny island is pure paradise. If you are seeking an island escape with amazing food, fabulous staff, a pristine powder white beach, wonderful standard of accommodation and an incredible house reef, look no further. Whilst all staff were fantastic, would like to to highlight Linda, Anna and Ibby in particular. Heaven, we will be back
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Guillaume AUBLET, General Manager at Kandolhu Maldives
Responded Apr 15, 2022
Dear woodster23, Thank you very much for your review of our little piece of paradise. The personal recognition of of Linda, Anna & Ibby is wonderful to read and has been gladly shared with the whole team. Looking forward to welcoming you back soon. Kind regards, Guillaume
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+1
Our third visit to Kandolhu and despite the covid requirements for Dubai and the Maldives this trip did not disappoint. The resort is under new management but we received the same warm welcome as we have received previously. All our needs were accommodated for and a few extra nice touches were added. Covid safe measures meant we could relax & enjoy the food, wine and incredible beauty Kandolhu has to offer.
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
+1
This place is a once of a kind experience with a gorgeous house coral, cozy rooms, great gym & massages, 5 restaurants, paired with amazing hospitality. We spend 21 days here for our honeymoon and we still want to go back as soon as we get the chance. Monika was fabulous to work with in planning our trip, but the service was even better once you arrive on the island. It’s a small island so don’t go here if you’re looking for a ton of action, it’s best for couples who enjoy good food & want to spend the day together exploring all the coral or at your private pool. We learned to much from Jayson & the manager of the adventure/ excursion office. We went on a guided snorkel, sand bank excursion and saw so many friendly sharks. There’s a ton of places to stay in the Maldives, it can be overwhelming but everyone we met said this is THE place with overall best experience, and I have to agree.…
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Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$561 - $1,425 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
kandholhu island hotel north ari atoll, kandholhu island resort and spa
LOCATION
MaldivesAlifu AtollNorth Ari Atoll
NUMBER OF ROOMS
30
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Kandolhu Maldives
What are some of the property amenities at Kandolhu Maldives?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at Kandolhu Maldives?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Kandolhu Maldives?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Kandolhu Maldives?
Conveniently located restaurants include Jahaz, Jing, and Malamathi Restaurant & Bar.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Kandolhu Maldives?
Yes, guests have access to a fitness center and a private pool during their stay.
Does Kandolhu Maldives have airport transportation?
Yes, Kandolhu Maldives offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Are any cleaning services offered at Kandolhu Maldives?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Kandolhu Maldives?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including French and German.
Does Kandolhu Maldives have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.