Kandooma Maldives relaunches as independent, experience-led all-inclusive island resort

On 1 October 2026 Kandooma Maldives began operating under its new independent brand after 17 years as Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. The relaunch keeps the island's existing character and team while introducing a product refresh and a reimagined all-inclusive package designed for families.

The resort added family-focused villa options and private pools to several room types. New inventory includes eight Family Beach Pool Villas that provide direct beach access, private splash pools and dedicated children's sleeping areas. Pools were also added to the two-bedroom Beach Houses, and two three-bedroom Pool Villas are now available to accommodate larger and multi-generational families.

Kandooma's all-inclusive offering applies to qualifying stays of four nights or more and extends beyond food and drink. Included experiences rotate every four nights and currently feature a sunset splash cruise, sunrise fishing, a 30-minute spa treatment and guided reef snorkelling. Certified divers can use the Dive Free programme, which provides one complimentary guided dive per day along with standard dive equipment, boat transfers and air/Nitrox fills.

Andrew Drumm, Kandooma's general manager, framed the approach: "For us, all-inclusive was never going to be simply a meal plan. We wanted it to change the way guests experience the island. A family shouldn't spend its holiday constantly deciding what something costs or whether to add another experience." He added that the new chapter allows the resort to make common Maldives experiences part of the standard stay.

The relaunch groups the resort's offerings into five themed areas intended to make choices straightforward for guests:

• Kandooma Blue: Water-based activities including diving, guided reef snorkelling, fishing and cruises. The island hosts a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre with access to about 28 nearby dive sites.

• Kandooma Social: Evening programming such as live music, campfires and group games to create shared moments after sunset.
• Kandooma Ways: Cultural and educational activities including local island visits, nature walks and sustainability-focused experiences aimed at giving younger guests insight into Maldivian life.

Family facilities and kids' programming

The relaunch positions Kandooma Maldives as an island that packages common Maldives activities into the stay, reducing ad-hoc decision-making and additional spend for families. The combination of new family accommodation, activity inclusions for four-night-plus stays and clearly themed guest experiences is intended to make multi-day family holidays easier and more activity-rich without managing a long list of add-ons.