Kandooma Maldives trekt Europese vakantiebezoekers met betaalbare luxe

De charme en allure van villa's boven het water En strandhuizen Op slechts een steenworp afstand van het witte zandstrand is Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives favoriet Europeanen for several years, but it is the resort’s positioning as ‘affordable luxury’ which continues to inspire and drive an upward trajectory in arrivals.

Het omarmen van het concept van één eiland, één resort, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Malediven ligt op een korte speedbootrit van 40 minuten van de internationale luchthaven van Velana, waardoor het gemakkelijk toegankelijk is voor toeristen die hun vakantie graag willen beginnen zodra ze op het asfalt landen.

Despite the short distance to the South Male Atoll, guests feel like they are in a world of their own. Heralded as the Maldives Best Family Resort and Best Dive Resort last year, the island features its own exclusive surf wave known as ‘Kandooma Right’, and is on the doorstep to some of the destination’s most acclaimed dive spots offering access to life beneath the surface teeming with colour and activity from sharks, mantas, sea turtles and much more.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is een aangename verrassing voor de gasten, legt Mark Eletr, General Manager, uit.

“Many of our guests comment about how beautiful our island is and how surprised they are when they see the combination of quality service and facilities we have. The price point definitely plays a part in creating that sense of value. Some resorts in the Maldives can be thousands of dollars per night, whereas we are a few hundred dollars. That’s quite a difference if you consider a week-long holiday.”

Holiday Inn as a brand has been built over many years and is a highly regarded brand serving the mid-market and Mark explains that the resort isn’t aiming to compete with the ultra-luxury properties, it has its own niche.

“In the Maldives, our property punches well above its weight and offers value for money in what is known the world over as an exotic, luxury destination. One of the products which is growing in popularity is our ‘All-inclusive’ stays,” adds Mark.

The ‘All-inclusive’ stays include three meals a day and also a drinks package featuring cocktails, well-known branded spirits, beer and wine.

“The drinks package is one of the best value offerings in the Maldives. We have opted for quality beverage brands rather than lesser-known ones that some competitors use. It does mean our margins are tighter but our guests keep coming back and we see that as a win!’ says Mark.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has built a reputation for the friendliness of the staff many of whom are Maldivian. The resort takes great pride in having a dedicated PADI Dive Centre with dive boats, a surf school, the lush Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, Kandoo Kids’ Club with fun water zone and six food and beverage outlets.

Wuivende kokospalmen en witte zandstranden ontmoeten het kristalheldere turquoise water dat het decor vormt voor een breed scala aan recreatieve activiteiten. Of de gast nu graag een rustige wandeling rond het eiland maakt of de adrenaline van een jetski-excursie wil voelen, er is voor elk wat wils.

Don’t be fooled by the ‘affordable luxury’ billing, Kandooma Maldives competes with the big boys when it comes to accommodation. As an all-villa resort with beach and garden villas as well as two-storey beach houses and the ever-popular Overwater Villas, the different styles of accommodation suit different guest profiles from couples to families. Last year the resort added a three-bedroom pool villa which has proven to be the diamond in the Kandooma crown, welcoming larger families and groups of friends to the island.

More recently, guests have shown interest in the Resort’s efforts in the Sustainability space. Mark shares that the resort doubled its renewable energy in 2023, continues valuable work on reef conservation, and implementing more novel ways to reduce waste. He is particularly proud of the resort’s efforts trialling a new hydroponic vege garden as part of Kandooma Farm.

“We’re not just talking about it, we’re actively trialling ideas and collaborating with others. Some ideas work while others need more development. I think it is about encouraging activity and rewiring how we think about sustainability that is important.”

Visitors from the UK and Europe are sitting within the Top 10 markets for the IHG property and it’s growing says Mark.

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