Kandooma Drops Holiday Inn Name as HPL Takes Over Management

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has become Kandooma Maldives under the management of HPL Hotels and Resorts, with an all-inclusive programme introduced from 1 October.

The change ends 17 years under the Holiday Inn name. The resort’s 1 October announcement confirms the new identity and describes changes to its family accommodation, dining and included activities.

The property has 146 villas in garden, beachfront and overwater settings. It is located in South Malé Atoll, with airport access by speedboat.

HPL Hotels and Resorts is the hospitality-management subsidiary of Singapore-listed Hotel Properties Limited. In its management announcement, the company identified Kandooma as the 13th hotel in its managed portfolio.

Family Villas and Facilities

The accommodation changes include eight Family Beach Pool Villas with private splash pools and separate sleeping space for children. Pools have also been added to two-bedroom Beach Houses, while two three-bedroom Pool Villas cater for larger groups.

The resort says Kandooma Café now operates around the clock. A new Beach Club was still described in the 1 October announcement as due for completion in the coming weeks.

HPL’s earlier statement said the resort would continue receiving guests while its enhancements were completed. The management change and rebranding have taken effect; the published announcements do not establish that every element of the improvement programme is finished.

What the All-Inclusive Programme Covers

The current all-inclusive terms apply to stays of at least four consecutive nights. They include breakfast, lunch and dinner at designated restaurants, snacks and drinks from the specified all-inclusive selection.

Activities listed in the plan include daily guided reef snorkelling, a sunset cruise and sunrise fishing. Adults receive a 30-minute spa treatment under the published conditions.

Selected experiences become available again for each additional block of four consecutive nights. Activities remain subject to weather, sea conditions, availability and operational requirements, with advance reservations required for water-sports and spa experiences.

The terms also state that speciality restaurants and premium menu items may attract supplements. The children’s stay-and-dining benefit applies under the resort’s separate Kids Stay and Eat Free conditions.

Diving Conditions and Airport Access

Certified divers staying at least four nights can use the Dive Free programme, which includes one guided single-tank dive per day, standard equipment, boat transfers and air or Nitrox.

The benefit is not transferable between guests and unused dives cannot be accumulated. Additional dives, night dives and selected more distant sites may carry charges. The resort limits guided groups to a maximum of six divers per instructor, subject to adjustments for experience, conditions and safety requirements.

Kandooma’s airport-transfer information puts the speedboat journey from Velana International Airport at approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Transfers are arranged around international flight arrivals and departures.

The published return shared-transfer charge is US$80 for adults aged 13 and above and US$40 for children aged four to 12. Children below four travel without a transfer charge under the listed policy.

HPL Hotels and Resorts’ Maldives management portfolio also includes Gili Lankanfushi. Its wider operations cover properties in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.