Today (1st October) marks a new chapter for Kandooma Maldives, one of the South Malé Atoll’s best-known island resorts as it officially begins life under its new brand. For the past 17 years, travellers have known the island as Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives. From today, the resort steps forward simply as Kandooma Maldives – refreshed, all-inclusive and with an experience-led approach designed to make family holidays easier, richer and considerably more fun.

It is less a reinvention than an opportunity for Kandooma to be fully itself. The same easy-going island character, familiar faces and warm Maldivian welcome remain. At the same time, a significant product refresh introduces new accommodation, new villa configurations and private pools to more of the resort’s family accommodation.

Eight new Family Beach Pool Villas combine direct beach access with private splash pools and dedicated children’s sleeping spaces. Pools have also been added to Kandooma’s two-bedroom Beach Houses, while two spacious three-bedroom Pool Villas offer another option for larger and multi-generational families.

At the centre of the new Kandooma is a simple proposition: an experience-led Maldivian island where the family holiday is taken care of, leaving everyone free to discover, experience and celebrate.

All-inclusive, beyond the meal plan

Kandooma Maldives is now all-inclusive, but its interpretation goes well beyond breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.

For qualifying stays of 4 nights or more, experiences such as a sunset splash cruise, sunrise fishing, a 30-minute spa treatment and guided reef snorkelling form part of the holiday. Certified divers can also take advantage of Kandooma’s Dive Free programme, with one complimentary guided dive per day, including standard dive equipment, boat transfers, and air/Nitrox fills.

Longer stays unlock additional experiences and benefits, with selected inclusions resetting every four nights.

Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives, said: “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. We want them out on the water, trying something new, sitting down together over dinner, slowing down at the spa or discovering a little more about the Maldives.

“Kandooma has always had an incredible energy and personality. This new chapter gives us the freedom to put that at the centre of everything we do. We’ve taken many of the experiences people come to the Maldives hoping to have and made them part of the Kandooma holiday from the outset. That’s what experience-led all-inclusive means to us.”

One island. Five ways to experience it.

Bringing the new brand to life are the five Kandooma Signatures, designed to make it easy for guests to discover different sides of the island throughout their stay.

Kandooma Blue – Days spent on, in and under the water

The ocean is Kandooma’s playground. Diving, guided reef snorkelling, fishing and cruises connect guests with the waters of the South Malé Atoll, while the resort’s established PADI 5-Star Dive Centre provides access to some 28 nearby dive sites. Certified divers staying four nights or longer can make the most of Dive Free with one complimentary guided dive each day.

Kandooma Table – Every meal, now part of the holiday

Food becomes part of the experience rather than simply somewhere to stop between activities. Alongside all-inclusive dining are beach barbecues, sunset dinners, themed island nights and informal social dining. Kandooma Café now operates around the clock, while the new Beach Club provides an all-day social hub that transitions from relaxed daytime hangout to cocktails after dark.

Kandooma Flow – Slow the day down

A counterpoint to Kandooma’s more active side, Flow brings together Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, yoga, pilates, sound healing and time to simply stop. Every qualifying four-night stay includes a choice of a 30-minute back, neck and shoulder massage OR 30-minute foot massage as part of the all-inclusive experience.

Kandooma Social – Evenings worth staying up for

As the sun goes down, Kandooma becomes somewhere to gather. Sunset sessions, live music, campfire nights, group games and island events create an easy social rhythm where families, couples and friends can spend time together, or meet someone new.

Kandooma Ways – A closer look at island life

The Maldives is more than a beautiful backdrop. Local island and Malé visits, nature walks, sustainability initiatives, Maldivian culture and hands-on learning give guests, particularly younger travellers, opportunities to understand more about the people, environment and traditions of the destination.

Made for families

Family remains firmly at the heart of Kandooma. Kids Stay and Eat Free continues under the new all-inclusive concept, while Kandoo Kids’ Club welcomes children aged four to 12 from 8AM until 8PM daily with supervised activities, arts and crafts, gaming, a splash zone and waterslide.

Young adventurers can also take their first underwater breaths through PADI Bubblemaker from age eight or learn to ride their first waves through children’s surf lessons with Kandooma’s surf partner, Perfect Wave.

Elsewhere on the island, the new Beach Club (due to be completed in the coming weeks) creates a natural gathering place for families and teenagers, while the resort’s 24-hour dining means early starts, late arrivals and sudden holiday appetites don’t need to follow a timetable.

“Families don’t necessarily want to do everything together all day,” added Drummond. “A great family resort gives everyone room to have their own holiday and then creates the moments that bring them back together. That’s very much the Kandooma we have built.”

Located 35 kilometres south of Velana International Airport and approximately 45 minutes by speedboat, Kandooma Maldives features 146 villas across garden, beachfront and overwater settings.

And while the name above the door has changed, much of what guests have loved about the island has not. The team remains. The warmth remains. The ocean is exactly where it was. The next chapter is simply Kandooma. Discover. Experience. Celebrate. Visit: www.kandooma-maldives.com.

Following last year’s successful collaboration with acclaimed Chinese performance artist Liu Bolin, Maison Ruinart, the world’s first established Champagne house, and The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, a Two Michelin Key Resort, open a new creative chapter with an exclusive residency by French artist Alexandre Benjamin Navet.

Officially launching from December 18 to 23, 2026, in the presence of the artist, the residency will then continue across the resort for the following four months, through April 2027, with installations, experiences and artistic workshops available to guests throughout the period.

The dialogue between Maison Ruinart and Alexandre Benjamin Navet began in 2021, when he became the first artist commissioned to reinterpret Ruinart’s eco-designed Second Skin packaging. He later went on to illustrate Maison’s environmental commitments through a series of bespoke drawings.

At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, guests will be invited into Alexandre Benjamin Navet’s vibrant universe, where art, Champagne and island life come together beneath the Maldivian sun. Inspired by tropical flora and fauna organic forms and the colors of the destination, his bold and playful installations will unfold across the island, culminating in a complete artistic transformation of the Beach Shack, the resort’s elegant beachfront restaurant.

“My inspiration draws on the intensity of the light, the power of the elements, the richness of the marine world, but also the fragility of this ecosystem. Through drawing and colour, I wanted to offer a sensitive interpretation of it, to reveal its beauty, and to present this territory in a different way — with the underlying idea of preserving it more carefully,” said Alexandre Benjamin Navet.

The residency will come to life through intimate encounters with the artist, creative workshops for both adults and younger guests, two gastronomic Ruinart pairing dinners, and curated Champagne tastings. At sunset, Ruinart Champagne will accompany the resort’s Defining Moment, as traditional bodu beru rhythms and a flaming ceremony mark the transition from day to evening against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

Alexandre Benjamin Navet’s creative vision will also extend into the festive season, with the artist designing the resort’s 2026 Christmas tree, ornaments and an exclusive collection of festive gifts. On December 22, the island will come alive for a magical Tree Lighting celebration in the presence of the artist and Maison Ruinart.

“We are delighted to welcome Maison Ruinart back to our island home for another inspiring artistic and gastronomic collaboration. This new chapter with Alexandre Benjamin Navet brings a vibrant creative energy to our island as part of A Canvas of Festive Wonder, our 2026–2027 festive season. We look forward to seeing his colourful universe come to life, creating memorable moments of art, celebration, and connection for our guests,” said Oscar Postma, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands.

From French savoir-faire to the Circle of Island Life, art, travel and celebration come together in a luminous end-of-year experience, marking a brilliant close to the year and an inspired opening to the festive season.

This festive season, The Standard, Maldives invites guests to leave ordinary behind and step into The Festive Isle, a playful candy-inspired wonderland filled with indulgent dining experiences, island adventures, family- friendly activities, vibrant entertainment and unforgettable celebrations. Running from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, the festive programme transforms the island resort into a sweet escape where every day offers something delightfully unexpected.

Inspired by the joy, imagination and nostalgia of a colourful candy land, this year’s festive theme blends the carefree spirit of childhood wonder with The Standard’s signature playful approach to hospitality. From beachfront feasts and festive cocktails to wellness experiences, interactive workshops, cultural activities and captivating performances, guests can look forward to more than two weeks of immersive celebrations in the heart of the Maldives.

The festivities commence on 20 December with the enchanting Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring live entertainment, festive treats and family-friendly activities, setting the stage for a season filled with memorable moments. Throughout the programme, guests can enjoy signature experiences including the lively Not Your Standard Pool Party, authentic Maldivian BBQ Experience, premium seafood showcases, wine and whisky events, festive brunches and beachfront celebrations under the stars.

A particular highlight of the festive programme takes place on 24 December, when guests are invited to celebrate Christmas Eve through a series of immersive dining and entertainment experiences. The evening begins with a festive sunset gathering on the beach featuring seasonal cocktails, live DJ entertainment, bubble shows, stilt walkers, face painting and family-friendly activities. Guests can then choose from a variety of distinctive dining experiences, including Tastes of Island Heritage at Guduguda, showcasing traditional Maldivian flavours; Fire & Festive Indulgence at BBQ Shak, an open-flame culinary showcase; a Mediterranean sharing feast at Onda; and Surf & Turf, highlighting premium meats and fresh seafood. The festivities culminate with the energetic X’mas Eve Toast, where DJs, LED performances and fire shows transform the shoreline into a vibrant beachfront celebration beneath the stars.

On 25 December, Christmas Day begins with the much-anticipated Santa’s Island Arrival, as Santa swaps snow for sunshine and arrives on the shores of Huruvalhi. Families can enjoy festive photo opportunities, children’s games, giveaways, live performances and face painting before gathering for the Sunny Huruvalhi Brunch, featuring holiday favourites and seasonal specialties. As evening falls, guests can indulge in the refined Land & Sea Feast, an elegant beachfront dining experience showcasing premium cuts and the freshest seafood. The celebrations continue into the night with the powerful rhythms of traditional Boduberu drumming, followed by spectacular fire performances and cultural entertainment that capture the spirit and heritage of the Maldives.

At the heart of the festive programme is an extraordinary culinary journey curated across the resort’s restaurants and dining venues. Throughout the season, guests can savour authentic Maldivian delicacies, Mediterranean-inspired feasts, premium seafood experiences, wine-pairing dinners, live-fire cooking showcases and immersive ocean-to-table concepts. Highlights include Coastal Feast, Waves & Wine, Sea & Sparkles, Fresh Catch Experience and a variety of specialty dinners celebrating lobster, crab, oysters, foie gras and the finest local ingredients.

“Festive dining is about more than exceptional food, it’s about creating memorable moments that bring people together,” said Nandakumar Dharuman, Director of Culinary at The Standard, Maldives. “For this year’s programme, our team has designed experiences that celebrate both the flavours of the Maldives and beloved festive traditions from around the world. From authentic island-inspired feasts and elevated beachfront dining to interactive culinary experiences and festive workshops, every menu has been crafted to inspire discovery, connection and celebration.”

The celebrations reach their grand finale on 31 December with a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration inspired by this year’s theme, Candy Land. Throughout the evening, guests can choose from a collection of specially curated dining experiences, including Feast of Island Harvest at Guduguda, showcasing local flavours and seafood; A Mediterranean Affair at Onda; and Embers & Coastal Indulgence at BBQ Shak, featuring a five-course open-fire culinary journey by the ocean. At the centre of the festivities is the imaginative Candy Land Culinary Journey, where colourful experiences, playful surprises and culinary creativity bring the festive theme to life. As midnight approaches, guests gather for The Countdown Party, featuring live DJ performances, dazzling LED entertainment, fire shows and a spectacular fireworks display over the Indian Ocean, creating an unforgettable welcome to 2027. This year, Thailand-based artist DJ Kessaé Kimmi, known for her magnetic stage presence and electrifying sets, will take over the island with her signature sound, delivering vibrant beats, immersive visuals and dance-floor euphoria that will keep the energy high until sunrise.

Beyond the festive celebrations, guests can enjoy the resort’s signature experiences, including snorkelling and diving adventures, watersports, marine encounters, wellness journeys at The Standard Spa and opportunities to discover the natural beauty of the Maldives.

“At The Standard, Maldives, we believe the festive season should be joyful, unexpected and filled with meaningful moments,” said Justin Swart, General Manager of the resort. “The Festive Isle reflects our playful spirit while embracing the warmth of the holidays, bringing together exceptional dining, immersive entertainment and unforgettable island experiences. Whether guests join us for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or an extended festive escape, we look forward to welcoming them for a celebration that is truly anything but standard.”

The Festive Isle programme will take place from 20 December 2026 to 7 January 2027 at The Standard, Maldives. Reservations for festive dining experiences and special events are highly recommended. For reservations and enquiries, please contact the resort’s reservations team at mv.reservations@standardhotels.com or click here to visit the official website.