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COMO Cocoa Island’s transformative renovation highlights award-winning reputation
The Maldives is made up of a string of tiny islands – perfect dots of white in the turquoise waters. Each island is no more than a few kilometres across, most far smaller. Other summits sit just below the surface, creating smudges of milky indigo. Occasionally, frothy surf gathers on an island’s windward flank, highlighting coral reefs.
In December 2002, the Maldivian shores were greeted by COMO Hotels and Resorts as they opened their first private island resort, COMO Cocoa Island, which brought COMO’s vision of privacy and stylish beach living to life.
Locally known as Makunfushi and just a 40-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, COMO Cocoa Island is located among South Male’s coral atolls in the opposite direction to the majority of resorts. The area is undisturbed and quieter, away from the humdrums and business of the city life.
The resort looks out towards calm, cerulean waters. The island is long and narrow – about 350 metres long – with sand snaking out into a perfect spot that disappears in the evening tide. The natural landscape has not been disturbed, and there are a variety of palms, wild sea grapes and hibiscus flourishing on land. The house reef, which encircles the resort, delineates a gin-clear lagoon that is rich and abundant in marine life, including rays and baby sharks.
In 2019, the resort underwent a major transformative renovation as part of COMO Cocoa Island’s ongoing commitment to an award-winning reputation.
Under the careful eye of Singapore-based Lekker Architects, the resort was reimagined: adding private pools to both the One-Bedroom Water Villas and COMO Water Villas, creating a new airy Pilates studio, adding a two-floor gym and yoga centre, and completely redesigning the interior of every villa.
Each of these 34 villas sit offshore on the southern side of Cocoa, overhanging the gorgeous blue lagoon. They are reached by planked overwater walkways – a mini adventure in itself. Structures combine New Zealand pine with Kajan thatched roofs and natural materials are carried through to the interiors, with high raftered ceilings and glossy teak flooring.
The inside/outside space merges on the horizon-side, with vast floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening up to a substantial deck for taking a refreshing dip or snorkelling in the waters. These same decks provide complete privacy for lounging in the sun, or a place for quiet, al fresco dining under the stars.
The island’s serenity is reflected in the clean-lined, airy interiors combining clean whites and shades of blue – more Hamptons beach hut than the usual rough-rustic aesthetic favoured by other Maldivian hotels.
The Dhoni Water Villas are split-level, with steps that lead into the lagoon. The bathroom is large with a double-ended tub backed by a mirrored wall, providing that much needed space for a long relaxing bath after a day filled with adventure.
The Dhoni Loft Water Villas, which stretch to 110sqm, are distinguished by bedrooms on a mezzanine level beneath the rafters (with an en-suite bathroom). This ensures commanding views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the ocean light softened by sheer white drapes.
Loft Water Villas are similar in style to the Dhoni Loft Water Villas, though each has an outdoor shower with steps directly into the sea. These water villas are perfect for honeymooners or for sharing with loved ones.
The four One-Bedroom Water Villas with Pool are located at the ends of walkways on the sunrise side, ideal for sunrise-lovers. Their interior style is similarly chic – whites, teaks and contemporary hand-finished furniture inspired by the colonial traditions of southern India. But they boast a larger living area, with bathrooms that open into private shower areas with the sea visible below.
The brand-new Cocoa Water Villa with Pool – the only one of its kind at the resort – is spacious, with a 10-metre swimming pool that provides soul-stirring views of the sunset, as well as a roomy gym and private study.
Finally, the two COMO Water Villas – Sunset and Sunrise – are both excellent for friends or families holidaying together. Each has two bedrooms and four decks overhanging the lagoon, as well as a private jetty, private pool and direct lagoon access. They are also distinguished by personalised butler services.
As with all COMO Hotels and Resorts, cuisine is considered a crucial element of the guest experience. The restaurant is called Ufaa, meaning “Happy” in Maldivian language, Dhivehi. The Cheong-designed, foot-in-the-sand space flanks the resort’s infinity-edged pool, in natural wood and Kajan thatch. Ufaa serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives has invited guests to celebrate Songkran this April across its resorts in the Maldives, marking the Thai New Year through a series of experiences inspired by the brand’s Thai heritage.
The hotel group said the celebrations would reflect Thai culture and hospitality while adapting traditional Songkran elements to island settings in the Maldives. Across its resorts, the festival is being presented through activities centred on renewal, togetherness and shared experiences.
At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the celebration is set to take place in a family-focused setting. The resort said guests could take part in water activities, beach games and poolside gatherings, followed by a Songkran carnival by the sea. Evening dining experiences will feature Thai flavours in a setting designed for families and groups.
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, part of The Centara Collection, the programme will include a beachfront parade and traditional Thai games. The resort said evening events would continue with a Thai-inspired dining experience, cultural performances and entertainment. Activities for younger guests will also be included as part of the celebrations.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, which caters to adults, is also marking Songkran with its own programme. The resort said guests could expect beachside activities, evening dining experiences and entertainment shaped around the festival’s themes of joy and togetherness.
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives said the Songkran celebrations across its properties are intended to give guests an opportunity to experience Thai-inspired traditions in the Maldives while creating shared holiday experiences during the festival period.
Easter at Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa brought together gastronomy and family-focused activities, with Michelin-starred chef Christian Sturm-Willms joining the resort for a culinary residency.
Chef Sturm-Willms, head chef of Michelin-starred restaurant YUNICO in Bonn, is known for a style that combines Japanese technique with Mediterranean and contemporary European influences. He has led the restaurant since 2012, and YUNICO has retained its Michelin star since 2016.
During the week, the chef presented his cuisine through a series of events at the resort. A sunset cocktail on the beach welcomed Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, where guests were introduced to his work through a selection of signature canapés. The main culinary event took place at Tabemasu, where Chef Sturm-Willms partnered with the resort’s executive chef, Muthuraman Subramaniam, for a five-course four-hands dinner.
The menu included dishes such as yellowfin tuna yukke and grilled scallop with avocado cream and mastudo aioli, as well as beef tenderloin served with nut butter foam. Each course was paired with wine. The menu also featured Chef Muthu’s agedashi tofu soup with yuzu kosho sorbet, while dessert was a muscovado kombu tart, described as a signature YUNICO dish.
The Easter programme continued on Easter Sunday with a buffet, a chef’s corner and a live cooking station.
Alongside the culinary events, the resort also organised a week of family activities based on a farm theme. At the Family Kids Hub, children took part in arts and crafts, cooking classes, scavenger hunts, sand golf, kids’ night camping and an Easter egg hunt, along with a visit from the Easter Bunny.
The collaboration also included sessions for the resort’s staff. Chef Sturm-Willms and his sous chef, Jannik Schrack, held a session with the culinary team on their work and the standards involved in achieving Michelin recognition. Melanie Hetzel, food and beverage manager and sommelier at YUNICO, also conducted workshops for service teams covering service standards as well as wine and saké.
Thomas Schult, general manager of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, said the Easter programme combined gastronomy, family experiences and creativity across the island. He said the residency brought together international culinary talent and the work of the resort’s team across activities and dining experiences.
Chef Sturm-Willms said it had been a pleasure to work with Chef Muthu and the culinary team at the resort. He said the collaboration reflected the importance of sharing knowledge and passion through cooking.
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is located on Thilamaafushi Island in Lhaviyani Atoll. The resort features 134 villas, including two-bedroom beach and overwater villas designed for families. It said its offering combines marine experiences, dining and family activities aimed at guests of all ages.
The Standard, Maldives has announced the launch of a new Premium All-Inclusive experience from May 2026, introducing an enhanced offering aimed at travellers seeking a seamless island holiday in Raa Atoll.
The resort said the new package was designed to combine dining, experiences and entertainment with the natural setting of the Maldives. It added that the offering had been curated with Indian travellers in mind, as India continues to grow as a source market for Maldivian tourism.
The package begins with champagne on arrival and includes access to dining across the resort’s outlets. Guests will be able to choose from three restaurants for lunch and five restaurants for dinner with prior reservation. The resort said the dining programme would range from Mediterranean dishes at Onda to Maldivian cuisine at Guduguda, offering guests a varied culinary experience throughout their stay.
The package also includes a beverage programme featuring premium spirits, wines, cocktails and beers, as well as a fully stocked minibar in each villa.
The culinary programme is led by Director of Culinary Nandakumar Dharuman. The resort said his Indian background adds familiarity for Indian travellers, with Indian breakfast options available alongside international selections. Vegetarian and Jain meals can also be prepared on request.
The Standard, Maldives said the resort would continue to offer a lively atmosphere through activities held during the week, including DJ nights, fire dance performances, bingo evenings and other social events. Breakfast DJ sessions are also part of the programme. In addition, guests booking the Premium All-Inclusive package will receive one complimentary 30-minute spa treatment and one island excursion.
Sonika Adlakha, commercial director of The Standard, Maldives, said India remained an important and growing market for the resort. She said the new Premium All-Inclusive experience was intended to offer Indian travellers a stay that combined dining, entertainment and the natural appeal of the Maldives.
Alongside its social spaces, the resort said it also offers quieter areas for guests seeking a more relaxed experience. All villas at the property include private pools and spacious living areas, allowing guests to stay close to the resort’s dining and entertainment facilities while also enjoying privacy.
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