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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.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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