Kuredu Island Resort & Spa

Opened in the late '80s, Kuredu is one of the oldest and largest resorts in the Maldives. To make the island more manageable, its 383 guest rooms and facilities have been divided into three sub-resorts -- Sangu, Koamas, and ‘O’ Resort -- each with its own restaurant, bar, and pool. ‘O’ Resort is exclusively reserved for families with children over 12, and Sangu Resort is for adults only. All guests are welcome at Koamas, which is closest to the main lobby and has the bulk of the property features. Guests can navigate the mile-long island by foot, free shuttle, or rental bicycle. With so much space, over-crowding and long lines are rarely a problem.

Despite its age, Kuredu’s rooms and facilities are well-maintained and look almost new. Most of the resort’s restaurants and bars have floors made of sand, and many guests go barefoot throughout their stay. Most dining venues feature high ceilings made of dried palm leaves and large floating lights shaped like seashells, jellyfish, and manta rays.

The atmosphere on the island varies by sub-resort. Sangu is more romantic, with overwater rooms and no children, while Koamas and ‘O’ Resort have more families and groups of friends. Most guests are from England, Germany, and other parts of Europe.

Kuredu is located on its own private island, roughly 100 miles north of Male in Lhaviyani Atoll. Kuredu is one of only four resorts in the 54-island atoll. After arriving at Male Airport, guests are instructed to wait in a private lounge for a 45-minute seaplane transfer to the island. At just over one mile long, the island is somewhat cumbersome to navigate on foot. Time on the island is one hour ahead of Male time -- an artificial time zone difference that many resorts use to make the days feel longer.

Kuredu has seven room categories in a variety of shapes and styles, though all are upscale and attractive. Guests can choose from several categories of beachfront rooms, Bonthi Garden Bungalows, and overwater rooms (for adults only); some rooms have jetted tubs or private pools. Rooms range from 603 to 3,229 square feet and include flat-screen TVs, stereos with CD players and iPod docks, electric teakettles with tea and instant coffee, minibars, robes, free Wi-Fi and bottled water, and Nespresso machines. Rainfall showers, an array of toiletries, and hairdryers come standard. The decor differs between room types, but most feature four-poster king beds with delicate (and largely unnecessary) mosquito netting, vaulted thatched-roof ceilings, white bedspreads, and colorful throw pillows. Select rooms can sleep up to four people.

All rooms have outdoor space with sunbeds and beach towels, and most have ocean views; some offer direct access to the beach, while the Sangu Water Villas have steps leading directly into the ocean. Note that age policies apply not just to rooms but to their related facilities; Sangu category rooms and the associated restaurant, pool, and bar are for guests over 18, while the 'O' rooms and features are not open to children under 12.

Kuredu is loaded with amenities. The island has four gift shops, a jewelry store, multi-lingual lending library, modern fitness center, sports courts (volleyball, badminton, and tennis), and two spas. It’s also one of the few resorts in the Maldives to have a soccer field, six-hole golf course, driving range, and three pools (plus a whirlpool and kids' pool). Kuredu’s dive center is exceptional for its large number of daily excursions and a hyperbaric decompression chamber (one of the only chambers in the country). An Entertainment Center has table tennis, snooker, darts, foosball, and chess.

Like most resorts in the Maldives, Kuredu is surrounded by lovely white-sand beaches and a clear, turquoise lagoon. Guests can take their pick from a number of plastic lounge chairs (some come with palapa umbrellas), and beach towels are provided in rooms. A good reef is located just off shore, and sea turtles are a common sighting. The water temperature was perfect (warm but refreshing) during our visit. There’s one beach bar right on the sand, and plenty more next to the beach. Unsightly seaweed washes up from time to time, but the staff make an effort to clean it up.

Kuredu has three beachfront pools, each accompanied by a bar. The Main Pool is located near the lobby and most of the restaurants, and it’s home to a toddler-sized kids’ pool. Located on the eastern tip of the island, the ‘O’ Pool has daybeds and two-person-sized loungers. ‘O’ Pool is reserved for guests 12 years and older. On the opposite end of the island is the Sangu Pool, which tends to be the most tranquil of the three pools since no children are allowed. This pool has a scenic infinity edge and a modest hot tub.

What are the Restaurants at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa?

Seven international buffet and a la carte restaurants are available, as are all-inclusive packages.

Kuredu has four buffet restaurants that are quite good -- Bonthi, Koamas, “O,” and Sangu -- and each is reserved for guests staying in the related room types across the resort. The restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is free, and guests can upgrade to a variety of all-inclusive packages that offer a solid selection of alcoholic drinks (among other perks) but no fresh juice. Three a la carte restaurants are available at an additional charge (all-inclusive guests receive half-off meals). Room service is available, and snacks are served at the bars and poolside. Kuredu also has a great ice cream stand.

What are the Bars at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa?

Seven bars, a teahouse, and all-inclusive packages are available.

Guests don’t have to walk far to find a bar at Kuredu. The resort has one large bar in every sub-resort: Babuna Bar (the main bar), ‘O’ Bar (no children under 12), and Sangu Bar (no kids allowed). Smaller bars include the Main Pool bar, beachside Akiri bar, Raalhu beach bar, and a Golf Club bar. All-inclusive packages include a good variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (plus most minibar drinks), though fresh fruit juices and specialty coffee drinks aren’t included. All-inclusive guests also get half-off premium liquors and cocktails. A scenic teahouse is located on the end of the arrival jetty.

What Does the All-Inclusive Package Cover at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa?

All-inclusive rates cover buffet meals, minibar snacks, most drinks, and some activities.

The All-Inclusive Plus Package covers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soft drinks, juice, beer, house wine, coffee, and tea, as well as in-room minibars. Also covered are afternoon tea, a sunset cruise; 30-minute snorkeling lesson, a yoga session, and use of the tennis court. Food at the a la carte eateries is 50 percent off. A Gold Package adds premium spirits and wine, plus a spa treatment and a couple meals at the a la carte eateries.

What Services are Available at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa?

Water-sports rentals, snorkel and diving excursions, and private dinners on the beach can be arranged.

Kuredu has a water-sports center that rents kayaks, catamarans, floats, snorkeling gear, and more. Bicycles are also available for rent. Popular excursions include a day on a deserted island, local island tours, sunset cruises, and diving trips. Guests can also go fishing and kitchen staff will prepare their catch for dinner. A free shuttle runs regularly throughout the island. A free 30-minute photo session and with one free photo is included for all guests. A weekly sushi-making class is hosted by the Main Pool to raise money for a local Maldivian charity. Room service is available, and private dinners can be arranged on the beach.

What Entertainment is Provided at Kuredu Island Resort & Spa?

White parties, Maldivian dance shows, live bands, and night golfing keep guests occupied.

Kuredu offers more evening entertainment than most resorts in the Maldives. The main bar, Babuna, hosts some sort of activity almost nightly. Weekly entertainment includes live bands, cultural presentations, a “white party” with a DJ, Maldivian dance shows, and movies. Occasionally, the resort also hosts crab races, night golfing, sports tournaments, and special kids’ activities.