Komandoo Maldives Island Resort

A visit to Komandoo begins with an incredibly scenic, 45-minute seaplane flight from Male Airport. Upon arrival, guests are escorted down a jetty surrounded by aquamarine water, and staff welcomes each group with a drum-and-song routine in the lobby. We were also served delicious coconut ice cream during our visit.

This intimate, 65-room island is one of the cozier resorts in the Maldives. The floors of the lobby, main restaurant, and bars are made out of sand, and the majority of guests go barefoot throughout their stay. Built in the early 2000s, most structures on the island feature high ceilings made of dried palm leaves or shingles. Guests can navigate the 500-meter-long island on foot, using shady pathways that wind through a lush jungle interior.

With the exception of a weekly disco night, entertainment at Komandoo is low-key. During our visit people gathered in the bar to watch underwater videos taken by the dive staff, followed by a musical performance by an acoustic band (comprised of a father and his two teenage daughters).

Typical clientele are middle-aged European couples (predominantly Swiss, German, and British), who are interested in sunbathing by the pool, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying Komandoo’s impressive food.

Komandoo is located on its own private island, roughly 100 miles north of Male in Lhaviyani Atoll. Komandoo is one of only four resorts in the 54-island atoll. After arriving in Male Airport, guests wait in a private lounge for a 45-minute seaplane transfer to Komandoo (which can often be delayed -- though this is the fault of the seaplane company, not the resort). At 100 meters wide by 500 meters long, the island is easy to navigate on foot. A 130-person staff works and lives on the island year-round.

Komandoo has three room types -- Beach Villas, Jacuzzi Beach Villas, and Jacuzzi Water Villas -- ranging from 667 to 829 square feet. All units 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 (fees apply for coffee pods, except in Jacuzzi Water Villas). Rooms have four-poster king beds with delicate (and largely unnecessary) mosquito netting, hardwood floors, high wooden ceilings, and private patios. Jacuzzi Beach Villas also have extended outdoor bathrooms with jacuzzis and daybeds, and Jacuzzi Water Villas have jacuzzis and DVD players. Beach Villas have direct access to the sand, while Jacuzzi Water Villas have direct ocean access. 

Komandoo has a great range of amenities for such a small island. Highlights include a solid fitness center, a dual tennis/badminton/volleyball court, gift shop, dive center, and a spa that offers everything from couples massages to facials. Other perks include table tennis, board games, a jewelry store, public computer station, and small multilingual library. The gem of the resort is a lovely beachfront infinity pool with food and drink service. It has a chic design and is surrounded by cushioned loungers and daybeds; the pool truly does look as if it extends directly into the turquoise ocean. 

Like most resorts in the Maldives, Komandoo has lovely white-sand beaches and a clear, turquoise lagoon. Guests can take their pick from a number of cushioned plastic lounge chairs (some come with palapa umbrellas), and beach towels are provided in rooms. Guests can also relax on a hammock or wooden swing, and a public restroom with outdoor shower is available near the sand. A great reef is located just off shore, and sea turtles are a common sighting. The water temperature was perfect (warm but refreshing) during our visit. A beach bar serves drinks and snacks, and staff members occasionally pass by with fruit and cold drinks. A less-than-picturesque breakwater is visible from some sections of beach.

The buffet food at Komandoo was among the very best we tasted in the Maldives. The main restaurant, Falhu, serves an international buffet (think unlimited sashimi, cooked-to-order pasta, and delicate pastries) 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 (including drinks in the minibar), but no fresh juices. An overwater restaurant, Aqua, serves international a la carte cuisine for an additional charge (reservations required). Snacks are also available at the main bar next to the pool. Room service is available.

Komandoo offers plenty of great freebies, including a 30-minute snorkeling lesson, 30-minute photo shoot, and a one-hour sunset cruise on a traditional dhoni boat. The resort also hosts free classes, such as sushi making, fruit carving, and Maldivian handicrafts. Kayaks, windsurf boards, catamarans, and snorkeling gear is available for rent (or free with all-inclusive packages). Popular excursions include a day on a deserted island, local island tours, and diving trips. Guests can also go fishing and kitchen staff will prepare their catch for dinner. Free Wi-Fi is available in the rooms, main bar, and lobby. Weekly entertainment includes live bands, cultural presentations, DJs, and dance shows.