Established in 1972, Kurumba Maldives was the first resort in the country and one that has gone through many changes over five decades. Today it is a high-quality place that continues to be extremely popular, combining a huge range of facilities, ease of access from the airport, family friendliness and quality accommodation to very successful effect.
Some may feel the overly manicured gardens and relentlessly modern architecture make the resort feel a little sterile; others, however, will like its grand country-club style – golf buggies rule the roads here and the resort is big enough for this to be justifiable. Kurumba is the closest resort to Male, and as such it regularly caters for business conferences and conventions as well as day-trippers from the capital, who come for the renowned restaurants. There are eight restaurants to choose from (more than any other resort island in the country), and these are a highlight, including Indian, Italian, Arabic, Thai and Japanese outlets.
The rooms come in a huge range of categories, the pool villas being especially impressive, each with its own pool in a private back garden. There are no water villas here, and few villas have direct beach access, but it’s never too far to the water. There’s no end to the facilities available, from a huge and well-equipped dive school to a water-sports centre, tennis courts, babysitters, a gorgeous spa, two gyms and two pools. Kurumba is a place for scale and grandeur and not for hiding away on a desert island, and it remains a hugely popular choice for both couples and families.
