Komandoo, Maldives a review based on travel in September 2022.
Komandoo Island Resort and Spa, Maldives is based in the Lhaviyani Atoll; the island is a 40 minutes seaplane away from Male airport. We visited Komandoo during the low season of September 2021, as a belated honeymoon. All thoughts are our own based on our experience of our stay.
Service
Komandoo, Maldives service review. The service from the staff and facilities at Komandoo, Maldives were excellent. Welcomed with drums and singing. Then led to the main bar and offered coconut ice cream. This is one to let you answer any questions and fill in any paperwork.
Staff collect your luggage from the seaplane and take it to your room for you. Then given a guided tour of the small island and how to get to where you want. The receptionists introduce you to some island staff, including themselves, who can help plan your stay if you want to do more than eat and relax.
The staff were the utmost friendly and went above and beyond to ensure that our stay was pleasant and comfortable. From making bookings and asking for help the service was always available to help.
Each sanded area had cleaning areas so you can wash your feet, and even had pots of water outside each room to ensure you don’t bring in sand into your abode.
Room & Cleanliness
There are two types of rooms in Komandoo. We booked an overwater villa for our stay however beach villas are also available. We got to see the beach villa on our final day which also offers a very unique experience including an outdoor shower and bathroom. Which was a nice novelty before we left the island.
Rooms have flip-flops, slippers and robes. As well as towels in all sizes and toiletries. As we arrived we had both champagne, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic and the room ready for a honeymoon couple.
Twice a day, your assigned porter will swing by to do any cleaning needed and will change the sheets every number of days unless requested. Our porter, Saeed, was incredibly friendly and always swift with his turndown service.
One of our favourite things was how when we’d come back from breakfast, lunch and dinner, they’d arrange our towels in fanciful new ways each time. Water, drinks and complimentary snacks in the mini-fridge are replenished daily.
Staff
The staff are very happy and helpful. In our opinion, we thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them, hearing their stories and learning more about them and their culture. At Falhu restaurant, a waiter named Reza was assigned to us. Reza took our drink order and shared stories of his family, recommend drinks and even food options and give you history on which parts of the island have changed over the years and the culture in the Maldives.
On one occasion, my husband went swimming in the ocean below our over-water deck and cut himself on the coral below. After a quick call, one of the staff at reception came over to assess, check and bandage him up and made sure that he was okay. As well as getting a rash when swimming. The onsite Dr provided the ointments he needed to ensure it didn’t spread.
We had read reviews and even overhead some conversations with other guests. They felt the staff were perhaps too friendly and overbearing. However, my husband and I thoroughly welcomed their generosity, kindness and efforts into making our stay an incredible one. We believe when coming to a destination where hospitality is first class. There is no such thing as “too friendly” some guests need to be last grumpy and more welcoming of cultural differences.
Transfer
To get to and from Komandoo, Maldives, visitors are recommended to take the 45-minute seaplane from the main island of Male. As someone who doesn’t enjoy planes, small ones that are loud and rickety aren’t something I enjoy. However, you are provided with earplugs and water and you get the most magical view of the islands across the Maldives. Which in itself is a unique experience.
Once we landed in Male, we went to the transfer desk. Checked luggage is taken in a mini-van to the Maldives seaplane terminal, where we waited for other guests of Komandoo to arrive. It did take a fair amount of time as many of them were coming from other parts of the world on different flights. Refreshments and facilities were provided to make sure we were comfortable. However, our wait was around 2 hours. So this is something to be aware of if you are travelling for a long time.
On the plane, they took our hand luggage and provided wet wipes for the humidity and earplugs for the noise of the propellers. These small gestures were most welcome for the short, but an uncomfortable journey. We landed on the water about 5-10 minutes away from Komandoo on a buoy. We thought that maybe they had left us and our luggage in the middle of the ocean. A boat arrived just in time to take us to the island.
The transfer is a largely forgettable experience and isn’t one that dampened our thoughts on the honeymoon. However, for some this can be an eventful and stressful experience if the weather isn’t on their side.
The seaplane cost is separate from the booking cost for the stay at Komandoo, Maldives. It can be paid for the staff to handle prior to your arrival.
Food
Access to Facilities
There are a whole host of facilities on the island at your disposal. Including a gym, a spa, a fine-dining restaurant and access to water sports.
Health
The reception staff handles first aid and an on-site doctor is available during working hours in the event of something more serious. My husband started developing a rash from the heat and swimming and the on-site doctor provided some ointments that helped.
One of the other guests that were present during our stay had a more serious injury and was transported by boat to a neighbouring island to visit the emergency room, which was prompt and efficient.
Make sure to have health insurance when travelling to avoid any issues. The doctor on-site prescribed ointment for my husband. It was fairly priced and about the same as you would pay for the over-the-counter medication at a pharmacy in more countries.
Fitness
For anyone looking to maintain their gym routines. A small gym with weights and machines is available to us for guests. It’s air-conditioned and regularly cleaned to maintain health and safety. This is something did not use personally.
Pool
A chlorinated pool with an infinity edge is available for all guests to swim or sunbathe. Situated near reception, it’s a relaxing environment for anyone to enjoy. We found ourselves lounging by the pool quite often when we weren’t doing anything in particular before mealtimes. Perfect for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable going into the sea.
Spa
What’s a romantic honeymoon without a trip to the spa? Duniye Spa is an intimate spa environment with a wide variety of relaxing treatments, from deep tissue to group yoga. We went for a couples massage and felt fully relaxed and walked on clouds for the rest of the day.
How much does Komandoo, Maldives Cost?
The cost of a stay at Komandoo, Maldives can vary depending on the time you’re booking. When you’re looking for what options you choose. We initially booked a full board, but upon further discussion between ourselves and arriving, we chose to go for an inclusive package. This gave us access to a whole host of activities at no extra charge, as well as cocktails and drinks from the bar and much more.
Other costs to consider when booking:
- Seaplane Transfers are a separate item to be billed and can be paid for before your trip. Komandoo staff will email you ahead of your stay to complete the payment.
- Spa treatments are billed separately and have various packages. These can be paid for at the end of your stay.
- Any drinks or snacks that aren’t part of the inclusive package will also be billed.
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