ELTIPS AV R T
How else was she going to grab attention away from the fabulously beautiful island of Kandima?
Sorry, Katie, even in your 32GG “prime” in this setting you were as insignificant as one of the tiniest grains of sand that are packed together so tightly that the beach resembles white marble.
A beach that sparkles as brilliantly as the huge rocks on the hands of the well-heeled honeymooners here.
Gently lapping at its edges is a body-temperature sea with water a rainbow of turquoise hues which is as clear as my intention to return as soon as I possibly can.
A sea rich in marine life, captivating snorkellers, divers, swimmers and fisher people from across distant oceans.
Kandima was virgin land until its development started four years ago. Two years later emerged this stunning holiday resort – its construction preserving much of the tropical vegetation.
Visitors have been wowed by its natural beauty and stylish, luxuriously comfortable accommodation. Even the entry-level studios are chic and spacious – those on the ground floor open directly on to the sand and those on the “sky” floor have balconies overlooking the sea.
Lovers usually opt for the romantic overwater lodges.
Our own beach villa was just a few steps from the enticing (cliché alert) sugar- capped waves and had a bathroom with an outdoor section complete with whirlpool bath. Bit of celeb goss – a couple of doors down Emma and Matt Willis, plus brood, were on “familymoon” after renewing their wedding vows.
LADIES, leave your heels behind – they will only sink into the sand. DON’T bother changing up any money. Kandima’s currency is US dollars – charge everything to your room and pay by credit card at the end.
THE Kandima app lets you access stay information and interact with the Kandima Krew on your phone. The in-room smart K’TV system enables on-demand video streaming, which can be “flicked” to your
mobile devices.
Offbeat
Although Kandima is one of the biggest islands in the Maldives you can walk across it in four minutes, and from one end, along the beach, to the other (as yet uninhabited) end in 3 36 minutes. Well, I could. Hubby Tom has a more leisurely gait.
He H was more inclined to take the “bus” “bu service, which runs along the one road every 12-15 minutes from 6am till midnight.
If you’re worried about not having h enough to do, don’t. There is a football pitch plus tennis, netball and basketball courts.
The Aquaholics Centre offers w water sports and there are two l leisure pools, one 100 metres long, a and a third for “lappers”. Gym bu bunnies can take part in offbeat ses sessions, including aerial yoga.
M More gentle island pursuits include art, cocktail and cooking classes. And there is the Eskape Spa, where I blissed out with a 90- minute signature massage listening to the sounds of the ocean.
Unlike many other Maldives’ retreats which are aimed at the adults- only market, Kandima welcomes little people too. Its kids’ club is something else, bragging everything from a huge pirate ship to cots for sleepy toddlers and a lounge area with Xboxes.
Go off-island too, with a variety of cruises in search of dolphins, turtles, big fish and sunsets.
When it comes to appetite, you’ll find the food is bountiful and yummy in the two main buffet restaurants, aptly named Zest and Flavour.
There are speciality restaurants too – our favourite was the Smoked Grill, where Tom raved between mouthfuls about his succulent steak, and I drooled over my wood-smoked fish in chilli, lime and ginger. Then adjourn to the lively Breeze Bar, where it’s party time every night.
Kandima makes much use of the letter “K” in its branding, emphasising its “oh so Kool” vibe. This paradise resort is way beyond O-K… it’s definitely special K.
FACTFILE: Stay at Kandima from £210pp per night B&B. See kandima. com. Heathrow flights via Istanbul to Male from £ 950 return. See turkishairlines.com. Island transfers by plane or seaplane cost extra.