Kurumba Maldives A Preview
A cosmopolitan resort with an insatiable vibrant and lively atmosphere, Kurumba Maldives’ is a private island resort offering a 5 star blend of luxury and tranquillity that tempts many a visitor to its sandy shores time and time again. Offering warm and friendly service, elegant guest rooms, exhilarating excursions and a variety of delectable dining options, it’s the perfect backdrop for a dreamy island getaway.
Kurumba is conveniently located just 10 minutes from Male International Airport and offers weary travellers a heavenly blend of powder soft sands, the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, lush gardens ablaze with frangipani, hibiscus and bougainvillea stretch across the island and shady coconut groves that loom over 180 luxury bungalows and villas.
Luxury comes in many shapes and sizes with no less than nine categories of accommodation. What they all have in common is a fresh and modern design, plus plush state-of-the-art facilities. Whilst the introductory Superior and Deluxe rooms have a graceful contemporary Maldivian style with open air showers and sunny ocean-side balconies, the resort’s signature Deluxe Bungalows and Deluxe Beachfront Bungalows each feature their very own private garden containing an outside shower and spacious decking veranda for sunset tipples. The bungalows themselves are hidden amongst the lush fragrant tropic flora just yards from the pure white beaches corralling the island. Each boasts a giant free-standing bathtub, a luxurious dual-basin bathroom, a glass-walled shower and king-sized beds.
Guests seeking ultimate opulence and privacy can opt for Kurumba villa rooms, starting with the Private Villa with Jacuzzi, and the Garden Pool Villas that offer plunge pools within your private open-plan courtyard with rain shower to cool off. Kurumba’s Deluxe Pool Villas are even more sumptuous with the additional luxuries of a large private pool with a waterfall, day bed and wooden terrace.
If you want a slice of celebrity lifestyle, the largest and most extravagant villa on the island is the Royal Kurumba Residence. Measuring a whopping 768 square metres in diameter and housing two bedrooms, two private pools, a huge living area and veranda, this opulent suite has played host to celebrities, local dignitaries and even heads of state.
With a total of 8 restaurants based within the resort, each offering an eclectic selection of the world’s finest cuisines, thoroughly spoilt guests are well catered for. Deciding whether to visit the main restaurant for unhurried all-day dining, to savour far-eastern sushi and teppenyaki at the over-water Hamakaze or to feast within the palatial Lebanese décor of Al Qasr is not an easy decision to make. Making a choice between the delicious Indian, Chinese and Italian menus of Mahal, East and Duo, respectively, is equally as difficult.
One could eat solely at Vihamanaa, the main buffet restaurant; serving varied range of gourmet food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Café offers freshly baked pizzas, delicious salads & sandwiches along with a range of Maldivian specialties.
Ocean-side gourmet restaurant Thila offers a delectable premium breakfast, replete with free-flow sparkling wine, a wide range of a la carte options and a luscious breakfast buffet, featuring (among much else) warm baked pastries and a variety of honey! Gusts can indulge in a signature coconut Kurumba coffee in the fresh morning air and watch the sun sparkle off the sea.
Dinner at Thila is a feast for the senses, dining by the sea, under the stars, by candlelight with a menu brimming with the freshest ingredients, prepared with flair by the chefs in the open kitchen. For seafood lovers the expansive open-sea aquarium allows them to choose their lobster. While for true foodies, the offerings also include Australian Wagyu Beef and exclusive Mottainai Carrot and Olive Fed Lamb. Its no wonder this fine-dining restaurant has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor users every year since its opening.
Speciality restaurants on the island offer a range of fine dining options to suit every palate; savour sushi and Teppanyaki at the over-water Hamakaze or dine on Middle-Eastern delicacies within the opulent Arabic décor of Al Qasr. Choose between delicious Indian at Mahal or explore modern Italian cuisine at Isola. If Thai is your preferred cuisine, make sure you visit Khing Thai to ample the beautifully spiced, aromatic dishes om offer.
Those seeking an extra pinch of Maldivian romance can induge in a private dining experience for two, on an idyllic, secluded beach, out on a yacht or, for the ultimate in romance and privacy, on their very own desert island.
The Sounds of the Sea is a favourite treat for guests on a gastronomic voyage of discovery. Sumptuous courses arrive matched with the finest wines at the table, set for two, by the water’s edge, under a starlit sky watching the spectacular Maldivian sunset.
For that sunset cocktail, or an after-dinner (or afternoon) drink the resort also features three bars; Athiri, set on the beach for the best sunsets, Kandhu, where guests can unwind in the company of live bands, local dance and fabulous cocktails, or Fez for a wide range of flavoured shisha and colourful cocktails.
Finally, those wishing to make the most of their private garden, balcony or hired yacht can request an intimate dining experience for two.
Voted 2015 World Luxury Spa Awards as Best Luxury Resort Spa – Country Winner and surrounded by soothing reflection ponds, the resort’s Veli Spa is an oasis of serenity in the heart of the island. Here, guests can enjoy a dedicated yoga session, unwinding in the relaxation lounge, de-stressing in the single or couples treatment rooms or indulging in reflexology and exotic body wraps and polishes. For a more romantic experience “The Spa Under the Stars” offers couples a chance to watch the sunset whilst enjoying a unique cowrie shell massage using local hand-pressed Coconut oil.
Life at the Kurumba Resort isn’t just for the sun and spa-seekers – the sporting and adventurous amongst us have a whole smorgasbord of activities to entertain. The Sports Centre offers a fully-equipped gym, pool, and three floodlit tennis courts and if water sports are your passion the Dive School offers a full range of PADI diving courses. Explore the spectacular dive sites of The Maldives as dazzling shoals of iridescent tropical fish, (friendly!) reef sharks, manta ray and turtles wait to greet you.
Once you’ve met the fishy locals, try your hand at Kayaking, water-skiing, windsurfing and parasailing at the spectacular Water Sports Centre and keep the littl’uns entertained with the Fun Tubes and Banana Rodeos. This is all in addition to a wide-range of fascinating local excursions including a Sand Bank Picnic, the ever popular sunset cruises and even night-fishing under the stars.
Kurumba, Maldives, blends luxury and tranquillity in an incomparable way, which tempts many to return to the paradise island time and time again. Having pioneered tourism in the Maldives, as the first private island resort, Kurumba has remained one of the finest; visitors can while away days on the pearl-dust beaches, swim in the protected crystal clear lagoons, explore the vibrant underwater house reef encircling the island, and indulge in a wide variety of exceptional culinary experiences.
With the idyllic backdrop of the Maldives, Coconut palm fringed white beaches, crystal clear water and year round summer temperatures, the Kurumba makes for a picture perfect setting or a wedding and an unforgettable experience not only for the bride and groom, but for their guests as well.
Two guests or 20? Barefoot or formal? Day or night? Kurumba understands that the devil is in the detail and that is why an assigned wedding organiser will help plan all the arrangements, making the process worry and stress free from beginning to end. Whether it is a declaration of love in front of family and friends as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean or a private ceremony for two in the overwater gazebo, couples can craft their own dream wedding, reaffirm their love, or get engaged in a romantic setting. Deciding to say ‘I do’ at Kurumba Maldives is an easy choice.
For the ultimate romantic gesture, the 300 sqm Presidential Pool Villa provides privacy and intimacy craved by newlyweds. With a private pool and ample living space, couples can hideaway for their entire honeymoon. For those who choose to venture outside, temptations include private island excursions, dinners on the beach and couple’s spa treatments.
Kurumba offers three different vow renewal packages with each including as standard, a master of ceremony, venue hire, decorations, wedding certificates and a photo CD. Premium packages, in addition to the standard inclusions, come with a welcome tropical fruit basket and bottle of wine upon arrival, a Maldivian Bodu Beru traditional dance performance, the bridal bouquet, wedding cake, canapés at sunset, two bottles of sparkling wine, Kurumba’s Signature Sounds Of The Sea Dinner with wine, a commemorative renewal of vows carved wood plaque, bride and groom local sarongs (Feyli), a 90-minute spa treatment for the couple and a premium breakfast for the couple at Thila.
It’s worth noting that vow ceremonies in the Maldives are symbolic and not legally binding. This however does not deter the many couples that choose the idyllic backdrop as the location for their special celebration, with the legal formalities being conducted before they venture out to the paradise island.
