Holiday Inn Kandooma -- Maldives
Feb 19, 2012, 7:32 am
#123
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
I finally wrenched out the following information from the hotel after about 5 emails:
sorry I cannot seem to get FT to put the below into a table despite me writing in a table format
Basically any drinks you want and meals in any restaurant for $90, or $45 for a slightly more restrictive drinks list and eating at the Cafe or 20% off any other restaurant.
So the really wacky thing is, full-board is no cheaper than paying for meals individually!
sorry I cannot seem to get FT to put the below into a table despite me writing in a table format
Basically any drinks you want and meals in any restaurant for $90, or $45 for a slightly more restrictive drinks list and eating at the Cafe or 20% off any other restaurant.
So the really wacky thing is, full-board is no cheaper than paying for meals individually!
I'm a bit confused by their options. So full board is just for food and all-inclusive is just for drinks? Can you do all-inclusive w/ out full board?
Feb 21, 2012, 2:46 pm
#124
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
This is the response I got back from the hotel. I'm still curious if one cand do a.i. drinks but not a.i. food.
Kandooma Café is the resorts main restaurant, serving a full buffet breakfast from 06:30 hrs until 10:30hrs. US$ 23.00++ is the cost for breakfast per person per night.
For hassle free holidays we also offer the following meal plans
Half Board, which includes breakfast and dinner at Kandooma Café
US$70.00++per Adult
Full Board, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kandooma Café
US$105..00++ per Adult
All Inclusive, which is a combination of the full board and selected beverages at our restaurants and bars
US$152.00++per Adult – Standard
US$199.00 ++per adult - Premium
*Kids under 12 years eat free, and above 12 years are charged at an adult meal rate, condition apply!!
STANDARD ALL INCLUSIVE
· Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at Kandooma Cafe with the daily buffet.
· Feature wine, red or white served by glass.
· A selection of house spirits.
· Daily selected mocktails and cocktails.
· Soft drinks including chilled juices.
· Kandooma mineral water.
· Beverages served available between 11.00 am till 12.00 midnight in Kandooma Cafe, Bokkuraa Coffee Club, Lobby Lounge and The Deck.
PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE
· Breakfast served at Kandooma Cafe.
· Lunch serve at Kandooma Cafe or Bokkuraa Coffee Club.
· Dinner serve at Kandooma Cafe or Bokkuraa Coffee Club or The Kitchen Restaurant.
(Applicable menu items are identified on each outlet menu)
· Tapas menu at The Deck and Lobby Lounge.
· A selection of red, white and sparkling wine served by glass.
· A selection of premium house spirits.
· All cocktails and mocktails available from the beverage list.
· Soft drinks and fresh squeezed juices.
· Beverages served available between 11.00 am till 12.00 midnight in Kandooma Cafe, Bokkuraa Coffee Club, Lobby Lounge and The Deck.
For Standard All Inclusive, we allocate all the meals to our All Day Dining Restaurant ‘Kandooma Café’ the meals provided by set menu or buffet. For Premium All Inclusive, we allocate the meals to our All Day Dining Restaurant ‘Kandooma Café’ the meals provided by set menu or buffet, and you also able select of others F&B outlet in the resorts to enjoy your meals, however applicable menu items are identified on each outlet menu.
For hassle free holidays we also offer the following meal plans
Half Board, which includes breakfast and dinner at Kandooma Café
US$70.00++per Adult
Full Board, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kandooma Café
US$105..00++ per Adult
All Inclusive, which is a combination of the full board and selected beverages at our restaurants and bars
US$152.00++per Adult – Standard
US$199.00 ++per adult - Premium
*Kids under 12 years eat free, and above 12 years are charged at an adult meal rate, condition apply!!
STANDARD ALL INCLUSIVE
· Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served at Kandooma Cafe with the daily buffet.
· Feature wine, red or white served by glass.
· A selection of house spirits.
· Daily selected mocktails and cocktails.
· Soft drinks including chilled juices.
· Kandooma mineral water.
· Beverages served available between 11.00 am till 12.00 midnight in Kandooma Cafe, Bokkuraa Coffee Club, Lobby Lounge and The Deck.
PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE
· Breakfast served at Kandooma Cafe.
· Lunch serve at Kandooma Cafe or Bokkuraa Coffee Club.
· Dinner serve at Kandooma Cafe or Bokkuraa Coffee Club or The Kitchen Restaurant.
(Applicable menu items are identified on each outlet menu)
· Tapas menu at The Deck and Lobby Lounge.
· A selection of red, white and sparkling wine served by glass.
· A selection of premium house spirits.
· All cocktails and mocktails available from the beverage list.
· Soft drinks and fresh squeezed juices.
· Beverages served available between 11.00 am till 12.00 midnight in Kandooma Cafe, Bokkuraa Coffee Club, Lobby Lounge and The Deck.
For Standard All Inclusive, we allocate all the meals to our All Day Dining Restaurant ‘Kandooma Café’ the meals provided by set menu or buffet. For Premium All Inclusive, we allocate the meals to our All Day Dining Restaurant ‘Kandooma Café’ the meals provided by set menu or buffet, and you also able select of others F&B outlet in the resorts to enjoy your meals, however applicable menu items are identified on each outlet menu.
Apr 18, 2012, 6:34 am
#126
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,126
Latest prices quoted to me on a booking I made this week...
I see they quote individually for breakfast, and earlier up this thread $20++ mains at the pool bar are referenced (which makes me think $39++ extra for full board vs. half board isn't the best deal). Any more information on food prices? Obviously based on consumption, but it sounds like it might be practical to do all-inclusive drinks and just pay-as-you-go for food (as ejh25 is asking too). I've emailed the hotel back about that option, and to see if they can send sample menu & prices.
- Buffet Breakfast at Kandooma Café - US$29.00++ per Adult
- Half Board - breakfast and dinner at Kandooma Café US$84.00++ per Adult
- Full Board - breakfast, lunch and dinner at Kandooma Café US$123.00++ per Adult
- "Stay Spirited" - selected beverages in all restaurants & bars - Treat yourself to a wide variety of international drinks, cocktails and juices: Coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Chilled Orange Juice, Chilled Apple Juice, Chilled Pineapple Juice, Featured Draft Beer, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Whisky, Brandy, White & Red Wine, Kandooma Coco, Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Caipirinha, Caiproska, Pina Colada, and the Tom Collins - US$70.00++ per Adult
- "Dine Around" - dine in all restaurants (events & lobster dishes excluded) - The ultimate culinary experience! Feast at any of our restaurants—Kandooma Café, Bokkuraa Coffee Club and The Kitchen— with your unique Dine Around package. Tantalise your palate with a wide array of dishes! - US$181.00++ per Adult
- "Stay Indulgent" - drink & dine everywhere (lobster dishes excluded) - The truly indulgent package! Have breakfast, lunch and dinner in any outlet of your choice and stay spirited with drinks anywhere—minibar and room service included! Immerse yourself in our stunning events - Fisherman’s Market, Dine IN! the Kitchen and the Maldivian Beach BBQ—all included. Spoil yourself by indulging on all we have on offer! - US$251.00++ per Adult
I see they quote individually for breakfast, and earlier up this thread $20++ mains at the pool bar are referenced (which makes me think $39++ extra for full board vs. half board isn't the best deal). Any more information on food prices? Obviously based on consumption, but it sounds like it might be practical to do all-inclusive drinks and just pay-as-you-go for food (as ejh25 is asking too). I've emailed the hotel back about that option, and to see if they can send sample menu & prices.
Apr 18, 2012, 6:52 am
#127
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Netherlands
Programs: SQ S, IHG Diamond/Amb, Accor S
Posts: 703
Prices at this resort seem to go up faster than one can catch up with.
I received the following quotes just a few days ago for a stay in the 1st week of May:
Buffet Breakfast at Kandooma Café - US$26.00++ per Adult
Half Board - US$73.00++ per Adult
Full Board - US$108.00++ per Adult
"Stay Spirited" - US$62.00++ per Adult
"Dine Around" - US$160.00++ per Adult
"Stay Indulgent" - US$222.00++ per Adult
When is your stay?
I received the following quotes just a few days ago for a stay in the 1st week of May:
Buffet Breakfast at Kandooma Café - US$26.00++ per Adult
Half Board - US$73.00++ per Adult
Full Board - US$108.00++ per Adult
"Stay Spirited" - US$62.00++ per Adult
"Dine Around" - US$160.00++ per Adult
"Stay Indulgent" - US$222.00++ per Adult
When is your stay?
Last edited by DuMaInSin; Apr 18, 2012 at 7:00 am
Apr 18, 2012, 7:30 am
#128
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,126
We're staying over New Year 2012, so quite a way off.
The hotel confirmed back to me by email (very quickly, they're to be complimented on their efficiency here) that it's perfectly possible to pay for a drinks package but pay for food on a meal-by-meal basis if that's what you want to do.
The hotel confirmed back to me by email (very quickly, they're to be complimented on their efficiency here) that it's perfectly possible to pay for a drinks package but pay for food on a meal-by-meal basis if that's what you want to do.
Apr 18, 2012, 9:08 am
#129
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Netherlands
Programs: SQ S, IHG Diamond/Amb, Accor S
Posts: 703
thanks BA97.
So it looks like they already know that they will increase the prices somewhere between now and the end of this year, and have quoted you these prices.
Yes, they informed me as well that you can pay for food on a meal-by-meal basis. Apparently for the buffet dinner at the Kandooma Café you pay the same price as you would if you book half board (in my case $47++).
Have they also quoted you prices for transportation?
This is what I got:
Shared Transfers:
Return Speedboat transfers from Airport to resort and Resort to Airport (Roundtrip) will be at US$188.00nett per Adult/ US$116.00nett per Child. (Inclusive of 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
Private Transfers:
Private Speedboat Transfers (max 4 Guests) USD 446.00 ++, per boat per way (Subject to 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
Private Speedboat Transfers (max 8 Guests) USD 796.00 ++, per boat per way (Subject to 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
In addition to that, in my case, there are the following charges:
Bed Tax
Priority Club will cover the payment for Bed Tax of a Member for reward nights stay. Extra persons travelling with the member will be charged at a rate of US$8.00 Bed Tax per person per night.
Extra Bed Supplement
US$ 55.00 ++ will be charges for the extra bed per bed per night.
So it looks like they already know that they will increase the prices somewhere between now and the end of this year, and have quoted you these prices.
Yes, they informed me as well that you can pay for food on a meal-by-meal basis. Apparently for the buffet dinner at the Kandooma Café you pay the same price as you would if you book half board (in my case $47++).
Have they also quoted you prices for transportation?
This is what I got:
Shared Transfers:
Return Speedboat transfers from Airport to resort and Resort to Airport (Roundtrip) will be at US$188.00nett per Adult/ US$116.00nett per Child. (Inclusive of 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
Private Transfers:
Private Speedboat Transfers (max 4 Guests) USD 446.00 ++, per boat per way (Subject to 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
Private Speedboat Transfers (max 8 Guests) USD 796.00 ++, per boat per way (Subject to 10% Service Charge and 6% GST Tax)
In addition to that, in my case, there are the following charges:
Bed Tax
Priority Club will cover the payment for Bed Tax of a Member for reward nights stay. Extra persons travelling with the member will be charged at a rate of US$8.00 Bed Tax per person per night.
Extra Bed Supplement
US$ 55.00 ++ will be charges for the extra bed per bed per night.
Jun 6, 2012, 10:27 am
#131
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CHA/TYS
Programs: The Mac Daddy of Heimlich County (and low-ball status)
Posts: 2,868
i read up-thread that this isn't a good choice for a honeymoon stop. any reason for this?
Also, nearly $200 pp for airport transfer sounds like robbery.
The beach isn't that great?
No luck on an over-water villa even if Plat, correct?
edit: after reading some other threads (conrad) and their transfer fees, $200 doesn't seem as asinine.
Also, nearly $200 pp for airport transfer sounds like robbery.
The beach isn't that great?
No luck on an over-water villa even if Plat, correct?
edit: after reading some other threads (conrad) and their transfer fees, $200 doesn't seem as asinine.
Last edited by mrredskin; Jun 6, 2012 at 1:46 pm
Aug 11, 2012, 9:40 pm
#132
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Just stayed here for 2 nights on points. Here is my review:
Pro:
- scenic boat ride across open waters (prepare for some shake down!)
- friendly sit-down check-in ala Andaz with fresh juice and lovely staff
- very bright well appointed two-level villas, huge bathroom with rain shower, lots of outdoor space and privacy
- fantastic food, some of the best hotel food I ever had, I chose the half-board
- super friendly, courteous and chatty staff
- right sized island, you can walk around in 20 minutes, not too much not too little
- good mix of folks mostly AU, CN and some Europeans
Con:
- Internet is 512kb only, I know this place is remote but I was hoping for more
- no real Maldives lagoon, while there are some nice sandy swimming areas with corals, the big lagoon that most North Male Atoll resorts have is missing
Overall I'm impressed how well managed this place is. This is by all means a great hotel anywhere in the world.
It's a good place for families with kids but also for couples. Surfers will love this place in summer as the breaks roll in directly behind the beach.
Pro:
- scenic boat ride across open waters (prepare for some shake down!)
- friendly sit-down check-in ala Andaz with fresh juice and lovely staff
- very bright well appointed two-level villas, huge bathroom with rain shower, lots of outdoor space and privacy
- fantastic food, some of the best hotel food I ever had, I chose the half-board
- super friendly, courteous and chatty staff
- right sized island, you can walk around in 20 minutes, not too much not too little
- good mix of folks mostly AU, CN and some Europeans
Con:
- Internet is 512kb only, I know this place is remote but I was hoping for more
- no real Maldives lagoon, while there are some nice sandy swimming areas with corals, the big lagoon that most North Male Atoll resorts have is missing
Overall I'm impressed how well managed this place is. This is by all means a great hotel anywhere in the world.
It's a good place for families with kids but also for couples. Surfers will love this place in summer as the breaks roll in directly behind the beach.
Sep 1, 2012, 11:45 am
#135
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,742
ycp81 posted a great trip report on his trip to the Maldives. The section on the Holiday Inn Kandooma can be found here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post19101512
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post19101512