{"id":83786,"date":"2023-10-19T18:59:10","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T18:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/?p=83786"},"modified":"2023-10-19T18:59:10","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T18:59:10","slug":"i-visited-a-five-star-maldives-resort-loved-by-premier-league-footballers-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happylifestyleinc.com\/travel\/i-visited-a-five-star-maldives-resort-loved-by-premier-league-footballers-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"I visited a five-star Maldives resort loved by Premier League footballers | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
THE MALDIVES has long been associated with the jet-set, the rich and famous, and is notably on many traveller's bucket lists.<\/p>\n
After a week of snorkelling in the pristine Indian Ocean, spa treatments and fine-dining at one of its premier destinations, it's easy to understand why.<\/p>\n
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Most recently, Man City Treble winner Ederson enjoyed a holiday with his family on the island of Dhaalu Atoll.<\/p>\n
Liverpool and England star Joe Gomez also enjoyed the hospitality at Kandima, and even joined the staff for\u00a0a kickabout on their astroturf\u00a0pitch.<\/p>\n
When my wife Simone and I arrived, we were shown to our stunning aqua villa, where we stayed with the youngest of our brood, Tippi, 4, and River, 1.<\/p>\n
Perched over the water, boasting sights of baby sharks, eagle rays, and plenty of colourful fish seen from a private sundeck, we were spoiled.<\/p>\n
The girls, Summer, 16, Blossom, 13, and India, 12, stayed in a studio suite, found directly on the beach, with a king bedroom, sofa bed, and fun balcony swings.<\/p>\n We came in September, the supposed rainy season, that lasts till November. But it stayed a reliable 29 degrees throughout and was mostly dry.<\/p>\n Dinner was enjoyed at a la carte restaurants, Azure, Sea Dragon and Smoked, while breakfast and lunch buffets by Zest and Flavour were flavoursome and filling.<\/p>\n Sea Dragon, an Asian fusion eaterie, is the pick of the bunch. But you have to work for your dinner.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The restaurant has several water tanks, where you'll find lobster, crab, and plenty of other fish to choose from.<\/p>\n I was handed a net by the waiter, and was asked to snare a sea beast.<\/p>\n I attempted to catch a lobster, but its powerful claws were too much for me as it pushed the net away.<\/p>\n The waiter intervened, scooping it up with ease, before taking it off to boil.<\/p>\n The joy of Kandima is the variety of activities on offer.<\/p>\n We took a boat out to sea for the Turtle Quest Experience (\u00a348-per-person), which was lacking in turtles but didn't disappoint with the colourful coral and marine life dancing in front of our eyes.<\/p>\n The group art class at KULA Art Studio (\u00a332-per-person) was just the ticket to keep busy and creative minds active.<\/p>\n Simone and our daughters settled on pictures with suitable Maldives themes, think sunsets, sea, and eagle rays.<\/p>\n It's watersports, though, that gave this active family the greatest fun. Kayaking and paddle boarding are offered free for an hour every day on the Dine All Inclusive package.<\/p>\n The island is 1.8 miles long and is one of the largest in the Maldives, so there's plenty to explore.<\/p>\n There are also two pools at Kandima. Our favourite, the ridiculously large 100m pool, is one of the largest in the Maldives.<\/p>\n But who needs a pool when you've got the sea?<\/p>\n From schooling bannerfishes to blacktip reef sharks, it never got old witnessing such beauty under the water with our snorkels.<\/p>\n Needing some time away from the kids, Simone and I enjoyed 60-minute couple's massage (\u00a398-per-person) at the esKAPE Spa.<\/p>\n With the sound of ocean waves crashing and the firm hand of a masseuse, it was beyond relaxing.<\/p>\n I can say rarely has anywhere made us feel like we didn't want to leave. We met our match with Kandima, where we we shared a communal experience with the staff and other guests.<\/p>\n With a tear in our eye, we were waved off by the Kandima team.<\/p>\n As sad as it was to leave, it was an experience as a family we will never ever forget and the memories will live on.<\/p>\n Most importantly, we made a promise to ourselves to return again.<\/p>\n GETTING THERE: Flights to Male, Maldives in October start at \u00a3533 with three connecting flights, which excludes transfers. Direct flights begin at \u00a3866pp.<\/p>\n See skyscanner.net.<\/p>\n STAYING THERE: Kandima Maldives is from \u00a3448pp per night for the Dine Around All Inclusive package or \u00a3280pp half board per night.<\/p>\n See kandima.com<\/p>\n<\/picture>SOMEWHERE NEUM <\/span><\/p>\n
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GO: Maldives<\/h3>\n