Como Maalifushi

There is a wide variety of villas and suites to choose from at the island resort and guests can choose to be located above the water or amongst tropical vegetation. As well as villas guests can choose to stay in suites at the beach and amongst the tropical vegetation.

With private access to the beach and a private pool, the beach villas are framed with large windows and French doors that open up to a terrace with a stunning view. The sundeck has loungers to relax in all day and a dining table for nights of entertaining. As well as a shower there is a bathtub for guests to indulge in. With a 46” TV in the bedroom and a living room space with its own 55” TV, guests are given space and luxury. Air conditioning, a ceiling fan, coffee/tea making facilities and Wi-Fi are all included in the beach villas.

Full length windows overlook the Indian Ocean at the water villas and guests can enjoy access to a private pool and sundeck too. Lounger and a dining table sit on the sundeck and guests can enjoy both a sunken bath and outdoor shower during their stay. The spacious villa has a separate living area and the bedroom has a separate dressing room. These villas are great for small families as the sitting area can double as a kids’ sleeping area. Air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a 46” LED TV and a ceiling fan are all features of the water villas for guests to also enjoy.

At the centre of the island amongst the tropical greenery lay the garden rooms. Located in the shade they are just a short walk in the sand to all of the resort’s amenities such as the restaurants and wellness retreat. An open plan feel is what makes the garden rooms so special and with an outdoor deck and furniture provided for outdoor dining, guests can entertain from the comfort of their room. The garden rooms are also able to interconnect with each other upon request for those traveling in groups. Amenities include a bathtub, shower, air conditioning, LED TV, Wi-Fi and facilities to make both tea and coffee.

This four bedroom residence is spread across two floors. Complete with a modern living area, large media room and a full kitchen, endless sea views are accessible and the sundeck is the perfect spot for private dining due to the loungers and furniture provided. A butler service is included to ensure your stay is catered too and guests can enjoy the private pool that comes with the residence.

Guests can choose between a bathtub and shower to use as well as choose to enjoy entertainment on one of three TVs at the residence. Complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, tea/coffee making facilities and a ceiling fan complete this 356 SQM space.

This villa is the resort’s most spectacular over water residence. Complete with two bedrooms, the bungalow is filled with light and is located on its own secluded jetty for guests to enjoy. A private pool and sundeck is the perfect spot to take a dip and gaze at the Indian Ocean from.

Loungers and a dining table on the sundeck allow for relaxation and private entertainment into the evening and the large space is complete with a bathtub, shower and 55” LED TV for nights in. The villas are complete with amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi access, tea/coffee making facilities and a ceiling fan.

Resting above the lagoon, the two bedroom COMO villas have a large pool and is perfect for groups and families who want luxury, space and privacy. The sundeck is perfect for lazing in the sun on the hottest days and direct access to the lagoon is perfect for cooling off. Air conditioning fills the spacious villa and is complete with a 55” LED TV, Wi-Fi access and a DVD player.

A private butler service is complimentary of the COMO villas and ensures your stay is catered to and hassle free. Other amenities include a bathtub, shower, iPod docks, tea/coffee making facilities and a ceiling fan. With views that overlook the Indian Ocean this villa is perfect to indulge and appreciate the island’s natural beauty.

Fresh and tropical produce take centre stage at Madi Restaurant and serves fresh seafood that has been sourced locally. Dishes are served from breakfast until late evening and are inspired by Mediterranean and international dishes. Madi also holds themed nights to explore flavours such as Indian, Thai and traditional Maldivian cuisine. The week ends with a barbeque of seafood beneath the stars and local musicians play live music.

Offering Japanese cuisine, sustainably caught seafood is served to guests with views of the sunset as guests eat. A cocktail bar enhances this entire experience and is open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday between 6:30pm and 10pm.

Salads, pizzas and freshly cooked seafood are just a few of the options on offer at Thila. Family-friendly and laid back, an open-air pool bar makes this spot all the more relaxing. Play a game of pool or chill out to laid-back music at this spot with a beautiful ocean view. Thila is open daily from 111am to 11pm.

The most memorable of moments can be made with a private dining experience. Candle lit dinners on the beach or an intimate meal on the deck of your villa, the choice is yours. Served by private butlers, chefs can prepare your meals tailored to the occasion. Floating breakfasts can be enjoyed in your private pool or the whole family can have a castaway picnic on an uninhabited island.

A nutritional concept, Como Shambhala cuisine focuses on organic ingredients rich in vitamins and sea minerals. Served in Madi Restaurant, the chefs incorporate a tandoor into the cooking process; a type of Indian oven that allows for fat-free cooking. This cuisine can also be served in your private villa or as a part of private dining on an uninhabited island.

Available 24 hours a day, guests can order food to their villa whenever it suits them. Salads, pastas and juices are all available and prepared by the chefs at the island resort.

With eight double treatment pavilions at the island resort that rest over the water, guests can unwind to the sound of the ocean in an oversized bathtub, on a massage bed or at the double doors that open wide to let in the beautiful view. There are also steam, jacuzzi and sauna areas as well as a state of the art fitness centre that can be used by guests. For those looking to completely unwind, there is access to an open-air yoga pavilion on the sunrise side of the island.

Wake up to a morning stretch and a view of the Indian Ocean and take classes from yoga and meditation experts. Based in Asian traditions such as Thai and Indonesian rituals, the retreat is the perfect spot for de-stressing. Classic beauty treatments are also available such as facials, manicures and pedicures.

Coco Maalifushi has a host of snorkelling adventures for guests to embark on where guides will assist you to explore the reef and watch marine life such as manta rays and sea turtles swim in their natural habitat. Night snorkelling is a rare experience to enjoy at the island to spot the budding life that comes out at night. A turtle expedition snorkel is a stunning chance to spot schools of fish and the species of turtles that swim offshore.

Whale shark night snorkelling is a two hour expedition to find the largest fish near the island. Watch them from the deck or join them in their natural habitat and observe them closely. This activity runs from November to April. Other types of snorkelling available at the island include guided kayak snorkelling, catamaran snorkelling and UV light snorkelling. There is sure to be something to suit any family or group member.

For an in depth guide on the vibrant coral reef, an aqua safari with the resident marine biologist will take you exploring. Presentations also take place twice a week, inviting guests to learn about the environment and delicate ecosystems of the Maldives. This is a great chance to ask any questions you may have about the teeming marine life below the surface of the Atoll.

Excursions will take guests to different areas of the Atoll to explore Maldivian life and its surroundings. A dolphin cruise takes guests off shore to watch these creatures migrate in pods through the waters and for couples on a honeymoon or romantic getaway, sailing by traditional Dhoni is the perfect chance to relax at sea on cushion with champagne at sunset.

Private boat charters can also be hired for families or large groups looking to have a trip tailored to their specific interests. A two hour excursion to a nearby island is the perfect opportunity to stroll the streets and visit local cafes and stores. Those interested in how the seafood is caught can also try their hand at fishing.

The island has a wide variety of motorised water sports available to guests of all levels, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro. Guests can enjoy wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing, taking lessons to improve their skills. Guides can also take guests across the coastlines and give surfing a go. A surf pass allows guests to visit three secluded surfing spots in the Atoll. Sailing lessons are also available and the lagoon is the perfect spot to take a lesson or two.

The island is home to its very own resident marine biologist and in partnership with Seamarc, coral is being planted on the seafloor to encourage the reef to prosper. Guests are welcome to sponsor coral and track its progress. Guests can also snorkel and witness for themselves just how vital this work is for the delicate ecosystems.

Guided excursions can take guests to two different reef sites near the island resort where they will discover the array of marine life and coral that call the Indian Ocean its home. Guides will help guests identify the flora and fauna while swimming across the seafloor. Guests of all levels are welcome as long as they can swim.

Supporting local organisations and workers is important to Como Maalifushi which is why the resort sources its seafood and produce locally whenever possible. All food served is purchased closely to reduce air miles and the island produces its own honey on site. Supporting local producers and non-profit organisations has helped locals set up their own shops, for example, the work in Bhutan has helped a female entrepreneur set up the first prayer flag and printer shop in the area.

The island takes inspiration from its natural surroundings and has incorporated indigenous architecture into its design. Alongside this there are large natural areas of land that thrive next to the villas, such as beaches and lush gardens to explore.

Education in language and literacy is important to COMO and they have been able to set up a number of initiatives and curriculums in the process that also includes gardening, hygiene education and storytelling. Classes are developed and taught by employees and held at the hotel. The island resort in the Maldives more specifically supports two local schools, upgrading their facilities and equipment.

Their other destinations support local schools and provide funding, training and industry exposure to students and aids in helping young women, running personal development workshops to help them become employed.

Focusing on health, education and sustainability COMO supports the local community. Water management systems have been set up across their resorts for local communities and farmers and food donations are also in place to address the problem of food insecurity. Through in-kind donation and over 1,500 volunteering hours, COMO has been able to affect the lives of more than 300,000 people as of 2016. This number is only going up as COMO continue to support communities and aid local farmers.

Taking care of natural habitats and biodiversity is incredibly important to COMO and across their resorts there are programmes in place to support the natural environments that they operate in. In the Maldives at Coco Maalifushi the resort runs a coral restoration project to help the sea life flourish. Guests can participate in this programme and ‘adopt a coral’ in the process, donating money to the cause and visiting the reef to learn about this valuable work.

The island resort is in partnership with the Maldives Marine Research Centre to track sighting of sea turtles and manta rays in the area. The partnership also monitors ocean debris to keep the natural marine life safe.

Efficient equipment is installed across the island to manage both the consumption of water and energy. Employee training and engagement is in place at the resort and guests are given the option to re-use their towels and linen to lower water consumption. Low thermal emissivity glass is also in place at some resorts to reduce heat transmission into the buildings.