“It all starts somewhere!”
Tourism in the Maldives began with the opening of the first resort on the paradise islands – Kurumba Maldives. Almost 50 years ago, the green island Vihamanafushi, which is just a stone’s throw from the capital of Malé, welcomed foreign guests for the first time. Today it is the most famous 5-star resort in the Maldives, sought after and preferred due to its legendary status. Kurumba has a main and unchanging important role – it made the first step towards the development of private hotel business as a new economic industry in the Maldives.
HISTORY OF KURUMBA
Kurumba has a very symbolic name – “coconut”, translated from the Maldivian language Dhivehi. Two Maldivians – Mohamed Umar Maniku and Ahmed Nasim founded this private resort among a densely planted coconut plantations in 1972. The main reason why the island of Vihamanafushi was chosen for tourism is its very convenient location, very close to the capital and the airport.
WHAT WAS THE KURUMBA HOTEL 50 YEARS AGO?
Compared to the modern Maldivian resorts, the then Kurumba was primitive. The main building materials were coral stone and coconut wood, and the roofs of the rooms were covered with palm leaves. By today’s standards, this is almost the same authentic accommodation that is in high demand among guests of the Maldives.
The only way to get to the island was by boat. The number of rooms in Kurumba at that time was only 30 (in blocks of three). Each room was equipped with a shower, toilet and furnished with the simplest necessary furniture. The direct access to the beach created an atmosphere of complete seclusion in the bosom of tropical nature. Meals were provided in the dining room, and in the evenings barbecues were available on the beach.
Over time, the resort has developed and gained momentum. Fresh water appeared on the island, the rooms were equipped with air-conditioning, and the restaurants were managed by first class chefs and a diversified menu.
The basic staff of the resort also increased, from a small team of friends who did all kinds of work to 450 employees today. Kurumba became a shining example of success, which was achieved through hard work and incredible efforts!
KURUMBA MALDIVES TODAY
If once Kurumba could receive only 60 guests a month, today its capacity allows it to receive 15 thousand tourists a year. It is a modern, excellent 5-star resort, which regularly received various awards from 2008 until today, where we have the pleasure and privilege to award this fantastic and elegant resort and its General Manager Mr. Andrew Janson with the prize “Best All Inclusive Resort in the Maldives 2022”!
Rooms in Kurumba
Currently, Kurumba has 180 comfortable and luxurious rooms/villas, including the Royal Residence, Presidential Suites, pool villas, family villas and superb views to the beach or the lush and well-kept garden. All villas and rooms have modern interiors, comfortable conditions, furnished cozy terraces and verandas.
Restaurants and dining places in Kurumba Maldives
The resort has eight wonderful restaurants with different cuisines from around the world, which already makes Kurumba a destination for true gourmet. The dining plans offered here guarantee the best price/quality ratio you will ever find in a Maldivian hotel. In addition, all your culinary preferences will be listened to – vegetarian, flexible, fruit, gluten-free and halal menus are available.
Leading resort restaurants:
Vihamanaa. A varied themed menu 7 days a week, served in buffet style. The resort’s main restaurant welcomes visitors for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stations for international cuisine and hot food.
Thila Restaurant offers seafood specialties with ocean views. The overwater sophisticated restaurant is open daily for breakfast and dinner. Try traditional Maldivian grilled seafood and gourmet desserts.
Hamakaze is an authentic Japanese restaurant over the lagoon, serving delicious sushi and sashimi for dinner. The attraction here is the showcooking and Teppanyaki bar.
Connoisseurs of Middle Eastern cuisine can enjoy Al Qasr Amazing – Lebanese, Moroccan and Tunisian food. Juicy meat from charcoal, barbecues, a variety of appetizers and snacks, with exquisite sauces and spices, typical of the Orient.
Authentic Indian cuisine with ancient recipes available for dinner at Mahal. This gastronomic journey from Northern to Southern India will impress every gourmand.
Thai cuisine in all its variety of delicate flavors is offered by the exquisite Khing Thai.
There are several other lounge bars and café-restaurants on the island. In addition, the hosts offer the organizing of private romantic dinners on the beach.
House reef snorkeling
Vihamanafushi Island has an excellent live house reef and perfect conditions for snorkeling. The choice of a resort with a good reef in the Maldives always depends on the quality of the underwater world of its inhabitants.
Breakwaters surround Kurumba, creating an ideal snorkeling environment. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are available for rent at the water center free of charge. Experienced sea guides will teach you all the basics of diving, if you are a beginner in this sport. Do not miss the opportunity to go snorkeling at night with experienced sea guides. This exciting experience deserves special attention for those looking for stronger sensations!
What Kurumba Diving Center has to offer?
The resort has a branch of the world famous diving company Euro Divers. The center’s experienced instructors conduct diving courses and scuba excursions. Many stunning diving spots around the island in the Maldives tempt all guests of Kurumba, which can be reached by boat for 5 minutes to half an hour.
Manta ray diving, shipwrecks and some of the most exciting drift diving spots are on the ‘’menu”, as well as modern equipment and free trial dive in the lagoon.
Watersports at Kurumba Maldives
The Kurumba Water Sports Center will keep you busy all the time, if you are tempted by a more active way of having a holiday. Here you will find a wide range of activities and equipment for practicing water sports in various fields: canoeing, sailing catamaran, water skiing, inflatable tablet, wakeboarding, water bike tours, parasailing, inflatable boat “banana”, windsurfing lessons, snorkeling lessons.
Surfing with Kurumba instructors
Take a short boat trip from the island and you are already at one of the best surfing spots in the world. Local instructors work with surfers of all levels. The surfing season in North Malé Atoll usually lasts from mid-April to mid-October. Make sure that surfing in the Maldives is unsurpassed!
Entertainment at Kurumba Hotel
Kurumba Maldives is considered the ideal Maldivian family hotel. And it is true! There is plenty of entertainment on the island for both children and adults. The resort has the Majaa Kids Club, which offers free of charge lots of fun activities for kids from 4 to 13 years old.
Adults can relax and keep fit at the Majaa Holiday Center. It offers board games, tennis courts, 24-hour fitness room.
Kandu Beach Bar organizes live music evenings and DJ parties. Also at the resort, you can see national dances to the rhythms of boduberu, which will bring you as close as possible to the Maldivian culture.
What excursions does Kurumba Maldives offer?
Due to its proximity to Malé, Kurumba offers its guests a guided tour of the capital. During the walk, you can see the sights of the city and devote time to shopping.
In addition, you can go to the Maldivian village to observe the culture and life of the indigenous people, visit the shops for souvenirs and handicrafts.
Sea trips include romantic dolphin cruises at sunset, snorkeling safaris, glass bottom boat trips and thrilling fishing trips.
Spa complex Veli Spa
Is a magnificent spa located amidst the lush palm garden of the Veli Spa, a place where you can find peace and recharge your body and spirit. Among some of the methods are: Dhivehi – traditional Maldivian herbal treatment according to ancient recipes. Indulge in a magical spa ritual under the stars and an original massage with hot sand.
