Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has reimagined Valentine’s Day and will unveil a new 100-Candle Dinner as part of their Month of Love this February.   

St Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world on 14th February.  Mark Eletr, General Manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives explains that it was a brainstorming with the Resort’s marketing team that led to reimagining the special occasion by extending celebrations to the entire month of February. “As a one island, one resort experience here in the Maldives we are the epitome of romance.  Often when Valentine’s day falls mid-week many people simply cannot do something special to mark the occasion due to family and work commitments.  We thought why not make the entire month all about couples, romance and togetherness.” 

Kandooma’s Month of Love celebrates romance with a focus on shared experiences, exquisite dining and creating memories. 

“There is also the potential for us to collaborate with our guests to create really romantic surprises and even marriage proposals,” explains Mark. “We’ve arranged everything from the ‘Will you marry me?’ sign board underwater for a scuba diving proposal to writing the words in the sand on the beach so it can be seen from a tandem Parasail or in candles for a moonlight beach walk.  If you can dream it up, we will do our best to make it happen.”  he said.

The most nerve-racking one for him, and he’s seen many proposals go off without a hitch, is the diamond in the Champagne glass.   

“Diamond rings on the bottom of pools are right up there as proposals which can go wrong, but perhaps the most stressful is when the ring is hidden in food or in a glass of bubbles and the intended scoffs the food in a gulp or downs the bubbles so quickly they miss it.  It’s never happened, but could you imagine?” 

Mark says trips to a private sandbank for an intimate dinner or picnic, and Champagne Catamaran sunset cruises are favourites at Kandooma.  

“New for 2023 is our 100-Candle Dinner in a secret location on the island.  It is perfect to pop the question, celebrate a special milestone or just enjoy the ulimate in romantic dining,” he says.

The new 100-Candle Dinner for 2023 is priced at US $495++ per couple and includes a 6-course set menu thoughtfully prepared to delight and each course is paired with a glass of wine (or soft option).  

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is an all-villa resort and the favoured room type among couples is the Over Water Villa.   

“The overwater villas were made famous around the world by the Maldives and they are very popular.  Many guests choose not to leave their villas and for them we can offer special in-villa dining experiences from breakfast on the deck to a private dinner.  There really are many options,” 

Mark explains that most guests take advantage of the Couples treaments available in the purpose-built Spa villa with its own private pool, oversized tub and treatment zones. “Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala is in high demand with our guests particularly couples.   I would recommend anyone keen, pre-book when they make their reservation and definitely take advantage of the couples’ villa facilities and perhaps consider taking a Couples Massage class so you can take your new skill home.” 

The luxuriously indulgent ‘Stay Romantic’ couples’ treatment in the private villa at Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala provides guests with half an hour pool relaxation time and includes a 90-minute massage for two and an invigorating bath (20-mins) in the oversized tub.  US$275++ per couple for 2 hours.

The private ‘Couples Massage Workshop’ shares massage techniques for both chair- and bed-based massage.  The expert therapist explains the anatomy of the back and key areas to target for optimum relaxation as well as the sequence to a massage which they can master with practice.   US$150++ per couple, 75 mins.  

During the February ‘Month of Love’ at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, experience an Island Romance getaway starting from US$521++ per room, per night,  and including:

• Accommodation and return speed boat transfer for 2 adults.
• Daily buffet breakfast and dinner for 2 adults at Kandooma Café.
• In-villa romantic breakfast for 2 adults once during the stay.
• Private Beach Dinner* with Bottle of Champagne once during the stay. 
• In-villa welcome amenities.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in-villa and public areas.
• Complimentary non-motorised water sports (excluding Wind Surfing & Catamaran).

Terms & Conditions:

• Minimum 4 nights stay.
• Must be booked minimum 3 days prior to arrival.
• Deposit of first night required 7 days prior to arrival.
• Deposit forfeited if the booking is cancelled within 7 days prior to arrival date.
• Benefits apply to the maximum number of guests that can be accommodated in a room based on the EXISTING bedding.

**Rates are subject to 10% Service Charge and 16% Goods and Services Tax. Additional USD 6.00 per person, per night is applicable as mandatory Maldives government Green Tax. All offers are subject to availability. (Private Beach dinner does not include 100-Candle Dinner)

For information about the Month of Love celebrations at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives visit https://www.maldives.holidayinnresorts.com/hotel-offers/island-romance-2/