Just spent 3 days in this lovely resort
The rooms are large, beds are comfortable, amenities are plenty, decoration is lovely... outdoor shower is awesome. Shampoo and conditioner and shower gel are all made from coconut, so lovely smell and good quality too!
Staff: by far the best staff. This is our third to Maldives(first time to Kurumba), and any restaurant, bar, cafe you visit, you will be pleased to deal with knowledgeable, smiley, friendly helpful staff... that extends to ALL the staff, receptionists, Gardner’s etc. 7 star staff seriously.
Morning buffet selection was excellent. Same for dinner buffet
Had dinner once at the Hakasana. Nice too.
I couldn’t give it a 5 star for 3 reasons that are not in the hotel management or staff control.
Reason 1: the surrounding reef
If you are after snorkeling only, which is my case when in the Maldives, you will find this reef poor
For a first timer, I’m sure they will be happy, but for myself, it was poor.
Having been to a few other resorts also surrounded by a reef, but these were out of this world. On the other resorts, the amount of fish is just amazing, plentiful and loads of variety.
In kurumba, you get to see some fish... it’s just not mind blowing
The second reason I didn’t give it a 5 star is a smell. A persistant smell of kerosene.
Again the hotel is most likely not to blame.
Could be from the ongoing works by the airport. We don’t know for sure. But it deprived us from the escape feel you want when on an island
There are barriers built all around the island, which are there to protect from large waves...which obviously is great and a must, but again, it took away the escape feeling.
On the bright side for fellow snorkelers, you will get to swim with larger black tip reef sharks. On the other islands we went to, it was all baby black tip.
The last reason, it’s conveniently located not too far from the airport, so you don’t have to fly there, but it’s so near that you continuously hear the planes taking off and landing.
We would not return to Kurumba my hubby and I but would certainly highly recommend it to friends.
It’s just not for us. We are fine with less 5 star food/room/facilities, but more after “lost on an island” kinda of feel and great snorkeling
We requested a late check out since our flight is late in the evening. They did grant a couple of hours more. Which is nice considering it’s high season
They also have a place where you can shower and rest while waiting for your flight
In conclusion, the staff are the best we ever encountered. Awesome facilities. Average snorkeling. Average location due to construction and planes.