Hotel Kurumba

The Kurumba is located on the Malé Nord atoll, 8 minutes away by speed boat from Malé airport.

The island is the pioneer of Maldives tourism: the Kurumba was built in 1972. The hotel belongs to the Universal Resorts chain. Underwater diving is practiced with the PADI method.

To be highlighted first of all is the very nice welcome, and the transport in air-conditioned yacht with leather seats, fresh towels and drinks. Then, the management welcomes you with flower necklaces of Tiaré that are offered to you. Finally, you are transported by carriage in your rooms where you are offered again a refreshing towel and some coconut milk contained in a coconut which can be then broken upon request to taste the fruit. We have a mixed opinion regarding the Kurumba. On the one hand, the hotel is attractive with its big reception area lined with patios containing ponds decorated with flowers, its beautiful swimming pool, its quality service worthy of a 5 star hotel (its international classification). On the other hand, with its solid architecture, 7 indoor restaurants, swimming pool that is certainly pleasant but hidden from the sea by trees, its sickening smells and the airplanes flying so close to the island, you might think you are somewhere else... The image you have of Maldives does not come through straightaway. Even the beach is a bit disappointing because of its block of rocks on the sea. The hotel has an Australian spa specializing in Thai massages, with a fitness room. The Kurumba also offers a swimming pool in front of the coffee-bar, a swimming pool near the fitness room in front of the three tennis courts, with a pool for kids. The water sports base offers many water activities.

The Kurumba has 180 rooms. There are four categories. Some sofas need to be changed; the leather is worn. The decor is sober; the rooms have a living room with a big television (with satellite), tea, coffee, tiara flowers in the water... The bathrooms are spacious, equipped with a double wash-hand basin, a big mirror above the sink, a make-up mirror, a bathtub, a shower, an outdoor covered jacuzzi, a bidet, and an outside shower. In the room, you enter and find a small living room, and on the mezzanine covered with parquet, the bed. The rooms have a small terrace facing a common outside area (2 chairs with a small table). Some rooms of each category offer a direct sea view without trees obstructing the view. Room service operates at meal times.

The hotel has 7 restaurants. The main restaurant is nice, the atmosphere subdued, the buffet substantial, and its quality is good. The Ocean Grill offers you a selection of barbecue and sea specialties served at dinner right by the seashore. The Italian, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, Japanese restaurants, also open for dinner, are meticulously decorated but open towards the outside with few or no windows. They take away from Maldives the good romantic meals at the edge of the water which when expect coming here. A pizzeria is open from 11.00am till 4.30pm, the coffee shop from 9.00am till 1.00am, the beach bar from 10.00am till 1.00am, karaoke from 7.30pm till 1.00am.

The beach consists of few grey sand, with twigs and algae. The water is fortunately translucent but there is not a lot of it. Deckchairs are installed on the beach in front of the swimming pool. The tranquility of the beach is disturbed by the planes flying over the region. And the view is a bit obstructed by the block of rocks. The water sports base offers: catamaran, windsurfing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, banana boat...