Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives — Hotel in Malé Atoll

This was our fifth time in the Maldives.

Overall, Kuda Villingili is an excellent resort, with some small quirks due to it being relatively new.

KV is family friendly, which is always a top priority for me, because we always travel together with our kids.

There are kids menus at each restaurant, prices for the transfer are lower for children, there is a playground, there is a kids area with games and caretakers (if needed), the pool is entirely suitable for children (comfortable depth, plenty of shade, very clean, with shower and restroom facilities), there are kids bikes available (a bit beat up, but this is typical in the Maldives). Also, you will always find something for your kids to eat at the breakfast buffet, which isn't necessarily the case in some other resorts.

The location is excellent - very close to Male, which means you will have a quick and easy transfer from your intl flight.

The Accommodations are excellent in every type of villa (and the apartments are just as nice). They are large, well appointed, well furnished, stylish, and comfortable. The rooms are cleaned very well! The outdoor shower and bathtub are a joy to use. There are no problems with hot water or water pressure. Everything feels posh and luxurious, if that's something you're looking for. The sunrise side is probably better, as it is sheltered from waves and strong currents. The view is also nicer, in my opinion.

In general, the island is very well kept - crews clean the beaches and pathways everyday. The pool is looked after exceptionally well. All the dining facilities look and feel brand new (as they are), because staff look after everything really well. The whole territory is very green and shady, and really feels like a paradise island, even though most of the island is on artificially dredged sand. They've planted a lot of really beautiful vegetation, and look after it really closely.

The staff is top notch. Very attentive and accommodating. You will feel looked after throughout your whole stay (and they are always quick to answer queries via email, and also ready to assist with any atypical requests).

Basically, if you want a very comfortable, upscale, conveniently located kid friendly resort, KV is an excellent match. That being said, there are always quirks and tradeoffs, KV is no exception :

The beach on either side has a lot of broken coral fragments littering the entrance to the water. This is typical for all islands where the sand has been dredged in, but it's very noticeable here. You should have swimming shoes for your kids if you don't want them to scrape their feet.

Once you do get in the water, you'll find that most of the sunrise side is too shallow to comfortably swim given the aforementioned rocks, shell and coral fragments. The sunset side is a bit better in this regard.

There is no house reef to speak of, though something is beginning to form near the Spa. If you explore a bit while snorkeling, you will be able to find fish (especially near the wave breakers in front of the SPA! There are whole schools of fish sitting in the current in the inlets, where there are openings from the lagoon to the open sea).

But in general, the beach and fish situation is not nearly as good as on many other islands.

Any food you buy outside of the dining plan will be super expensive, so definitely go with the FB option. Otherwise be prepared to pay 16 usd +10% service, +12% tax for a latte, 35 usd for a burger (plus those same charges) etc. It is expensive!

If your priority is an idyllic beach and fantastic snorkeling, you will probably need to look elsewhere - like Constance Moofushi or Ayada, but this will entail additional flights.

But there are tradeoffs everywhere, so really do your research! Lagoon or open sea (or both), natural beach or dredged sand, 5* dining or basic buffet, AI or pay as you go, child friendly or not, reef or no reef, domestic flight, seaplane or boat... and of course Price. There are a lot of parameters...

Rating: 11/10 (If TripAdvisor allowed it)||We recently spent a magical family holiday at Kuda Villingili, and it far exceeded our expectations in every possible way. This was an 11/10 experience for us, made even more special by our 10-year wedding vow renewal.||What stood out? Honestly, the setting and villa alone would have been enough to make the trip unforgettable. Kuda Villingili is a stunning private island retreat. Our villa was immaculate, spacious, and perfectly suited for our family of four. Generous living spaces, a private outdoor area, and bedrooms with premium bedding made every day comfortable and relaxing. The overall design blended luxury with practicality in a way that just felt right for a family getaway.||The family experience was seamless from start to finish. The resort’s facilities were pristine and incredibly kid-friendly, with safe spaces to play and plenty of memorable moments for the children. The activities program was thoughtfully curated, offering something for everyone, so we could mix adventure with downtime and still all be on the same page.||Our 10-year wedding vow renewal was a highlight that we’ll treasure forever. The ceremony took place in a beautiful, meaningful space on the island, and it felt intimate, ceremonial, and absolutely unforgettable. The planning and arrangements were completely taken care of and organized seamlessly. We had a photographer and videographer who went above and beyond, capturing every precious moment. We even incorporated Maldivian traditions, including the use of Maldivian drums, which added a beautiful cultural layer to the moment. The photos turned out stunning, and the timing was perfect.||Food and dining were exceptional from start to finish. Breakfast spreads were lavish, and dinners were exquisite, with high-quality ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and enough variety to please everyone. The team accommodated dietary needs with care, so there was no stress about what anyone could eat. Dining was effortless and joyful, whether we were eating together as a family or enjoying private meals.||The surf and activity highlight was a real treat. There are amazing surf spots nearby with the resort itself on Chickens the famous left and Cokes only a short boat ride away, with waves welcoming for all levels. It added an exhilarating balance to the luxury experience and gave the trip an extra kick for water-loving family members.||The family and I also really enjoyed the island bikes to get around or down for a surf. The kids happy hour every afternoon was very enjoyable. ||And a special shout-out to our butler, Reehan, who really made the stay feel seamless. His attentiveness, warmth, and personalized care were evident in every interaction, and his efforts added a layer of ease that let us focus on making memories.||The service and staff across the board were consistently outstanding. The hospitality felt genuinely warm, with clear, prompt, and courteous communication that helped coordinate activities, meals, and the vow renewal without a hitch. The little touches, from welcome amenities to personalized gestures, didn’t go unnoticed.||As for value, the all-inclusive feel of the package tying together accommodation, activities, meals, and the vow renewal arrangements created a cohesive, stress-free experience. The quality across the villa, dining, and service justified every penny, delivering extraordinary value for a family holiday and a...

Our stay at Kuda Villingili was absolutely perfect — everything from the rooms to the service exceeded our expectations. The villas were incredibly spacious and ultra-luxurious compared to other properties we’ve visited in the Maldives. The bathroom was almost as large as the room itself and beautifully designed with premium amenities.

We arrived by their private boat, which was very comfortable, and reached the resort in about 30 minutes. From the moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the entire team. A special mention to our butler, Dao, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and always available to help us with anything we needed. She ensured that every detail of our stay was taken care of — from restaurant reservations to daily activities — and did it all with a warm smile and genuine care.

The property itself is stunning — spotlessly clean, beautifully maintained, and incredibly peaceful. There’s always staff around quietly ensuring everything remains perfect.

We stayed in both the Beach Villa and the Water Villa, and both experiences were wonderful. The lagoon-facing Beach Villa was calm and serene, with small sharks and colorful fish visible right from the shore. The Water Villa offered a magical ocean experience — swimming directly in the sea was an absolute delight.

The resort also features the largest swimming pool in the Maldives, which is breathtaking and ideal for both relaxing and swimming laps.

Dining was another highlight. With seven restaurants, the variety and quality of food were outstanding. The breakfast spread was lavish with plenty of options for every taste. What truly impressed us was how, at every restaurant, the chef personally came to our table to understand our preferences and customize dishes for us. As vegans, we deeply appreciated the effort and care they took — every meal was delicious! The mocktails and cocktails were also fantastic.

Evenings came alive with live singers, while DJ sessions in the afternoon added to the fun, vibrant atmosphere.

Everything about Kuda Villingili — the design, the ambiance, the hospitality, and the attention to detail — was flawless. We had no complaints at all and are already planning our next visit. A big thank you to the entire team, especially Dao, for making our stay so memorable. It was the perfect...