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Insider Access: Discover COMO, the Maldives’ Top Boutique Resort Brand for Understated Luxury
Written by Emily Jacobs
Villas shaped like fishing boats, a wellness-led philosophy and movies by starlight: this is boutique luxury in one of the most spectacular destinations on earth.
There’s luxury and then there’s COMO. The family-owned boutique resort brand takes five-star living to a new level in the Maldives with two jaw-dropping island paradises: COMO Cocoa Island and COMO Maalifushi. Known for curating outstanding hospitality experiences all over the world, the global group has exceeded all expectations amid the atolls of this island nation, offering its iconic COMO Shambhala wellness concept along with overwater villas designed by renowned ateliers, romantic dining and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, all with a backdrop of turquoise ocean and colourful coral.
Ready to escape? Discover COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island.
The food: wellness-led cuisine & romantic beach picnics
Eating well is a key part of the COMO experience, and this is no different at its Maldivian outposts. The COMO Shambhala wellness approach elevates healthy cuisine from bland to brilliant, with each resort offering a unique take on local and seasonal ingredients that support the mind, body and soul. At COMO Maalifushi, chefs emphasise plant-based nutrition to offer flavour and freshness, complemented by abundant seafood and tropical produce found on surrounding islands.
South Indian cuisine takes centre stage at COMO Cocoa Island, with light curries, sustainable seafood and salads sitting alongside morning juices and evening broths.
For truly unforgettable culinary experiences, both boutique resorts offer exceptional private dining options, with picnics on uninhabited islands, candlelit dinners on deserted beaches or multi-course feasts in the privacy of your villa.
The experiences: dolphin spotting, sunset cruises & starlit movies
Swim with whale sharks, snorkel alongside turtles or paddle your way through the turquoise lagoon: the ocean is your playground when you stay at a COMO resort in the Maldives.
At COMO Maalifushi, watch dolphins migrate through the atoll with a glass of champagne in hand, or wait for the sun to set to snorkel alongside the majestic whale shark. Cast away with the entire family with a picnic hamper, or join the in-house marine biologist for an in-depth exploration of the coral reef. Dial up the romance with a Dhoni cruise, admiring the sunset from the water with a drink in hand and a loved one by your side.
At COMO Cocoa Island, charter a private yacht to explore more of the reef, or snorkel with whitetip and blacktip reef sharks just 15 minutes from the resort. Brush up on your culinary skills with a private cooking class, before settling in for an open-air screening of your favourite movie under starlight. Finish a day of rest and relaxation with dinner on a private sandbank, butler included, or savour a selection of oysters at sunset while lounging on beanbags.
The villas: overwater havens & extravagant residences
Tick off a bucket-list adventure at the COMO resorts in the Maldives, where you can spend your days diving into a crystal-clear lagoon from the jetty of your overwater villa, or take in sensational sunrises from your beach suite, complete with private pool and direct beach access.
Embrace every element of local Maldivian culture at COMO Cocoa Island, where just 33 overwater suites and villas pay tribute to the gently curved Dhoni fishing boat in design, docked at a wooden boardwalk over the lagoon. Soak up the sunshine from your private sundeck, before slipping into your private pool or the lagoon to cool off.
Escape with friends or family to COMO Maalifushi, where the four-bedroom residence combines endless ocean views with contemporary living spaces.
Wellness: yoga by the lagoon & overwater spa serenity
With such a globally respected concept, there’s no doubting the wellness credentials of these remarkable resorts. Work through your sun salutations in an open-air pavilion at COMO Maalifushi, or indulge in an exclusive hydrotherapy treatment at COMO Cocoa Island – it’s one of the few resorts in the Maldives that offer this therapy.
Relaxing comes easy in an environment as beautiful as COMO Maalifushi’s overwater treatment rooms – let the sounds of the ocean below lull you into serenity as the qualified therapists take you through a wellness immersion, including over two hours of treatments.
At COMO Cocoa Island, enjoy complete privacy with a COMO Shambhala bath or deep-tissue massage, or stretch out with daily yoga sessions overlooking lush foliage and the lagoon beyond.
The extensive program of wellness activities is complemented by menus that celebrate vibrant local ingredients, prepared simply to retain as much nutritional value as possible. COMO Shambhala cuisine menus are available at Madi at COMO Maalifushi and Ufaa at COMO Cocoa Island.
COMO Maalifushi and COMO Cocoa Island are part of the new Ultra Lux collection. Discover more here.
Looking for more Maldives inspiration? Check out 8 Unique Experiences in the Maldives.
