Kandooma Maldives introduces ‘Kandooma Table’ with beach BBQs, tastings and sunset dining
Kandooma Maldives will introduce a refreshed culinary programme centred on beach barbecues, castaway picnics, sunset dinners and chef-led tastings as the South Malé Atoll resort enters a new chapter under HPL Hotels & Resorts.
HPL Hotels & Resorts will take over management of Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort Maldives from 1 October 2026, with the property rebranding as Kandooma Maldives and adopting a new all-inclusive concept.
Food and beverage forms one of the five pillars of the resort’s new positioning through “Kandooma Table”, which is designed to bring guests together through island-inspired dining and shared culinary experiences.
The concept will include castaway picnics, beach barbecues, sunset dinners and chef-led tastings, moving the resort’s dining programme beyond conventional restaurant service and into different settings around the island.
For Kandooma’s culinary team, the approach creates opportunities to work across several styles of service. A beach barbecue requires live cooking, temperature management and careful preparation for an outdoor setting, while castaway picnics place greater emphasis on portability, food safety and dishes that remain at their best away from the main kitchen.
Sunset dinners add another destination-dining format, where chefs need to consider not only the menu but also the timing, setting and pace of the meal.
Chef-led tastings will meanwhile provide a more direct connection between the kitchen and guests. Such experiences allow culinary teams to explain ingredients, techniques and flavour combinations while giving diners a closer view of the thinking behind individual dishes.
All-inclusive dining takes a larger role
Under the new concept, Kandooma Maldives’ all-inclusive plan will cover breakfast, lunch and dinner, selected beverages and snacks throughout the day.
The resort will also introduce 24-hour dining at Kandooma Café, significantly extending the operational window for its food and beverage teams.
Round-the-clock dining requires a different approach to kitchen organisation from conventional meal-period service. Menus need to remain manageable during quieter overnight hours while still offering sufficient variety, and staffing, mise en place and food safety procedures must support continuous service.
For chefs and F&B managers, consistency becomes particularly important when guests can order at any hour rather than within fixed restaurant periods.
The broader all-inclusive model also increases the need for menu planning across multiple dayparts, ensuring that breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks remain distinct enough to provide variety throughout a stay.
Dining as one of five Kandooma experiences
Kandooma Table sits alongside four other “Kandooma Signatures” introduced as part of the resort’s new identity.
Kandooma Blue focuses on ocean activities, while Kandooma Flow centres on wellness. Kandooma Ways introduces cultural and nature-based experiences, and Kandooma Social is built around informal gatherings, music, games and campfire evenings.
Food and beverage is intended to connect naturally with those wider activities.
Beach barbecues and sunset dinners can complement social gatherings, while castaway picnics provide a culinary component to island exploration. Chef-led tastings offer a more focused experience for guests interested in food itself.
This integration reflects a wider shift in resort dining, where meals increasingly form part of the overall guest programme rather than operating solely through standalone restaurants.
“We are excited to welcome guests to Kandooma Maldives as we begin this new chapter,” said Andrew Drummond, General Manager of the resort.
“Building on Kandooma’s natural spirit of ocean, island and connection, our refreshed all-inclusive experience is designed to give every guest the freedom to create their own island adventure – whether through exploration, wellness, dining or simply spending time together.”
Refreshed resort under HPL management
The management transition will also include upgrades to the resort’s 146 villas and facilities, alongside the introduction of a new Beach Club designed as an all-day social space.
For the F&B operation, the Beach Club adds another potential hub for casual dining and beverage service, particularly as the resort seeks to cater to families, couples, solo travellers and groups.
Kandooma Maldives will become the eighth Maldives property within Hotel Properties Limited’s portfolio and the 13th hotel managed by HPL Hotels & Resorts.
For the resort’s chefs, bartenders and service teams, the rebrand places food and beverage firmly within the new identity.
Through Kandooma Table, 24-hour café service and an expanded all-inclusive model, dining will play a central role in the resort’s effort to connect guests with the island — whether around a barbecue, a tasting menu, a picnic or a table overlooking the sunset.
