Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort
Located in one of Maldives southernmost regions Gaafu Atoll, Accor’s Mercure adults-only resort offers the ultimate affordable luxury experience. Its electric blue waters combined with luxurious overwater pool villas, helps curate a tranquil and romantic getaway, which makes it perfect for couples. And at an all-inclusive fare, it’s surprisingly more affordable than many other premium resorts out there.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MALDIVES
High Season falls between December and February. This is the dry season in Maldives, which means a lot of sunshine and not much rain. And of course with end of year holidays, the prices can be at their highest.
Low Season is from May to November. This is going to be the rainy season in the Maldives. This means more rainfall than the rest of the year, but still some opportunities for sunshine. We have visited the Maldives in June and found it to be quite sunny (though a cyclone had passed only one month prior). Due to the overall changes in global temperatures, the seasonality of the Maldives is not quite so predictable, which means rainy season vs. dry season is now much more of a blurred line. Visiting during this time means lower rates and much less crowds. Another bonus is that the marine life is most vibrant during the rainy season!
Shoulder Season is during the months of March to April. These months will be the ideal time to visit Maldives. You won’t have to battle crowds or high season prices, but still be able to enjoy good weather and tranquil atmosphere without all the people. Do note that prices will be up around the Easter holiday! We always recommend, if you can, trying to visit any place during the shoulder season.
AIRPORT TRANSFER / ARRIVAL
Upon arrival to the Male International Airport, we were greeted by a Mercure representative and escorted to the domestic terminal to check in for your next flight down to the Gaafu Alifu Atoll. This flight is coordinated at your reservation with Mercure. The flight itself only takes about 55 minutes (and is a domestic flight not seaplane). After landing at the Kooddoo airport, you will be met by another Mercure representative and escorted by golf cart to the resort! Mercure is located only a quick ride from the airport and is on the same island.
ACCOMMODATION
Mercure is a more of a cozy feeling boutique resort. With 68 separate accommodations, they offer a variety of options throughout. And no matter where you choose to stay, you are sure to have a view of the electric blue water.
BEACH VILLA / BEACH POOL VILLA
Tucked into the jungle with immediate access to the white sand beach, the Beach Villa is the perfect spot to chill out and relax under the swaying palm trees. You will have closer access to the restaurants, spa, and gym and your own private loungers on the beach. The only difference between the Beach Villa and Beach Pool Villa, will be that you have a private pool for your own enjoyment!
OVER WATER VILLA/OVERWATER SUNSET VILLA/ OVERWATER SUNSET POOL VILLA
The overwater bungalows are signature to Maldives and are definitely worth the extra investment. Imagine waking up surrounded by the sound of water lapping up on your overwater bungalow. Each villa comes with its own outdoor shower, deck with chairs and loungers to soak in the sun, as well as a descending stair case for direct access into the ocean. The standard over water villa is facing sunrise, and also the stunning beach with lush greenery and white sand. The overwater sunset villa has incredible sunset views from the deck and you will not want to miss any while you are here! And the most luxurious option is to enjoy sunset from your overwater bungalow in your own private pool. Regardless if the sea is calm or wavy, you will have pristine water in your pool to relax and enjoy as the sun sets over the horizon.
RESTAURANTS
Mercure’s guests benefit from an all-inclusive package that spans across a variety of dining options. From romantic beach dinners and floating breakfasts to all you can eat buffets and intimate over the water dinners, the food here does not disappoint!
Alita Restaurant – Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Alita is the main restaurant on site and serves the widest array of culinary offerings at Mercure. The view is directly over the main pool and turquoise waters of the lagoon. In the mornings, they typically offer a breakfast buffet which is freshly prepared and delicious. It includes fresh local fruit juices and international dishes as well as the typical fresh fruit, omelet station, and other foods. A new and different themed buffet is served each night for dinner, featured cuisines include: Mediterranean, Maldivian, BBQ, Sri Lankan, and of course Seafood among others.
Vista Restaurant – Open for lunch and dinner, the Vista restaurant focuses on the authenticity of its Italian cuisine with handmade pasta, customized pizzas, and over 40 types of international wines. If you are wanting to catch a sundowner, you can stop by for some drinks in the afternoon as well! Its intimate atmosphere is the perfect setting to spend on a special night out during your stay at Mercure.
Pool Bar – Located right next to the main pool, you can order anything from sodas, smoothies and cocktails to different wines and spirits from around the world. They also have a café menu where you can order small bites to hold you over until the next meal!
Dining by Design – To truly make your stay special, the team at Mercure offer some special dining options to make your trip unforgettable. If you are staying in a pool villa, you can enjoy the Maldivian luxury of a floating breakfast. If you want something more intimate during the day, you can escape to a private island and have a private lunch just for you and your significant other. And in the evening you can experience a romantic candle-lit dinner on the beach with your own private table service and chef. (These meals though are subject to additional charges)
AMENITIES
DIVE & WATER SPORTS CENTER
Some of the most diverse and beautiful marine life in the world can be found in Gaafu Alifa Atoll, where Mercure is located. Just on our first day, we saw turtles, sharks and countless fish, right from our overwater villa! You can scuba dive with the PADI 5-star dive center, SuyaDiva Divers, or you can join a snorkeling excursion along the vibrant house reef. Other offerings onsite include kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddling, jet skis, and tube rides. You can even book a dolphin watching cruise to watch bottlenose and spinner dolphins around the island or sunset fishing cruise using traditional bait and hand reels.
BEACH
The beachfront is some of the most beautiful we have seen, with lush greenery towering above the sound and extremely blue water that spans across the shallow lagoon. The water stays shallow well past the bungalows and is the perfect spot to cool off from the hot sun.
SUVADIVA SPA
Tucked back into the jungle, you can find a peaceful getaway to rejuvenate and rest your body. The wellness spa at Mercure offers services including body scrubs, body wraps, facial treatments, couple’s massages, scalp treatments, and paraffin hand treatments.
ISLAND
The airport on the island is quite close to the resort, so you will hear the sound of the occasional plane taking off or landing. But this is not uncommon with many of the other resorts around the Maldives, as they have seaplanes constantly arriving to drop off and pick up guests. Walking along the sandy pathways around the property was peaceful and fun and the amount of greenery is stunning. We really felt like we could relax and tune into the island life, which helped us to rest and recharge for upcoming adventures.
SERVICE
The property staff were extremely accommodating and always greeted us with a smile. Anytime we made a request, they were quick to respond and provide anything we needed. The villas do not have designated butler services, but you can call to the desk for anything you need or booking reservations. We never felt wanting in terms of help or assistance for anything during our stay. It really felt like having a first class experience while still having the laid back island charm.
Being Accor’s first property in the Maldives, Mercure is not going to disappoint. They recently adjusted the resort to be adult-only and all-inclusive. We feel like the highlight of our stay was the stunning lagoon and watching sunsets from our pool villa. If you are looking for a 4-star boutique escape for you and your loved one, but don’t want to break the bank with 5-star prices, Mercure may be just the spot for you.