We Review Club Med Kani Maldives, a Turquoise Playground for the Whole Family

Say hello to Club Med Kani Maldives, an all-inclusive resort that promises the experience of a lifetime. 

When it comes to holidays with the whole family, booking a Club Med destination makes it all easy. From exhilarating activities and delectable dining options, Club Med delivers an unforgettable family holiday no matter the destination.

Now imagine all that expertise in a natural playground as vibrant as the Maldives! Nestled on a private island, Club Med Kani offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters and tailored experiences to suit every kind of traveller. 

We recently stayed at Club Med Kani, with kids in tow, and found a new way to holiday on the beach - here is our review. 

Getting to Club Med Kani Maldives

One of the perks of staying closer to Male Airport is the shorter commute to your island. This can be a real saviour, especially when you get off a flight with little ones. As easy as approaching the Club Med desk at the airport exit, you should be on your speedboat(shared) within the hour. * 

Just 30 minutes away by speedboat from Male Airport, Club Med Kani is an all-inclusive resort designed to please people of all ages. A two-kilometre stretch of private beach offers endless opportunities to relax and experience myriad activities that will keep you engaged - should you want to! 

Upon arrival, the first thing that strikes visitors is the turquoise waters around Club Med Kani. Long coconut trees and tropical foliage line the entire resort making it one of the most naturally shaded islands we’ve been to. 

A quick check-in and introduction to the benefits of your all-inclusive package highlight just how much you can do here. From diving with resident marine creatures to water sports, flying trapeze or romantic dining escapes, the island is brimming with ways to keep your holiday engaging and exciting. 

*Subject to the flight arrival of other passengers on your boat. 

All-Inclusive, What Does It Mean at Club Med Kani?

All guests at the resort have access to all-inclusive meals, facilities and other benefits. This means that once your package is booked and paid for, there is little or no additional expense at the resort. 

At Club Med Kani, all your meals are included in your stay: breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Featuring a full board of quality buffet meals, these cater to every taste and nationality via a broad spectrum of international cuisines. Didn’t make it to for breakfast in time? Just head to the all-day restaurant instead for a sumptuous feast. 

You also have access to a full-service open bar with a selection of spirits, wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks. From cocktails to match every beach outfit to cooling refreshers, exquisite coffee and tea concoctions and even a bar menu dedicated to kids, this is a happy hour like no other. 

Activities galore mean you’ll rarely spend any time in your room. Whether it's water sports, trapezing, sailing, or snorkelling, you can look forward to a day of fun for all ages and all fitness levels. You can also take a meditation or Yoga class, tone your body at a Bums and Tums lesson or work out in the weights room, facing a view that no other gym could command. 

Rooms at Club Med Kani

Club Med Kani has various accommodation options, including ocean-side bungalows with garden views or the beach. Choose between Superior and Deluxe in this category, including Superior interconnecting rooms for those travelling with family. 

Our Superior interconnecting rooms had large beds and bathrooms with separate shower areas for the whole family to spread out. There’s also an outdoor seating area where you can linger, dry wet swimwear, or take in the ocean's glory at your doorstep. Plenty of wardrobe space, two bathrooms and extra day beds in the connecting rooms give parents enough room to relax without stepping on each other’s toes. 

Albeit spacious, we found the Superior Rooms to be dated and in need of a refurb. The decor and amenities are basic, as are the bathroom and shower area facilities. That said, you won’t spend much time inside your room - there’s just so much more to explore outside!

For a relaxing Maldivian experience, we recommend booking the Deluxe Category instead. Alternatively, go all out and stay at the luxurious Over Water Suites* that come with access to an exclusive overwater lounge, and beach-side bar.

*Only for guests from 8 years old.

Kids at Club Med Kani Maldives

Parents book Club Med holidays every summer and winter over because of the fantastic facilities for their children. At Club Med Kani, the Mini Club Med + entertains 4 to 10-year-olds with a new programme of fun activities on a daily basis. Go snorkelling or sailing with your friends, learn to paint, cook or try Maldives' only flying trapeze. The club encourages having fun outdoors- and advocates a screen-free holiday that kids enjoy. 

The G.O.s (Gentle Organisers) at Mini Club Med + are hugely popular with 4 to 10-year-olds. Watch as they coax each child to new heights and enrich their holiday experience with skill-building activities - a site rarely seen at a busy holiday resort! 

Want to spend more time with your little ones? Just sign up for family activities instead. You can take off sailing together or enjoy Family ‘Big Snack’, where tasty activities such as pancake parties and picnics allow for great family-bonding memories. 

You will also find family tournaments and games: treasure hunts, sports competitions, etc. That’s not all; take a dip in the pool, enjoy beach parties, slip and slide, water fights and delectable snacks simultaneously. 

Don’t miss Family Show Time, where everyone can sit back and watch the kids take centre stage directed by their G.Os. Also fun are the night shows where your G.O.® team express their talent and creativity with songs, dances and performances designed to delight.

Prefer to laze and enjoy some time by yourself? Keep the kids busy and entertained at the club. Your children can also choose to have their meals with their friends. 

The only downside? Your kids will never want to leave!

Marine Life

The sparkling waters of the Maldives make Marine excursions akin to African safaris here! We got to experience up-close encounters with vibrant marine life at Club Med Kani. An endless variety of colourful fish, turtles, sharks, and manta rays, set amidst coral, makes it the most stunning turquoise playground you could dive into. 

And you don’t have to tread far! Club Med Kani has partnered with S.M. Solutions Marines to create a fun, educational underwater trail in the Maldives. Follow their Marine Biologist on an exciting snorkelling tour only 50m from the resort, where you’ll learn about marine life, how to preserve it and understand the importance of Kani’s diverse flora and fauna. 

Club Med Kani also has an on-site diving centre to access paid dives, certifications and more. 

Manta Exclusive Collection Experience

Club Med Kani’s Exclusive Collection Space is a unique and intimate experience with comfortable suites on stilts with private ocean access. You can also access a tranquil private beach, the overwater lounge, a beach-side bar and other privileges. 

Begin each morning with delicious treats served in your Overwater Suite, including international favourites from Continental, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisines. At sunset, sip chilled Champagne and enjoy a selection of savoury appetisers like sushi rolls, finger sandwiches, and samosas from 6 pm at the Manta Beach bar. Guests staying in the Manta Suites in the Exclusive Collection Space can even enjoy a private Yoga lesson. 

Tips for Staying at Club Med Kani, Maldives

There’s plenty to do at this beautiful oasis, and here are a few pointers to make your stay even more memorable.

Kids Club: From sunscreen applications to deliberate water breaks, the club is hands-on and a fantastic worry-free experience for parents and their little ones. Don’t hesitate to ask about child-friendly activities, ways to engage your children outside of club hours, and ideas on what you can do individually as parents. 

Have you got older kids? With Junior Club Med, children aged 11 to 17 can participate in various games, sports, and activities with a dedicated G.O. by their side. 

Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet is served daily at The Vehli. The variety of food on offer caters to every type of dietary need. You will find a sumptuous selection of international dishes spanning a wide variety of cuisines and freshly prepared options that will keep you coming back for more. We recommend trying the range of croissants and pastries for breakfast - soft, flaky and warm.

For lunch or dinner, the fresh sushi and sashimi counters on selective days are incredible treats, as is the live Roti and Naan counter at the popular Indian section. Lastly, the dessert buffet aims to please with its rows of cakes and puddings finished off with the creamiest gelato. Club Med fans, you can delight in the familiar Rum and Raisin flavour!

Bar: An open bar allows you to indulge in cocktails and mocktails all day long. Ask the bartender to tweak your glass of choice with ingredients you love, reduced sugar, or even surprise you with a new concoction. That is not all! If you enjoy your coffee, they can also make it fresh as you like - iced, with non-dairy milk options or a potent shot of alcohol! 

Activities: We got to try a few of the island’s activities and would highly recommend the Sailing lesson. The staff here is friendly and patient, meaning even novices can pick up the art of managing a sail. Don’t worry; shallow waters and a close monitoring team will ensure you have the safest experience possible. 

Snorkelling opportunities galore; you won’t need flippers or a mask to see the stunning marine life here. Walk around the over-water villas(near the swing), and you will often find a school of baby sharks out for a swim. At night, make the time to walk over to the jetty to spot colourful fish and sharks taking over the beautiful water. 

The island is rife with other flora and fauna. We had a Crane fly off with our hot dog one morning(breakfast and lunch are best eaten inside), a baby snake fall through a tree, and hermit crabs that emerged every evening as the sun went down. Needless to say, the kids and not-so-little ones were equally delighted. 

*Some activities require a preliminary swim test conducted by the resort. 

Shows and parties: It may be hard to believe, but the nightly show performances by the staff at Club Med are fun, entertaining and loved by the entire family. Expect well-coordinated, choreographed shows with stunning sets and, more importantly, talent presented by the G.O.s you interact with during your stay. The children thoroughly enjoyed spotting their stars from the Kids’ Club! 

Staff: You will soon realise that the Club Med dream works because of its spectacular team on the ground. The G.O.s and accompanying staff will ensure you have the break you deserve. Chat with them, learn more about the incredible island and ask for tips you may otherwise miss. For us, these included access to delicious condiments to go with our food, hidden spots for better snorkelling and other package-inclusive treats that we may have otherwise overlooked. 

Boat out and airport: The resort typically puts you on the closest boat to your flight departure time. This is highly recommended as Male Airport isn't the most kid-friendly location, with seating that is hard to come by. If you however need a bite before you fly, there are a couple of coffee shops and restaurants for fast food at the terminal. You can also pay to use a lounge, which is scanty in its offering. 

Book online at Club Med Kani or via phone at 1800 258 2633.