There is always that little rush of excitement when you first spot your Maldivian island in the distance, surrounded by endless shades of turquoise. At Grand Park Kodhipparu, we arrived to the smiling faces of the team waving us hello before being whisked straight to our Overwater Pool Villa. Stepping out onto our deck, with the house reef just below and nothing but blue stretching out ahead of us, the temptation was impossible to resist. Within minutes of checking in, we had changed into our swimsuits and jumped straight into the ocean.
Our villa sat directly alongside the house reef, with a private pool, spacious deck and steps leading into the lagoon. The reef drop off was incredibly close, making it so easy to snorkel whenever we wanted. The kids loved discovering the colourful marine life beneath the surface and were especially excited when we spotted dolphins swimming right past our villa.
The ocean became a huge part of our days. River, our budding marine biology lover, was completely captivated by the marine life talk and guided snorkel with the resident marine biologist. Exploring the reef while learning about the different species and ecosystem was easily one of his favourite experiences. The kids also loved taking the pedalo across the lagoon, while our sunset cruise gave us the most beautiful views of the island as the sky turned pink and gold.
There were plenty of indulgent moments too. A floating breakfast served in our private pool was such a fun way to start the day, surrounded by nothing but ocean views. We also escaped to the beautiful overwater spa for some of the best massages of our trip. Suspended above the lagoon, it was an incredibly peaceful place to switch off for an afternoon.
Food was another highlight. We quickly fell into a routine of leisurely lunches at Breeze, alternating between alfresco tables and idyllic cabanas with tacos, salads, pizzas, fresh juices and cocktails. Edge was perfect for breakfast and relaxed dinners, with constantly changing buffets, fantastic curries, fresh seafood and live cooking stations. Firedoor offered a more elevated dining experience, set entirely overwater with glass floor panels and nets suspended above the lagoon. Beautiful seafood, grilled meats and an excellent wine list made it perfect for a special evening.
What I loved most about Grand Park Kodhipparu was how naturally everything flowed. Our days were filled with snorkelling, long lunches, pristine beaches, spa treatments and spectacular sunsets, but there was never any need to rush. For us, the combination of a beautiful villa, incredible marine life and experiences the kids genuinely loved made it a very special family stay.
The festive season brings even more reasons to visit Grand Park Kodhipparu, with the island transformed through beautiful lighting, celebrations and special experiences throughout December. Families can look forward to a packed programme for younger guests, including festive crafts, junior cooking, movie nights, parties and creative activities. Food also plays a big part in the celebrations, with seasonal dining experiences and special menus, including Thanksgiving at FireDOOR in November. There are romantic experiences for couples too, from private beach dining and sunset celebrations to intimate proposals beneath the stars. It sounds like an especially magical time to experience the island, combining the natural beauty of the Maldives with plenty of festive atmosphere.
I am a fully qualified independent travel agent specializing in Luxury Family Travel. I’m here to plan your dream family holiday, create a personal itinerary to suit your family’s needs, and give you all the first hand knowledge I have from travelling full time as a family. Contact me at christing.chang@fora.travel assist in booking your next trip.
