Our experience at Club Med Kani Maldives was enjoyable overall. We stayed in the luxurious overwater manta suites, and with the full board package, our expenses increased significantly, not including transportation and airfare.
We faced some difficulties when trying to contact reception about shuttle services from the airport to the resort, as it took three emails before we finally received a response.
Although we were greeted and given a brief introduction to the resort and its layout, that was the extent of our formal interaction until our departure. Even with the full board package, we discovered that if we wanted to enjoy a glass of champagne with our dinner, we had to purchase an expensive bottle. The house wine, a blend of Spanish red and white, was more fitting for salad dressing than for a meal. We had arranged a special beachfront dining experience for a birthday celebration, only to find that it consisted of a table on the sand with a self-serve buffet. Once again, wine at this “special” venue came at exorbitant prices, and we had to serve ourselves, making the experience feel less than extraordinary.
The Golden Night Cocktail event was held in the “Exclusive Manta Area,” showcasing promotional videos for other Club Med locations and investment opportunities. This gathering was open to anyone interested, offering complimentary champagne, drinks, and tasty appetizers.
While it wasn’t as aggressive as a timeshare pitch, it was close. It’s puzzling how over 200 attendees were informed about the event, as we, despite being in the exclusive overwater bungalow section where it took place, did not receive an invitation.
In summary, while the breathtaking location met our expectations for the Maldives, we would prefer a non-club atmosphere for our next visit. French was the primary language spoken, which often left us feeling disconnected. Most of the staff were from Bangladesh; some were kind, but many seemed indifferent. There is significant potential for improvement in communication.