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282 Views 15 Replies Last post: Dec 20, 2009 9:03 PM by Amanda Kehoe RSS
ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Nov 20, 2009 10:31 AM

Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

(hope I'm posting this in the right place...wasn't quite sure where I should post a question about a specific property that isn't under the ICHG umbrella yet!)

 

I was wondering if any of the staff of PC/ICHG can offer any more insight into what's going on with the rebranding of the Kandooma Resort in the Maldives. There was a press release October 15th announcing that ICHG would take over as of November 1. Here is a link.

 

I have a trip scheduled to the Maldives next year and would love to stay at an ICHG resort (and yes I do know about the new HI on Male; we want an actual resort experience though).

 

I'd love to know if there's any more info that anyone can share about timing, etc. for this to become a Holiday Inn Resort?

 

Thanks for any info you can share!

Tags: holiday_inn_resort, maldives
Ronald Chadwick Premier Contributor
Ronald Chadwick
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Nov 20, 2009 10:51 AM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

I would do some research on this one, it seems to me by the location to be  town hotel try the location page on the hotels web page. also google Male Maldives

ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Nov 20, 2009 11:13 AM in response to: Ronald Chadwick
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Hi Ronald,

 

This is definitely not the one in Male...this is going to be ICHG's 2nd Maldives property.

 

Kandooma is on South Male Atoll, but it's not in Male proper.

 

Online research doesn't yield much more at this point than a couple of British travel sites selling packages to Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort or links to the press release about it. Just thought maybe someone here might have a bit more info to share. Looks like it's still a "wait and see" though. Thanks for the reply.

 

 

Elizabeth

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Nov 20, 2009 10:57 AM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Elizabeth,

 

Kandooma looks like a nice place to stay. The water villas would be my choice. Holiday Inn has not taken over the booking system. I believe since it's a partnership, the rebranding will consist of changing the name, sign, etc...I wouldn't expect anything else to really change. It might be worth waiting it out until the beginning of next year to see if any progress is made.

 

The hotel help forum you posted on might be of help. Also, email the hotel directly.

 

Amanda Kehoe

ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Nov 20, 2009 11:10 AM in response to: Amanda Kehoe
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Thanks, Amanda. I posted on their forum but then wondered whether maybe you might be able to share anything further.  

 

Since we're going in the "low season" we can probably hold out for a bit on booking our accommodations. This looks to be another great place to use points!

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Nov 20, 2009 11:21 AM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Elizabeth,

 

Glad to hear you are going during the low season; you will get much better rates if you end up not staying at Kandooma, or the partnership doesn't move forward.

 

Amanda

JBa Premier Contributor
JBa
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Jun 11, 2009
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Nov 20, 2009 12:00 PM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Does not yet  show up on PC website so you won't be able to book through IHG as of now. Contact hotel directly and ask them for time line of rebranding. Reuters states that takeover was Nov. 1

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Dec 4, 2009 4:02 AM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Elizabeth,

 

Any word yet from emailing the hotel and posting on its forum? What part of next year are thinking of going to Maldives?

 

Thanks,

Amanda Kehoe

ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Dec 4, 2009 10:41 AM in response to: Amanda Kehoe
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Hi Amanda,

 

The only information I've been given is that rebranding should be complete as of mid-December.

 

We've got tickets booked already to go in September. Looking forward to the trip!

 

 

 

Elizabeth

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Dec 4, 2009 12:28 PM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Elizabeth,

 

Great..I'm glad you could find out something, and you will be able to use your points!!!  Can't wait to hear about your trip next year :  )

 

 

Amanda Kehoe

ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Dec 9, 2009 11:53 AM in response to: Amanda Kehoe
Kandooma Holiday Inn Resort now bookable!

It's now bookable via the ICH website for stays 15 December onwards

 

 

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/rs/1/en/hotel/mlekf

 

 

Booked our stay using points for next September...only 15k/night, great deal! Though I'll keep my eye out on the Point Breaks just in case too!

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Dec 10, 2009 5:42 PM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Kandooma Holiday Inn Resort now bookable!

Elizabeth,

 

I'm happy the transition went smoothly, and you get to take advantage of your points! And, it's an awesome deal at only 15,000 points per night.

 

Amanda Kehoe

Ronald Chadwick Premier Contributor
Ronald Chadwick
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Dec 13, 2009 12:59 PM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Kandooma Holiday Inn Resort now bookable!

I recon this must be one of the costliest HI that I have seen. Nearby, relatively speaking is the new IC in Mauritius that I believe is more better priced

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Apr 11, 2009
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Dec 20, 2009 4:52 AM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

It's official as Elizabeth said! On December 15th, the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives was official!  This property has Overwater Villas which is a great feature. This is IHG's second property in Maldives.

 

General Manager at the Resort: Brendan Corcoran

 

Private sundeck in an Overwater Villa

Pool at the resort

ewhamond Contributor
ewhamond
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Dec 20, 2009 12:24 PM in response to: Amanda Kehoe
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

It's too bad that they've taken down the Kandooma website and replaced it with a standard template of Holiday Inn. The old site had a great forum where staff would answer guest questions...they had posted their restaurant menus and pricelists online...a lot of pictures of the villas...a map of the resort...there was a lot of info there that is unfortunately gone (even the internet archive isn't pulling up anything useful at this point...)

Amanda Kehoe Master
Amanda Kehoe
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Apr 11, 2009
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Dec 20, 2009 9:03 PM in response to: ewhamond
Re: Rebranding of Kandooma, Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort -- what is the timeline?

Elizabeth,

 

I couldn't agree more. The website(s) are my biggest complaint with IHG. There are pictures on tripadvisor.com of Kandooma Resort pictures. I'm surprised that you can't find a Google cached page.  :  (

 

I remember the Kandooma site had tons of information, and the forum you speak of was valuable. I'm sorry that you can't access any of that anymore.

 

I wonder if most of the employees were kept during the takeover....? I hope so!

 

Amanda

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