Club Med Kani North Male Atoll

Hello everyone,

Tripadvisor forum and reviews were so helpful when I was planning my trip, so I feel obligated to report my recent stay in Club Med Kani.

I stayed with Club Med Kani for one week in one of the garden rooms. First, Kani is a great place for how much it costs, especially in Maldives. Everything was inclusive, except for several excursions.

Good:

1. Everything is inclusive. Excellent for value.

2. Whatever it was not included, such as Spa, were reasonably priced.

3. Generally, main cafeteria food was good and lots of varieties.

Bad:

1. Lots of worms on the path to garden rooms. (I know.. it's an island.. and all sands.. where do they come from?) But seriously lots of worms and I hate worms!!!

2. Lots of mosquitos. Our first night, we only slept for about few hours due to mosquitos. Called the front desk, and they couldn't do anything about it. As soon as the sun came up, we stopped by the reception, and the receptionist had a can of mosquito spray... why couldn't he give us one when we called? Apparently, Kani did not experience mosquito problems until recently, so they had no solutions for it. We had to purchase mosquito coils and electrical plug in from the Club Med shop to keep the mosquitos away.

3. Garden rooms are... very low standard. From the Kani website, the pictures look great. But once you are there.. it's another story- the photographer did an excellent job. The bathroom toilets are gross- it's brown and has little creatures swimming in it.

4. Sands are very rough.. no way you can walk barefoot- not a white sand beach.

5. Some GOs act high and mighty.... they are not doing their job.

6. Fine Dining (apart from main cafeteria) - food really sucked and lacked freshness.

7. Reservation of every activities the day of (30 minutes prior to it) was bit annoying.

8. No house reef (but they make it up by boating people to nearby sites)

Hi,

we've stayed in Club Med Kani from 5 till 21 december 2006 and had one of our best holidays ever.

Even it was the 3rd time at Kani (also december 2002 and dec 2004 just before tsunami) we still love the isle even more.

Good food, renovated rooms & village, very good ambiance.

Ce club sur une île est assez petit et on fait très rapidement connaissance avec de nombreuses personnes.

Il n'y a pas autant d'activités que dans les autres Club Med mais on y trouve une atmosphère réellement reposante.

Le plus important, ce sont les GO (le personnel) qui sont naturellement et réellement très sympathiques (on n'a pas l'impression qu'ils se forcent, comme ailleurs).

On se rend vraiment compte que les personnes autour de nous veulent qu'on passe un bon moment et pas uniquement parce qu'on est client...

Je suis allé au Club Med Kani du 6 au 9 septembre 2006 et j'avais une chambre supérieure, la N° 342.

Points positifs et avantages :

1) Nous étions attendus à l'arrivée et nous avons été transférés directement au Club sur un hors-bord (environ 30 minutes). Les GO (connus au Club Med comme les «gentils organisateurs») nous ont accueillis avec un pot de bienvenue.

2) Les chambres sont bien équipées. Elles sont toutes sur la plage et face à la mer. Elles sont propres et confortables. Il y a un coffre-fort privé dans la chambre, des portemanteaux en nombre suffisant dans la penderie, plus un gilet de sauvetage dans le placard de la chambre pour chaque personne.

3) Tous les repas sont compris : le grand buffet est un festin et les boissons gratuites coulent à flots. On ne reste jamais sur sa faim. On peut s'empiffrer et il y a trop de choix. Pas besoin de s'inquiéter pour savoir où aller manger.

4) Ces sports nautiques sont gratuits : snorkelling, planche à voile, voile, kayak. Tout l'équipement est fourni.

5) C'est une île privée pour le Club : c'est un hôtel paradisiaque et les plages sont de sable blanc.

6) Des animations nocturnes sont faites par les GO au théâtre. Le show « Kani Awards » le samedi est vraiment sympa et amusant. Vos soirées ne seront jamais ennuyeuses.

7) Les GO et tout le personnel sont sympathiques

Points négatifs et inconvénients :

1) Les excursions sont chères! Un tour de 20 minutes en hydravion pour un vol de découverte coûte 77 € par personne. Une journée complète à la manière de Robinson vaut 256 € par personne, la demi-journée de pêche hauturière sur un hors-bord de charter privé coûte 310 € (par bateau, pour 4 personnes).

2) Il n'y a pas suffisamment de sentiers éclairés sur l'île. Certains endroits de l'île sont très sombres la nuit. Il faut plus de lumière !

3) Les plages sont de sable blanc mais malheureusement il y a beaucoup de coraux cassés dans l'eau.

4) La bouteille d'eau minérale n'a pas été remplacée dans notre chambre après notre première nuit.

5) Pas de porte-bagages dans la chambre.

6) La salle de gym n'a pas suffisamment d'équipements. Il n'y a pas assez de cours tels que boxe française, lutte, yoga ou "Pilates".

7) La climatisation de ma chambre n'était pas assez fraîche pour une chaude journée ensoleillée.

8) Les souvenirs vendus dans la boutique de cadeaux étaient chers.

Dans l'ensemble, nous avons passé un séjour formidable ! On s'est bien occupé de nous. On s'est bien amusés et c'était très agréable. C'était divin. C'est un véritable paradis. Je reviendrais séjourner ici sans hésiter.

I stayed here at Club Med Kani from 6-9 Oct'06. Superior Room #342.

Good Points and Advantages:

1) We were met on arrival and transfered by speed boat (about 30 mins) direct to the Resort. The GOs (known in Club Med terms as "Gracious Organisers") greeted us when we arrived at the property with welcome drinks.

2) Well-appointed rooms. All rooms are on the beach and face the sea. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Private safe provided in room, sufficient clothes hangers in the wardrobe, plus life vest in room wardrobe for all individuals.

3) All meals included. Large buffet spread. Free flow of drinks. You will never go hungry. You can pig-out. Too much to choose. You do not need to worry about going where for meals.

4) These sea-sports activities are free: Snorkelling, Windsurfing, Sailing, Kayaking. Full equipment provided.

5) Private resort island. It is a paradise resort. White sandy beaches.

6) Nightly entertainment by GOs at the theatre. The show "Kani Awards" on Saturdays is so funny and enjoyable. Your nites will never be bored.

7) Friendly GOs and staff.

Bad Points and Disadvantages:

1) Excursions are expensive!

20-mins Scenic Flight by Seaplane cost US$102 per person. Full-day Robinson Tour by Seaplane cost US$341 per person.

1/2-day Deep Sea Fishing by Private Speed Boat Charter cost US$412 per boat with 4 pax.

2) Not enough path lightings on the island. Some parts of the island is very dark during the night. Need more lightings!

3) White sandy beaches, but unfortunately there are many broken corals in the water.

4) They did not replenish bottled mineral water in the room after 1st night.

5) No luggage rack in room.

6) No well-equipped gym. Not enough gym classes like kick-boxing, body combat, yoga or pilates.

7) The aircon in my room wasn't cool enough on a hot sunny day.

8) Souvenirs from the Gift Shop are expensive.



Overall, the experience was great!. We were well taken care off. It was fun. It was enjoyable. It is heaven. It is a paradise. I would say stay here again.

(Photos only)

Just got back from Kani 30 September 2006 after 8 nights in paradise.

Arrival Transfer, quick and smooth....welcomed by GO...taken to reception and showed to our temporary room ....as we arrived around 09h30 and our room was not ready yet....so they put us in one of the Beach Villas (with the jacuzzi) for the day to use.

Everything is just as per the pictures on the website...all very clean. Transfer to our Lagoon suite eventually happened at 20h00....what a lovely room....a little tip... ask for the end units as the rest are not really private and you have to keep your curtains closed (specially the ones in the bathroom) and that defeats the whole purpose of staying in the lagoon suites. The Lagoon suites are fabulous, bathrooms are stunning and all kept very clean by your friendly "roomboy".

The village are very popular with the Asian market, French, and then a few Australians and South-Africans.

The new "all Inclusive - all day snacking and drinking" is really worth it....very good and it offers a good selection of beverages, plus lovely espresso coffee and capuccinos whole day long. Most of your basic brands of spirits are catered for, plus Carlsberg beer on tap or can and a selection of 18 cocktails.

Plus you can have as many ice creams during the day as you like, plus snacking at 3:30pm-6:30pm and then again from 10pm onwards. Bar staff brilliant....

One major downer for us was the food....we found it really really not good and not consistant. The only sections that was sort of OK was the Asain stations....and if you catch the Seafood risotto fresh out of the pan, it was really good....I think we are really spoilt as I am a real good cook and we are used to fabulous restaurants. Special mention to the pastry chefs...the breads were really good...freshly baked each day.

Also we did not find as much seafood and fish as we would have liked and if they had...they could never tell you what kind of fish it was and they used to spoil the fish completely by adding a not so tasty sauce to it.

Besides the selection that could have been better....it was mainly the lack of "taste to our pallet" or "oomph" for us that was disappointing. Basic cooking "mistakes" every meal time....I really hope that who ever the new Chef de Village (manager) is...that they could perhaps address this problem, cause then Kani would truly be amazing in all ways and ticking all the boxes for a fabulous holiday.

Their "fine dining" restaurant is available in the afternoons for a late lunch (but still food prepared by same chefs)....then in the evenings you have a set fine dining menu available at $40 or the regular set menu at no charge....even the fine dining menu was really disappointing...they really try to do "fusion cuisine"...but the flavours just does not work....etc. Marinted tuna rolls with basil and dill....lobster with a strawberry salsa....then Beef fillet with a blackcurrent sauce....sorry but those combinations really don't work. But all tolerable because of it's setting/location....stunning.

But overall a great time was had, don't get me wrong...food aside it is pretty good. The views (not having been to any other Maldives resort) are stunning and the sea/lagoon is amazing. The other facilities are good too...swimming pool great and loads of private areas around the island and salas to be as private as you would like...or at the swimming pool (with enough loungers) to be "social" with other guest.

So if you were thinking of going to Kani...go ahead....and enjoy.

The resort island is quite small, and you quickly get to know many people. There aren't a lot of activities as in other Club Meds, but you find a really relaxing atmosphere.

Most important, most of the GO's (the staff) were really friendly, in a genuine way (we didn't feel they were forcing themselves, like elsewhere). You really feel people around you want to have a good time, and not just because you're a guest...

Both me and my boyfriend were at Kani from 20 to 24 July 2006. We must say we were extremely disappointed with our experience at Kani.

First, we arrived at Male International Airport at 9.45pm on 20 July 2006. It was only at 11.45pm that we left Male for Kani. We reached the village at about 12.15am. We were extremely exhausted and waited till 1plus in the morning before our luggage was transported to us.

Second, we opened our eyes next morning, expecting fishes to be swimming everywhere. Unfortunately, we did not see fishes. We only saw dead pieces of coral and a seabed of seaweed killers. This is unlike the brochure that we obtained.

Third, we wanted to reserve a slot for sailing but we were told by the staff that we could only reserve slots on the same day we are sailing but "tomorrow afternoon" slots are all taken. We were aghast that we are unable to book a day in advance and yet the staff can tell us that "tomorrow afternoon" slots are all taken. We sense racism in their conduct. Nonetheless, we did not pursue the same as we do not wish to spoil our holiday.

Fourth, we went on the Robinson excursion. We must say it was not up to expectations for the amount of money we paid. The lobster served during lunch was soggy and not fresh. The

quality of the food served was in general substandard.

Fifth, on the day of checkout, we discovered that US$150 was missing from our wallet which was kept in the safe all this while. Even though the frontdesk told us that she would follow up on this with an email after I signed a declaration form, I have not heard from her since. This is extremely frustrating because we are kept in suspense as to how Club Med intends to deal with our loss bearing in mind that we have already paid $60

as membership fees which covers the loss of property.

Sixth, after we touched down on 25 July 2006, we wrote about our

dissatisfaction with our experience in Club Med and transmitted them via Club Med's website. The only response we obtained is

"Hi,

Thank you for sending in your comments to Club Med.

If you have some photos to share with us on your holiday to Club Med, please reply to this email with the photos attached.



Club Med Singapore"

Such a response clearly shows that Club Med did not even bother reading our comments.

After chaotic travel in Sri Lanka, we decided to relax in the Maldives and chose Club Med Kani.

The resort had recently been refurbished (post Tsunami) and had only been open for 6 weeks when we stayed.

Its easy to transfer from Male International airport. Club Med has a high speed boat and its a 25 minute trip.

Accommodation:

We had a beachfront room (20 metres) a short walk along the beach. Approx USD$500 per night. The room was clean, nicely styled and spacious. The bathrooms had good showers and a separate toilet. All though the resort was well occupied we never felt crowded.

Activities:

The beach is great for swimming and lazing about under coconut trees. If you want to do nothing then, this is the place to do it. But there are activities included such as sailing the Hobby Cat boats (inclusive in price), windsurfers and paddle skis. You can paddle to the small island near by and there is some good snorkelling (also swimming distance) but the fish and coral are better on expeditions (extra charge around USD$100 full day by boat, or $300 by sea plane to remote atolls).

Food & Drinks:

All meals are buffet style but fresh and offered great variety. Special dishes served daily. Plenty of fish. All meals are included in the room rate. Alcohol is served at meal time. Drinks can be purchased outside meal times from the poolside bar and 'nightclub' at around USD$10 for a regular beer and approx USD $14 cocktail.

There is a fine dining restaurant open 4 nights a week (40 pax) so book early on same day.

Entertainment:

Each room has cable tv with regular channels. There are 'shows' put on by resort staff.

Service:

The service is very friendly, professional and unobtrusive. The resort is very french but we felt welcome.

Overall:

We were friends travelling together, so we felt comfortable compared to some resorts which are primarily for honeymoon couples.

We enjoyed the tranquility and beauty, as well as the good quality facilities and a few activities on our more energetic days. Overall its a stunning island resort.