Kandima Maldives Wins Family Activities & Entertainment at New Family Traveller Awards 2026
Vibrant island resort recognised by the UK’s leading family travel brand for redefining what multigenerational travel in the Maldives can look like
London, UK, 16 September 2026: Kandima Maldives has been named Winner of the Family Activities & Entertainment category at the Family Traveller Awards 2026, hosted by Family Traveller, the UK's leading family travel brand, at a ceremony held at riverside venue The Swan on London's South Bank on Friday 11 September.
The awards drew hundreds of entries across 19 categories spanning hotels and villas, tour operators, cruise lines, destinations and the wider travel industry. An independent panel of family travel journalists shortlisted finalists in each category, before thousands of public votes produced the winners.
The win is a recognition to Kandima's efforts in opening the Maldives to groups and families, with island infrastructure purpose-built to welcome multigenerational families, accessible room rates to suit different budgets, and a full-year events calendar that offers groups real reasons to travel together for shared adventures and memories of a lifetime.
The resort has long positioned itself against the Maldives' traditional honeymoon-only narrative, championing the destination as a haven for every age group. Newer launches this year, including Kandima Running Club and Fresh Labs' foraging and farm tours, turn everyday movement and island agriculture into social activities that parents and children can undertake together.
Major attractions that opened doors in recent years, from Fast Track, the Maldives' longest and fastest asphalt go-karting circuit, to PlaySpace, a groundbreaking entertainment hub bringing together family gaming, thematic escape room adventures and VR experiences for older children and grown-ups,also shaped Kandima into a destination that grows alongside its guests, across life stages and generations, and evolving traveller preference for more active escapes.
"Winning this award means a great deal. We would like to thank all guests and partners who have voted for us and have experienced Kandima over the years. We've always believed a great family holiday is about balance - with the freedom to come together as a group and just as easily find a moment of your own. It's a philosophy we will continue to stand by, with more in the making.” said Dermot Birchall, General Manager of Kandima Maldives.
Looking on, plans are in place to develop an Adventure Park with new outdoor experience zones to bridge the gap between children's play and adult recreation, with a programme of challenge-based and active pursuits for collective discovery and team building.
The full list of Family Traveller Awards 2026 winners and highly commended finalists is available at familytraveller.com/latest-news/family-traveller-awards-2026-finalists.
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About Kandima Maldives
This game-changing resort is an affordable lifestyle destination. Kandima Maldives is smart, playful, rooted, and responsible. This 3-kilometre resort is a place with an authentic Maldivian soul. It is all about genuine hospitality with a human touch and innovative solutions that make use of the latest technology. Kandima Maldives is part of the hospitality group Pulse Hotels & Resorts and caters to guests of all ages: families, couples, groups of friends, and honeymooners. Whether you seek relaxation, both aquatic and island adventures, well-being, fitness or just family time, this 270-room beach resort has something for everybody. With one of the longest outdoor pools in the Maldives, a football pitch, a 24-hour gym, a running club, tennis and volleyball courts, Aquaholics watersports center, E-Go-Karting and PlaySpace entertainment hub, Kula Art Studio and many more, there is plenty to keep everyone occupied.
For more details, please visit kandima.com, or follow on Instagram @kandima_maldives, Facebook @kandima.maldives, and X @kandimamaldives.
