Como Cocoa Island Reopens in the Maldives

Following a renovation, an award-winning Maldivian resort is reopening to guests in the first weeks of 2020.

COMO Cocoa Island is set to reopen Jan. 9. The resort sits on South Malé Atoll, about 40 minutes away from Velana International Airport. The renovation focused heavily on holistic wellness.

Since the 1970s, the island belonged to Eric Klemm, a German photographer. Under Klemm’s care, the island flourished with thriving hibiscus, growing palm trees and a healthy lagoon.

The recent renovation focuses on the island’s natural elegance while working to offer guests more time and space to focus on individual well-being. COMO Shambhala Retreat takes up one third of the island with spread-out facilities that promote feelings of privacy and quiet. Some of the island’s new additions include a Pilates studio, yoga studio and a hydrotherapy pool.

“Luxury hotel companies keep raising the ante, from building ‘reclaimed islands’, to tunneling out underwater wine cellars. Sometimes we forget that nature is powerful, and simplicity has a very important role to play in modern luxury. COMO Cocoa Island is like a jewel in the COMO Group portfolio: it has a unique soul, which we strive to match with the grace and passion of our staff,” said Olivier Jolivet, CEO, COMO Group.

The resort only has 34 overwater villas, renovated in the recent overhaul. Each room provides direct access to the lagoon, and some have private pools

COMO Cocoa Island originally opened in 2002.