Como Cocoa Island

It is difficult to find the words to describe just how good the COMO Cocoa Island resort is.The island is very small but perfectly formed. We had booked to go to the Maldives for a Music In Paradise event, so cannot claim to have found ourselves here due to exhaustive research, but rather as the most alluring option for the package we chose. But what a wonderful outcome as our stay was just perfect. COMO Cocao Island is an exercise in offering understated luxury. It is so incredibly well run and the excellent staff work so well as a team that they make looking after you and catering to your needs seem so effortless when it is surely due to much hard work behind the scenes. There are only just over 30 villas but even if the island is booked out it feels very private. There are a lot of activities on offer, including three amzing house reefs to snorkel. Morning starts with Yoga helped to get the day off to a great start. It is amazing just to be able to swim in the sea directly from your villa. If you are a foodie then this romantic island is a real treat and the chef and kitchen staff are incredibly talented and offer up truly delicious fare, with nightly specials to keep the menu options dynamic. Ravi at the bar is master at mixing cocktails - we recommend you ask him for suggestions as some of the most tasty concoctions are not listed on the menu. We had a unforgettable stay and are already plotting our return (Arta - you are warned!)

We had been here before - 2013 to be precise which was utterly terrifying as it felt far more recent than that. We visited three islands on this trip so I waited till the end to write reviews as I wanted to give some comparison. As it happens there really is none as each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The only thing that was universal is (pretty much) without exception all the staff we had contact with were fabulous. Coco is a delight. It’s an absolute stunner. The geography of the island is wonderful with perfect unspoiled beaches and a wonderful long sandbar to walk out on at low tide. All the room are over water. Per recommendations on this forum we selected the entry level room as we didn’t want the stairs to the mezzanine or indeed a pool. It was fine except the lounging sofa was not comfortable and as Mr Fleetcat had put his back out really rather difficult. We were helped with a lovely chair which sorted all but I couldn’t help but think two chairs would be an amazing and easily accommodated improvement to the room. Otherwise perfect. The food was super. Fresh seafood and not too fancy and a wee bit local. Ideal for simple eaters like us. Prawn curry was best ever. Breakfast was a bit meh – because it is a small resort the buffet was underwhelming but the cooked parts excellent. We are planning to return to the Maldives next year and at now am pretty certain we will return.