Kuda Villingili Resort Highly Commended at Family Traveller Awards 2026

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been named Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay at the Family Traveller Awards 2026, recognising its approach to holidays that bring several generations together while giving each guest room to enjoy the island independently.

Organised by UK family travel publication Family Traveller, the awards attracted hundreds of entries across 19 categories. A panel of family travel journalists selected the finalists, and thousands of public votes determined the winners and highly commended properties. The results were announced at a ceremony in London on 11 September.

Located 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili has 75 private-pool villas and residences. Its larger Villas, Residences and Retreats are designed to accommodate extended families and groups travelling across generations. Separate external entrances to bedrooms and living areas, as well as internal connecting doors, allow guests to share accommodation while retaining privacy.

For younger visitors, the Kuda Fiyo Kids Club has its own beach beside a shallow lagoon. Its supervised programme includes outdoor adventures, creative activities, games and island discoveries. A daily train ride around the resort has also become a favourite activity for children.

The resort’s 150-metre swimming pool includes shallow areas for younger swimmers, while families can explore the lagoon by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Children interested in surfing can take lessons with certified instructors at Baby Chickens, a beginner-friendly section of the island’s Surf Chickens break.

Older children and teenagers have access to activities including tennis, padel, pickleball, futsal, volleyball, watersports and diving. The resort also has eight restaurants, where children under 12 dine complimentary. Parents can spend time at the overwater spa or explore the island while younger guests take part in supervised activities.

Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, said the recognition reflected the resort’s belief that a family holiday should offer both shared experiences and individual freedom. “We are incredibly proud to be Highly Commended for Best Long-Haul Family Stay by Family Traveller,” he said, thanking the team for the experiences it creates for visiting families.

For Kuda Villingili, the award highlights a central part of its family offering: the ability to spend the day pursuing different interests, then come together again for dinner, time by the pool or a Maldivian sunset.