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Candelaria, Zambales
Potipot Gateway Resort
Abroad
In the southernmost region of the archipelago, on the pristine Thaa Atoll,
known for its diving and surf breaks, COMO Maalifushi is the first and only resort to
open. Low-lying gardens and overwater houses with views of a white beach, tropical
foliage, and a blue lagoon are part of its culturally appropriate architecture. The
COMO Shambhala Retreat also offers yoga and holistic Asian treatments, with
COMO's meticulous, passionate service defining the overall guest experience.
Maalifushi, which offers overwater villas and garden suites, is the ideal getaway
location for families, couples, surfers, and divers. Along with a number of deserted
private islands where whale shark sightings are frequent, the area has some
exceptional surf breaks.
You will be able to enjoy all of the amenities and activities the resort has to
offer without being concerned about paying for them while on vacation in this resort,
wherein you won't have to worry about anything. It is a family-friendly resort that
provides a variety of kid-friendly amenities and activities, including babysitter
services, kids' clubs, and kiddie pools. Premium services like massages and spa
visits can also be added to the all-inclusive package.
Bonfire Camping
Diving Fishing
Garden Karaoke
Amenities
The resort provides a wide range of amenities and services so that visitors
may unwind, enjoy themselves, and rest as much as possible. For those who wish to
relax in the sun, there are hammocks, loungers, and nipa huts scattered across the
site. Additionally, they provide 24-hour on-call massage services for their clients.
Visitors may eat at Savors Restaurant for delectable portions of regional and
international favorites. For those who wish to have a picnic-style meal outside,
barbecue pits and outdoor grills are available.
Enjoy the facilities and amenities provided by Potipot Gateway Resort while
traveling without hassles. With the resort's complimentary Wi-Fi, you can simply
keep up with all of your communications. It is much more convenient to explore
Candelaria (Zambales) using the resort's car rental services. The resort offers free
parking for visitors.
Potipot Gateway Resort to explore Candelaria's marvels (Zambales). To make
sure you have a nice experience, the hotel provides a variety of conveniences and
benefits. For the convenience of the visitors, there is free Wi-Fi in every room,
accessibility for guests with disabilities, Wi-Fi in public areas, a parking lot, and room
service. All of the facilities you need for a restful night's sleep are provided in the
guestrooms. There may be an LCD or plasma TV, wireless internet access, non-
smoking accommodations, air conditioning, and a desk in some of the guestrooms.
The hotel provides a range of leisure options. Potipot Gateway Resort is a fantastic
place to stay if you want to be close to all Candelaria (Zambales) has to offer as well
as friendly personnel and excellent facilities. Potipot Gateway's skilled team attends
to visitors' demands by offering a wide variety of services and amenities
Popular amenities
- Pool
- Free WiFi
- Parking included
- Air conditioning
- Restaurant
- Business services
- Room service
- Housekeeping
Room Size
WSH Room
Pros and Cons
Pros:
1. Located near a highway to make it convenient for people taking a bus from
Manila. You can either take a 30-peso tricycle or a short walk to get to the resort.
2. It has a parking space on its own.
3. Children and adults can enjoy being beachfront and having a pool of their own.
4. It also harbors a variety of hospitable and friendly birds.
5. Clean rooms with a large smart TV
6. Already have a restaurant serving hot food
7. Game room, a piano, a guitar, game boards, and a playground are available as
entertainment.
8. There are boats accessible for Potipot Island just on the shore.
9. Throughout the resort, showers
10. Stunning landscaping and gardens
11. Pleasant and accommodating personnel
12. Quite area throughout the week or off-peak
13. Typically, the resort provides excellent value for what you pay.
Cons:
1. Foods are good for 4 people minimum otherwise you need to order ala carte for
solo traveler or twos
2. Toiletries are not provided, you still need to ask it in the front desk.
Abroad
Features
The luxury COMO Maalifushi refuge is the sole resort in the Thaa Atoll in the
Maldives, and it is tucked away in the southernmost part of the atoll. The luxurious
boutique resort, which is perched like a pearl in an undeveloped area of the
archipelago, is close to sister resort COMO Cocoa Island and is reachable by
seaplane after a 60-minute transfer. It offers a chic blend of luxurious beach suites
and over-water villas with stunning views, three sophisticated restaurants with
private dining options, the upscale Como Shambhala Spa, and a variety of leisure
activities.
1. Accommodation
Maldives resort lodging makes use of local architecture while staying
beautifully simple to reflect the tranquil atmosphere of the island. Overlooking a tiny
lagoon, wooden walkways support the overwater suites and villas. Each features a
private patio where guests can plunge into the ocean, and garden rooms gain from
being located in the island's lush interior. Either out to the aquatic expanse or to
verdant gardens where kids can play, the views are consistently breathtaking.
2. Experiences
The only resort to operate in the Maldives' Thaa Atoll, located in the
southernmost parts of the archipelago and just a 60-minute seaplane ride from the
capital, Malé, is COMO Maalifushi. With some fantastic breaks nearby, seasonal
whale shark and manta ray sightings, and Lavadhoo, Maalifushi's isolated private
island ideal for a castaway experience, it is the great get-away spot for families,
couples, surfers, and divers. Play by COMO encourages young visitors to
experience the brand's renowned service, design, gastronomy, and wellness
philosophy.
3. Dining and Cuisine
The same ideas apply to COMO Maalifushi: we use organic produce to create
healthy, all-day meals at Madi, Thila, and on our COMO Shambhala menus, as well
as locally sourced fish that is so fresh it can be served as sushi and sashimi at our
Japanese restaurant, Tai. Flexibility is essential; cooks always work to satisfy
discerning palates with high expectations, children's preferences, and dietary
intolerances.
Madi
Madi (meaning Manta Ray in the local
Dhivehi language) serves light, flavourful food
that takes its inspiration from the region’s
fresh, tropical produce and abundant seafood.
The menu boasts a range of local,
Mediterranean, and international dishes
served throughout the day, from breakfast to
late evening.
Tai
‘Tai’ (Japanese for red snapper), which
is a celebratory fish in Japanese culture,
showcases sustainable caught seafood from
the Indian Ocean. There is also a cocktail bar
offering stunning views of the Maldivian
sunset.
Thila
Thila is named after rock formations in
the Maldives that are covered with abundant
marine life. As a place to congregate, it
inspires our informal Maldives restaurant and
pool bar where guests can come to chill out.
Food at Thila is easygoing and family-friendly,
with salads, freshly cooked seafood and
pizzas. Laid-back music, pool tables and an
open-air pool bar with ocean views make Thila the relaxed and vibrant heart of island
life on COMO Maalifushi.
Private Dining
At COMO Maalifushi you can find a
place for the most memorable of meals, from
intimate gourmet meals on the deck of your
villa to picnics and candlelit dinners on the
beach. The nearby uninhabited islands can be
yours as the sun sets and rises, with chef-
prepared meals served by private butlers.
In-room Dining
In-room dining at COMO Maalifushi
includes salads, pastas and refreshing
juices and is available 24 hours.
Amenities
Other upscale hotels in the area can't compare to COMO Maalifushi when it
comes to providing a great stay. Our cutting-edge facilities are open to everyone on
an overnight stay, whether they are traveling alone, with a spouse or partner,
children, or extended family.
• 8 double treatment rooms
• Yoga pavilion
• Steam facility (separate male/female)
• Gym with weights and cardio equipment
• 44m-long freeform swimming pool
• Watersports centre
• Dive centre
• Resort boutique
• Library
• Madi Restaurant serving Maldivian International and healthful COMO
Shambhala Cuisine
• ‘Tai’ restaurant serving Japanese cuisine with live bar sushi
• ’Thila’ bar
• Play by COMO Space
6 Garden Rooms (72sq m/ 775sq ft): The Garden Rooms are located in the centre
of the island, shaded by the resort’s tropical greenery and just a short foot-in-the-
sand walk to all the resort’s amenities. They have an open-plan feel, and come with
an outdoor deck and furniture for al fresco dining. Garden Rooms interconnecting
with each other are available on request.
13 Beach Suites (101sq m/ 1,087sq ft):
Nestled in the shade of COMO Maalifushi’s lush gardens, Beach Suites have direct
access to the beach and are extremely spacious and private, making them ideal for
couples or families with small children. The suites have floor-to-ceiling French doors
that open up on to their own private terrace with a pool, and the bedroom has a living
area and an outdoor bathroom.
1 Two-Bedroom Beach Suite (131sq m/ 1,408sq ft): Sheltered in the shade, this
stylish accommodation space offers the same facilities as our Beach Suites but with
two bedrooms. The second bedroom offers twin beds and a smaller shower room,
making it ideal for families.
7 Beach Villas (116sq m/ 1,248sq ft): These one-bedroom villas have their own
access to the beach, as well as their own private pool. Elegant, simple interiors are lit
up with large windows to make the most of the island setting with French doors
giving guests access from the bedroom to the terrace with their own private pool.
13 Water Villas (120sq m/ 1,292sq ft): Each of these spacious villas has a private
pool, sundeck and full-length windows overlooking the Indian Ocean. The bedroom
has a separate dressing area and the bathroom features a sunken bath and outdoor
shower. The large and airy sitting area can double up as a sleeping area for children.
1 Maalifushi Water Villa (213sq m/ 2,293sq ft): This is one of COMO Maalifushi’s
most spectacular overwater villas: an oversized, two-bedroom, light-filled bungalow,
which sits on its own secluded jetty, featuring a private pool and sundeck.
2 COMO Villas (408sq m/ 4,392sq ft): The two-bedroom overwater COMO Villa sits
above the lagoon. This spacious villa comes with its own private pool and butler,
making this COMO Maalifushi’s ultimate luxury experience, with two large bedrooms
suitable for two couples sharing, as well as families.
Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Pre-arrival communication with the resort was excellent. All emails were answered
within 24 hours.
2. Getting to Maalifushi is half the adventure and is an incredibly beautiful
sightseeing trip in itself: a 50 minute seaplane transfer from Male International
airport, followed by a 5 minute speedboat ride to the magnificent resort. Flying quite
low across the Indian Ocean offers an amazing perspective on the atolls, islands,
reefs and lagoons.
3. Besides the fact they offer spectacular views, the seaplane transfers are also very
well-organized: the seaplane transfer arrangements are made so that they
coordinate specifically with the arrivals of guests on international flights.
4. The scenery at Maalifushi island comes close to how you would imagine a perfect
tropical island. It is surrounded by an impossibly clear, sparkling turquoise lagoon
with gentle waves lapping the blinding white beaches, while the lush vegetation
composed of numerous palm trees forms a picture perfect backdrop.
5. While still tiny, the island is rather large according to Maldivian standards (around
800 by 200 meters). Guests can get around by bikes, or, alternatively, the staff can
take you everywhere by buggy.
6. Always feels reassuring and welcoming when the hotel management team shows
direct involvement with the hotel guests.
7. Built from locally sourced materials, the resort’s overall design, with its thatched
roofs and minimalistic, cool-white interiors, offers an atmosphere of rustic chic and
understated elegance.
8. The fruit bowl in the room as well as the bottles of fresh water are daily
replenished.
9.The bathroom toiletries are amongst the best in the hotel industry. COMO is
famous for its holistic Shambhala Spas, and its own-brand potions are distributed in
tiny bottles in the guest bathrooms.
10. High-speed WiFi is complimentary and of excellent quality throughout the resort.
11. Food at the resort is consistently top-notch, and served in 2 restaurants. Food
can also be served in the privacy of your own villa (a tray charge applies).
12. Every encounter on the island comes with COMO’s signature scent of
eucalyptus, camphor, peppermint and bergamot, leaving an olfactory impression of
calm goodwill.
13. Friendly and well-trained staff: the service in general is superb and very attentive,
without being intrusive. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them.
14. While no doubt expensive, spa and food prices are reasonably priced and
around 15% cheaper as compared to similar resorts in the Maldives. Spa treatments
are around 170 USD and an upgrade to halfboard costs 110 USD per person
(excluding taxes and service charges).
Cons:
1. The breakfast buffet is a little underwhelming for a resort of this caliber. It is
basically an upscale continental buffet, and you order hot items from the menu.
2. While the beaches are spectacular, the sand around the resort is a bit coarse in
certain areas, as broken coral washing on the beach occurs naturally from the wave
action on the nearby outer reef.
3. While the food at the Japanese restaurant is fabulous, the portions are rather
small, especially when you are limited by the halfboard formula which entitles you to
a certain selection of dishes.
4. Keep in mind that waterplanes only fly during daytime, so when you arrive in the
Maldives in late afternoon or during darkness, you may have to spend a night at the
capital.
5. The steps from the water suites & villas into the ocean are quite slippery and there
is a large drop from the bottom step into the water. A handrail here would be helpful.
Abroad
In google, COMO Maalifushi, The Maldives, has 187 reviews. 9 guests at
COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives have rated it 1 to 3. The resort was described as
being of very poor quality, seeming old and dilapidated, with broken electricity,
lacking basic room furnishings. However, 178 reviewers who visited the resort gave
it 4-5 stars and stated that the accommodation facilities and furnishings were cozy
and in good shape. The staff takes care of everything from your arrival to your
departure and is incredibly helpful and kind. There is a daily schedule of island
activities available. There are delicious meals available on the island, and there are
also healthful ones.
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