Komandoo’s greatest asset are its team members and among them is also a person who’s been the informal Chief Everything Officer at the resort for over a decade – Afiz Abdulla, IT Manager. Afiz is an essential part of the Komandoo Family and his colleagues and guests have a lot more than solving all those ‘Help, I broke the internet!’ cases to thank him for.

Afiz, from Velidhoo island in Noon Atoll, joined us as a newly-graduate student in 2007 and spent the first year and a half working in housekeeping before being presented with a ‘simple’ challenge: set up an internet network and communications infrastructure. Already possessing a lot of IT knowledge at that point and with some additional training, Afiz successfully helped modernise Komandoo. Rather than still piggybacking on Kuredu’s signal and Wi-Fi being available only at the reception, the coverage was extended to all villas in 2012, and today guests can be online with up to 8 devices and can keep in touch with their loved ones hassle free (and with great speed thanks to fiber optics), which for an island in the middle of an Indian Ocean is not as self evident as one would think! Complimentary Wi-Fi is also available in most public areas, except for restaurants and the pool area to respect guests’ privacy and to cling on to some of that pre-Wi-Fi charm that we believe it’s important to have, especially at such a stunning and relaxing place as the Maldives.

To keep up with guests’ expectations, a series of other improvements have also been put in place: an interactive in-villa IPTV that provides suggestions for things to do at the resort and makes information you may need during your stay handy, as well as 45 channels in many languages and 40 videos on demand for those hours when you simply want to seek shade and enjoy the privacy of your villa.

Afiz also set up the new music streaming system that brings all your favourite tunes to restaurants and bars, he’s responsible for arranging boat transfers, and has recently expanded his area of expertise also to landscaping, so you can look forward to an even better looking Komandoo soon! Afiz is also the captain of the resort’s volleyball team and a member of the fire brigade, an avid football player and Manchester United fan, a snorkeller, an EFR-certified diver and a wonderful colleague. It doesn’t come as a surprise that he received the flattering Ambassador of Komandoo Award in 2017, the only one given so far, for the appreciation of his outstanding services and contributions to the resort.

Choosing to celebrate your honeymoon at Komandoo is a wonderful way to start married life. The quiet Maldivian island surrounded by beautiful turquoise ocean is a haven of romance and relaxation. Whilst your time is likely to be dedicated to enjoying each other’s company, there are a number of amorous activities that can be enjoyed during your honeymoon that will help make it extra special.

All available through Komandoo Gifts, these can be added to a wedding gift list or bought in advance to surprise your partner and are perfect for everyone who values experiences and memories over material goods.

Champagne Breakfast: Begin your day with the self-indulgence of enjoying a private in-villa breakfast with a bottle of bubbly.

Spa voucher: Duniye Spa provides a fantastic range of couples’ treatments that are perfect for de-stressing and ridding your body of tension. The skilled therapists will leave you and your partner feeling refreshed and re-energised.

Candlelight Dinner: Under the stars, with the sand between your toes and the sound of the water just a few meters away, Komandoo’s candlelight dinners on the beach are the perfect private dining experience.

5.8 Undersea Restaurant: Located off Komandoo’s sister island, Hurawalhi, 5.8 Undersea Restaurant provides a unique once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, where you can enjoy lunch or dinner 5.8 metres below the ocean and admire the fascinating surrounds.

What adds a special allure to Komandoo is the resort’s lush, tropical landscape, and one of the team members who is to credit for upkeeping the island’s vegetation and overall landscaping is Sohag Bepari, Garden Supervisor. Coming from Bangladesh and working in the Maldives since 2003 (he was transferred to Komandoo from sister resort Kuredu in 2011), Sohag’s excellent performance has not only been consistently recognised by the resort’s guests, but also by his colleagues and the management, earning him the flattering Supervisor of the Month accolades in 2015 and 2016.

Outside of his daily responsibilities, Sohag finds special pleasure in creating flower bouquets for the exchange of vows ceremonies. In his spare time, he enjoys playing cricket, volleyball and watching movies.

You may or may not know that a wide assortment of vegetables and herbs are grown on the island; Sohag and his colleagues currently grow lettuce, chili, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, mint, aloe vera and rosemary; what’s more, flowers used in your bed decorations, jacuzzi indulgence and at the spa (orchids, hibiscus and vinca/periwinkle plants) are also coming from the on-site nursery. The orchid farm is Sohag ‘s favourite place on the whole island and he’s especially honoured when he gets to share his passion of our guests during the complimentary back of the house tour.

We are certain those of you who’ve meet Sohag will agree he’s a polite, friendly and cheerful person, and on behalf of the entire team we wish to thank him for his dedication, passion and for being a valued member of the Komandoo Family. We can’t wait to see all the landscaping improvements and new plants in the villas Sohag is planning!

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A new month, a new Komandoo Celebrities episode! You’ve been expressing your appreciation of the series as it allows you to take a trip down your Komandoo memory lane and remind you of all the wonderful team members that have contributed to your holiday being extraordinary. You will certainly be pleased to have your memory refreshed with another bright personality on our team – Dammika, the resort’s Bar Supervisor.

Dammika Prabath Chandrasekara Rajapaksha Gedara, a.k.a Dammi, originally from Sri Lanka, joined us at Komandoo in 2012 but has been in the Crown and Champa Resorts family already since 2004 and had worked on a liveaboard and at Kuredu in various bartending and butler positions.

You can cross paths with Dammi at Thundi and Kandu Bars as well as at Falhu and Aqua Restaurants, and those of you who experienced his attentiveness and attention to detail before won’t be surprised that he was selected as Supervisor of the Month already twice over the past two years.

Dammi is an integral part of the Komandoo Family, which is also evidenced by several other responsibilities he’s entrusted with, such as the coordination of all special food and beverage events, including our weekly get-togethers with repeater guests. Among many other guests whom Dammi has woven friendship ties with (and whom he doesn’t blame for nicknaming him ‘big ears’!) are also David and Sarah who absolutely love the special ice coffee he always spoils them with. He also still remembers one of his birthdays when a guests treated him to a cigar, which he was extremely grateful for and made him feel appreciated even more.

If you’re new to Komandoo, be sure to order what Dammika says are the most popular cocktails: Komandoo Cooler, Thundi Sunset & Piña Colada, and go for a stroll along the beach at sunrise, which Dammika believes is the most beautiful time on the island.

Dammi certainly is the embodiment of Komandoo’s excellent service and honest, unpretentious care for the well-being of the resort’s guests. That being said, ‘Cheers, big ears, to many more years of exemplary service at Komandoo!’ on behalf of the entire team and, we dare say, to all guests who know you!