Atmosphere Core, a leading hospitality company with roots in the Maldives, announces the signing of its 10^th resort in the archipelago nation, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru An Atmosphere Hotel, Maldives, set to open in March 2027. Housed within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, the property will be positioned under the ‘An Atmosphere Hotel’ sub-brand and will be the first resort in the ONE BANYAN series of co-branded island resorts in the Maldives bringing a distinctive and independent character to the portfolio.

Commenting on the announcement, Salil Panigrahi, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, said, “As demand for the Maldives continues to grow and diversify, we are seeing travellers seek stays that are luxurious yet tailored to their individual needs, and purchasing decisions increasingly shaped by the quality of experiences rather than amenities and services alone. With Amaraa Faru, we bring our brand ethos of ‘A New Experience Awaits’ to life, while also responding to this evolving demand. At this resort, guests can look forward to a lavish yet grounded sophistication inspired by the natural rhythm, culture and people of the islands.”

ONE BANYAN is conceived as a unique co-branded concept within Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, designed to bring together individual resort identities while allowing each property to retain its own character. The name Amaraa Faru brings together two cultural references with ‘amaraa’ inspired by the Sanskrit word associated with eternity or immortality, while ‘faru’ means reef in Dhivehi, evoking a connection with marine life and the ocean.

The first of the series, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru, will offer freedom and flexibility rather than overly formal luxury. As ‘An Atmosphere Hotel’ sub brand, it is shaped by the spirit of its place, with a distinctive story, rhythm and sense of belonging. The concept is designed for today’s free-spirited explorer, responding to a growing desire for experiences that feel inspiring and have a lasting impact.

An Authentically Maldivian Setting

Promising enriching, immersive and authentic moments, ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru will become the 9th resort worldwide within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand. It is in Kaafu Atoll, accessible via a 45-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport. Framed by wide, luminous lagoons in layered shades of blue and green, the island lends itself to unhurried days by the water. Guests will have the privilege of an indulgent Holiday Plan, a signature of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, encompassing dining, wellness, snorkelling and other tropical activities, all tailored to meet the most discerning expectations.

A Distinctive, Contemporary & Nature-Inspired Aesthetic

Aesthetics at Amaraa Faru will offer a fresh, contemporary design expression, introducing a new design language within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Rooted in the island’s surrounding marine world, the design will draw inspiration from traditional palm-leaf craftsmanship, where coconut and palm fibres are woven into functional art. This traditional craft will be reinterpreted through couture elegance, with natural materials, locally influenced textures, Art Deco touches and eco-conscious finishes layered into a soothing palette of crème and soft greens.

Guests will choose from 118 beach and overwater villas, ranging from 100 m² standard beach villas to 164 m² family beach villas and 117 m² overwater villas, each with a private pool. Fluid indoor and outdoor spaces will create effortlessly stylish retreats, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the island’s natural rhythm.

An all-day dining restaurant will anchor the culinary offering, complemented by a relaxed main pool bar and three speciality restaurants offering diverse culinary experiences, ranging from vibrant Argentinian cuisine to a charming overwater Japanese dining experience.

Additional facilities will include a sprawling kids’ club, an ocean-view gym and fitness centre, a dive and water sports centre, and a promenade-style retail space. A spa and wellness centre by the company’s award-winning brand, ELE|NA Ayur, with overwater treatment rooms, a 40 m² saltwater pool, and sauna and steam facilities will round out the resort’s facilities.

Contemporary & Intuitively Innovative Experience

Technology will be seamlessly integrated throughout the guest journey. At its heart, the resort will foster a service culture that is smart, original and elevated. Resulting in a relaxed and elegant environment — modern in spirit yet grounded in the warmth and hospitality for which the brand is known.

Amaraa Faru will also incorporate solar energy solutions, water conservation systems, and a no-plastics approach, including in-house glass water bottling, aligning with Atmosphere Core’s broader commitment to sustainability.

A New Chapter for Atmosphere Core

Founded in 2013, Atmosphere Core has built a strong presence in the Maldives with nine operational resorts across three brands and two developments in the pipeline, including ONE BANYAN Amaraa Faru An Atmosphere Hotel. The company’s international journey continues with a heritage hotel now open in India and Italy, along with plans for over 20 upcoming properties across Europe and South Asia.

This September, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru marks its anniversary month with a collection of curated experiences that celebrates the Original Maldives spirit, an invitation to rediscover the island through marine conservation, island-inspired mixology, wellbeing and meaningful connection.

Marine Conservation – Continuing a Pioneering Legacy

The ocean has always been at the heart of Vabbinfaru. During the Anniversary Month, the resort’s Marine Lab invites guests to learn more about its ongoing conservation work, beginning with a major coral micro-fragmentation planting on 22 September, followed by Save The Reef guided snorkel on 23 September, an invitation to snorkel with Vabbinfaru’s marine biologists, removing debris from the house reef while discovering its marine ecosystem and contributing directly to the protection of the waters surrounding the island.

The Marine Lab will also introduce a new initiative with the planting of a grand underwater coral tree on 23 September. Positioned approximately seven metres beneath the surface, the new structures allow coral fragments to grow away from heavy sedimentation and potential predators.

The coral trees are part of a pilot project that will be monitored alongside the resort’s existing coral restoration methods (including rope nurseries, micro-fragmentation and the electric reef barnacle), as the Marine Lab team continues to explore different ways to support the reef recovery surrounding Vabbinfaru.

Island Flavours and Barefoot Moments

On 23 September, the celebration moves to Naiboli Bar with a Green Mixology Class. Using sustainable ingredients straight from the kitchen, the session brings a fresh approach to cocktails while finding creative ways to make better use of what is already available from the kitchen.

On the same date, guests and resort staffs come together on the sand for a friendly Beach Football Match. It is a relaxed afternoon by the sea and a chance to share in the sense of community that has long been part of Vabbinfaru.

Harvest of the Heart Full Moon Meditation

On 26 September, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru presents a special Full Moon Ritual themed “Harvest of the Heart”, led by resident wellbeing practitioner Dr Sharma. This September full moon reaches its astronomical peak this day, known as the Harvest Moon, representing a season of taking inventory, releasing outdated habits, and taking bold personal action.

Inspired by the natural rhythm of the moon, the guided experience brings together grounding breathwork, gentle movement and meditative sound.

Harvest of the Heart focuses on renewal and the changes found in nature, creating a moment to pause and welcome the season ahead.

Throughout the anniversary time, guests will also receive a complimentary Wellbeing Consultation and special savings at Banyan Gallery and Banyan Tree Spa & Wellbeing.

More Ways to Explore Underwater World

The anniversary celebration also extends to the ocean, with additional perks on Marine Centre excursions and watersports activities.

From exciting time above the water around Vabbinfaru to spending time in the house reef, guests can discover more of the marine environment that has always been such an important part of the island.

Rediscover the Original Maldives in Barefoot Luxury

More than three decades after Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru first welcomed guests to its shores, much of what has always defined the island: the connection to nature, self and community.

“For us, the anniversary honours the people, purpose and passion that have shaped the legacy of Vabbinfaru over the past three decades. The Original Maldives spirit remains at the heart of who we are. Here, legacy is not preserved, it is lived.” shared Tho Pham (Yara), Director of Marketing & Communications.

Ocean Group Maldives has launched a week of ocean-focused diving activities across nine leading resorts in the Maldives in support of PADI AWARE Week 2026, taking place from 12–20 September.

The initiative brings together Ocean Group’s dive teams, resort partners and guests in a collective effort to celebrate the ocean while encouraging meaningful action to protect the Maldives’ extraordinary marine environment.

PADI AWARE Week is a global initiative that mobilises the diving community to take action for ocean conservation. Throughout the week, Ocean Group Maldives will invite divers to combine their passion for exploring the underwater world with hands-on conservation activities.

The campaign will take place across Ocean Group dive centres at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, Dusit Thani Maldives, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, Veligandu Maldives Resort Island, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, SAii Lagoon Maldives, SO/ Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Radisson Blu Resort Maldives.

Dive for Fun. Dive for a Purpose.

As part of the campaign, guests who purchase two fun dives will receive a complimentary third dive dedicated to an ocean clean-up, giving divers an opportunity to enjoy the Maldives’ spectacular underwater environment while contributing directly to its protection.

Under the message “3 Dives. 1 Ocean. A Real Difference.”, the initiative encourages guests to see conservation not as something separate from the diving experience, but as part of being a responsible member of the global dive community.

“The ocean is at the heart of everything we do at Ocean Group Maldives, so PADI AWARE Week is an important opportunity for us to turn awareness into action,” said Yasmin Zahid, Director of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at Ocean Group Maldives. “By activating the campaign simultaneously across nine resorts, we hope to demonstrate how individual actions, when multiplied across our dive community, can create a much greater collective impact.”

Dive teams at participating resorts will also use the week to engage guests in conversations around responsible diving, marine debris and the importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems that make the Maldives one of the world’s most celebrated diving destinations.

Local Action. Global Impact.

The nine-resort activation reflects Ocean Group Maldives’ broader commitment to making marine conservation an integral part of the guest experience across its diving and marine operations.

By connecting international visitors with practical conservation activities during their stay, Ocean Group aims to inspire guests to become more conscious ocean advocates—not only while diving in the Maldives, but wherever their future travels take them.

PADI AWARE Week runs from 12–20 September 2026 at participating Ocean Group Maldives dive centres.