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Atmosphere resorts to offer tropical take on traditional festivities

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Leading Indian Ocean resort brand Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts is set to step up the festive cheer across all its resorts, with each offering a tropical take on traditional Christmas festivities.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, the resort group’s mantra is the ‘Joy of Giving’, with all activities from December to January 2 provided complimentary for guests, making them the only hospitality brand in the Maldives to refrain from charging any additional supplement towards gala events on both Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Instead of winter walks, think beach-side strolls and fishing excursions, mixed with a myriad of activities, luxury accommodation and fine dining for all to enjoy.

OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli

Sprinkling some Maldivian magic across the island, dotted with Christmas trees, the resort will offer kids’ face painting, decorating of gingerbread houses, a cocktail competition for guests to crown the ‘OBLU Mixologist 2017’, films under the stars and yuletide yoga on the beach. Santa will stop by the island for a dance on 24 December and there will also be live music, DJs and flaming cocktails.

Christmas Day will see breakfast bubbles and hangover cocktails with live music at The Spice, followed by coral planting, a photo shoot with Santa, Christmas lunch and a ‘Reindeer Tea Party’ (a kid’s fashion show).

There will also be badminton between guests and OBLU staff, followed by a wine and seafood buffet, cocktails and a live band to see Christmas off with lively spirit.

The Maldivian Christmas spirit will show no sign of drying up, as the subsequent days include treasure hunts, table-tennis, beer tasting, kayak racing, guided snorkelling, tug-of-war, beach volleyball, futsal, a dolphin cruise and more live music as well as a disco night!

As the year comes to a finale, fireworks and champagne will see a truly special end to 2017. On New Year’s Day, the first sunset and dolphin cruise of 2018 is not to be missed with champagne on board, while the next day the fishing trip’s ‘Catch of the Year’ will see a photo and prize for the biggest catch.

Just 50 minutes away by speedboat from the main Velana International Airport, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli is positioned as a four-star diving resort. It comprises 116 villas in four categories, on an all-inclusive plan with high quality world cuisine, combined with a range of activities including fantastic channel diving along with a serene garden spa.

OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli. PHOTO/ ATMOSPHERE

Atmosphere Kanifushi

Once the festivities are underway, Atmosphere Kanifushi will show you Christmas does not need to be cold. With December weather averaging a blissful 27 degrees, each day will include sunrise and sunset yoga, beach football, aqua aerobics, Christmas baking and crab races on December 22.

There will also be a mini Olympics and coconut painting for the kids, and visits to the beautiful Hinnavaru island and Naifaru’s island town for those wanting to pick up authentic local gifts.

On Christmas morning, kids can enjoy Zumba and origami, while adults can make the most of aqua yoga and a Champagne breakfast. Throughout the day, food will be flowing, in addition to a special Christmas Day dive and a sunset cruise to cap off a perfect December 25.

On New Year’s Eve, the Grand Gala Dinner will see The Spice restaurant serve their ‘Bon-Appetite’ menu ahead of the countdown. Prizes will then go to the best dressed couple and the best dancers, with a fireworks display to celebrate the end of 2017.

A Champagne brunch will take place on New Year’s Day, while the first sunset cruise later in the day will be a spectacular way to finish the first day of 2018.

Located in the northern Lhaviyani atoll and accessible by a 30-minute scenic seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport, Atmosphere Kanifushi is approximately two kilometres in length and 90 metres wide. The island has an abundance of lush green palm trees and tropical vegetation, and is surrounded by a large natural coral reef.

Atmosphere Kanifushi offers 132 detached villas and suites separated by tropical vegetation for guest privacy. All villas have direct access to the pristine white beach and the beautiful turquoise lagoon beyond, while being surrounded by some of the tallest coconut trees in the region and lush tropical vegetation. The entire resort has been designed and built with a fusion of traditional and modern architecture, offering an overall contemporary feel with a Maldivian touch.

Atmosphere Kanifushi boasts five dining options and two pool bars. The Spice features authentic buffet-style international cuisine and live cooking stations, while Just Veg is the first pure vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives. The Sunset serves a la carte dining and Teppanyaki Grill.

At Atmosphere Kanifushi, guests can enjoy an array of complimentary activities ranging from excursions, sunset fishing, snorkelling and non-motorised water sports. A fully-equipped gym and a flood-lit tennis court is also available.

Atmosphere Kanifushi. PHOTO/ ATMOSPHERE

OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo

The pinnacle of the resort group, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo will offer guests a truly sumptuous slice of paradise this Christmas. They will be treated to a Grand Indian Ocean dinner, a formal all-you-can-eat affair complete with Maldivian performers and fire dancers, a two-piece live band at the Palms restaurant, morning fishing, volleyball and fitness and spin classes, immersing guests in island life.

On Christmas Eve, the sunset dolphin cruise will be a memorable way to lead into December 25. Sunrise yoga, champagne breakfasts, fitness classes and kayaking before lunch will cater to all tastes on Christmas Day. After this, adults can enjoy mixology or the kids can try pasta craft-making, along with festive karaoke and Boduberu drummers for all.

The cocktails continue over the following days, while aqua aerobics, sunset fishing and starry-starry movie nights will create a mellow atmosphere unlike anywhere else.

On New Year’s Eve, a Gala Dinner, band and live DJ will make the blissful OZEN by Atmosphere the perfect place to see out the year, while a Decadence Brunch on New Year’s Day will be an indulgent way to begin the next.

Amidst the exotic turquoise hues of South Male Atoll lies the tranquil island of Maadhoo; home to the first luxury all-inclusive resort in the Maldives, OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo.

Having opened its shores to the world in 2016, OZEN by Atmosphere offers the discerning traveller a uniquely exclusive holiday plan, the Atmosphere Indulgence where guests will experience the ultimate hassle-free beach holiday in the Maldives.

The contemporary design style of the resort’s 90 standalone luxury villas and overall ambience of OZEN complements the naturally blessed surroundings of Maadhoo island.

The M6m undersea restaurant at OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo. PHOTO/ ATMOSPHERE

A fresh, dynamic Indian Ocean hospitality brand from Maldivian resort developers Eon Resorts, Atmosphere opened its first property, Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives in December 2013 to great success and it was bestowed the prestigious title of Best All-Inclusive Resort at the 2015 UK Travel Agents Awards by Selling Travel UK and Premium All-Inclusive Resort of the Year at the Luxury Travel Guide’s Global Awards 2015.

Atmosphere offers value-focused properties which seamlessly fuse traditional and modern architecture to create an overall contemporary feel with a Maldivian touch. The group opened its second property, diving resort OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli in November 2015, and the ultra-luxe OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo in July 2016.

The group is set to open a new four-star deluxe resort, OBLU Select at Sangeli in 2018.

Celebration

Villa Park sets holiday line-up with sunset welcome, Santa visit and NYE gala

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Villa Park has announced its Festive 2025–2026 programme, running from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026. The schedule moves from lagoon-side mornings to music-led evenings on the beach, beginning with a sunset welcome and continuing with beach barbecues, creative workshops, Christmas Eve dinner, Santa’s visit on 25 December, and a New Year’s Eve gala with a midnight countdown. The season concludes with programmes on New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas.

Daytime activities include chef demonstrations, shoreline art sessions, and live music. Evenings feature romantic tables, treetop dining for two, and simple set-ups that highlight the island setting. The programme is designed for couples, friends, and families to join as they wish.

Family programming centres on Park Players, presented as the Maldives’ largest kids’ club, with letters to Santa, gingerbread crafts, ocean-themed art, movement classes, story time, and film nights. Group sizes are kept small to ensure attentive supervision.

Villa Park’s family offering has been recognised beyond the festive season, with the resort named among the Best Resorts for Families in the Maldives at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, a reader-voted accolade reflecting guest feedback on space, programming, and flexible pacing.

Throughout the calendar, private experiences sit alongside larger celebrations, including candlelit beach dining, treetop tastings, floating breakfasts, and open-air cinema for two. Guests can set their own rhythm, whether opting for lively beach gatherings or quiet evenings under lanterns and palms, from sunrise through to the New Year countdown and beyond.

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Celebration

Mindful festive escape: Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa focuses on connection and renewal

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This festive season, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa will welcome guests to a celebration of warmth, wonder and mindful connection. From 19 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the resort will transform into a serene island sanctuary where nature, gastronomy and meaningful experiences come together in harmony.

Situated in one of the most untouched atolls of the Maldives, Huvadhu Atoll, Hadahaa embodies a refined simplicity that showcases the beauty of the natural world. Throughout the festive period, guests are invited to slow down, reconnect and rediscover the joy of being fully present, surrounded by turquoise waters, lush island greenery and Maldivian hospitality.

“The festive season at Hadahaa is more than a celebration — it’s a homecoming,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “It’s a time to reflect, to celebrate togetherness and to embrace the island’s timeless rhythm where nature and joy coexist effortlessly.”

Highlights of the Festive Season:

  • Holiday splendour and timeless traditions – From the twinkling lights of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony to the New Year’s Eve Countdown by the Beach, each event is shaped by the understated elegance that defines Park Hyatt. Familiar festive traditions are reinterpreted with authentic island touches, creating celebrations that feel both comforting and renewed.
  • Beneath the holiday surface – Adventure enthusiasts will be able to join Festive Snorkelling and Diving excursions, Turtle Quests and an Exclusive Christmas Night Dive. Each marine experience offers a deeper connection to the ocean’s vibrant ecosystem, enhanced by the festive spirit of exploration.
  • Season of renewal – Guests can restore body and mind with holistic spa journeys at The Vidhun Spa, featuring Ayurveda-inspired treatments, island botanicals and festive rituals designed to support inner balance. The resort will also host Dr Jyoti Kodwani, founder of The Sacred Chakras, for a month-long Festive Wellness Residency offering transformative healing therapies.
  • Festive flavours and family moments – From Barefoot BBQs by the Bay to elevated treehouse dining beneath the stars, dining experiences are designed to become lasting memories. Younger guests can take part in creative workshops, treasure hunts and Santa’s seaside arrival, ensuring special moments for families and guests of all ages.

This year, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa’s festive programme captures the essence of renewal and joy, celebrating life’s simplest pleasures with a blend of sophistication and soul.

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Celebration

Celebrating 30 years: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru launches festive ‘Season to Return’

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This festive season, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is inviting travellers to return to where the story of the “Original Maldives” began — a sanctuary of barefoot elegance, ocean tranquillity and heartfelt connection.

From 22 December 2025 to 10 January 2026, the island will celebrate its 30-year journey with the theme “A Season to Return” — a tribute to gratitude and renewal, where moments of wellbeing, community and culinary artistry come together.

The festive period at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru is designed as a time to slow down, restore balance and reconnect with what truly matters. Each day begins with sunrise yoga or meditation by the ocean, followed by regenerative spa rituals at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, recognised at the Travel + Leisure Asia Awards 2025.

Programme highlights include the New Year’s Yoga Awakening on the Lagoon Platform, Gratitude Meditation sessions and Herbal Massage Oil Workshops. Each experience reflects Banyan Tree’s holistic approach to wellbeing, harmonising nature, mindfulness and rejuvenation as the new year unfolds.

A celebration of global flavours with local inspiration will be presented across the resort’s three restaurants and two bars.

Each evening will offer a distinctive dining journey that highlights a sense of place. At Saffron, the Thai Degustation Dinner will showcase refined interpretations of Thai cuisine, while at the award-winning Madi Hiyaa, an elegant Omakase and Sake Pairing menu will be served, with each course crafted to tell its own story of flavour and artistry.

At Sangu Garden, themed evenings such as Maldivian Oasis and Fisherman’s Night will pay homage to the island’s vibrant heritage. The Orthodox Night, curated in honour of the Russian New Year, will bring additional warmth to the season with a candlelit dinner under the stars, featuring ocean-fresh delicacies and live music.

The programme will also feature indulgent tasting experiences, including Japanese Lobster and Champagne dinners and Lagoon Wine and Chocolate tastings, curated to inspire curiosity and delight. Hosted at Madi Hiyaa, the overwater restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean, these evenings will unfold against a backdrop of tranquil lagoon vistas — a celebration of togetherness and the timeless beauty of the Maldives.

Guests interested in culinary creativity will be able to participate in a series of interactive classes. The Saffron Signature Cooking Class, Maldivian Curry Class and Island Barman Japanese Cocktail Workshop will offer opportunities to learn new skills under the guidance of the resort’s culinary team, combining technique with the simple joy of creation.

As the sun sets, the island will transform into a setting for connection and celebration. The festive line-up includes Christmas Eve Sunset Cocktails, a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with a Masquerade theme and a beachside countdown, complemented by traditional Bodu Beru performances under the stars. Each moment is designed to reflect Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s legacy of hospitality, nurturing a sense of connection, wellbeing and belonging.

In line with the brand ethos “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”, the festive season will also be anchored in purpose. Guests will have the opportunity to join meaningful activities led by the resort’s pioneering Marine Lab — the first of its kind in the Maldives. Initiatives such as Christmas Coral Micro-Fragmentation Planting, “Save the Reef” snorkelling experiences, local reef clean-ups and educational marine talks will support the island’s long-standing conservation mission and encourage deeper engagement with the ocean environment.

With the theme “A Season to Return”, Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru’s festive programme reflects the spirit of the resort’s 30-year journey — a tribute to the people, culture and heritage that have helped define the Original Maldives for generations.

Travellers choosing to return to Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru for the 2025 festive season will enjoy exclusive benefits, including savings on villa stays for bookings of five nights or more, along with a range of additional privileges designed to inspire joy, balance and renewal.

As the year draws to a close, A Season to Return offers moments of gratitude and gentle anticipation for new beginnings — a celebration of love, romance and the enduring appeal of returning to where it all began.

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