Celebration
Atmosphere resorts to offer tropical take on traditional festivities
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.
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives has introduced its Maldives Summer Escape offer as part of its positioning for Eid al Adha travel, combining accommodation benefits with seasonal dining and guest experiences for families, couples and small groups.
Available for stays through to 31 October 2026, the offer is designed to support longer stays and multigenerational travel, with a focus on dining flexibility and island-based experiences within a private resort setting.
To mark the Eid period, the resort will present a series of guest experiences linked to the occasion. On 27 May, guests will be offered an Eid breakfast at Seasalt Restaurant, featuring live Arabic cooking stations prepared by Egyptian chefs, alongside dishes such as foul medames, manakish and shakshuka.
An Eid-themed dinner buffet will also be held the same evening, with regional dishes and live cooking stations forming part of the dining programme. On other days, guests will also have the option of visiting a nearby local island to observe traditional Eid celebrations in a Maldivian community setting.
From 27 to 29 May, Mirus Bar will host a series of evening activations including a shisha lounge and DJ sets. The resort said the programme is intended to create a social setting suited to both couples and groups.
The Maldives Summer Escape offer includes daily breakfast and three-course à la carte dinners at selected venues, along with a USD 75 dining credit that can be used for alternative experiences such as Teppanyaki, The Shack or private dining.
Additional benefits include 15 per cent off treatments at Spa Alila, 20 per cent off food and beverage purchases, and 20 per cent off return seaplane transfers.
The resort said the offer is particularly suited to families and groups, with villa accommodation designed to provide both shared living space and privacy, while also appealing to couples through its more understated approach to island stays.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the resort had designed the offer around the significance of Eid and the expectations of guests travelling during the period.
“Eid is a deeply meaningful time, centred on togetherness, reflection, and shared moments,” he said. “For those choosing to celebrate away from home, we’ve curated an experience that feels both intimate and considered — where thoughtful dining, unhurried surroundings, and the natural beauty of the island come together to create something truly memorable.”
Through the combination of seasonal programming, dining inclusions and additional guest benefits, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is presenting the Maldives Summer Escape as an option for Eid travel in the Maldives.
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives has invited guests to celebrate Songkran this April across its resorts in the Maldives, marking the Thai New Year through a series of experiences inspired by the brand’s Thai heritage.
The hotel group said the celebrations would reflect Thai culture and hospitality while adapting traditional Songkran elements to island settings in the Maldives. Across its resorts, the festival is being presented through activities centred on renewal, togetherness and shared experiences.
At Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives, located within The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the celebration is set to take place in a family-focused setting. The resort said guests could take part in water activities, beach games and poolside gatherings, followed by a Songkran carnival by the sea. Evening dining experiences will feature Thai flavours in a setting designed for families and groups.
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, part of The Centara Collection, the programme will include a beachfront parade and traditional Thai games. The resort said evening events would continue with a Thai-inspired dining experience, cultural performances and entertainment. Activities for younger guests will also be included as part of the celebrations.
Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, which caters to adults, is also marking Songkran with its own programme. The resort said guests could expect beachside activities, evening dining experiences and entertainment shaped around the festival’s themes of joy and togetherness.
Centara Hotels & Resorts Maldives said the Songkran celebrations across its properties are intended to give guests an opportunity to experience Thai-inspired traditions in the Maldives while creating shared holiday experiences during the festival period.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli has ushered in the holiday season with a new twist on its much-loved annual Festive Cake Mixing event, held on 23 November. This year, the celebration was led by acclaimed Sri Lankan chef and viral social media personality Charith N. Silva, the creative force behind @wildcookbook and one of South Asia’s most influential culinary storytellers.
Charith, a sensation across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram with an audience of several million, is widely recognised for his bold fire-cooking techniques, visually striking outdoor food rituals, and distinctive, high-energy narrative style. He recently secured a coveted place on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list in the Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink) category, underscoring his growing influence on contemporary food culture in the region. He is one of a new wave of young chefs blending local flavours with global inspiration and is the owner of the restaurant “Wildish” in Colombo.
Bringing his creative flair to Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Charith said, “Bringing my energy to Sun Siyam Olhuveli was surreal; the people, the Maldivian spirit, the flavour play, everything clicked into one unforgettable festive moment.”
This year’s cake mixing unfolded like an island celebration, complete with lively music, bursts of aromatic spices, and an energetic atmosphere. Resort teams and guests layered fruits, nuts, and spirits in a spirited display, with Charith driving the momentum through his trademark spontaneity. The result was a vibrant, social, and playful reimagining of a classic festive tradition.
Festivities continued on 24 November with an exclusive live cooking demonstration by Charith, giving guests the chance to experience his signature “wild” cooking style firsthand against the lagoon backdrop of the resort.
“This celebration reflects the new creative pulse of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Charith brought an energy that aligns perfectly with our evolving lifestyle identity, making this year’s cake mixing one of our most memorable yet,” said Hassan Adil, General Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
With the festive season now in full swing, Sun Siyam Olhuveli invites guests to join MYSTIVAL 2025–2026, the resort’s year-end celebration taking place from 21 December 2025 to 8 January 2026, featuring hypnotic beats, immersive dining, playful rituals, and a series of kaleidoscopic island experiences designed to inspire connection and celebration.
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