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.