Featured
Tropical festivities at Atmosphere Hotels’ four resorts in Maldives
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, an award-winning Indian Ocean hospitality brand, is set to bring festive cheers across its four Maldivian resorts for vacationers with its tropical take on traditional festive celebrations.
In line with the group’s promise of ‘Joy of Giving’ and keeping with the spirit of the season, complimentary activities will be arranged for guests, as part of their one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive plan. With loads of activities to choose from such as seaside strolls, yoga sessions, DJ nights, games and crafts for kids to dinners and sunset dolphin cruises, there is something for everyone.
OBLU Select at Sangeli
Located on Sangeli island, the latest from the Maldivian hospitality group will be enlivening the festive atmosphere through many activities for all to enjoy between December 22 to January 4, 2019. For those who like an active vacation, there is aqua yoga, one-day soccer tournaments for the guests and staff, kayak races and water sports for both little ones and adults.
It also brings delicious food and beverages through festive breakfasts, lunches and dinners paired with DJ nights and live band performances.
Kids are especially in for a treat through hordes of activities available to keep them busy such as arts and crafts, Iron Man competition, photo frame making, games, Zumba, treasure hunt and so much more.
OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo
The flagship resort of the group, OZEN will be bringing in some festive magic to the Maadhoo island from December 22 to January 1, 2019, as it will feature activities for the young and old alike from sunrise yoga, t-shirt paintings, kayak and snorkelling races, card making and pamper parties to festively themed breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
The festivities don’t end there; it continues with karaoke festivals, coconut paintings, starry movie nights, aqua aerobics, Salsa and Waltz nights to bringing in the New Year with grand gala dinner and special band performance.
OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli
Boasting the world’s most admired in-house reef and diving channel, the festive celebrations at OBLU Helengeli from December 22 to January 2, 2019 will present a party unlike any other filled with scrumptious delights through its festive themed international F&B, all through the celebratory period.
In addition to the exquisite meals, guests can also enjoy sunset dolphin cruises, movie under the stars, live band music, friendly badminton and table tennis matches, marine biology presentation, treasure hunt with Captain Jack Sparrow, local origami class, special Arabic night, underwater selfie at the pool, snorkelling sessions, Kayak race, kite flying, burning of the old year and fireworks to welcome the new.
Face painting, arts and crafts, talent show, nail art and fashion shows are sure to keep the little ones entertained.
Atmosphere Kanifushi
Between December 22 and January 2, 2019, the group’s premium all-inclusive entry-level five-star resort with its elegant fusion of contemporary design and Maldivian architecture will present a local rendition of its festive celebrations.
Activities include sunrise yoga, historical island journey to Kurendhoo to delve into Maldivian culture, beach futsal, bingo for charity, live music, coconut show, aerobics, international themed F&B and so much more.
Kids can enjoy Zumba, scavenger hunt, crab race, language class for Dhivehi, water balloon fun, Nashaalamaa – Maldivian dance class, finding Nemo, recyclable bottle art and so much more.
Since the inception of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in 2013, the group has been rapidly expanding within different market segments: the four-star OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, entry-level five-star Atmosphere Kanifushi, and the luxury all-inclusive OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo.
The high price-performance ratio common to all resorts is crucial for the success of Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts. United under the philosophy of “The Joy of Giving”, the brand has been successful in translating this core value to anything they deliver to the discerning customer consistently and effectively.
The critical objective of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is to always understate and over deliver. This is clearly the primary reason for their secret of success at such a rapid pace, culminating in the launch of their fourth resort, OBLU Select at Sangeli early this year.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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