Featured
Atmosphere Hotels welcomes guests to ‘Pure & Serene’ havens of uncompromising experiences
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts’ properties were among the few Maldivian hotels that remained open during the extensive lockdown imposed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The young and successful Indian Ocean hospitality group offered one of its luxury resorts, VARU by Atmosphere, to the Maldivian government to be used an isolation facility. All other Atmosphere Hotels’ properties remained open throughout the nearly four-month-long lockdown.
With the Maldives having reopened its borders to international visitors last week, Atmosphere Hotels is now welcoming guests with enhanced protocols and measures to ensure the wellbeing of both guests and employees.
Over the last few months, the team of dedicated employees at Atmosphere Hotels has worked relentlessly to ensure all of their resorts are safe. They have inspected and elevated all aspects of resort operations to deliver uncompromising service that aligns with guidance provided by World Health Organisation and the American Centres for Disease Control (CDC).
In line with these endeavours, Atmosphere Hotels partnered with Diversey, a global pioneer in cleaning and hygiene solutions.
“Safety and wellbeing of our guests and colleagues has always been our priority here at Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. In the present times, we are proud to say with conviction that safety has become our second nature,” an announcement read.

Arrive safe
All boats are thoroughly sanitised and physical distancing is maintained throughout the journey.
Temperature check through infrared thermometer is conducted upon arrival in the resort.
Contactless payment facility and secure check-in is provided.
Rest easy
Villas are kept vacant for a minimum of 24 hours before every arrival.
Room cleaning is performed in the absence of guests in order to minimise face-to face contact. Villas are cleaned using hospital-grade disinfectants and electrostatic spray.
All high contact areas are carefully cleaned and sanitised, while linens are laundered at high temperature using recommended disinfectants.
A Safe Care Amenity Kit, which includes a face mask, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wet wipes, is provided.

Explore freely
All public spaces are cleaned frequently using recommended cleaning products, while highly frequented areas are cleaned and sanitised on an hourly basis.
Hand sanitisers are placed in all the public areas.
In addition to testing pool water every four hours for pH and chlorine saturation, pool beds are placed 1.5-2 metres apart to ensure a safe distance is maintained.
Guests using gym, kids club and the recreation centre will have to undergo a mandatory temperature check at the entrance.
Kids club is completely disinfected thrice a day, while gym equipment is sanitised after every use.

Experience island pleasures
Dive centre equipment is disinfected, sanitised and and kept out of use for 72 hours.
Mandatory temperature checks are conducted before and after dive centre activities, as well as after spa treatments.
At the spa, treatment rooms are deep cleaned daily. All spa therapists wear a protective shield while performing the treatment.

Dine well
Restaurant seating capacity is capped at 50 per cent, ensuring a distance of at least two metres between tables.
Menus are equipped with barcode technology, while assisted buffet service with cloche are provided in all the restaurants. Food handlers are required to use gloves and face masks to prevent cross contamination.
Guests also have easy access to hand sanitiser in all the restaurants.
For safe in-villa dining, disposable boxes are used, while enhanced table laying and clearance norms are practised.
In addition to the food safety measures, Atmosphere Hotels has also introduced a series of natural immunity-boosting food and beverages to help guests stay healthy.
Meanwhile, strict safety guidelines are also implemented in the kitchen operations.
Food is prepared in small quantities to ensure fresh food is served to the guests.
Enhanced cleaning protocols using Diversey products are in place, with all dishes, cookware and crockery being washed at 80 °C.
Fresh consumables are stored between 0 to 4 °C, and frozen consumables are stored under -18 to -22 °C.
Rigorous training on food hygiene and cross contamination is given to all food handlers.

Health first
At each Atmosphere Hotels’ resort, a specialised doctor is available 24/7 for any medical emergencies. For conditions that require advanced care, round-the-clock boat service is provided to local medical facilities.
Medical rooms equipped with Automated External Defibrillator well-equipped isolation areas have been established at the resorts.
A certified Disaster Management Team is available to handle any exigency.
“Driven by our core philosophy of ‘The Joy of Giving’ we strive to create simple, delightful, and memorable holiday experiences with heartfelt generosity and care,” the announcement said.

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts offers guest-centric resort experiences through unique resort plans, offering guests a range of all-encompassing experiences, with varieties of dining options as well as a number of complimentary amenities and activities that ensure a relaxed, hassle-free holiday experience at each resort, all the while staying true to the brand’s core philosophy: ‘The Joy of Giving’.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts’ first property, Atmosphere Kanifushi, opened its doors in December 2013. The group opened its second property, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, in November 2015; followed by their flagship ‘Lifestyle Luxury’ sub-brand, OZEN by Atmosphere, in July 2016; OBLU Select at Sangeli in July 2018; and VARU by Atmosphere in October 2019.
The group recently launched its sixth hotel, OZEN Reserve Vittaveli in South Male Atoll; establishing its uber-luxe brand – The OZEN Collection.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
-
Cooking1 week agoVakkaru Maldives welcomes back Chef Jesper Koch for autumn culinary residency
-
Entertainment1 week agoIfuru Island Maldives to stage four nights of music and culture with Ripple & Friends
-
News1 week agoMandara Spa launches immersive wellness journeys across Maldives resorts
-
News1 week agoChavana Spa introduces personalised wellness journeys in Maldives
-
News1 week agoFootball stars, freestyle champions headline Kandima Maldives’ Summer Kamp 2026
-
Action5 days agoRoyal Island takes Best Dive Resort honour at TTM Awards 2026
-
Cooking1 week agoRiva enters new chapter with Mediterranean concept at JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll
-
News7 days agoSirru Fen Fushi celebrates Golden Week and Mid-Autumn Festival with Golden Autumn Escape


