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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
Worldwide Kids accreditation highlights Dhigali Maldives’ commitment to exceptional childcare
Dhigali Maldives has announced that its “Play” Kids Club has been accredited by Worldwide Kids, becoming one of only nine such facilities in the Maldives. This recognition underscores Dhigali’s commitment to providing high-quality and inclusive childcare services.
Christian Szabo, the General Manager of Dhigali Maldives, described the accreditation as a significant milestone, emphasising that it affirms the resort’s dedication to offering exceptional and inclusive childcare programs. He expressed pride in joining a network that shares the vision of nurturing young minds.
The “Play” Kids Club caters to children aged 4-12, providing a vibrant array of activities facilitated by certified childcare professionals. This accreditation further solidifies Dhigali’s focus on delivering exceptional family experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.
With this accomplishment, Dhigali Maldives continues to set a high standard for family-friendly luxury, ensuring parents can relax with the confidence that their children are engaged in fun and enriching activities during their stay.
VARU by Atmosphere, an iconic private island resort in the Maldives, celebrated its five-year anniversary this week, marking five years of hospitality, culture, and luxury inspired by the core philosophy of the Joy of Giving. The Naturally Maldivian resort hosted key stakeholders, including the island’s owners, corporate leadership, and colleagues, for an evening of grand celebrations featuring cultural performances, awards, and diverse culinary experiences.
Since its opening in 2019, VARU by Atmosphere has established itself as a sanctuary for travellers seeking to explore the Maldives’ rich cultural heritage while enjoying heartfelt hospitality. Guests at the resort experience the beauty of the turquoise lagoon and immerse themselves in the relaxed island lifestyle of this picturesque Indian Ocean destination. A standout feature of the resort is the award-winning Kaagé restaurant, which highlights authentic Maldivian cuisine, celebrating local ingredients, flavors, and culinary traditions.
Reflecting on the milestone, Mei P. Pun, General Manager of VARU by Atmosphere, noted the significance of the resort’s name, saying, “In Dhivehi, the Maldivian dialect, VARU translates to living life in abundance, strength, resilience, and above all, authenticity. For us, hospitality is about sharing the soul of the Maldives with every visitor, a mission made possible by the dedicated team. Their passion, warm smiles, and unwavering energy resonate with guests, many of whom return time and again.”
Part of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, VARU by Atmosphere is a contemporary 5-star resort offering a luxurious island experience with 108 villas situated along white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and three jetties featuring spacious over-water accommodations. Guests benefit from the exclusive VARU Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package that includes diverse dining options, spa experiences, daily activities, and excursions designed to enrich their stay.
Situated on the North-West edge of Malé Atoll, the resort is easily accessible via a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. It boasts four restaurants and two bars, ensuring a wide range of culinary options, alongside premium facilities such as a dive school, water sports centre, overwater ELE|NA spa complex, gym, kids’ club, ocean excursions, and daily complimentary snorkelling trips to explore the vibrant underwater world.
JOALI Maldives, the first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives, will commemorate its sixth anniversary on November 15, 2024, with a special event that highlights its dedication to art, sustainability, and nature. For this milestone celebration, the resort is collaborating with Ruinart, the world’s oldest Champagne house. Founded in 1729 in Reims, France, and currently owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy, Ruinart has a long-standing connection to art, dating back to 1895 when Andre Ruinart commissioned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha to design a poster for the brand. Similarly, since its launch in 2018, JOALI has redefined the role of art in luxury hospitality by showcasing works from international artists. Renowned for its vibrant joie de vivre lifestyle, JOALI aligns with Maison Ruinart’s savoir-vivre philosophy, sharing values rooted in art and luxury.
As part of the celebration, British-French artist Sophie Kitching will present an ethereal art display during a cocktail event at Mura Bar, the heart of the resort. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kitching is acclaimed for her installations, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. She frequently employs oils, watercolours, and gold leaves on natural materials. Having collaborated with Maison Ruinart for events such as Frieze NY 2022 and the “Maison 1729” exhibition, Kitching will create bespoke eco-designed second skins and coasters for JOALI’s sixth anniversary. Drawing inspiration from the island’s native flora and fauna, including grey herons, sea birds, vibrant corals, and marine life, her creations incorporate vivid colours and copper-zinc leaves to adorn Ruinart bottles. These pieces reflect both JOALI’s and Ruinart’s shared commitment to art and sustainability.
During the event, guests will savour Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Cuvées while admiring Kitching’s ‘Invisible Green Art XXX, 2024’, an abstract masterpiece featuring a distinctive green tone originally developed during England’s Georgian and Regency eras. Transported from Ruinart’s archives in Reims, this artwork will remain on display at JOALI Maldives for over six months. Art and wine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition hand-painted second skins by Kitching during the cocktail event or until the pieces are sold out.
On November 16, 2024, guests can further indulge in an exclusive champagne-pairing dinner hosted by Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at Ruinart. This gastronomic experience will pair Maison Ruinart’s champagnes with a meticulously curated menu, with each plate and glass weaving a narrative of art and flavour.
Fabien Vallérian praised the partnership, stating: “At Maison Ruinart, the protection of nature is central to our values. We are dedicated to supporting artists who foster a dialogue between humanity and nature through their creativity and craftsmanship. Since 2022, we have collaborated with Sophie Kitching on various artistic commissions, and this project with JOALI provides an incredible opportunity for her to explore and celebrate the ecosystems of the Maldives.”
These celebratory events mark the beginning of a promising partnership, with future activations planned both in the Maldives and globally.
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