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Stories from GM: Amilla Maldives’ journey amid Covid-19

Published

5 years ago

October 11, 2020

By Jason Kruse

Lots of people have been asking me about how we came up with some of the most robust Covid-prevention protocols in the Maldives. Well, I’d like to start by saying there was no playbook for any of this.

Covid-19 caught the world by surprise. We went into a temporary hiatus back in March, but a few guests decided to stay with us in our island quarantine bubble for the next few months. That’s the great thing about having a resort on a private island of its own – we can carefully monitor absolutely everyone who comes in and out, thereby massively reducing risk of transmission. The only people arriving are a controlled number of guests and staff.

Some of our team members went home when the borders reopened in July but myself and many other Islanders have remained on our island this entire time. You might have read about all the things we got up to during lockdown on the Amilla blog, but we decided we had two choices – to sit back and do nothing or to stand up and fight. So, we decided to come up with as many ingenious and inventive ways as possible of enhancing our island with the focus on improving our guest experience, and being more sustainable in our approach.

Everybody got stuck in, it was amazing to see so much spirit! We had spa therapists working in the gardens, butlers building a hen house, we all switched jobs to build and create new things in order to help put us in as strong a position as possible for when we reopened, from creating an organic garden and banana plantation to artwork made from driftwood and aquaponics projects! And during this whole time right up to today, we didn’t even visit any local islands, to avoid any chance of community spread.

When we made the decision to reopen, we carefully considered the government of the Maldives’ guidelines as well as the latest advice from the WHO. We decided we wanted to take our precautions to the next level so that we could assure our guests, our team and our owners that Amilla Maldives will remain Covid-free to the very best of our abilities. But we also needed to ensure we delivered guests that sense of escapism and luxury they so dearly needed (in 2020 more than ever). Not the easiest things to juggle.

We formed a Covid Taskforce with members of the management team who were left on the island, liaised with medical professionals and government officials, recruited a Safety Manager and appointed NSURE to provide hygiene training for all our team members and help establish best practices. Being a Maldivian-owned and managed island, we don’t have the resources of a glitzy global head office. So, we also looked to learn from other resorts and hotels which were developing some good practices and managing risks while reducing the impact on their guests’ experiences.

Armed with all this information and recommendations, we set forth to welcome our guests, offering complimentary PCR tests on arrival for everyone aged over 12 months old, including all team members returning to the island. That’s right, we decided the best form of Covid prevention is testing, testing, testing (at our own cost). This is before the Maldives started requiring all arrivals to the country to have taken a PCR test at home.

Our guests and staff would keep their masks the whole time on whenever they were in communal areas like our restaurants. We took away cutlery and had contactless menus too.

But after a short time, we realised that guests perceived our ‘compromised’ hospitality as compromised service. Obviously, we didn’t want that because everyone comes here for an unparalleled sense of getting away from it all.

We knew during the process we’d have to be adaptable to our guests’ needs (and the constant updates on safety and hygiene requirements), so when the government switched to asking all guests to present a PCR test on arrival in the Maldives we realised if we then also did a complimentary second test on arrival on our island, we could be confident they are very, very unlikely to have Covid-19. That means we could do away with masks once they got the all-clear, because our island is kind of its own quarantine bubble, with everyone coming in and out being tested. We added some extra precautions too, but not many that are visible to guests.

So now, guests arriving at Amilla Maldives are welcomed to their Villa or Residence, then our trained team member or Resort Doctor does a quick PCR test. The samples are packed in special transport containers and sent by seaplane to Male (our capital) to be processed.

While awaiting the test results, guests are free to use most the resort facilities with some basic social distancing protocols in place. Until we receive the results, our guests and the restaurant staff wear masks, they use just one of our restaurants and we give them a separate team of housekeepers and ‘katheebs’ (butlers) who live and work in a ‘quarantine bubble’, separate from the other team members.

That’s just to make sure that if in the worst-case scenario a guest tests positive, it can be contained quickly as they are in a separate ‘bubble’ to the majority of people on the island. We also use enhanced disinfecting protocols.

It’s worth mentioning at this point that since transmission is much worse in high population density areas, a lot of people are reassured by the fact Amilla is one of the country’s largest islands with 23.5 hectares of space (most of it is undeveloped beautiful jungle) and only a selected number of Villas and Residences (which have a great deal of space between them and extensive private indoor and outdoor facilities – in fact, they amongst the largest Villas in the Maldives). So, these factors also help a lot with risk reduction and reassurance.

The PCR results come back fast and as soon as our guests receive their negative results, they are no longer required to wear masks and can roam the entire island. (Bear in mind this is their second PCR test as the Maldives government requires everyone flying to the Maldives to present a negative PCR test on arrival, taken a maximum of 72 hours before flying).

This facilitates a rare situation whereby our guests can holiday with a sense of pre-Covid ‘normality’, while being reassured by the knowledge everyone on the island has been tested twice. Plus, the abundance of space and fresh air combined with our robust hygiene protocols help make Amilla Maldives even safer.

We are proud to have a thought out Covid-prevention protocol that does not compromise on our guest experience, and so far, remain extremely successful in keeping Covid-19 from coming ashore to Our Island Home, Amilla Fushi.

Note: Jason Kruse is the General Manager at Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences.

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Atmosphere Kanifushi named Best Family Resort in Indian Ocean for sixth consecutive year

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2025

m@ldives

Atmosphere Kanifushi has once again been recognised as the ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort’ at the World Travel Awards 2025, marking the sixth consecutive year the island has received this prestigious accolade. This continued recognition highlights the resort’s unique appeal to both romantic couples and adventure-seeking families.

Commenting on the achievement, Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager of Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives, noted that the island’s charm lies in its ability to strike a harmonious balance between tranquillity and excitement. “While some Maldivian resorts cater to serenity and others to a more vibrant, active scene, Atmosphere Kanifushi is all about equilibrium—offering peace and relaxation alongside engaging, family-friendly experiences,” he shared.

Nestled on a long, naturally beautiful island with lush vegetation and surrounded by a stunning turquoise seascape, Atmosphere Kanifushi owes its success not only to its natural setting but also to the dedication of its team. According to Bhoyroo, the recognition is a result of the team’s relentless commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for guests of all ages. “By intuitively understanding the needs of each guest, we ensure a seamless blend of high-touch service, relaxation, and fun, all while offering the true feeling of a castaway escape in paradise,” he said.

With one of the highest guest repeater rates in the Maldives, the resort continues to innovate in order to surprise and delight returning visitors. From refreshed culinary offerings to vibrant live entertainment, there is always something new to discover.

Most recently, Atmosphere Kanifushi unveiled its new Essens Spa, a concept that redefines relaxation and wellbeing. The spa features immersive wellness journeys, yoga and detox sessions, traditional healing rituals, and a full suite of salon services. In keeping with the resort’s inclusive approach to family wellness, the spa also offers a Kids Spa Experience, complete with playful treatments for children and specialised teen wellness rituals that nurture growing bodies, youthful skin, and emotional balance.

This latest award reinforces Atmosphere Kanifushi’s reputation as a premier destination for families seeking both luxury and adventure in the heart of the Indian Ocean.

Awards

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI wins ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at 2025 WTAs

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2025

m@ldives

THE OZEN COLLECTION has announced that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been named ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ at the prestigious 2025 World Travel Awards, marking a third consecutive win and reaffirming its status as one of the Indian Ocean’s most distinguished villa experiences.

At the heart of this achievement is the resort’s crown jewel – the Royal RESERVE. Spanning 3,000 square metres, this exceptional villa redefines ultra-luxury in the Maldives. It features a private beach, expansive pool, personal spa treatment room with dedicated therapists, and opulent living spaces adorned with intricate handcrafted detailing. Guests are offered an array of exclusive privileges, including 24-hour private butler service, a personal chef for bespoke dining at the in-villa restaurant, and a private bar serving tailored beverages. The villa also boasts direct lagoon access and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean, all enhanced by the signature RESERVE Experience – a promise of seamless, discreetly curated service.

This latest accolade continues a tradition of excellence for the resort, following its debut year that saw it claim multiple titles including ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa’.

Monica Coppetta, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, expressed her gratitude, “It is with heartfelt pride and deepest appreciation that we receive this coveted accolade from the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year. This extraordinary distinction celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys, where visionary design dances with gracious service amidst the Maldives’ breathtaking serenity. To be honoured by both our esteemed industry colleagues and cherished guests fills us with immense joy, strengthening our commitment to pioneering bespoke moments that linger in the memory long after departure. Every day, our team finds inspiration in turning dreams into reality, and this recognition fuels our devotion to perfecting the art of meaningful luxury.”

The 2025 win builds on a long-standing legacy of recognition for the resort, which was also recently nominated at the World Spa Awards 2025 as Maldives’ Best Wellness Retreat, thanks to its transformative ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa – a sanctuary renowned for innovative wellness practices and holistic rejuvenation.

The RESERVE Plan™ at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI sets the benchmark for all-inclusive luxury. It includes catamaran transfers, unlimited treatments at the award-winning ELE|NA spa, and elevated dining across seven distinctive venues. Guests also enjoy premium Champagne, curated ocean excursions, and personalised experiences with Best Dives. This seamless integration of indulgence and service exemplifies ‘abundant luxury’, making OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI one of the Maldives’ most exclusive and thoughtfully crafted escapes.

Awards

Baros Maldives wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort title at 2025 World Travel Awards

Published

2 days ago

June 29, 2025

m@ldives

Baros Maldives has been honoured as the Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort 2025 by the prestigious World Travel Awards, a recognition that underscores the resort’s enduring dedication to delivering heartfelt and intimate experiences that are quintessentially Baros.

Nestled in the tranquil waters of North Malé Atoll, the Baros Water Villas are a refined expression of effortless luxury and seclusion. Each villa has been thoughtfully crafted to offer direct access to the turquoise lagoon, spacious sun-drenched decks ideal for peaceful reflection, and, in select accommodations, private pools with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Every element is designed to foster connection—with nature, with oneself, and with the timeless essence of Baros.

Beyond the villas lies Baros’ legendary house reef—teeming with vibrant marine life and coral gardens. Guests are invited to explore this underwater wonder through serene morning swims or sunset snorkelling sessions alongside turtles and schools of colourful reef fish.

Proudly Maldivian-owned and welcoming guests for over five decades, Baros Maldives has built a legacy of authentic hospitality and understated elegance. With just 75 villas, a team known for its warm, personalised service, and curated island experiences, the resort continues to offer stays that feel deeply personal and memorable.

Ibrahim Shijah, General Manager of Baros Maldives, expressed gratitude on behalf of the resort, “Our heartfelt thanks go to our guests, partners and the entire Baros team. This recognition is an honour and a wonderful reminder that the spirit of Baros continues to resonate with those who return to our shores time and again.”

As Baros celebrates this milestone, travellers are warmly invited to experience—or rediscover—the quiet magic that makes the island an enduring favourite in the Maldives.