Featured
Atmosphere Hotels opens OZEN Reserve Bolifushi expanding uber-lux resort portfolio

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts on Thursday opened its newest property in Maldives, OZEN Reserve Bolifushi.
The second resort in Atmosphere Hotels’ uber-luxury The OZEN Collection portfolio has been completely redesigned to enrich guest experiences with a refined aesthetic of timeless luxury, subtle opulence, and Maldivian charm.
OZEN Reserve Bolifushi is an extraordinary tropical getaway for discerning leisure travellers. Located in South Male Atoll, Bolifushi island is just a 20-minute luxury catamaran ride from Velana International Airport.
“It gives me immense pleasure to officially announce the grand launch of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi. It is a thrilling moment for all our colleagues to who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality,” General Manager Ricardo Leal said, in a handwritten note shared on social media.
“We sincerely welcome you to indulge in our Reserve Experience, a unique and luxurious journey tailor-made exclusively for you.”

Timeless luxury, nature-inspired aesthetics
The architecture and interior design of the latest resort from The OZEN Collection are deeply entwined, creating harmonious spaces that embrace the raw, tropical beauty of the island.
Like its sister property OZEN Life Maadhoo, natural beauty is infused in each step of the design at Bolifushi island. The use of rich, rainforest green marble in the floors of villas, elegant, handwoven fabric wallpaper, tropical colours, and ornate décor highlights evoke elegance and splendour.

Bolifushi island, formed in the shape of figure eight, stretches over 750 metres by 100 metres at its thickest extension. It connects to a wooden Water Villa Jetty, which is another 750 metres long. The seven lavish Private Ocean Reserves with Slides have a dedicated jetty for absolute privacy.
A stunning arrival lounge impresses with the grandeur of a garden pool and cascading walls. Built with Sukabumi green stone tiles, the cascading walls shimmer in mesmerising shades of green ranging from jade to emerald.

Ideal playground for extraordinary travellers
All the 90 secluded villas and Reserves, located overwater and beachfront, have been completely renovated with fabulous additions such as walk-in wardrobes, glass-enclosed, air-conditioned bathrooms, and exotic open-air bathtubs.
Ornate, latticed screens elegantly placed on headboards of the beds and in the master bathrooms of the suites add a graceful touch to the ultra-luxurious villas.
Most coveted of the overwater accommodations, the nine Ocean Pool Suites and seven Private Ocean Reserves have massive water slides that start from the top floor and fall right into the clear lagoon waters.

The Royal Reserve is the most exclusive accommodation on the island, offering ultimate seclusion and privacy to host family and friends. The 400sqm Reserve features three bedrooms and a pool, with the option to convert it into a five-bedroom bungalow with two pools.
Personal Hiyani (butler) service epitomises luxury
In Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, Hiyani means shadow. From the moment guests arrive at Bolifushi island, they have a personal Hiyani, or butler, who is a caring, friendly shadow reachable round the clock.
The Royal Reserve comes with butler service, as well as a personal butler for each guest to ensure the smoothest of stays.

Dining in Maldivian splendour
Each restaurant is designed to have an individual theme, elevating dining to an immersive sensory experience.
Sangu Beach features show kitchens, timber mosaic chips, and decorative Arabic niches, while blue marble floor borders, modern fabrics, and rustic carpets create a contemporary vibe in the all-day dining Visa Del Mar restaurant.
The addition of the carefully tended Chef’s Garden, a tropical kitchen garden, allows chefs to add organic produce, herbs, and microgreens to their menus all year round, ensuring dishes bursting with freshness and flavour.

The OZEN Collection is an award-winning, uber-lux hospitality brand, owned by Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.
OZEN resorts offer ultimate privacy blended with signature luxury aesthetics, for blissfully immersive holidays in pristine, Indian Ocean locations.
OZEN Maadhoo, the first resort under the brand, opened in July 2016. OZEN’s success story continues in the Maldives with the addition of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi, opening in December.
OZEN Life Tangalle takes the brand to the south coast of Sri Lanka and is scheduled to be launched in 2023.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.
Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.
Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.
Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.
“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”
Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.
Featured
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.
Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.
The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.
In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.
The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.
As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.
Featured
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.
Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.
As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.
FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”
Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.
Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”
This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.
Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.
-
Action20 hours ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
Action1 week ago
Consistently awarded, beyond compare: Machchafushi Island Resort’s house reef
-
Cooking1 week ago
Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July
-
Drink1 week ago
Cellar of quiet distinction: Vakkaru Reserve wins fifth Wine Spectator Award
-
Action1 week ago
Siyam World kicks off August with star-studded football camps
-
Awards7 days ago
Atmosphere Kanifushi marks 6 years as Maldives’ leading family resort
-
Drink1 week ago
Dare to taste with W Maldives at Island Alchemy Ft. Beckaly Franks
-
Action1 week ago
Making waves all summer long: Manta rays, mini explorers take over The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives