Featured
Wonderful, safe ‘Atmosphere’ in Maldives
Sun-kissed mornings at the beach, afternoons spent braving the ocean tides, and day ending with the orange sun setting in the sky. What more can we dream of in a perfect tropical haven?
Maldives is the place to be in for a relaxing holiday and, yes, it offers a safe and perfect option for travel right now!
Conveniently accessible with just a four-hour flight from Dubai, Maldives has an impressive record for an isolated island nation. With in-resort PCR testing offered across the islands, the Maldives is leading the way in offering visitors a smooth, safe travel experience, in the ultimate paradise setting.
With each luxury resort set on its own private island, the Maldives is an otherworldly retreat from the buzz of daily life.
Such a private resort group is Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, offering all-in-one ultimate island escapes, in renowned, luxurious accommodation surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful natural settings.
Nothing compares to the pristine white beaches, azure ocean, five-star hospitality and – most importantly – the tranquillity that Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts offers families and adventure lovers alike.
Here, travellers can rediscover its unique features from its iconic overwater villas, to its selection of incredible water sports and world-class dining. There’s nowhere else quite like it!
Whether you are travelling alone, with friend or family, there is a wide range of four-star, five-star, and luxury holiday experiences under Atmosphere Group where you can book your stay.
Atmosphere Kanifushi
Situated in the Lhaviyani Atoll and just 30-minutes via a scenic seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport, Atmosphere Kanifushi is home to 172 detached villas and suites, where you can enjoy access to the pristine white beaches and beautiful turquoise lagoon surrounding the island.
The resort’s ‘Platinum Plus’ Premium All-Inclusive Plan offers a hassle-free safe holiday — including dining, accommodation, activities and water sports all in one package along with one of the longest uninterrupted stretch of beach in the Maldives.
With its own unique variety of marine life and reef formations, Lhaviyani Atoll is a paradise for divers. And if you fancy something a little more relaxing, Akiri Spa by Mandara can help to relax and balance your mind and body.
OBLU Select Sangeli
Meanwhile, OBLU Select at Sangeli takes you on an exclusive romantic journey with its honeymoon water suites, providing the ideal setting for some of life’s most unforgettable memories.
Situated at the North-Western tip of Male Atoll in the island of Sangeli, OBLU Select, is a five-star resort.
Offering the discerning traveller a hassle-free ‘best-in-class’ five-star holiday with an upgraded All-Inclusive plan – The Serenity Plan, the resort has a variety of ‘contemporary designed’ stand-alone villas and suites, including the very exclusive Honeymoon Water Suites with Private Pool.
To keep your appetite duly sated, the resort has a variety of restaurants to match every taste.
VARU by Atmosphere
Moving next to VARU by Atmosphere, the five-star resort offering an All-Inclusive plan – VARU Plan, is nestled in the pristine Indian Oceans of the Maldives.
Accessible under 40-minutes via speedboat, the resort offers a truly Maldivian experience.
It offers 108 villas dotted around the white sandy beaches and expanding over the turquoise lagoons onto three jetties with the over-water accommodation types. The beach front villas and suites that are based on the island have direct access to the surrounding pristine white sandy beaches with views of the ocean beyond.
Guests can enjoy snorkelling, diving, relaxing in lagoons teeming marine life and spot dolphins. They can also chill out and relax with a good book, or pamper yourself with a blissful spa treatment, and dine in style on your very own private villa.
OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli
OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli, a four-star superior resort, offers guests a unique all-encompassing holiday plan.
Situated in the North Atoll and just 50-minutes away by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort comprises 136 villas in 4 categories, on an All-Inclusive plan – Island Plan, with high quality world cuisine, combined with a range of activities including snorkelling and channel diving along with a serene Garden Spa.
Here again, there is no shortfall for adventure.
Helengeli Island has a reputation for its incomparably exotic house-reef, snorkelling, water sports and superb channel diving, just metres from the shoreline. Thus, a significant part of the OBLU at Helengeli holiday experience lies under the azure blue waters, ideal for snorkelling, diving and sighting predatory deep-sea fish. This little island paradise has over 30 exotic dive spots in the nearby vicinity.
All of these resorts from Atmosphere are the ideal destination for the whole family to relax, keeping their minds at rest that they are in the safest of surroundings while creating exceptional memories to last a lifetime, says the group.
Entertainment
QUEENZ OF PIANO to perform at Reethi Faru Resort this festive season
Reethi Faru Resort has announced that internationally recognised piano duo QUEENZ OF PIANO will perform at the resort as part of its Christmas and New Year celebrations for the 2026/27 festive season.
The duo will present three live performances on 29 December 2026, 31 December 2026 (New Year’s Eve) and 2 January 2027, offering guests a series of musical experiences during the holiday period.
QUEENZ OF PIANO are known for combining classical music with contemporary pop, performing arrangements that bring together compositions from different musical periods and genres.
Their performances reinterpret well-known classical pieces and modern hits, incorporating elements of both musical styles to appeal to audiences of different ages and musical preferences.
The duo’s approach focuses on showcasing the versatility of the piano through arrangements that blend traditional classical techniques with contemporary musical influences.
The performances will form part of Reethi Faru Resort’s festive entertainment programme, providing live musical experiences for guests celebrating Christmas and New Year in the Maldives.
The three scheduled performances will take place during the resort’s year-end celebrations, including a special appearance on New Year’s Eve.
Featured
Kandooma Maldives unveils ‘Pirates’ Festive Adventure’ for Christmas and New Year
Kandooma Maldives has announced its Christmas and New Year programme, titled Pirates’ Festive Adventure, featuring festive dining, family activities, marine excursions, live entertainment and wellness experiences.
The programme will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, offering a range of activities and celebrations for guests staying at the resort in South Malé Atoll.
The festive programme forms part of Kandooma Maldives’ experience-led all-inclusive offering, which combines dining, recreational activities and marine experiences.
The resort provides round-the-clock dining at Kandooma Café, with meals and snacks available to accommodate international arrival and departure schedules. Eligible certified divers staying for four nights or longer can also participate in daily diving activities as part of the all-inclusive offering.
For families, Kandoo Kids’ Club will organise a series of themed activities throughout the festive period. These will include pirate-themed crafts, treasure-inspired games, creative challenges, festive card-making, gingerbread making and Christmas celebrations.
Younger guests will also have opportunities to participate in Christmas cookie decorating and other seasonal activities, while Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance as part of the festivities.
Marine excursions and watersports will feature throughout the programme, with activities including shark snorkelling, shipwreck safaris, turtle-point snorkelling, sunset cruises and night fishing.
Guests will also have opportunities to participate in surfing lessons, guided Jet Ski tours and other watersports activities around the island.
Festive dining will form a central part of the celebrations, with the resort organising a Maldivian-themed buffet dinner accompanied by traditional Bodu Beru drumming and a fire dance performance.
Other dining experiences will include a multi-course Christmas Eve gala dinner, Christmas dining events and special New Year celebrations. The menus will feature a combination of Maldivian cuisine, international dishes and traditional festive offerings.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala will offer a range of treatments, including couples’ spa experiences, a three-day wellness programme and recovery treatments designed for surfers.
The festive programme will continue into January with additional activities at Kandoo Kids’ Club, marine excursions and recreational experiences.
The celebrations will conclude on 7 January 2027 with Orthodox Christmas activities for guests observing the occasion.
Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives, said the programme was designed to bring together different aspects of the resort’s guest experience during the festive season.
“Festive holidays are about spending meaningful time together, discovering something new and creating memories that last long after the journey home,” he said.
“Our programme brings together the experiences that make an island holiday special, whether that means an ocean adventure, a celebration around the table, time to relax or a little festive magic for the family.”
Located on a private island in South Malé Atoll, Kandooma Maldives offers accommodation, dining, marine activities and recreational facilities for families, couples and groups of friends.
Guests are advised to review the festive programme for activity schedules, package inclusions and advance-booking requirements. Additional charges apply to selected excursions, watersports and spa treatments.
Awards
Secret Paradise Maldives Co-Founder recognised for regenerative tourism efforts
Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, has received the Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award at the 2026 Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA) Awards, held at the Conrad Bangkok on 14 October 2026.
The IWTA Awards recognise women contributing to environmental, social and regenerative initiatives across Asia’s travel and tourism industry. The Regenerative Travel Pioneer Award honours individuals whose work places local communities, cultural preservation and environmental conservation at the centre of tourism development.
Franklin co-founded Secret Paradise Maldives in 2012, establishing a tourism business focused on providing visitors with experiences beyond traditional resort holidays. The company promotes interactions between travellers, local communities and the natural environment through locally led tourism activities.
Secret Paradise Maldives works with local businesses, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community groups to support responsible tourism practices and ensure that a greater share of tourism revenue benefits local communities.
Its activities focus on marine conservation, cultural awareness and creating opportunities for Maldivians to share their knowledge, traditions and way of life with international visitors.
Commenting on the recognition, Franklin acknowledged the contributions of the company’s employees, local partners and community organisations.
“I’m incredibly honoured to receive this recognition. While the award may have my name on it, it represents the collective efforts of the entire Secret Paradise team, our local partners and the many NGOs and community members we work alongside.
“Since establishing Secret Paradise, our aim has always been to demonstrate that travel can be a force for good, creating meaningful experiences for visitors while supporting local livelihoods, celebrating Maldivian culture and helping protect the incredible natural environment we are so fortunate to call home. This award is recognition of everyone’s contribution to that journey,” she said.
The award recognises Franklin’s work in promoting community-based tourism in the Maldives and Secret Paradise Maldives’ efforts to integrate environmental conservation, cultural preservation and local economic participation into its tourism operations.
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