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Atmosphere Hotels founder Salil Panigrahi conferred highest honour on overseas Indians

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Salil Panigrahi, founder and Managing Director of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, has been conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians.

Salil was recognised with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in the field of tourism.

At a ceremony held at the Maagiri Hotel in Male by the Indian High Commission in Maldives, Salil received the award from Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shaid who also serves as the UN General Assembly president.

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are conferred by the Indian president on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or an organisation/institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

A Chartered Accountant from India, Salil started his career about 25 years back at Oberoi Hotels & Resorts in the finance department. His forte lies at the intersection of two very diverse skills – an intuitive understanding of numbers (thanks to his CA background) and a passion for visual design.

Salil believes his life revolves around his passion for people, their needs and aspirations. As an entrepreneur, he also understands that it is not only about delivering guest experiences but also meeting the expectations of shareholders, colleagues and partners.

After his stint at Oberoi, Salil worked at Six Senses Group, founded by Indian-British hotelier Sonu Shivdasani. He led the Finance Department there but was also responsible for several different functions including project management for resort construction and launch.

In early 2003, Salil partnered with investors from the Maldives to form EoN Resorts, a company that engaged in resort development and consultancy for luxury resorts in the Indian Ocean holiday destination.

At EoN, Salil spearheaded the development and launch of several iconic resorts including Bolifushi, Constance Halaveli, Six Senses Laamu, among several others.

In 2012, Salil wanted to embark on his next phase of business and launched with his Maldivian partners a brand called Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, to partially own but primarily take on management contracts of resorts within the Indian Ocean.

Atmosphere Hotels 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 OBLU Select at Sangeli in July 2018; and VARU by Atmosphere in October 2019.

In 2020, Atmosphere launched THE OZEN COLLECTION, an award-winning, uber-lux hospitality brand.

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, which opened in December 2020.

OZEN LIFE TANGALLE takes the brand to the south coast of Sri Lanka and is scheduled to be launched in 2023.

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Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover’s family celebration at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI

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OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, a luxury private island resort in the Maldives known for its azure waters, pristine beaches, and high-end hospitality, recently became the chosen destination for Bollywood stars Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover as they celebrated their daughter Devi’s second birthday. The resort offered an intimate setting for the couple, allowing them to enjoy peaceful, joyful moments together as a family in the island’s idyllic surroundings.

Currently in the midst of a week-long getaway, the family continues to explore the unique offerings of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, from indulgent spa treatments and water adventures to relaxed family time by the beach. Bipasha recently shared a heartwarming photo from the trip, capturing a joyful moment with her family against the stunning island scenery. The resort’s tranquil atmosphere and curated services provide an ideal environment for the family to fully immerse themselves in a rejuvenating celebration.

As their stay progresses, Bipasha and Karan have been sharing glimpses of their Maldivian retreat on social media, offering fans a look into their family celebrations and the breathtaking beauty of the island resort. Their posts capture the essence of the resort’s luxurious offerings and the unforgettable moments they are creating together on this special occasion.

Designed with total indulgence in mind, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers a bespoke, all-encompassing holiday plan called the ‘RESERVE™ Plan.’ This exclusive plan seamlessly blends luxury villa stays, fine dining, premium beverages, butler services, and unique activities for a lavish castaway experience, popular among international celebrities and high-end travellers.

The resort’s children’s club offers daily supervised activities and creative play, catering to its young guests—a feature that was important to Bipasha in selecting the venue for this special celebration.

OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI promises guests a world of refined elegance. The spacious private villas exude effortless luxury, with breathtaking overwater or beachfront views.

Dining at the resort is a celebration of culinary artistry, with guests savouring inspired international dishes crafted by world-class chefs using fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each dining venue offers a culinary journey as splendid as the island paradise itself. A particular favourite of the family was Saffron, the private island’s signature Indian-influenced restaurant. Guests enjoy colourful flavours of India’s most loved dishes served in a traditional thali, with unique wines hand-selected from producers around the world.

Guests can find sanctuary at ELE|NA Spa, where bespoke treatments renew the soul and elevate the spirit, fostering a state of complete rejuvenation, mindfulness, and well-being. There are many ways to connect with the surrounding waters—through snorkelling, swimming, and diving. Personalised yacht charters are also available for a romantic sunset cruise or a private island picnic. Whatever experiences guests choose, the enchantment of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI will linger in their hearts long after they return home.

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives receives Forbes and Green Globe Certifications

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, has earned the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge, recognising properties that meet over 100 rigorous standards for environmental protection and support of employees, guests, and local communities. This honour reflects the resort’s strong dedication to sustainable practices and responsible hospitality.

In a year of significant achievements, the resort has also obtained the Green Globe Certification, underscoring its commitment to minimising environmental impact, promoting sustainable tourism, and fostering a sustainable environment for future generations. Earning this certification required adherence to stringent criteria in areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and social and cultural sustainability. The resort demonstrated its dedication to quality and excellence through a recent evaluation covering a comprehensive set of compliance indicators.

Renato de Oliveira, General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, expressed pride in receiving both the Forbes VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality badge and the Green Globe Certification. He highlighted the resort’s dedication to sustainable hospitality and environmental protection, emphasising the role of the entire team, or “Ladies and Gentlemen,” in creating exceptional guest experiences with a respect for the environment. De Oliveira further shared the resort’s commitment to continuous innovation aimed at minimizing its environmental footprint.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands was thoughtfully designed with the utmost respect for its delicate ecosystem. Before construction began on an existing sandbank, marine experts conducted extensive studies to ensure minimal impact on coral reefs and marine spawning areas. Sustainable construction materials, including PEFC-certified timber from responsibly managed forests in Europe, were used, helping the resort achieve PEFC Project Certification. The development also earned EDGE certification, marking the Maldives’ first green loan.

The resort landscape includes thousands of adopted trees and native plants, carefully chosen to prevent forest degradation and avoid negative effects from importing species. Notably, a 100-foot Banyan tree in the Mystique Garden is dedicated to the late architect Kerry Hill. The landscape of white sand and blue lagoon provides a sanctuary for crabs, birds, and sea turtles.

With the Maldives composed of 99% ocean, the resort is encircled by a vibrant coral reef that supports marine life, including lobsters, fish, rays, and sea turtles. The resort’s coral regeneration efforts have led to over 105 coral frames planted since the project’s inception, including 28 frames in 2024. These initiatives contribute to the creation of nursery frames and new habitats for marine life.

The resort leverages solar and sustainable energy to meet around 20% of its total electricity requirements. In 2024, rooftop solar panels were installed on all guest villas, and a floating solar garden project commenced, projected to add 1,400 kWp to the grid by 2025. Each villa is equipped with a smart energy-saving management system, and ambient thermal energy is harnessed for hot water pumps.

The resort’s seven dining venues emphasise locally sourced ingredients, offer plant-based options, and ensure the use of cage- and crate-free eggs and meat. Approximately 726 kg of daily food waste is composted for use in the resort gardens. A zero-waste approach is practiced by the culinary and bar teams, who produce items like chutneys and coffee scrubs from food waste.

Still and sparkling water are purified at an on-site plant using Nordaq filters, eliminating plastic bottle use. Treated greywater is reused for landscaping.

The resort has banned single-use plastics, introducing reusable water bottles, bamboo serving ware, and crystal amenity jars. Additionally, the resort’s garden and desalination plant further reduce plastic imports.

The resort has implemented an ocean plastics monitoring program using drones, in collaboration with Dr. Melissa Schiele. As of 2024, 50 drone flights have been completed, identifying critical plastic debris, including eleven ghost nets weighing about 418 kg, which pose threats to marine life. The removal of these nets helps protect the ecosystem.

In partnership with oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Ambassadors of the Environment Program provides guests with experiences focused on environmental preservation. Cousteau’s visits to the resort inspire both guests and staff, and he engages with students from Villa College and the Maldives National University to emphasise the importance of environmental stewardship.

Climate activist Saad Amer visited The Ritz-Carlton Maldives to create impactful guest experiences. In a session titled “A Thought Experiment: How to Save Our Planet,” he engaged with guests and the local community to share insights on climate change. Amer also led discussions with students from Maldives National University and Villa College and conducted an interactive activity with younger guests to foster environmental awareness from an early age.

The resort conducts educational excursions with local schools to promote ocean conservation awareness. In 2024, eight excursions took place to nearby islands, including a recycling competition where winning students were awarded a visit to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to learn about coral restoration.

Emphasising sustainable practices, The Ritz-Carlton Spa offers an organic body and skincare line by Bamford. In 2024, the spa team creatively repurposed coffee grounds into body scrubs for guests, showcasing the resort’s commitment to eco-friendly wellness.

As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands will soon launch a Coral Adoption Project, allowing guests to contribute to environmental initiatives. Additionally, a new package featuring Saad Amer, the resort’s Sustainability Champion, will offer educational and inspiring activities designed to deepen guests’ understanding of the local environment and support the surrounding community, ensuring a meaningful holiday experience.

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Sirru Fen Fushi launches personalised IV drip treatments with Deborah Alessi

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Sirru Fen Fushi, known for its luxury and holistic approach to wellness, is has announced the addition of IV drip infusions to the wellness offerings at its award-winning Arufen Spa. Set to launch at the end of November, these treatments expand the spa’s modern wellness services, providing guests with an advanced and personalised path to rejuvenation and wellness. The resort is collaborating with Deborah Alessi, along with her renowned products and practices from Dubai and Los Angeles. Under the Beverly Hills Aesthetics brand, known for integrating modern wellness with high-end aesthetics, Sirru Fen Fushi is introducing progressive wellness solutions to the Maldives.

With the expertise of trained medical professionals, guests can choose from 12 specialised, tailor-made infusions designed to energise, hydrate, boost immunity, and promote overall wellness. Surrounded by the serene setting of the Maldives, the tranquil environment of Arufen Spa, featuring the largest jacuzzi in the Maldives, provides an ideal atmosphere for these health-enhancing experiences.

Deborah Alessi, the founder of Beverly Hills Aesthetics, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “Bringing our specialised treatments to Sirru Fen Fushi allows us to blend cutting-edge wellness with the resort’s luxury ambiance. This partnership is a perfect harmony of modern science and the natural tranquility the Maldives offers.”

Lukasz Prendke, General Manager at Sirru Fen Fushi, added, “We are always looking for innovative ways to elevate the guest experience. Partnering with Beverly Hills Aesthetics allows us to bring transformative, science-backed wellness directly to our guests, ensuring they leave our resort feeling revitalised and deeply rejuvenated.”

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