Featured
Atmosphere Hotels founder Salil Panigrahi conferred highest honour on overseas Indians
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.
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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