Featured
OBLU NATURE Helengeli by Sentido to reopen with vibrant all-new look
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts partners with Sentido, a hospitality brand by DER Touristik, for a complete renovation including new overwater villas.
COLOURS OF OBLU, one of the brands of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio, reveals plans to relaunch ‘OBLU NATURE Helengeli by Sentido.’ Guests can expect a fresh, new look that will also blend in signature luxury lifestyle elements of Sentido, a DER Touristik hospitality brand.
The four-star resort will close on 7 May 2023 for a comprehensive renovation, with a grand unveiling in December 2023. Rooted in nature, the renovations will focus on bringing nature lovers and divers close to the abundant tropical environment, above and below the water.


New spaces include 37 Water Villas and a Two-Bedroom Water Suite, all with private pools and overwater decks that allow easy and direct access to the lagoon and world-renowned house reef. The existing offering of 117 villas and suites will be expanded to 153 accommodations with 7 categories. Beach villas will be transformed into 20 Family Beach Pool Villas featuring two bedrooms and a 15 sqm pool. The existing pool villas on the lagoon and the beach suites will all be refurbished with appealing interiors.


Alongside updates to the villas, the project will include a new progressive Indian restaurant. The fine dining restaurant will enhance its ‘Just Grill’ culinary concept with an ‘Italian Twist’, allowing guests to also savour flavourful pizzas and pastas. The all-day restaurant will be redone with additional live counters and a gorgeous overwater bar, so food syncs harmoniously with the views of nature.


Nestled among soothing greenery, the existing main bar will be transformed into a vibrant hangout spot, complete with a refurbished family pool, an expanded deck area, and a brand-new bar.
A kids club, built with materials such as bamboo, will offer an all-nature programme focusing on learning through the tropical surroundings. ELE | NA The Spa will also be refurbished with new salon facilities. A new overwater gym and a scenic La Promenade with a boutique will round up the island experience. Guests will continue to enjoy a carefree holiday with the Island Plan which blends the stay with all the elements of a memorable tropical holiday.
Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, says “We are excited to relaunch our first COLOURS OF OBLU property as a fresh, nature-oriented retreat, bringing the Sentido touch to the Maldives. The two brands come together seamlessly, with a shared focus on awakening the senses, bringing balance, and providing the gift of lifetime memories.”

Sentido is a brand of DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts with a very strong presence in the Mediterranean region and Canary Islands. Sentido properties are characterised by modern architecture combined with local design elements, healthy cuisine complemented by spa and wellness offers. OBLU NATURE Helengeli by Sentido will be the brand’s first resort in Asia.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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