News

Atmosphere Core leads sustainable travel in Maldives

Published

12 months ago

May 21, 2024

International hospitality company, Atmosphere Core announces sustainability achievements across four pillars of Community, Operations, Resources and Environment. This environment-conscious approach is evident through the company’s many impactful initiatives such as renewable energy infrastructure and water-saving technology across resorts. Along with company-wide projects, individual resorts are also looking at innovative pilot projects such as a vertical hydroponic garden at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO or the in-house biogas setup at OBLU SELECT Sangeli.

“Sustainability isn’t an option; it’s our ethos. We look at reusing, reducing, and recycling. All our resorts use a paperless app-based booking and check-in system. At our spas, we serve handmade candied orange peels, and all our resort teams maintain kitchen gardens with a constant effort to improve every year. The cumulative impact of these eco-friendly choices can have a lasting positive change. From conscious development to conserving resources and curating culturally connected experiences for our guests, every decision we make is rooted in preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us in the enchanting islands of Maldives,” comments Shrikant Dash, the Deputy Managing Director for Corporate at Atmosphere Core.

Driving Positive Community Impact

Recognising the need to give back to the local community, Atmosphere Core has been supporting charities and driving impact through a non-profit, non-governmental organisation – Atmosphere Foundation. In the span of two years, the foundation has achieved significant milestones. It has built a high-quality training kitchen for special needs students, run reading programmes for 7,196 youngsters and supported health screening programs for 590 senior citizens at local islands.

By introducing bamboo plantation and cultivation not just on the group’s resorts, but also in local community outreach programs, Atmosphere Foundation is at the forefront of bringing responsible hospitality and climate protection programmes together. Bamboo plants are known for their exceptional carbon absorption rate, contributing to the goal of making the Maldives a carbon-free destination. Through the Bamboo for Climate Change Mitigation project, Atmosphere Foundation has donated over 4,000 germinated seedlings and introduced saplings to 27 islands, collaborating with local councils on 9 initiatives. This project has covered all but 5 atolls in Maldives. Over 1,000 seedlings have also been planted in resorts operated by Atmosphere Core.

How the Sun Powers Atmosphere Core’s Resorts

Atmosphere Core is driving a solar revolution in the Maldives by maximising every opportunity to power resorts with clean energy from the sun. In 2019, Atmosphere setup a marine and rooftop solar system at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO. Since then, the solar setup has expanded across resorts, leading to a year-over-year increase in solar energy production. With a 40% increase in 2022 followed by a 14% rise in 2023.

As of May 2024, there are 8,890 solar panels installed across seven resorts which have produced a cumulative of 16,500 MWh of clean energy from 85 roof installations and 12 floating platforms. To put those numbers in perspective, Atmosphere Core has saved 4,459,459 liters of diesel by using solar energy, and thus resulting in a cumulative reduction of 11,951 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Commitment to Coral Conservation

At the resorts within the Atmosphere Core portfolio, environmental care takes centre stage, with a special focus on coral conservation. Within the portfolio of nine resorts, seven have an actively managed coral conservation programme and four resorts have a dedicated marine biologist. In 2023, a total of 279 coral frames were installed in Atmosphere Core waters with about 13,436 coral fragments. In Q1 2024, 21 new frames were installed across the resorts. Through continuous monitoring and maintenance, the coral fragments have encrusted onto the frames and started to grow new branches. Over the years, through coral propagation, these conservation gardens have flourished with live corals attracting marine life including Parrot Fish, Snappers, Eagle Rays, Sharks, and other invertebrates.

All of Atmosphere Core’s resorts have received Green Globe Certification for environmental sustainability, with OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO receiving gold certifications. With a 10% global market share, Green Globe is one of the most preferred sustainability certifications for resorts and involves successfully being audited on 44 key environmental criteria and up to 380 compliance indicators depending on the destination.

News

Glamping by beach this Eid at Sirru Fen Fushi Maldives

Published

4 hours ago

May 16, 2025

m@ldives

This Eid, experience a one-of-a-kind beachfront and/or jungle glamping escape at Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, home to the Maldives’ only Safari Tented Villas with Pool. Tailored for families and couples from the GCC seeking novelty, privacy, intuitive service and Maldivian quintessential experience, this secluded sanctuary blends nature-inspired experience with curated comforts.

Nestled within one of the Maldives’ most untouched atolls, Shaviyani Atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi stands apart as a resort of firsts, featuring the nation’s one of the longest infinity pools, its only Coralarium Coralarium, the world’s first semi-submerged art gallery, rises as a powerful symbol of ocean awareness and marine life regeneration, and the Maldives’ one of the first safari-style tented villas. Perfect for those craving space, halal dining, and their own private pool, it’s a destination that goes beyond the overwater cliché.

A Rare Glamping Experience

Sirru Fen Fushi’s Safari Tented Villas are thoughtfully designed for larger groups and families looking for something offbeat yet refined. Shaded by banyan trees and lush foliage, these villas feature natural textures, freestanding outdoor bathtubs, and translucent walls that invite the jungle in. Inside, guests will find underfloor air conditioning, Each villa has its own sun deck and plunge pool for total privacy under the canopy.

The Ideal Eid Getaway for Middle Eastern Travellers

With direct flights from the Gulf and a bucket-list-worthy scenic seaplane transfer over turquoise atolls, Sirru Fen Fushi offers GCC families effortless access to one of the Maldives’ most extraordinary and secluded escapes. From halal dinings and spacious one-bedroom and multi-bedroom villas to women-only wellness offerings and private experiences, the island speaks to the cultural preferences of Middle Eastern guests. Add to that an engaging Kids’ Club, marine explorations, and full-family stargazing experiences, and you have an Eid break that’s both meaningful and magical.

Eid 3-Night Package Highlights (Starting from USD 2,000 per night):

Return seaplane transfers for two adults
A Jet Lag Recovery massage (30 minutes)
Two à la carte dinners (three courses)
A Beach BBQ dinner: sandpit-cooked delicacies wrapped in banana leaves
A Maroshi Island Expedition with local guide Fazir: mangrove walk, beachfront picnic, and coconut class
A private Jungle Cinema night under the stars, with snacks and custom movie set-up
A traditional Dhoni fishing cruise at sunset, with drinks and snacks
A Stargazing Spectacle on the Sustainability Lab rooftop with telescope, constellation guide, and family-friendly Q&A

Reconnect With Nature, Rediscover Wonder

Beyond its eco-chic villas and immersive experiences, the nine-kilometre house reef which is one of the largest in the Maldives offers world-class snorkelling and diving. When night falls, the island’s remote northern location transforms into a natural planetarium, free from light pollution and full of awe.

This Eid, leave the ordinary behind and embrace an extraordinary escape marked by true exclusivity and purpose.

Awards

Machchafushi, Centara Ras Fushi win top 10% in Tripadvisor’s 2025 awards

Published

5 hours ago

May 16, 2025

m@ldives

Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, The Centara Collection and Centara Ras Fushi Island Resort & Spa have been recognised as winners in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025, earning a prestigious place in the top 10% of hospitality destinations worldwide.

A scenic seaplane journey from Malé, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa, formerly known as Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa, offers a truly authentic Maldivian experience. Surrounded by lush tropical greenery, the island is famed for its award-winning house reef and shipwreck dive site. Guests can choose from a variety of beachfront and overwater villas, indulge in flexible meal plans, and experience on a culinary journey across six distinct dining venues. For those seeking elevated privacy and comfort, The Club offers an exclusive; resort within a resort’ experience, complete with a private lounge, beach, and pool access.

A short 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé brings you to the adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Island Resort & Spa, an intimate sanctuary designed for honeymooners, couples, empty nesters and groups of friends. Here, serenity meets sophistication in a collection of romantic beachfront and overwater villas, offering both seclusion and privacy. Guests can savour global flavours across seven signature dining venues or opt for bespoke private beach dinners under the stars.

News

Summer of connection, discovery at Jumeirah Olhahali Island

Published

20 hours ago

May 15, 2025

m@ldives

Jumeirah Olhahali Island invites guests to experience a summer unlike any other – one that celebrates connection, creativity, and discovery across the shores of North Malé Atoll in the Maldives. From May through August, the all-villa retreat introduces an inspired seasonal programme where every generation can create lasting memories through immersive dining, shared adventures, and revitalising wellness rituals.

A Season of Flavour

A highlight of the summer season, the resort will host an exclusive culinary residency from 7 to 12 June in collaboration with restaurant Atrangi by Ritu Dalmia, the celebrated Indian dining destination from Jumeirah Al Qasr in Dubai. For six evenings, 35 guests can enjoy an intimate, flavour-rich tasting experience spotlighting both beloved and lesser-known regional Indian dishes, reimagined with a modern twist.

The summer calendar continues with vibrant dining occasions, including the Eid International Market Night on 6 June and an Omakase Coffee Series from 6 to 10 June.

Beyond these highlights, guests can also embrace the island’s broader dining journey, whether savouring wood-fired pizzas with toes in the sand at Shimmers, discovering Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei plates at Kayto, or indulging in destination dining with beach barbecues, floating breakfasts, and private sandbank picnics.

Adventures for Every Generation

Families are at the heart of the island’s summer programming with a joyful mix of opportunities to reconnect through movement, exploration, and play. Returning favourites include the Olhahali kite festival (9 June, 15 July, 6 August), which fills the skies with colour and delight, and Kids’ Summer Olympics (6 June, 4 July, 21 July, 11 August), adding a playful sense of camaraderie with water polo in the Shimmers pool. New additions like the mini badminton tournament (3 June, 18 June, 8 July, 20 August) and weekly penalty shoot-outs (Tuesdays in June) bring plenty of friendly competition.

Younger guests can take part in lifeguard-led swimming classes throughout August from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, providing a fun way to build confidence and skills in the water. Meanwhile, teens and adults can opt for guided watersport camps led by seasoned instructors, mastering the waves with knee boarding, water skiing, and wakeboarding lessons.

Evenings unfold under the stars with beach cinema nights, where families gather for outdoor movies, camp-style snacks, and laughter shared on the shores of the island’s pristine beaches.

Wellness in Rhythm with Nature

From sunrise yoga to curated spa journeys, the season also offers a renewed focus on well-being at the resort’s Talise Spa. From 16 May to 30 June, visiting practitioner Dr. Aradhana offers therapies rooted in naturopathy, including Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, shamanic cleansing, yogic detox, and therapeutic sound healing. Her approach blends ancient practices with modern healing techniques, guiding guests into deeper awareness and balance.

Daily movement is encouraged with 1-hour Technogym Bootcamps on Mondays and Thursdays, where panoramic views energise high-impact sessions.

Artful Moments Inspired by the Sea

At MURACA Art Studio, named after the Maldivian word for coral, families are invited to express their creativity in a wide collection of immersive art sessions. In August, a resident ceramicist will lead hands-on pottery workshops, inspiring creativity and mindfulness through tactile expression.

Bringing added ease to summer travels, the resort offers a collection of tailored savings and privileges for villa stays. The Jumeirah Escapes Offer includes up to 20% off private villas, with an additional 5% savings for Jumeirah One members, plus a perk of added benefits. For larger families, the Jumeirah Signature Escapes Offer features hotel credit of USD 200 or USD 400 when booking the resort’s two- or three-bedroom retreats. For more information or to reserve a summer escape, visit here.