Drink
Atmosphere Core differentiates resorts via branded dining destinations, events
Since the 1970s, when travellers first discovered these heavenly far-flung isles, Maldives has come a long way in establishing itself as one of the world’s most sought-after luxury travel destinations. Carving a niche for itself in this highly competitive hospitality industry, Atmosphere Core started its journey with Atmosphere Kanifushi launched in 2013. The success of this five-star resort built the company’s reputation for service excellence, genuine hospitality through unique ‘Holiday Plans’, and the finest food and beverage experiences.
“In the infamous words of Virginia Woolf, ‘One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well’. Consistency in delivering an exceptional guest experience is at the heart of our Food and Beverage approach, quotes, Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Core.
No truer words have ever been said according to Anupam, who is the creative mind behind Atmosphere Core’s exceptional dining experiences, restaurant and bar concepts and exotic menus across the group. With a firm belief that if guests eat well, have the healthiest of fresh food options, the widest variety of regional and international cuisine supported with exceptional levels of personalised service, all set within stunning environments, everything else will fall into place. Anupam and the Food & Beverage teams on each resort strive to ensure Atmosphere Core presents best-in-class guest experiences.
Take for instance ‘Just Veg’ at Atmosphere Kanifushi, the first à la carte vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives. Launched long before plant-based cuisine gained popularity, Just Veg has been ranked as the number one restaurant in the Maldives by TripAdvisor. Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand continues with innovative concepts such as ‘Kaagé’ at VARU by Atmosphere where travellers can savour a signature Maldivian fine dining experience. From traditional architecture to video storytelling and an artistic presentation of heritage recipes, the multi-sensory journey truly brings alive local culture.
At the forefront of luxury culinary experiences is the company’s premium brand, THE OZEN COLLECTION. Picture waking up to lavish champagne breakfasts and dining underwater at the enchanting ‘M6m’ restaurant. At OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, unmatched gastronomic adventures include ‘New Age’ Maldivian cuisine served at ‘Lonu’ alongside authentic Chinese to heritage Indian and Sri Lankan fine dining options. While over at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI the overwater ‘ORIGINƎ’ restaurant serves signature gastronomic curations with wine pairings from its enviable cellar. Atmosphere Core also recently launched ‘Soyi’, a pan-Asian concept restaurant at the group’s flagship private island.
Bustling with vibrant experiences, at COLOURS OF OBLU brand’s four lively island resorts there are an array of memorable culinary experiences for guests to enjoy. Offerings range from modern gourmet dishes at ‘Only BLU’ under ocean restaurant at OBLU SELECT Lobigili to chilled-out dinners at OBLU Xperience Ailafushi’s ‘The Copper Pot Food Truck’ and contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine at ‘JustWok’ at OBLU SELECT Sangeli. The brand’s diving resort, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO also reopened this year with an all-new look including the addition of a progressive Indian restaurant, ‘Raga Route’ which has already become a favourite among global travellers.
Emphasising our unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and excellence, we are pleased to announce a distinguished partnership with Sakurafresh, the acclaimed Japanese Zero Alcohol Spirits brand. In collaboration with Sakurafresh, Atmosphere Core is pioneering a ‘Beverage Partnership Program’ focused on sourcing superior natural ingredients to produce premium zero-alcohol cocktails that cater to the sophisticated tastes and growing demand in the Maldives.
Beyond the plate, Atmosphere Core differentiates itself through immersive, multi-sensory dining experiences. Guests can join cooking classes, exclusive dinners with wine makers, and special seasonal celebrations. There is also a focus on sustainability. With a conscious focus on reducing food waste, using sustainable seafood, and incorporating plant-based options into menus. Most of the company’s island resorts feature kitchen gardens to grow fresh herbs and produce, with OZEN LIFE MAADHOO having a 140 square-metres indoor hydroponic farm which now supports four islands with leaf vegetables and herbs.
In conclusion, Anupam states, “To advance our castaway island dining, we must not only exceed global trends but also ensure consistent delivery of exceptional guest experiences. To sustain Atmosphere Core’s leadership, we are committed to anticipating future trends and upholding the highest standards of quality and satisfaction.”
Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Drink
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll partners with RED Bar for mixology takeover
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort has announced a three-night bar takeover in collaboration with RED Bar, New Delhi, from 25 to 27 November 2026, featuring mixologist Virender Singh.
Titled The Craft of the Cocktail, the collaboration will bring RED Bar’s approach to mixology to three venues across the resort, offering guests a series of cocktail experiences in different island settings.
Located in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, RED Bar is recognised for its approach to contemporary cocktail creation, incorporating a range of ingredients, flavours and techniques. The venue was featured on the 2025 list of India’s 30 Best Bars and has participated in guest shifts and bar takeovers internationally.

Leading the collaboration will be Virender Singh, who has eight years of experience in beverage creation. His approach to mixology focuses on ingredient combinations, flavour pairings and experimentation with cocktail-making techniques.
“At JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, we believe that exceptional experiences are shaped by creativity, craftsmanship, and a sense of discovery,” said Arup Chakraborty, Director of Food & Beverage.
“This collaboration offers our guests the opportunity to experience RED Bar’s approach to cocktails across three distinctive settings on the island. We look forward to welcoming Virender Singh and sharing these experiences with our guests.”
The takeover will take place across three evenings, beginning at Nikkei Bar, where guests can sample signature cocktails at the resort’s overwater bar while overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The second evening will be hosted at JW Garden, featuring a garden-to-glass concept incorporating fresh ingredients and tropical flavours.
The collaboration will conclude at Wahoo Bar, where the cocktail experience will move to a beachfront setting.
The event forms part of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort’s efforts to introduce international culinary and beverage talent to the Maldives through guest collaborations and dining experiences.
Drink
Rare vintages meet island luxury: Glenelly Estate takes over RAAYA and VARU by Atmosphere
Stellenbosch’s finest wines arrive in the Maldives this December 2026 at RAAYA by Atmosphere and VARU by Atmosphere. Both private island resorts within the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts portfolio will welcome Glenelly Estate for an exclusive celebration of wine and culinary discovery from 4 to 10 December 2026. Designed to honour the visionary legacy of Glenelly’s 101-year-old founder, May‐Éliane de Lencquesaing, the week-long journey seamlessly weaves her French winemaking heritage with South African terroir through rare vintages, artful pairings, and warm island hospitality.
Hosting these exclusive gatherings is Nina-Mari Bruwer from Glenelly Estate. With over 18 years of winemaking artistry, Nina-Mari brings a deep passion for the stories woven into every vintage. “It is wonderful to return to the Maldives and share Glenelly’s story through its wines,” says Nina-Marie of Glenelly Wine Estate. “Each experience reveals a different side of the estate, from elegant pairings at the table to relaxed, open-air moments that capture the spirit of Stellenbosch.”

RAAYA by Atmosphere
The festivities launch at RAAYA by Atmosphere on 4 December with La Vita Stellenbosch at The Village, an indulgent evening celebrating the vibrant flavours and elegant heritage of the Cape Winelands. On 5 December, the setting shifts to the lush greenery of Seb’s Farm for Garden to Glass – Glenelly Unplugged, an intimate open-air gathering where farm-to-table dining meets fine wine and barefoot island ease. The RAAYA celebration reaches its crescendo on 6 December at AMPERS&ND with Sunset: The Glenelly Golden Hour, where live stations, canapés, and wine come together as the island slips into dusk.

VARU by Atmosphere
The spotlight then moves to VARU by Atmosphere on 8 December, where KAAGÉ & The Cape pairs rich South African winemaking with authentic local traditions during a memorable dinner at the resort’s signature venue. On 9 December, NÜ presents NÜances of the Cape, a dinner exploring the balance, texture, and layered personality of Glenelly’s wines. The visit concludes at Bay Rouge Bar with The Cape Extravaganza, a lively evening of live stations and canapés that offers a fitting farewell to Glenelly’s Maldivian journey.

Reflecting on the milestone, Rohit Salunke, Assistant Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, shares, “Glenelly’s wines have a remarkable sense of place. Across these six experiences, guests will discover how naturally they complement different cuisines while expressing the distinctive character of Stellenbosch. Marking Atmosphere Core’s 117th wine event in the Maldives, this fourth collaboration reflects our commitment to authentic wine encounters. We look forward to welcoming Nina-Mari Bruwer to our shores and continuing this valued partnership, following the warm hospitality extended to our resort sommeliers in February 2026, when they visited Glenelly’s Stellenbosch winery to experience the harvest of Lady May’s 2026 vintage first-hand.”

This exclusive wine journey is complimentary for in-house guests on the RAAYA Plan™ and VARU Plan™ (with prior reservation). Book your stay at atmospherehotelsandresorts.com to discover the elegance of Glenelly Estate, one exceptional pairing and one memorable island evening at a time.
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