News
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts unveils wonder-filled festive celebrations

Authentic charm, heart-warming experiences, and unforgettable celebrations await as Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts unveils three distinctive Christmas and New Year programmes across its island resorts in the Maldives. This year’s calendar of activities at RAAYA by Atmosphere, VARU by Atmosphere, and Atmosphere Kanifushi promise curated moments that are as individualistic as they are immersive.
Enriching & Nature-Inspired at RAAYA by Atmosphere
Themed “Under the Stars”, RAAYA by Atmosphere’s festivities is designed for explorers at heart. Guests can greet the day with floating yoga by the lagoon, sound healing, or guided meditation — immersive rituals that feel instinctual and grounding. Families are invited to join treasure hunts, while children revel in creative, imagination-sparking crafts at the Discovery Den. Evenings unfold with intimate acoustic sets, wine and cheese pairings, and locally inspired cultural performances. The crescendo comes on 31st December with the Celestial Gala Dinner, a lavish yet grounded open-air dining experience of global flavours, fire and aerial performances, and a sky-lit countdown to 2026.
Theatrical & Inventive at Atmosphere Kanifushi
At Atmosphere Kanifushi, festive celebrations take on a theatrical flair with “Twilight Fantazia.” Guests can begin mornings with yoga or aqua Zumba, before indulging in snorkelling trips to nearby reefs and inventive cocktail classes. Families are drawn into the magic with Xbox tournaments, Santa’s island tour, and cinema under the stars. The Twilight Gala Dinner by the beach delivers a heart-warming finale, with champagne, themed live cooking stations, boduberu drumming, and an awe-inspiring fireworks display. The night crescendos into a high-energy beach party, blending lavish touches with the signature ‘Joy of Giving’ service.
Fabulous & Free-Spirited at VARU by Atmosphere
At VARU by Atmosphere, the festive mood is instinctively vibrant, with the theme “Ibiza Nights in the Maldives.” Guests are invited to embrace their free-spirited side with floating yoga on Bay Rouge Beach, inventive mixology sessions, and bootcamps at the Activity Zone. The Infinity Pool becomes the stage for lively DJ-led parties, where barefoot dancing feels as natural as the ocean breeze. On New Year’s Eve, the Main Event Beach transforms into a glowing Ibiza-style Gala Dinner with dazzling décor, globally curated dishes, fire shows, and an atmosphere as generous as it is exhilarating.
If you haven’t planned your festive escape yet, a new experience awaits. Guided by our heartfelt service philosophy, the Joy of Giving, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts presents a generous Festive Calendar, fully complimentary with the Holiday Plan. Guests are invited to embrace the season with once-in-a-lifetime celebrations that feel instinctively magical.
News
Kandooma Spa expands with treatments to detox, de-stress, surf stronger

Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala at Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives has unveiled a refreshed treatment menu, designed to revitalise the body and mind while supporting the island’s surf lifestyle.
Building on its wellness philosophy, Kandooma Spa now offers dedicated detoxifying and recovery-focused treatments, ideal for guests looking to restore balance or recover from active days in the water. Among the new offerings is the Surfer’s Massage, a specialised therapy tailored to address tension in the neck and shoulders, helping surfers recover post-session and boost mobility for their next ride.
The newly introduced Skin Detoxifying Treatment is another highlight, promoting healthy circulation and skin tone through exfoliation, hydration, and lymphatic stimulation. This treatment is ideal for guests looking to reset and revitalise their bodies from within.
“The new treatments are designed to meet the needs of our guests, many of whom come to Kandooma to surf, dive, or simply reset,” said Ni Putu Eka Yuniari, Assistant Wellness Manager of COMO Shambhala. “We’ve curated each experience to promote better circulation, deeper relaxation, and holistic wellbeing.”
Guests can also enjoy the recently enhanced steam room and plunge pool, ideal for preparing the body before a massage or unwinding afterwards. These amenities are now available for individual bookings.
Whether you’re catching waves or simply recharging under the sun, the enhanced offerings at Kandooma Spa complement the resort’s commitment to wellness, restoration, and active living.
Located in the South Malé Atoll, just 40-45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives is a natural island paradise of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and lush coconut palms.
The resort offers a wide choice of Garden and Beach Villas, two-storey Beach Houses, and the popular Overwater Villas, making it ideal for couples, families, and groups. With six dining outlets, a Kandoo Kids’ Club, world-class diving and surfing, and the tranquil Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, it’s the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and barefoot luxury.
To explore the full spa menu or make a booking, please visit the resort’s website.
Featured
Holistic journeys at One&Only Reethi Rah: Year of global wellness expertise

One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to continue their wellness journey at the renowned One&Only Spa, which has recently received a prestigious five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide — the first and only spa in the Maldives to earn this recognition. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the spa offers a tranquil retreat where ancient healing practices meet modern techniques, providing tailored treatments that promote lasting wellbeing.
Throughout the year, One&Only Reethi Rah has hosted leading international wellness practitioners, and the remainder of 2025 will feature an inspiring series of experiences guided by acclaimed experts. From holistic therapies and Ayurveda to Pilates, yoga, Barre, and CrossFit, each visiting specialist brings unique expertise and methodology to the island, delivering highly personalised sessions designed around each guest’s individual needs.
Beginning in October, Ayurveda specialist Dr Shreejit Ghadigaonkar will offer personalised consultations and treatments based on one of the world’s oldest healing systems, using herbal remedies, massage, and holistic therapies to restore balance. During the same period, Shannon Fenton, a Pilates and yoga instructor, will lead mindful movement sessions to enhance posture, body awareness, and overall wellbeing.
In November, bespoke fitness coach Nicky Holender will introduce tailored programmes focused on strength, endurance, and motivation, while holistic therapist Darya Gudkova will offer deeply restorative treatments combining Eastern traditions with a contemporary understanding of anatomy and psychology.
The season will continue into December and January with Sanam Heravi, a STOTT-certified Barre specialist, whose sessions use intelligent movement to support rehabilitation and life transitions. Guests seeking high-intensity training will be able to train with Zubaid Toefy, a CrossFit coach with a background in Muay Thai and Olympic weightlifting, known for his dynamic and disciplined approach.
Each visiting practitioner contributes distinct expertise to the spa’s offerings, enabling guests to explore individual paths towards vitality, clarity, and inner balance
Whether guests are beginning a new wellness journey or deepening established rituals, the One&Only Spa provides a setting for intentional transformation. From sunrise yoga sessions to deeply restorative treatments, every moment is designed to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and nature within the serene environment of the Maldives.
For guests seeking advanced skincare, the spa also presents a curated selection of facial treatments that combine cutting-edge technology with high-performance formulations. Through partnerships with globally renowned brands such as Augustinus Bader, the spa offers rejuvenating therapies that leave the skin feeling nourished, firm, and radiant.
Excursions
Royal Island among participants in Guinness World Record snorkel

Royal Island participated in the Baani Event, which achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people snorkelling simultaneously. Twenty-eight participants represented the resort at Villingilifaru Finolhu, located approximately two kilometres across the lagoon from Royal Island. The island lies within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, in close proximity to Hanifaru Bay, one of the Maldives’ most renowned manta aggregation sites.
The resort’s involvement aligns with its ongoing coral restoration initiatives on the house reef. Efforts include the installation of nursery frames, out-planting of resilient coral fragments, regular monitoring, and guest briefings aimed at encouraging reef-safe practices such as calm water entries, mindful finning, and maintaining respectful distances from marine life. These measures contribute to a low-impact snorkelling experience while supporting the long-term health of the reef ecosystem.
Royal Island’s environmental stewardship extends beyond marine conservation to community engagement. Recent activities include native tree and coastal vegetation planting to enhance shoreline stability and biodiversity, as well as periodic beach and lagoon clean-ups conducted in partnership with local organisations. Educational programmes for schools and youth groups promote ocean literacy and foster a culture of environmental guardianship across Baa Atoll.
Amidst the clear lagoons and coral gardens, Royal Island’s participation in the record-setting event underscores its message of responsible enjoyment of the Maldives — protecting coral ecosystems and strengthening community bonds through sustainable tourism and collaboration.
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