Featured
Three Atmosphere Hotels properties receive Green Globe certification
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts have been committed to sustainability since their foundation.
Now, three of its five resorts have received the Green Globe certification; OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli (November 2019), OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo (November 2019) and OBLU Select at Sangeli (January 2020).
This certification is considered one of the first global programmes for the conservation of people and nature, with a local focus. The certification was designed specifically for the travel and tourism industry and has been in existence since the early 1990s.
For Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, sustainability means managing the resorts in accordance with the company’s guiding principles, which include being aware of and taking responsibility for global environmental issues.
The group’s resorts have been managed in a sustainable manner from the very beginning, and considerable steps have been taken to minimise the impact that operating the resorts has on the environment.
For example, all resorts use glass bottles for drinking water, which is processed in the resort’s own facilities, and plastic straws are banned. At OZEN by Atmosphere, floating solar panels power the resort. Solar power generation will be introduced in all resorts in the near future.
Guests are actively encouraged to preserve nature and the surrounding underwater world, to help further protect the environment.
In addition, Maldivian culture and heritage is shared at the resorts, to ensure it is known and protected.
The Green Globe certification process is complex and rigorous.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts dedicates special teams of staff at each of its resorts to ensure that the resort adheres to the certification criteria. The responsible teams have to work through more than 300 certification criteria comprehensively, taking into account various factors such as sustainability, protection of cultural heritage, social and economic considerations and environmental protection.
“As the Maldives is one of the most endangered tourist destinations in the world, environmental conservation and sustainability have always been a key element to our operations and integral in all that we do. Since the establishment of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts in 2013, we have worked to become more and more sustainable,” Giri Venkat, Chief Operating Officer and President of Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“We are thrilled to be part of the Green Globe community, with three resorts currently certified, and the others well on their way. I am very proud of all the resort teams who have worked immensely hard to achieve this certification.”
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is a dynamic and fast-growing Indian Ocean hospitality group currently based in the Maldives.
Atmosphere’s 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 their flagship lifestyle luxury sub-brand, OZEN by Atmosphere, in July 2016; and then OBLU Select at Sangeli, which opened in July 2018. The newest addition to the portfolio, VARU by Atmosphere, opened in October 2019.
Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts 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 while staying true to the brand’s core philosophy: ‘The Joy of Giving’.
Cover photo: OBLU Select at Sangeli.
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has won three awards at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, with Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives receiving recognition across three categories.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives secured Gold in the Leading Surf Resort category for the eighth time and fourth consecutive year, while Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives retained Gold in the Leading Beach Resort category for the second consecutive year. Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives also received Silver in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category.
The 10th edition of SATA was held at Barceló Nasandhura Malé on 8 October 2026, recognising achievements across South Asia’s tourism and hospitality industry, including guest experiences, industry leadership and responsible tourism.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is home to the Pasta Point surf break, which attracts surfers from around the world. The resort’s eighth Gold award in the Leading Surf Resort category reflects its position among the Maldives’ surfing destinations. In addition to surfing, the resort offers water sports, wellness activities and other guest experiences.
“We remain committed to delivering memorable surf experiences and holidays in the Maldives,” said Marlon Robert, General Manager of Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.
Robert also acknowledged the continued support of guests, the international surfing community and the resort team in securing the recognition.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives received its second consecutive Gold award as Leading Beach Resort in recognition of its island setting, which features sandy beaches, a lagoon and a selection of beachfront and overwater accommodation. The resort also offers dining, wellness and recreational activities, providing guests with opportunities to explore the surrounding marine environment.
The resort’s Silver award in the Nishan Seneviratne Best CSR Programme category recognised its efforts to provide dive education and career development opportunities for young people from neighbouring island communities.
Implemented in partnership with Dive & Sail, the resort’s PADI-certified dive centre, the six-day programme enabled nine students aged between 16 and 18 from schools in Keyodhoo and Felidhoo to obtain PADI Open Water Diver certification.
The programme combined theoretical lessons, practical training and supervised dives to promote safe diving practices and reef conservation. It also introduced participants to potential career opportunities in marine tourism.
“These accolades reflect the dedication of our teams and the continued support of our guests, whose trust inspires us to keep raising the standard of our experiences,” said Sanjeeva Perera, Area General Manager, Cinnamon Maldives Resorts.
The three awards recognise the tourism experiences offered by Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, as well as Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ initiatives in environmental awareness and community engagement across its Maldives properties.
ELE|NA has been named Leading Wellness and Spa Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the Maldives-based wellness brand’s contributions to the hospitality and wellness industry across the region.
The recognition comes as wellness continues to become an integral part of luxury hospitality, with ELE|NA working alongside resort partners to develop and operate wellness facilities that combine therapeutic experiences, trained professionals and operational expertise.
Guided by its Wellness Your Way™ philosophy, ELE|NA incorporates wellness into different aspects of the guest experience. Its six Pillars of Vitality – TouchFlow, ReFine, BodyFit, SoulVibe, SleepSync and FoodDelight – encompass therapeutic treatments, physical activity, emotional wellbeing, restorative sleep and nutrition. The framework allows individual resorts to develop wellness programmes tailored to their locations and guest preferences.
In addition to providing wellness experiences, ELE|NA works with hospitality partners on concept development, spa operations, therapist training and service delivery. Its operational model combines the individual characteristics of each resort with standardised systems and procedures aimed at maintaining service consistency across its properties.
Sustainability also forms part of the brand’s operations. All ELE|NA properties in the Maldives have received Platinum Sustainable Wellness Accreditation, recognising their approach to responsible spa operations, environmental management and community wellbeing.
The brand also invests in professional development through the ELE|NA Wellness Academy, which provides training programmes for therapists and wellness professionals. The academy combines traditional therapeutic practices, practical training and contemporary wellness knowledge to support professional development and strengthen service standards across the industry.
The recognition at SATA 2026 comes as ELE|NA continues to expand its operations beyond the Maldives, extending its wellness concepts and services into India, Nepal and other emerging hospitality destinations.
With wellness increasingly influencing travellers’ accommodation choices and holiday experiences, ELE|NA continues to focus on integrating wellness services into resort operations while supporting the development of trained professionals and sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome award-winning chef James Knight-Paccheco, widely known as Chef JKP, on 11 and 12 December 2026 for two culinary events focusing on cooking techniques, culinary experiences and the exploration of new flavours.
On 11 December, Chef JKP will conduct a culinary workshop, offering guests the opportunity to cook alongside him, learn professional techniques and exchange ideas in the kitchen. The following evening, he will host a wine-pairing dinner featuring dishes prepared in his signature style, accompanied by wines selected by the resort’s resident sommelier to complement each course.
With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Chef JKP has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and restaurant projects across the UK and the Middle East. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside renowned chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines. He is also the creator and host of The Chef JKP Podcast, which has recorded more than 6.5 million downloads.
At Milaidhoo Maldives, the culinary experience draws inspiration from the island’s surroundings, Maldivian flavours and traditional cooking methods, combined with international influences introduced by the resort’s team of chefs. This approach encourages the exchange of culinary knowledge and techniques, allowing guests to explore local dishes, learn new cooking methods and engage with the chefs responsible for their dining experiences.
Located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo offers a setting where dining experiences focus on personalised service and interaction between guests and culinary professionals. Chef JKP’s visit is intended to provide guests with opportunities to engage directly with the visiting chef, gain insights into his approach to cooking and experience his culinary creations.
The culinary workshop will take place on 11 December 2026, followed by the wine-pairing dinner on 12 December 2026.
-
News1 week agoWomen’s football stars Lucy Bronze, Ona Batlle join Kandima Maldives festive line-up
-
Awards1 week agoCondé Nast Traveler names .Here Baa Atoll among Indian Ocean’s top resorts
-
Awards1 week agoJOALI Maldives named Indian Ocean’s best resort as Maldives claims 20 of top 25
-
News1 week agoVietjet to connect Maldives and Vietnam with new service via Sri Lanka
-
Awards1 week agoKandooma Maldives wins Leading Family Resort award at SATA 2026
-
Action1 week agoMachchafushi Maldives brings Nikon photographers to South Ari Marine Protected Area
-
News1 week agoMilaidhoo Maldives named among Indian Ocean’s top resorts in 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards
-
Awards1 week agoJA Manafaru earns place in 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection