Featured
Timeless luxury, Maldivian charm: Grand launch of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi in Dec
Set to open its doors on December 3, the second resort by The OZEN Collection has been completely redesigned to enrich guest experiences with a refined aesthetic of timeless luxury, subtle opulence, and Maldivian charm.
OZEN Reserve Bolifushi is an extraordinary tropical getaway for discerning leisure travellers. Located in South Male Atoll, Bolifushi island is just a 20-minute luxury catamaran ride from Velana International Airport.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new OZEN Reserve experience to the Maldives, with the launch of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi on December 3, 2020. Luxury is elevated to a whole new level here, in keeping with our brand ethos of delivering uber-luxe services in the most unique way,” General Manager Ricardo Leal said.
Timeless luxury, nature-inspired aesthetics
The architecture and interior design of the latest resort from The OZEN Collection are deeply entwined, creating harmonious spaces that embrace the raw, tropical beauty of the island.
Like its sister property OZEN Life Maadhoo, natural beauty is infused in each step of the design at Bolifushi island. The use of rich, rainforest green marble in the floors of villas, elegant, handwoven fabric wallpaper, tropical colours, and ornate décor highlights evoke elegance and splendour.
Bolifushi island, formed in the shape of figure eight, stretches over 750 metres by 100 metres at its thickest extension. It connects to a wooden Water Villa Jetty, which is another 750 metres long. The seven lavish Private Ocean Reserves with Slides have a dedicated jetty for absolute privacy.

A stunning arrival lounge impresses with the grandeur of a garden pool and cascading walls. Built with Sukabumi green stone tiles, the cascading walls shimmer in mesmerising shades of green ranging from jade to emerald.
“The launch of this resort marks an exciting new phase for The OZEN Collection brand, with a third property, OZEN Life Tangalle, in the horizon,” Venkata Giri, the Chief Operating Officer of parent company Atmosphere Group, said.
“As the world opens with a renewed interest in hospitality, we couldn’t be happier to delight leisure travellers with a world class resort that showcases the best of our services and the blissful natural beauty of Bolifushi island.”
Ideal playground for extraordinary travellers
All the 90 secluded villas and Reserves, located overwater and beachfront, have been completely renovated with fabulous additions such as walk-in wardrobes, glass-enclosed, air-conditioned bathrooms, and exotic open-air bathtubs.
Ornate, latticed screens elegantly placed on headboards of the beds and in the master bathrooms of the suites add a graceful touch to the ultra-luxurious villas.

Most coveted of the overwater accommodations, the nine Ocean Pool Suites and seven Private Ocean Reserves have massive water slides that start from the top floor and fall right into the clear lagoon waters.
The Royal Reserve is the most exclusive accommodation on the island, offering ultimate seclusion and privacy to host family and friends. The 400sqm Reserve features three bedrooms and a pool, with the option to convert it into a five-bedroom bungalow with two pools.

Personal Hiyani (butler) service epitomises luxury
In Dhivehi, the Maldivian language, Hiyani means shadow. From the moment guests arrive at Bolifushi island, they have a personal Hiyani, or butler, who is a caring, friendly shadow reachable round the clock.
The Royal Reserve comes with butler service, as well as a personal butler for each guest to ensure the smoothest of stays.
Dining in Maldivian splendour
Each restaurant is designed to have an individual theme, elevating dining to an immersive sensory experience.
Sangu Beach features show kitchens, timber mosaic chips, and decorative Arabic niches, while blue marble floor borders, modern fabrics, and rustic carpets create a contemporary vibe in the all-day dining Visa Del Mar restaurant.
The addition of the carefully tended Chef’s Garden, a tropical kitchen garden, allows chefs to add organic produce, herbs, and microgreens to their menus all year round, ensuring dishes bursting with freshness and flavour.

The OZEN Collection is an award-winning, uber-lux hospitality brand, owned by Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts.
OZEN resorts offer ultimate privacy blended with signature luxury aesthetics, for blissfully immersive holidays in pristine, Indian Ocean locations.
OZEN Maadhoo, the first resort under the brand, opened in July 2016. OZEN’s success story continues in the Maldives with the addition of OZEN Reserve Bolifushi, opening in December.
OZEN Life Tangalle takes the brand to the south coast of Sri Lanka and is scheduled to be launched in 2023.
Featured
‘Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom’ comes to Sun Siyam Vilu Reef this festive season
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Privé Collection within the House of Siyam, has announced its festive programme, “Eutopia: The Infinite Bloom”, which will run from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027.
The seasonal programme features activities and experiences for guests of all ages. Dining will take centre stage with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve gala dinners by the water, exclusive Chef’s Table experiences and seafood barbecues on the beach.
The evening entertainment programme will include live acoustic performances, island DJ sets, aerial dance shows and Maldivian cultural performances.
During the day, guests will be able to explore the resort’s lagoon through activities such as house reef snorkelling, sunset Jet Car rides and sandbank excursions. The Spa will offer wellness rituals and couples’ therapies, while younger guests can take part in gingerbread decorating, a fashion show and Santa’s arrival on the beach.
“Eutopia is our invitation to celebrate and embrace nature, meaningful moments, and the relaxed luxury that defines Sun Siyam Vilu Reef through our festivities,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager.
“From unforgettable ocean adventures to starlit beach celebrations, every experience has been thoughtfully designed to create lasting memories that will continue to flourish long after the season ends.”
The programme will culminate with a New Year’s Eve celebration on the beach on 31 December, featuring live music, midnight toasts and a fireworks display over the water.
The resort’s festive programme is available to view online, with bookings open for stays between 22 December 2026 and 7 January 2027.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli earns top wedding destination honour at TTM Awards
Fresh from being named Best Honeymoon Destination in 2025, Sun Siyam Iru Veli was recognised as Best Wedding Destination at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards & Gala 2026, held at Crossroads Maldives on 27 August. The award further reinforces the resort’s commitment to celebrating romance in all its forms.
Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and white-sand beaches, Iru Veli provides a natural setting for couples seeking an intimate island retreat. Every villa features a private pool, while secluded beaches, private sandbanks and a 24-hour all-inclusive dine-around experience offer guests privacy and flexibility throughout their stay.
The resort hosts celebrations of different scales, ranging from barefoot ceremonies by the ocean to larger events encompassing the entire island. Dedicated wedding planners work closely with each couple to personalise every element, ensuring that both the ceremony and the wider stay reflect their individual story.
This flexibility extends beyond the resort’s wedding packages. Simple Romance, Grand Gesture and Sandbank Magic provide couples with a starting point, with each celebration customisable through décor, dining, wellness, entertainment and island experiences. For occasions requiring complete exclusivity, full-island buyouts allow the resort experience to be tailored around the couple and their guests.
The celebrations can continue beyond the ceremony through candlelit dinners beneath the stars, spa rituals for two, sunset cruises and time spent together across the island. These experiences enable couples to shape the occasion around their preferences, with personal moments unfolding throughout their stay.
“Every couple arrives with a different story and a different vision for their celebration. There is no template here. From intimate ceremonies for two to full-island celebrations with family and friends, our role is to create moments that feel completely personal. That is exactly what our team does. They listen first and then create a ceremony that truly reflects the couple. This award is a testament to the dedication and care they put into making every moment memorable,” said Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.
The annual TTM Awards & Gala brings together travel professionals and hoteliers to recognise achievements across the Maldivian hospitality industry. Iru Veli’s latest award further strengthens its position among the Maldives’ leading destinations for weddings and romantic escapes.
Action
Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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