OBLU by ATMOSPHERE at Helengili Wins the “ITS REDSTAR Award”!

Just over one year into operations, OBLU by Atmosphere at Helengeli has been selected within the “TOP
100 resorts of the World” by ITS Germany and has been awarded the prestigious ITS RedStar Award.  




OBLU at Helengeli has been selected from a collection of 8500 properties, that DER Touristik Group,
Germany has contracted worldwide. DER Touristik Group is one of the largest producers to the Maldives
from the German Speaking Markets.  
Positioned as a ‘BEST IN CLASS’ Four‐Star Superior resort, OBLU at Helengeli is the second property under
the up & coming Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts Indian Ocean hospitality Brand.  
“It is certainly a matter of pride for my team and myself, to have been recognized so fast, for our consistent
performance during the past one year since opening! This award will inspire us to do more for our valuable
customers and ensure that we deliver our promise at all times!” – Mr.Bill Ignatiadis, General Manager,
OBLU at Helengeli.  

Acclaimed “NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR” Award goes to OZEN BY ATMOSPHERE From HIDEAWAYS Magazine!

In conjunction with ITB 2017, the highly‐respected HIDEAWAYS Publication house organized their Annual
Awards ceremony in Berlin. Attended by the elite of the travel trade industry in Germany & world‐wide,
along with high net‐worth customers, HIDEAWAYS awarded OZEN by Atmosphere with the “NEWCOMER
of the YEAR” Award for 2k17!

Within just 8 months of opening this is the second prestigious award won by OZEN, and was the ONLY
resort from the entire Asia to have won this prestigious and highly significant award.
“It is an unbelievable feeling to have won TWO consecutive awards by two highly respected luxury experts
within the German speaking markets, not even a year into operations.



My team, myself and the entire
Atmosphere Family will do all possible to continue this surge forward and we sincerely thank all our
discerning customers as well as prestigious organizations like HIDEAWAYS Magazine, for recognizing our
sincere efforts in showcasing a wonderful Luxury resort like OZEN!” ‐ Mr. Venkata Giri, General Manager,
OZEN by Atmosphere.

The operating hospitality brand, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts continues to innovate within the reso
rt
industry in the Maldives, offering unique, Luxurious, Value‐for‐Money experiences for the discerning
traveler. OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo on its own accord has redefined Luxury within the Maldives,
with its true “Luxury All‐Inclusive” offering – a FIRST within the Luxury segment in the Maldives!

90-Villa Hurawalhi Island Resort Opens in Maldives

The five-star resort, nestled amongst the spectacular coral reefs of the Lhaviyani Atoll, welcomes guests above the age of 15.

During an exhilarating 40-minute scenic seaplane flight from Male, a distinctive collection of villas, comprising 60 over water Ocean Villas and 30 Beach Villas, can be seen on the glittering lagoon.

Measuring between 105 and 132 sqm, the villas are equipped with the latest technology including broadband internet connection, bluetooth sound bar and 48-inch flat screen TV.

Maldives: Hurawalhi Island Resort's under sea restaurant
Dining options at the resort include the scene stealing ‘5.8’ undersea restaurant which is submerged 5.8 meters under the sea. The minimalist-designed restaurant keeps the focus on the outside and rates high on romance, with every table being set for two. The menu concept is a multi-course tasting extravaganza and is available with wine-pairing options recommended by the sommelier.

Coming up for air above the water, the Aquarium Restaurant offers stunning sea views by day and romantic candlelit ambiance by night. Serving a contemporary menu with carefully sourced organic and artisanal ingredients and a Teppanyaki grill, there is a strong emphasis on the freshest local seafood and the finest quality prime beef with delectable sushi, sashimi and tempura.

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, Canneli is where guests can enjoy breakfast. It is also the third option for evening dining, serving international cuisines.

At the end of the Ocean Villa jetty, the Champagne Pavilion is a romantic spot to enjoy Champagne and canapés while the Coco Bar on the beach has an alfresco deck overlooking the lagoon and is perfect for enjoying sunset or after dinner cocktails. The over-water Aquarium Bar adds a third option.

Pool and in-villa dining and private beach dining al fresco under the stars are also available options.

The resort also features a spa, tennis, badminton and beach volleyball, and a sports fishing boat for deep-sea fishing excursions. A diver’s paradise awaits, with guided diving and snorkeling boat trips available and a complete PADI 5-star training center. A plethora of water sports activities include jet skis, para-gliding, water skiing wakeboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaks and catamarans.

Airport Lounge

After clearing immigration and customs, guests are greeted by the resort’s airport staff and are escorted to check-in at the TMA seaplane ticket counter, after which they are transported to the TMA Terminal in a private hotel vehicle. A refreshing cold face towel, warm hospitality, beverage and snacks are offering with free Wi-fi while waiting until the sea plane departs.

 The lounge remains open in the late afternoon and evening so guests can relax in comfort until their check-in time for their flight home at the international departure terminal.

 The arrival service is provided free of charge and a nominal fee of US$25 per person is applicable for the departure service.

Environmental Responsibility and Commitment

With a strong environmental focus, Hurawalhi Island Resort is committed to giving  back and protecting its pristine environment.

Using solar panels to generate 60% of its power from sustainable solar energy, its own water bottling plant (hence no plastic bottles are used), energy saving solutions, hot water recovery and its own Marine Biology Centre with an in-house Marine Biologist, Hurawalhi Island Resort’s eco-credentials are impressive to say the least.

In addition, Hurawalhi Island Resort is collaborating with Manta Trust, the marine and conservation specialists. Manta Trust are teaming up with the island’s in-house PADI instructors to provide educational guided dives and snorkeling in the spectacular reefs and shipwrecks nearby. The Island is a nesting site for green turtles and a breeding ground for Manta Rays. Manta Trust is tasked with preserving this natural habitat as well as education visitors on these beautiful and endangered creatures.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Welcomes Valetine’s Day With Love

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has generated special Valentine’s Day offers for guests, to inspire some romance. The romantics who visit can choose from special Valentines candlelit dinners on the beach to relaxing couple’s spa massages, and vow renewal ceremonies.

If you and your better half enjoy the clichéd version of romance, where the setting for love involves a sandy beach, candle light and to dine under the open sky, the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort can prepare a candlelit sunset barbecue for two on the beach.

Culinary delights, carefully picked to inspire romance start on arrival with a class of sparkling wine, and gradually proceeding on to the highlights, which include lemon marinated grilled shrimp, tuna steak, calamari, reef fish in banana leaf, beef sirloin, lamb skewers, and a cold salad buffet. To finish off the romance on the beach before retiring to the luxurious rooms, a selection of mini desserts and surprise sweet treats from the pastry chef will be served.

To set the mood, the scene will be harmonized by the rhythmic drum music of Boduberu, a traditional type of Maldivian music. The special dinner takes place on Valentine’s Day, 14th of February for US$159 net per couple. Furthermore, the resort has on offer, one special private beach table BBQ with a private chef and waiter, featuring Champagne, canapés, local lobster, beef fillet, desserts and chocolates at US$366 net per guest.

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort consists of 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and the masterful three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa. The Resort offers absolute seclusion and a sense of privacy for guests who seek intimate luxury. The Outrigger has the largest average villa sizes in the Maldives.

The private island of Konotta is located 211 miles to the south of Malé and is accessible via a 55-minute flight from Malé to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic journey that is only 30 minutes long on a luxurious private speedboat.

UAE superyacht builder Gulf Craft says Maldives offers rich rewards

The UAE luxury boat builder Gulf Craft said today the Maldives offers a major opportunity for the superyacht sector.

And the chief executive of the creator of such dreamboats as the 155-foot Majesty 155 believes the market for large luxury vessels is likely to grow in the Maldives, where Gulf Craft already builds boats and provides the lion’s share of leisure cruisers.

"We see an emerging demand for bigger boats – over 45 feet in length – across the country, and we are investing in our local operations, in terms of both infrastructure and skill-set, to support this growing demand for larger and more luxurious leisure craft," said Erwin Bamps.

Maldivian tour operators are set to benefit from a growing demand from affluent millennial vacationers for luxury cruising experiences, thanks to the increased availability of domestically produced leisure craft, he said.

"The Maldives is host to a booming high-end millennial tourist demographic that is constantly looking for new and exciting ways to spend time on the islands, and offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the country’s vast seascapes from the comfort of a luxury yacht would be the perfect way to help visitors create lasting memories," said Mr Bamps.

Until now, most boats in the Maldives have been used to transport people from one part of the Indian Ocean nation to another, however, Mr Bamps said this trend is rapidly changing, with private operators looking to introduce luxury cruising to enhance the holidaymaking experience for visitors.

For example, the Maldives-based chartersmaldives.com operates the 90ft Anastasia luxury cruiser for guests wishing to experience the atoll’s beauty from the sea.

And with figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council showing that travel and tourism contributes to more than half (52 per cent) of Maldives’ overall GDP, Mr Bamps said the prospect of enabling visitors to explore the exotic coastlines from the water will be of particular interest to the country’s thriving hospitality sector, as the industry continuously strives to expand its experiential offering.

Gulf Craft has been a major contributor of Maldives’ transport infrastructure, and accounts for more than 80 per cent of the country’s boats, most of which consist of the builder’s Touring passenger vessels. It has provided the Maldives with more than 1,000 boats during its 15 years of operations in the country.

In addition to its locally-based manufacturing facility, the company also operates a dedicated marine services centre, ensuring around-the-clock access to support.

Gulf Craft also recently announced a partnership with Ooredoo for the deployment of the GPS-based tracking solution, Ooredoo Locate, on all of its passenger boats. The technology enables owners to keep track of a craft’s location and status via a dedicated mobile app or Web-based portal.

Founded in the UAE in 1982, Gulf Craft offers a wide variety of premium craft, ranging from 27 ft to 155 ft in length.

Book a mammoth Maldivian suite with your own private 24-hour bar

Luxury Maldivian resort OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, has opened the doors to a 430sqm ‘Over-Water Suite’, which includes an exclusive overwater bar, serviced 24 hours a day!

Positioned at the tip of the pier - and just a stone’s throw from the resort’s underwater restaurant M6m - the OZEN Water Suite offers panoramic views of the expansive turquoise lagoon all-around and can comfortably accommodate 8 people (4 adults + 4 children, or 6 adults + 2 children + maid/nanny).

The Overwater Suite includes three bedrooms, two of which are king sized doubles and one twin bed room. Additionally, there is a fully equipped personal gym, a maid/nannies room with separate access, a kitchenette, ensuite bathrooms, spacious outdoor dining pavilion, a private 35sqm pool and even a tranquil, private sand bank!

Indulgent special touches are in abundance throughout the suite, with fibre-optic mood lighting and sections of glass flooring in the bedrooms revealing the underwater world below and infusing a natural aesthetic. A standalone private bar is also part of the Suite’s complex, which is fully staffed and stocked with an array of beverages, including top shelf wines and champagne.

Taking the level of service one step further, guests will also have their own private butler service throughout their stay here and can relax without the worry of unexpected bills thanks to the Atmosphere Indulgence Plan, which covers dining at any of the resort’s five diverse restaurants, all beverages and non-motorised water sports.

The latest and most presidential addition to OZEN by Atmosphere, which opened in July 2016, the OZEN Water Suite will accompany the existing 89 luxurious stand-alone villas; 41 beach-front ‘Earth’ villas line the coastline of the main island, whilst an additional 48 over-water ‘Wind’ villas sit directly over the lagoon, many of them with their very own Pools. Other recent notable additions include Sub-zen, the resort’s semi-submersible submarine, available for excursions and private hire.

Dream Hotel Group Signs Two Resort Hotels In The Maldives

Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group signed two hotels in the Maldives with local entrepreneur Mohamed Manik and Alpha Kinam Holdings to develop The Chatwal Maaga Maldives and Dream Gasveli Maldives. Set to open in 2019 and 2020 respectively, the new locations triple the group's presence in Asia and mark a pivotal step in Dream Hotel Group's global expansion strategy.

"Last year, we signed more new hotels and resorts than ever before," said Dream Hotel Group CEO Jay Stein. "I'm thrilled to announce another equally strong year of growth momentum with the signing of The Chatwal Maaga and Dream Gasveli in the Maldives, one of the strongest luxury leisure resort markets in the world."

Nestled in picturesque North Ari Atoll, The Chatwal Maaga Maldives will feature 80 ultra-luxury villas, six private beach villas and two presidential villas, as well as three world-class culinary experiences bringing fine dining and casual barefoot elegance to the lagoon's edge. The Chatwal Maaga Maldives will be the second location to debut in The Chatwal collection of luxury hotels.

Dream Gasveli Maldives will feature 500 villas, eight experiential dining and nightlife venues, including the brand's signature Dream Beach Club, a 20,000-square-foot wellness spa and a dozen designer brand retail outlets for exclusive duty-free shopping on site. Spanning across three islands in Meemu Atoll, Dream Gasveli will be the largest fully-integrated resort ever developed in the Indian Ocean.

"I've been in the resort and hotel business for over 30 years in the Maldives," said Mohamed Manik, Chairman of Alpha Kinam Holdings. "I am pleased to partner with Dream Hotel Group in bringing its leading edge lifestyle brands to the Maldives and look forward to taking our luxury market experiences one step beyond here with many more projects in the future."

"I have known Mohamed Manik for a number of years and there is no better partner we'd rather work with to bring The Chatwal and Dream brands of hospitality into the Maldives, delivering on the standards of excellence we hold so high." said Kevin Wallace, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Dream Hotel Group.

Late last year, Dream Hotel Group announced the signing of its first hotel in Vietnam with locally owned Beegreen Group to develop Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa in Long Hai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, the country's top tourist destination. Set to open in June 2017, Dream Oceanami Villas & Spa will be the first of four new resort hotels developed by Beegreen Group and managed by Dream Hotel Group in Vietnam over the next two years. Future locations include Vung Tau City, Hoi An, Ho Tram and Con Dao.

Dream Hotel Group plans to sign more than 150 hotels and resorts worldwide across all its brands – Dream, Time, The Chatwal and Unscripted – over the next four years, continuing to solidify its burgeoning portfolio worldwide.

"This will be a milestone year for us as we welcome an unprecedented number of new hotels into our ever-growing family of brands across the globe," added Stein.

New gateway in Maldives a gamechanger for southern atolls

Gan, in the south of the Maldives, recently opened up to international airlines, a development that could translate to an estimated three hours in time saving for travel to resorts in the south.

The introduction of this gateway eliminates the need to connect with a scheduled commercial flight from Male, 545km away, to get to the domestic airports in the south.

On December 1, SriLankan Airlines started flying from Colombo to the upgraded Gan airport, which was previously only served by domestic carriers Maldivian and Flyme.

SriLanka’s 110-minute flight departs Colombo at 06.55 four times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) using a 150-seat Airbus 320.

“Since we consider the Maldives our extended home market, we will explore every avenue to make sure that Gan receives the attention and visibility that it deserves,” said Saminda Perera, general manager – marketing, SriLankan Airlines.

Resorts in the southern atolls are expected to benefit from this, with John Allanson, general manager of Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort, saying that Gan is “virtually on the doorstep” of the resort and others in Seenu, Gnaviyani, Gaafu Dhaalu and Gaafu Alifu.

Outrigger was quick to respond to the development, adding an on-demand 30-minute Trans Maldivian Airlines seaplane service from Gan, Seenu said.

Hoteliers in the southern atolls now hope that more international airlines, especially those with big feeder hubs in the Middle East, will also introduce flights to Gan.

PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives 3-night luxury romantic getaway Valentine's Day offer

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Anantara & PER AQUUM have luxury romantic getaways on offer.

At PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives, the package, for stays of three nights or more, includes  a bottle of champagne on arrival, 90-minute spa ritual for two at LIME Spa, Dream Dhoni sunset cruise, the Destination Dining experience on a deserted sandbank, and a professional photoshoot in three locations, with makeup and wardrobe.

The price is $3407 a person a night.

Or at Anantara Kihavah Maldives, celebrate Valentine's with an exclusive Dining by Design package at SEA, the underwater world where guests can hire the entire venue to truly impress.

It includes an eight-course tasting menu, a vintage wine menu including a bottle of Cristal Rose 2006 and Chateau Petrus 1998.

The price is $19,313 a couple.

One&Only Reethi Rah review, Maldives: The resort that will ruin you

THE PLACE

One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

THE LOCATION

One&Only Reethi Rah ("beautiful island" in Dhivehi, the Maldivian language) is an all-villa resort on one of the largest private islands in the Maldives. One of nine One&Only properties worldwide (including Hayman Island and Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains), it even has its own time zone: one hour ahead of Male, for longer evenings.

THE SPACE

The 128 beachfront and over-water villas, some of the largest in the Maldives, fringe this lush 12-beach island and are linked by sandy roads canopied by palm trees; guests get around on bikes or in chauffeur-driven golf carts. There are all the facilities you'd expect at a big resort: pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre, a kids' club.

What makes One&Only special is its "one world" vibe – the 800 staff members hail from 35 nations and guests come from all over Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It almost feels like an island utopia, particularly when a waiter or massage therapist greets you with One&Only's Namaste-like gesture, right hand over the heart (which is oddly contagious).

THE ROOM

My beach villa with pool is a high-ceilinged sanctuary of regal reds and purples and natural materials such as wood and coconut shell. Sliding glass doors open onto a large plunge pool, a hammock built for two, sun lounges and my own stretch of beach.

The bathroom has his and hers vanities, indoor and outdoor rainwater showers and an enormous sunken stone bath under a window, with bath salts, loofah and essential oil burner; there's an aromatherapy menu as well as a pillow menu. There's a yoga mat to use, a beach bag to keep and a mobile phone for making restaurant and spa bookings or for calling my villa concierge. The minibar includes an Illy espresso machine and gourmet teas.

THE FOOD

There are six restaurants: Reethi Restaurant where the breakfast buffet has to be seen to be believed; the organic Chef's Garden, surrounded by its own living produce; Tapasake over-water Japanese restaurant with outdoor teppanyaki bar; Beach Club, where you can dine on fresh seafood and salads with your toes in the sand; Rah Bar, which stays open late; and the Arabic Fanditha, where you can lounge on giant cushions or in curtained cabanas beside the sea, flanked by hurricane lanterns and shisha pipes. There's also 24-hour room service.

STEPPING OUT

Marine outings are a must in the Maldives and there are plenty of offerings, from whale shark swims and dive trips to day-cruises on dhoni (traditional fishing boats) and sunset sandbank experiences.

Terrestrial offerings include climbing (on the Maldives' first climbing wall) and tai chi and yoga classes – including aerial yoga where you can swing like a low-flying acrobat in an over-water pavilion. You could spend an entire day in the temple-like spa complex, which has an idyllic garden with wicker swings, fountains and hammocks under the coconut palms.

THE VERDICT

With its dreamy location, private apartment-sized villas and first-class service, One&Only Reethi Rah is the kind of resort that spoils you for all others.

ESSENTIALS

Singapore Airlines flies to Male via Singapore with same-day connections daily; see singaporeair.com. One&Only Reethi Rah is 45 minutes by speed boat from Male airport. Villa rates start at US$1190 a night plus taxes.