Since travelers first discovered these remote, heavenly islands in the 1970s, the Maldives has come a long way to establish itself as one of the world’s most sought-after luxury travel destinations. Establishing a unique position in the competitive hospitality industry, Atmosphere Core began its journey in 2013 with the opening of Atmosphere Kanifushi. The success of this five-star resort earned the company a reputation for excellent service, true hospitality with its unique “holiday plans,” and premium food and beverage experiences.
“Virginia Woolf famously said, ‘If you do not eat well, you cannot think well, love well or sleep well’. Delivering a consistently exceptional experience to our guests is at the core of our Food & Beverage approach,” said Anupam Banerjee, vice president, Food & Beverage, Atmosphere Core.
Anupam, the creative mind behind Atmosphere Core’s exceptional dining experiences, restaurant and bar concepts and exotic menus across the group, says these words could not be more true: He firmly believes that if guests eat well and can enjoy the healthiest and freshest ingredient options, a wide range of local and international cuisines, along with an exceptional level of personal service, in stunning surroundings, everything else falls into place. Anupam and the food and beverage teams at each resort are dedicated to ensuring Atmosphere Core delivers a best-in-class guest experience.
Take Just Veg at Atmosphere Kanifushi, the first à la carte vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives. Opened long before plant-based cuisine became popular, Just Veg was voted the number one restaurant in the Maldives by TripAdvisor. The Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand continues to innovate concepts such as Kaage at VARU by Atmosphere, which offers a signature Maldivian fine dining experience. From traditional architecture to video storytelling and artistic presentations of traditional recipes, the multi-sensory journey truly brings local culture to life.
At the forefront of luxury culinary experiences is the company’s premium brand, THE OZEN COLLECTION. Imagine waking up to a sumptuous Champagne breakfast and dining underwater at the enchanting “M6m” restaurant. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO offers an unparalleled gastronomic adventure, from “New Age” Maldivian cuisine served at “Lonu” and authentic Chinese to traditional Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine. Meanwhile, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s overwater restaurant “ORIGINƎ” offers signature gourmet dishes paired with wines from its signature wine cellar. Atmosphere Core has also recently opened “Soyi”, an Asian concept restaurant on the group’s flagship private island.
The COLOURS OF OBLU brand’s four vibrant island resorts offer an array of memorable culinary experiences for guests to enjoy, ranging from modern gourmet cuisine at the undersea restaurant “Only BLU” at OBLU SELECT Lobigili, to laid-back dinners at “The Copper Pot Food Truck” at OBLU Xperience Ailafushi, to contemporary Asian cuisine at “JustWok” at OBLU SELECT Sangeli. The brand’s dive resort, OBLU NATURE Helengeli by SENTIDO, also reopened this year with an all-new look and the addition of innovative Indian restaurant “Raga Route,” which has already proven popular with travelers around the world.
Highlighting its unwavering commitment to fine craftsmanship and excellence, the company is pleased to announce a special partnership with Sakurafresh, the acclaimed Japanese zero-alcohol spirits brand. In collaboration with Sakurafresh, Atmosphere Core is pioneering a “Beverage Partnership Programme” that focuses on sourcing superior natural ingredients to produce premium zero-alcohol cocktails that cater to the sophisticated palates and growing demand in the Maldives.
Beyond the cuisine, Atmosphere Core differentiates itself with immersive, multi-sensory dining experiences. Guests can take part in cooking classes, exclusive dinners with winemakers, and special seasonal celebrations. Sustainability is also a major focus, with the company making a conscious effort to reduce food waste, use sustainable seafood, and incorporate plant-based options into its menus. Most of the company’s island resorts have kitchen gardens for growing fresh herbs and produce, and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has a 140-square-meter indoor hydroponic farm that is currently growing leafy vegetables and herbs on four islands.
Concluding, Anupam said, “The evolution of Castaway Island Dining requires us to not only surpass global trends but also to continue to provide our guests with a consistently superior experience. To maintain Atmosphere Core’s leadership, we are committed to anticipating future trends and upholding the highest standards of quality and satisfaction.”
