Destination Maldives between sport, relaxation and attention to nature
The Ozen Collection. Bolifushi and South Malé, the islands that host the two luxury resorts of the Atmosphere Core group where you can stay in villas with direct access to the sea
Key points
It was 1972 when the exotic dream called the Maldives first began to circulate in Italy and then around the world. The creator was a traveller and talent scout of new destinations, who, having arrived in the archipelago the year before aboard a cargo ship from Colombo, returned there with a group of 22 aspiring Italian Robinson Crusoes, among whom were journalists and photographers. Word of mouth started and has been unstoppable ever since. And if the picture-perfect postcard has maintained over the decades the whiteness of the sand, the iridescent turquoise of the lagoons, the blue of the ocean and the bright green of the equatorial vegetation, much has changed in terms of hospitality and luxury. Indeed, Maldivian resorts have redefined the parameters, while holding firm to two cornerstones: the promise of immersion in the nature of the place and the sense of total holiday freedom. To fulfil the first commitment, environmental protection has become a matter of urgency.
"One can adopt a metal core where coral fragments are grafted: once the plate with the guest's name is affixed, he or she receives a photographic update on the growth every six months," explains Nuria, a Spanish marine biologist. Together with her Zimbabwean colleague Erin, she is in charge of coral reef conservation at the five-star super-luxury resort island of Ozen Life Maadhoo in the South Malé Atoll. One of the two resorts of The Ozen Collection brand, belonging to Atmopshere Core, an Indo-Maldivian group specialising in high-end hospitality, which currently has nine facilities in the Maldives (set to increase very soon).
On Sundays and Thursdays, the two marine biologists entertain guests by explaining the reef's diverse fauna and fragilities. "El Niño causes the water temperature to rise and the coral to bleach," explains Erin, "but the coral still has a month to live and can be saved if action is taken in good time.
With the staff of Dolphine Base, the ocean professionals who run the resort's diving centre, you go to Manta point to watch the sea dance of these elegant creatures or to swim with nurse sharks and their colourful court of remoras and small yellow fish that look like bunches of primroses in the blue, and then to admire turtles and dolphins. An excursion that alone is worth the trip. In the ocean we return, this time clothed, to M6m, a restaurant six metres below sea level. You reach it, after a dutiful glass of champagne, by lift: a circular, muffled ambience where lobster and oceanic specialities are served, while around it parade blacktip sharks and coloured fish, perhaps attracted by the lights. The feeling of being in an aquarium is belied by the reality of being under the ocean with no barrier around.
L’ospitalità
And, because luxury is having no worries, dinner is included in the Indulgence Plan, which includes everything from spirits (over 80 labels of wine) to restaurants, from snorkelling twice a day to transfers aboard an elegant speedboat with wifi. One can range freely from the pan-Asian flavours of Tradition Peking and Tradition Indoceylon to the Maldivian specialities of Lonu (try Mas Bai, spiced rice with tuna), from the international and Indian cuisine of The Palms to the heavy dose of romance of a tête à tête dinner on the beach. Wine, suggested and explained by Manak Rej, Cluster wine operation manager of the Atmosphere Core group, is the protagonist of special evenings organised in homage to partner companies (from the Italian Bottega to the French Guy Charbaut). "It's not just about offering great wines," explains Nicolas Laguette, director of wines Atmosphere Core. "Our aim is to tell stories, evoke emotions and create moments that stick. Every glass becomes a journey, every sip a discovery'. And if wine culture is held in high regard even at these latitudes, the same goes for gin: in the dedicated Gin IN bar, Prajwal, gin manager, leads a tasting that is an authentic journey through the history of the famous distillate.
