A 40-minute speedboat ride away from Male, lies this truly Maldivian experience blending cultural elements with contemporary elegance and bursts of chic tropical vibes. The resort welcomes the guests to an escape on a dreamy island hideaway, enveloped by uninterrupted hues of blue, nestled on a secluded stretch of sand in North Malé Atoll. TravelJingles magazine in a conversation with Mei P. Pun, General Manager ,VARU by Atmosphere Maldives.
What makes ‘Varu’ so special as compared to your other resorts in the
Maldives?
What really makes VARU by Atmosphere stand out is the energy you feel the moment you arrive. You’re welcomed by the island team with traditional drums, Bodoberu drum beats. The name VARU itself means strength, resilience, and abundance, and you can genuinely sense that in the air.With 108 villas across eight categories, from intimate beach retreats to spacious over-water suites, every space is thoughtfully designed in soothing natural tones. Beach and water villas alike offer complete privacy and mesmerising views of the turquoise lagoon. But what really sets VARU apart is our people, their warm, heartfelt hospitality brings an authentic Maldivian soul to everything experience we curate for guests.
How do you engage with the local Maldivian community and contribute to local
employment and culture?
We pride ourselves on a team that truly reflects the Maldives, with talented Maldivians
alongside international staff blending their cultures beautifully. Chef Niyaz at KAAGÉ, for example, serves as both a culinary artist and cultural ambassador. Our community initiatives, like the ‘Give Back Day’, partnered with Fiyavathi Orphanage to host Iftar for 90 children. We also visit local islands such as K. Huraa island to introduce youth to hospitality careers, offering insight and inspiration. It’s about more than hiring locally. It’s nurturing potential and weaving cultural connection in a fun and engaging manner into our island’s fabric.
Tell us about the various dining opinions available at the resort for the guest?
Guests at VARU by Atmosphere can embark on a vibrant culinary journey,beginning with Lime & Chilli, the all-day dining venue offering generous buffets that blend European, Asian, and Maldivian flavours with lively cooking stations. At the poolside BAY ROUGE bar, they can sip on cocktails, wines, and mocktails while enjoying light bites and sunset DJ sessions. For elevated dining, there are three speciality restaurants: NÜ, serving Mediterranean seafood with panoramic views; CHARCOAL, known for its aromatic beachside grills. The third restaurant is KAAGÉ, our award-winning signature restaurant housed in traditional Maldivian abode adorned with heritage photographs and video storytelling.Experience local tastes served with a progressive, modern flair and paired with innovative cocktails and mocktails featuring local ingredients.
Tell us about the sustainability measures, the resort has undertaken?
Sustainability is deeply woven into everything we do at VARU, so that we preserve our incredibly beautiful island and lagoon for future generations. The resort is certified by Green Globe, for environmental sustainability. Certification by this independent organisation involves successfully being audited on 44 key environmental criteria and up to 380 compliance indicators. We use 99% LED lighting and solar energy across the resort, and all guest check-ins are fully paperless. Our in-house water bottling plant replaces over 100,000 plastic bottles annually. We also maintain an island garden for fresh herbs and veggies, reducing our carbon footprint. Waste is managed thoughtfully, with recycling partnerships across the Maldives. Looking ahead, we’ve begun our journey into coral conservation and have healthy growing corals that are home to many colourful reef fish already. We are committed to expanding these efforts in the future.
