VARU By Atmosphere

VARU is an exceptional All Inclusive resort.  On arrival into Male airport, meet the team who will escort you to an airconditioned room to wait for your speedboat.  Once here, they will help you, using the App to check in so that you are all set and ready to go, then escort you to your airconditioned speed boat, offering Wifi, USB charging points and chilled water, to head over to the Island. On arrival you are greeted by champagne and Maldivian drums. The VARU plan offers a full all Inclusive experience, with premium brand spirits and wines included. The plan also entitles guests to spa, treatments, excursions and water sports equipment.  The resort is aiming to give their guests ultimate luxury, blended with a traditional Maldivian experience.

An excellent selection of room types are available to suit everyone, designed in a rustic manner, surrounded by nature, trying to enhance that feeling of a more traditional Maldivian experience. All 108 villas have a minibar that is replenished daily with a selection of wines, beers, soft drinks and snacks.

Beach Villa (sunrise view) (10) / Beach Villa with Pool (sunset view) (15) : Each one-bedroom beach villa features an open-air bathroom, a large veranda and gracefully designed interiors with space to sit and relax. Step out on an expansive veranda leading directly onto white sand. Furnished with two loungers, a large sofa, a side table and two chairs, the veranda allows you to sit back and relax.  Inside each Villa, you will find a spacious integrated cupboard with complimentary beach holiday essentials including umbrellas, bathrobes, outdoor and indoor slippers, and a beach bag, as well as your minibar and your essential tea and coffee making facilities.  (sleeps 2adults, 1 child)

Water Villa (29) / Water Villa with Pool (39): Wake up to gorgeous ocean views, step down from your villa into the crystal-clear turquoise lagoon for a swim. Live close to nature in our tranquil water villas, with a vaulted ceiling and a huge glass sliding door that brings in the natural light.

Each one-bedroom water villa features a king-sized bed, a workspace, a cream sofa with bright cushions, and a matching table and armchair to complete the cosy seating space.  Warm wooden interiors and pale blue decor complements the stunning ocean views. (sleeps 2adults, 1 child)

Family Two Bedroom Beach Villa (3) / Family Two Bedroom Beach Villa with Pool (8) : Just a step away from the sparkling white beach, these two-bedroom villas are perfect for families travelling to the Maldives with up to four children.  Mirroring the one bedroom villas, these villas offer natural light-filled interiors with plush furnishing and Maldivian design touches, creating a stylish indoor space.  Step out onto your veranda, surrounded by natural greenery, take a refreshing dip in your private plunge pool or just sit back and relax. (can sleep up to 6 people)

Water Suite with pool (1): This stand-alone Water Suite offers ultimate luxury, with its extravagant furnishings, spacious living area and open plan outdoor terrace. Hop into your 14m2 infinity pool or sit back and watch the sunset from your comfy daybeds.

Majilis Suites with pool (3): These majestic two storey suites, offer a home away from home with two bedrooms, a kids room and an additional room for the nanny. Large bathrooms, a huge dining room and a large private garden that opens directly onto a private beach complement the luxury interiors on offer. If that wasn’t enough step out into your own private pool or sit back on your balcony upstairs to watch the sunrise. 

The luxurious Varu plan allows you to indulge in food and fine wines (over 40 varieties!) while you sit back, unwind and immerse yourself in a truly authentic Maldivian experience. For every 4 night stay you can choose 2 of the speciality restaurants to dine at (see the Varu plan for more info!)

Lime and Chill: This vibrant restaurant offers all day dining by the beach, with a relaxed environment and breathtaking ocean views. Food is served as a fantastic buffet selection where you can choose from live cooking stations, offering a huge range of international cuisines.  Friday nights offer the Gala Indian Ocean Dinner, with live music and cocktails and a traditional Maldivian culture show, while the fabulous Tuesday brunch here can’t be missed.

Charcoal: This candle-lit beach grill on the beach offers an a la carte menu with a selection of meats and seafood fresh from the grill.

Nu: A classy fine dining restaurant offering seafood and mediterranean cuisine in a vibrant modern atmosphere.  Situated directly over the lagoon, enjoy this fine food and don’t forget to watch out for sharks swimming by.  In the evening, head up to the rooftop bar, to sit back and watch the sunset.

Kaage: Traditional Maldivian food, served in a fine dining atmosphere. Amazing flavours come from this selection of local Maldivian dishes. A great immersion into local delicacy.

Bay Rouge: This poolside bar offering some light snacks and refreshing drinks has a nice chilled vibe and is a great spot to watch the sunset.  During the day, sit back on the beach with a drink in hand, or snorkel out directly from the beach to see some fantastic marine life.   In the evening enjoy a cocktail and the live entertainment, including the resorts Cuban band.

House Reef: There is no house reef as such on this resort, however within the Varu plan excursions twice a day are included to a nearby area (5 – 15 minute boat ride) with excellent snorkeling.  You can also snorkel out directly from the beach, where you will also get a great marine experience and marine life does circulate around the restaurant area as well as being very present when out on the boat excursions.  The resort is very conscious about marine life and coral, and are actually planting their own coral, aiming to attract marine life and eventually create their own house reef.  Furthermore for those really keen snorkellers and divers there are some amazing paid excursions on offer, giving you the option to witness amazing marine life.  

Diving: The PADI certified dive centre at VARU is equipped with state-of-the-art gear and experienced multilingual  diving instructors. Just a short boat journey away are some excellent dive sites and a chance to see marine wildlife such as Manta Ray and Whale Sharks.

Spa: The Elena Spa and Wellness Complex has everything you could need to relax and unwind. The overwater spa has a large overwater hammock and in each treatment room it boasts glass floor panels so you can enjoy watching the marine life as you relax for your treatment.  Every four night stay includes a 45 minute SPA treatment in the VARU plan.

Sports and Fitness: Non motorised water sports are included in the Varu plan.  There is a fully equipped gymnasium, flood-lit tennis court, badminton, and beach volleyball courts. All guests get complimentary snorkelling equipment during their stay. Diving trips are available (chargeable).

Evening Entertainment: Daily music and live entertainment.

Excursions: All guests get a sunset cruise plus a choice of either a line fishing trip or a star gazing trip as part of the Varu plan.  I was lucky enough to experience a sunset fishing trip. We went out on the boat (max 25 people) and we were lucky enough between us to catch a few Remora, which attracted a pair of large reef sharks which then continuously circled the boat as the sunset. A very memorable experience!