VARU by Atmosphere

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Imagine this - waking up in a private piece of paradise in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by palm trees and soft white sand. You don't need to imagine that when you're at VARU. But it's not just about spending your days relaxing in the warm sun by the pool or on the beach, you can spend your days trying out the action-filled water sports, snorkelling on the two included excursions per day you can take a dive and see the wonderful sea life as many times as you like. All of that is topped off with a choice of 4 restaurants including 3 fine dining options, such as Kaage the award winning Maldivian restaurant, NU serving Mediterranean Sea Food and Charcoal Beach Grill all part of the plan based on length of stay, plus luxury spa treatments included based on length of stay and more. And that's before you step into your own private villa, complete with your own pool if you wish. Staying with the family, then upgrade to one of the magnificent Majlis Suite Villas, complete with 3 bedrooms and private pool and garden.

Amenities

  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Babysitting service
  • Honeymoon
  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • No Smoking
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Situated in North Male Atoll. Speedboat transfer time from Male International airport: 40 minutes, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hotel information

108 villas and suites, all with private terrace, TV, bathrobes and slippers, beach bag, complimentary WiFi access, mini-bar and wine fridge (replenished daily), and tea/coffee-making facilities. Beach Villas are 75sqm and are located overlooking the beach, with an open-air bathroom, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 people.

VARU Plan includes: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Premium brands of spirits, beer, cocktails and wines at Bay Rouge, Lime & Chili, and three speciality restaurants: Charcoal, Nü and Kaagé. Champagne welcome drink on arrival. In-villa mini-bar stocked with beer, soft beverages, and a selection of snacks as well as an exclusive wine chiller – replenished daily. Gala dinners every Friday at Lime & Chilli with food, cocktails and beverages, and live entertainment. Themed brunches and live cooking stations. Full access to the Sports and Recreation Centre, with weekly activities including yoga and pilates. Complimentary use of non-motorized water sports, snorkelling equipment, and two snorkelling excursions daily (on pre-registration basis, weather permitting). Complimentary excursion (sunset cruise or stargazing cruise) and sunset fishing trip (once per stay, for stays of four or more nights only, terms and conditions apply). One complimentary 45-minute spa treatment (applicable for adults over the age of 15 years only, only valid on stays of four or more nights). 20% discount on first two regular dives (on pre-registration basis, weather permitting). 

Please note: dining in the speciality restaurants is dependent on the length of stay. For a stay of 3 nights: one meal per stay, 4-5 nights: two meals per stay, 6-7 nights: three meals, and 8-10 nights: four meals per stay. 

Please note: all-inclusive ceases at 11am on the day of departure.


Beach Villas with Pool are 90sqm and are on the beachfront, with a private pool on the verandah, an open-air bathroom and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 people.

Water Villas are 93sqm and are located on the water with steps down into the lagoon, a glass-enclosed rain shower and bathtub with views of the lagoon, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Water Villas with Pool are as above, but have a 10 square metre private pool on the deck, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Water Suite with Pool is 155sqm and is located on the water at the end of a wooden jetty with uninterrupted sunset views, with steps down into the lagoon, private pool on the deck, glass-enclosed rain shower and bathtub with views of the lagoon, and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Majlis Suite is 329sqm and is located on the beach front with a private terrace opening out to the beach, 45-metre private plunge pool, a separate living and dining room and mini-library, two bathrooms, and 2 king-size beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

LIME & CHILI (International buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), NÜ (over-water à la carte Mediterranean seafood restaurant, open for lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Dinner every day except Friday), CHARCOAL (à la carte beach grill, open for dinner every day except Friday), KAAGÉ (Maldivian cuisine, open for lunch on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, and dinner every day except Friday), BAY ROUGE (pool bar open for drinks throughout the day, serving snacks daily from 4.00pm-6.00pm).

Daily DJ music or live entertainment. Engaging events organised on a weekly or seasonal basis. Indian Ocean Gala Dinner every Friday, and themed brunch on Tuesdays with live music and performances. 

Outdoor swimming pool. ELENA over-water spa* with a range of treatments*, single use steam sauna pod, saltwater infinity pool, salon, and relaxation area. Air-conditioned gym. Yoga. Pilates. Snorkelling, windsurfing (guests must clear a windsurfing competence check), kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, and water bikes. Motorised water sports*. PADI certified scuba diving*. Tennis court, beach volleyball, badminton, table tennis (floodlighting*), billiards. On The Move Kids Club. 

Complimentary WiFi access. Concierge. 

*Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 12. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (3325)
  • Very good (134)
  • Average (29)
  • Poor (6)
  • Terrible (12)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Kaage…amazing food and service

Nov 28, 2023 Helen B Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

Dined at Kaage tonight. We were cautious about the menu at first as so different from western food, but we were absolutely blown away. Truly a Maldivian experience from start to finish. Greeted upon arrival and dressed in Maldivian traditional with a welcome drink, taken to a small room with a short film on Maldivian culture/cuisine which was… Read more
Dined at Kaage tonight. We were cautious about the menu at first as so different from western food, but we were absolutely blown away. Truly a Maldivian experience from start to finish. Greeted upon arrival and dressed in Maldivian traditional with a welcome drink, taken to a small room with a short film on Maldivian culture/cuisine which was really interesting. The food and ambience were amazing, service was impeccable, would highly recommend. 10/10 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Service ❤️🙏🏼👍🏼

Nov 28, 2023 Megija M Jurmala, Latvia

It was an amazing experience. Everything from the set menu was delicious. The staff is extremely friendly and professional ❤️ everything from the start with welcome drinks and watching historical movie about Maldives and ending with desserts and cay was just PERFECT ❤️ once more - the staff here is the best ❤️🙏🏼 thank you !
Image of the Tripadvisor rating One of the best places to visit, pure relaxation

Nov 28, 2023 Florian V

Great place, nothing else to say. Delicious food, staff very nice, clean room, beaches well taken care of, 3 fine cuisine restaurants and 1 all you can eat indeed. Will definitelly come back again.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Madlivian bliss.

Nov 28, 2023 Passport50848096406

Great resort for a 4-5 night stay. Lot’s of activities to do. Daily snorkelling trips to local reefs, water sports area. Do go for the all inclusive plan. Not a lot of choices with dining, but their buffet restaurant Lime & Chilli serves great breakfast and dinner on all days. Our host Meriem made sure all our requests were adhered to. Overall a… Read more
Great resort for a 4-5 night stay. Lot’s of activities to do. Daily snorkelling trips to local reefs, water sports area. Do go for the all inclusive plan. Not a lot of choices with dining, but their buffet restaurant Lime & Chilli serves great breakfast and dinner on all days. Our host Meriem made sure all our requests were adhered to. Overall a great experience. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating THANKS FALULA

Nov 27, 2023 Mobile725173

We want to say a big thank you to Falula for her great service at Lime and Chilly she always put a smile for the guests and she was very kind and patient. For my Birthday she organised something very special and I truly appreciated thanks Falula.