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.

  • Booking Bonus: Book by 30 Sep '24 to receive up to 15% off the accommodation cost for travel between 01 May - 30 Sep '24. Terms and conditions apply. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable. Blackout dates apply. 

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 (3750)
  • Very good (150)
  • Average (32)
  • Poor (6)
  • Terrible (13)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relaxing Vacation

Apr 23, 2024 Paul F

We had a nice stay, but this place is starting to look old. We stayed in Water Villa with a plunge pool. The tiles in the pool are falling off all over the place, you have to be careful not to cut yourself. The bathroom gets really hot and the bed wasn't very comfortable, however the place was very clean. Shaming took good care of us and made… Read more
We had a nice stay, but this place is starting to look old. We stayed in Water Villa with a plunge pool. The tiles in the pool are falling off all over the place, you have to be careful not to cut yourself. The bathroom gets really hot and the bed wasn't very comfortable, however the place was very clean. Shaming took good care of us and made sure we had everything we needed. The food at the specialty restaurants was really good. The food at Lime and Chile was buffet style and just ok. We went on the Sand and Sea excursion and it was great! We saw three sea turtles. The dive team helped us with everything. Hayyan towed me around for an hour when my fins didn't fit right, making the experience enjoyable. We did the Romantic Beach BBQ. The setting was beautiful and the food was really good. The chef (I can't remember his name) was great ! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful & Peaceful Paradise Resort

Apr 22, 2024 simone t Baltimore, Maryland

This was our first out of country trip from America. If you are looking for a peaceful resort with great customer service. This is it. We really enjoyed our stay. Bella communicated with us throughout our stay and Oinusha kept our room clean and fully stocked. The whole staff is very courteous and accommodating. Make sure to bring water shoes and… Read more
This was our first out of country trip from America. If you are looking for a peaceful resort with great customer service. This is it. We really enjoyed our stay. Bella communicated with us throughout our stay and Oinusha kept our room clean and fully stocked. The whole staff is very courteous and accommodating. Make sure to bring water shoes and don’t forget to take a picture on the swing! By and Charcoal were fabulous dining experiences and Chili & Lime was a casual and nice buffet too. Overall, we had a fabulous time. Thanks to them our first international trip was a hit! Thank you Varu. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great place. Exceeded all expectations.

Apr 21, 2024 Rebecca63673 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Had a great time at Varu. Staff were all exceptional. The spa is a must visit - you can watch the fish swimming underneath you whilst having a massage. Food was great - we went to the seafood restaurant and also the Maldivian restaurant. The food in the buffet was the best buffet food I’ve had. So much choice. Plenty of activities - we did yoga,… Read more
Had a great time at Varu. Staff were all exceptional. The spa is a must visit - you can watch the fish swimming underneath you whilst having a massage. Food was great - we went to the seafood restaurant and also the Maldivian restaurant. The food in the buffet was the best buffet food I’ve had. So much choice. Plenty of activities - we did yoga, aqua aerobics, snorkleling with turtles and fishing. Our host Julia was always available if we had any queries. Would highly recommend. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A week on a Paradise island.

Apr 21, 2024 G4598WI London, United Kingdom

VARU by Atmosphere is located 20 miles northwest of Male. It is reachable by a 45 minute speedboat ride. You may have to wait until passengers arrive before the boat leaves. We waited an hour. We were met on arrival with a typical Maldivian welcome and the management team. Check in was very efficient. I recommend downloading the VARU by… Read more
VARU by Atmosphere is located 20 miles northwest of Male. It is reachable by a 45 minute speedboat ride. You may have to wait until passengers arrive before the boat leaves. We waited an hour. We were met on arrival with a typical Maldivian welcome and the management team. Check in was very efficient. I recommend downloading the VARU by Atmosphere app. It helps with planning your stay. The resort was near capacity when we were there but never felt busy. There is no house reef but we saw manta rays, reef, white tipped and black tipped sharks most days walking to the island from our bungalow. We stayed in an overwater bungalow. It was well appointed and with ac. Minibar was stocked daily with soft drinks wine and beer. The beaches, restaurants, variety and quality of food, excursions are first class. However it is the staff that make the resort what it is. From Firey, who dealt with all our questions on WhatsApp to Rahul at Lime and Chilli who had the chefs prepare wonderful food for us. Thank you so much. The resort has a wonderful spa called Elena Spa. The staff there are fantastic. Special mention to Kitty and to Leah who helped make our week even more enjoyable. A fabulous resort. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful Trip

Apr 21, 2024 Kathryn H Leeds, United Kingdom

We have been very lucky to visit the Maldives 5 times now, visiting quite a few of the Atmosphere Islands and have to say the service is Excellent. The all inclusive package is Fabulous. Our island host was Sara who was wonderful, a true asset to Atmosphere chain. The food was lovely in all the restaurants. We all had massages which were… Read more
We have been very lucky to visit the Maldives 5 times now, visiting quite a few of the Atmosphere Islands and have to say the service is Excellent. The all inclusive package is Fabulous. Our island host was Sara who was wonderful, a true asset to Atmosphere chain. The food was lovely in all the restaurants. We all had massages which were fantastic, especially when you can see the fish swimming beneath you through the glass floor. We had a villa with private pool which was beautiful, had a few very noisy neighbours at times with no respect for anyone else trying to enjoy there holiday, but by no means the Varu's fault. Thank you to all the wonderful staff who make this island what it is! Read less