Opinion: How OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is Redefining Luxury, Wellness, and Sustainability in Maldives, An Insider Insight - Travel And Tour World (2025)

Sunday, April 27, 2025

In an exclusive conversation with Travel and Tour World (TTW), Monica Coppetta, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, shares how the resort crafts an unparalleled guest experience rooted in personalization, cultural authenticity, and environmental stewardship.

From the moment guests arrive, they are immersed in authentic Maldivian traditions with a conch-blowing ceremony, handcrafted palm leaf necklaces, and vibrant ‘Bodu Beru’ drumming. With 90 RESERVE villas—each featuring a private pool and direct beach or lagoon access—the resort guarantees privacy, comfort, and luxury. Unique offerings like the expansive kids’ club, a world-class wellness center, and the all-encompassing RESERVE™ Plan set OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI apart from other Maldives resorts.

Sustainability forms the bedrock of the resort’s ethos. From eco-friendly construction materials to solar energy initiatives and coral planting programs, the resort is deeply committed to minimizing its ecological footprint while promoting marine conservation.

Culinary excellence shines through six distinct dining venues, including SAFFRON for authentic Indian cuisine, ORIGINƎ for avant-garde gastronomy, and the newly opened SOYI specializing in Pan-Asian flavors. Guests can also indulge in bespoke ‘Dine by Design’ experiences for ultimate personalization.

Adapting to evolving traveler trends, Monica highlights the growing emphasis on wellness tourism and conscious travel. The resort’s signature ELE|NA Elements of Nature spa offers tailored wellness programs under its ‘Wellness Your Way’ initiative, blending holistic therapies, fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Cultural connection is another key pillar, with OZEN supporting local artisans through weekly markets on Bolifushi Island, promoting sustainable tourism and community engagement.

Despite challenges in maintaining ultra-luxury standards, Monica proudly points to achievements like the launch of SOYI and expanded wellness programs. Under her leadership, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has solidified its position as a leading example of sustainable, culturally connected luxury in the Maldives.

Monica’s vision for OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI showcases a refreshing balance of indulgence, authenticity, and responsibility—setting a new global benchmark for luxury hospitality.

As the General Manager of The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, what is your approach to ensuring a personalized and exceptional guest experience? Are there any unique services or amenities that set your resort apart from others in the Maldives?

At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, we are all about creating a truly personalised and exceptional experience for our guests. From the moment they arrive, we immerse them in the luxury and tranquility of our resort. Guests are welcomed with a traditional Maldivian greeting, complete with the blowing of a conch shell, a hand-crafted palm leaf necklace, and rhythmic ‘Bodu Beru’ drumming.

Our resort features 90 RESERVE and villas, each with a private pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon, ensuring complete privacy and unparalleled comfort. What sets us apart? We have a luxurious wellness center and one of the largest kids’ clubs in the region. Plus, our RESERVE™ Plan offers an all-encompassing luxury holiday experience, where guests can indulge in premium beverages, and exclusive experiences without worrying about additional costs.

Sustainability is a key concern for many travelers today. Can you share some of the environmental initiatives and sustainable practices that The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi has implemented to minimize its ecological footprint?

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. We’re dedicated to minimising our ecological footprint through various initiatives. During construction our resort aims to opt for eco-friendly materials and are designed to blend seamlessly with the natural environment. We use energy-efficient systems, including solar panels and water conservation technologies, to reduce resource consumption.

Our commitment to marine conservation is evident through our coral planting programs and regular beach clean-ups, helping protect the vibrant coral reefs and marine life around our island.

The Maldives is known for its luxury dining experiences. How does The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi curate its culinary offerings, and what can guests expect from the dining experience at your resort?

Dining at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI is a journey in itself. We have six exceptional dining venues, each offering unique flavors and experiences.

At Vista del Mar, our all-day restaurant by the beach, guests can enjoy relaxed meals with their family. On hot afternoons, there’s air-conditioned indoor seating as well. We have a wide variety of world cuisine with an extensive salad bar, live counters and a delectable variety of desserts.

For lunches and dinners, there are plenty of speciality dining options. At SAFFRON, guests can experience the rich culinary heritage of India with authentic dishes prepared using aromatic spices and traditional methods. Over-water dining at ORIGINƎ showcases contemporary gastronomy with innovative, visually stunning dishes crafted from the finest ingredients.

For those craving Levantine and Moroccan cuisine, SANGU BEACH provides rich, aromatic flavours in a relaxed beachfront setting. Adjacent to SANGU BEACH is SANGU BAR, offering a wide selection of refreshing beverages which you can enjoy with your toes buried in the sand. Lastly, OZAR, our poolside bar, provides snacks, drinks, and light fare, ideal for a casual and relaxing experience.

We also recently opened Soyi, nestled in the heart of Bolifushi Island, which curates Pan Asian cuisine. Soyi promises a symphony of flavors with every delectable bite, making it a standout addition to our dining options.

For something extra special, our ‘Dine by Design’ experience offers bespoke meals in unique island locations, ensuring a personalized and memorable dining experience.

How has The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi adapted to the evolving demands and preferences of luxury travelers? Are there any new trends or innovations in the hospitality industry that you are excited about implementing at the resort?

The luxury travel landscape is always evolving, and we stay ahead by anticipating and responding to these changes. We focus on personalized and immersive experiences, offering bespoke services that cater to our guests’ unique interests. Wellness tourism is a big trend, and we’ve enhanced our offerings at our bespoke spa, the overwater fitness center, and various fitness classes. Our ELE|NA Elements of Nature offers a ‘Wellness Your Way’ program that allows travellers to rejuvenate mind and body whist enjoying a tropical escape.

Our commitment to sustainable luxury is reflected in our use of eco-friendly materials and renewable energy sources, ensuring we remain leaders in environmental stewardship.

Today’s travellers are increasingly looking at conscious travel and trying to minimise their carbon footprints. For us sustainability has always been a way of life, be it our focus on “reducing, recycling and reusing” wherever we can to protecting the lush coral reef that encircles Bolifushi island. We also involve guests in conservation initiative wherever we can, from coral plantation drives to educating them on safe snorkeling practices to protect our coral reef.

As more people travel consciously, they also seek to learn about the culture and cuisine of the places they visit. And for us, at THE OZEN COLLECTION one of the key values is being “culturally connected” and at Bolifushi we are proud to support local artisans. Our colleagues work closely with the local community and invite artisans from nearby islands to sell their handicrafts, jewellery and arts every Friday at the resort from a specially designed wooden stall in the shape of a local dhoni fishing boat. All the proceeds are kept by the artisans.

Wellness tourism is on the rise. What wellness programs or facilities does The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi offer to promote relaxation and well-being for its guests?

At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, we’ve crafted a suite of wellness programs and facilities to promote relaxation and well-being, catering to our guests’ discerning need. At the heart of our offerings is ELE | NA ELEMENTS OF NATURE, our signature spa and wellness brand. This sanctuary delivers a holistic experience inspired by the natural beauty of blue water, white sand, and lush green tropical forests. Our spa engages all five senses through personalized wellness rituals, each tailored to individual needs, ensuring a truly immersive and transformative journey.

Our Wellness Your Way program highlights our dedication to personalized well-being with tailored experiences for three distinct archetypes of wellness travelers. The Wellness Seeker category provides a thoughtfully curated introduction to well-being, offering a diverse range of treatments, activities, workshops, and fitness options. The Wellness Rendezvous experience invites guests to immerse themselves in 2-3 hours of wellness during their stay, complemented by specially crafted wellness food menus at each dining outlet. For those seeking the ultimate wellness immersion, the Wellness Rejuvenation offering includes a pre-arrival consultation with a wellness doctor, a villa with additional thoughtfully curated wellness amenities and healthy snacks, and a customized retreat journey that integrates relaxation and personal growth. This experience concludes with a comprehensive post-stay consultation to fine-tune the wellness journey and ensure enduring benefits.

Beyond the spa, our wellness facilities feature engaging sustainable workshops where guests create their own homecare potions under the guidance of our wellness team. The Zen Garden provides a serene space for meditation and reflection, while our Yoga Pavilion offers a tranquil setting for yoga practice. We also offer a range of wellness activities, including tai chi and meditation sessions, alongside sound healing sessions designed to enhance relaxation and inner harmony. The spa’s luxurious treatments include rejuvenating massages, invigorating body treatments, and the exclusive OceanFlow therapy, an aquatic journey blending various healing traditions. Additionally, the new Philosophia Botanica treatment, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, integrates ancient healing practices with modern botanical science. Our resident Ayurvedic doctor and wellness therapists offer personalized consultations, and a variety of workshops and wellness activities further enrich the holistic living and well-being experience for our guests.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced as the General Manager of The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, and how have you overcome them? Additionally, can you highlight any significant achievements or milestones for the resort during your tenure?

As General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is maintaining the high standards of luxury and service that our guests expect. Ensuring every guest has a personalized and exceptional experience requires constant innovation and attention to detail.

A significant achievement during my tenure has been the opening of our new dining outlet, Soyi. Nestled in the heart of Bolifushi Island, Soyi curates Pan Asian cuisine with a focus on recipes from Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Japanese kitchens. The diverse menu brings together secret spices, aromatic herbs, and time-honoured culinary techniques.

Additionally, we’ve enhanced our guest experience by expanding our wellness offerings and incorporating comprehensive wellness programs that cater to the holistic well-being of our guests. Seeing the positive feedback from our guests and the recognition we’ve received in the industry has been incredibly rewarding. These milestones are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, who strive to create unforgettable experiences for every guest.

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