Ozen Reserve Bolifushi – Where Luxury Meets Adventure In The Maldives

Overwater villas with glass viewing panels to observe the teeming colourful sea life below; bespoke dining experiences with the sand in your toes; an organic spa with treatments rooted in nature and an all-inclusive ethos that ensures you don’t need to spare a thought about your wallet, just your waistline! Ozen Reserve Bolifushi is everything you could imagine from an ultra-luxury Maldivian five-star resort, but with the added bonus of exhilarating and entertaining experiences for all ages. The Luxury Editor recently stayed at the Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, so read on to discover more about this incredible hotel.

The Ozen Lifestyle

The Ozen Reserve Bolifushi is part of a collection of two Ozen resorts in the Maldives, the other being the Ozen Life Madhoo which we have also visited. The island’s philosophy is all about cultural authenticity, freedom and connecting with the elements. As a result, the ambience here is warm-spirited and personal, with experiences curated to create an uncluttered and truly indulgent getaway. The location is remote, ensuring some of the finest scenery on earth, yet you’ll never be bored with so much to see and explore both in the resort and in the local vicinity (on land and water!).

Your Entry To Paradise

One of the many benefits of booking an Ozen Collection holiday is that the minute you land at Male airport and step into the arrivals hall you can switch off and let staff think for you. The hotel team are waiting to greet you, take your bags and escort you to the Ozen lounge in the airport where refreshments and cool air conditioning await! The Ozen Life Maadhoo airport team will then take care of everything and coordinate your boat trip to the resort.

On arrival at the resort, a cold towel and freshly opened coconut are ready and waiting for you, along with a special Maldivian welcome in the form of drumming whilst a hand-crafted palm leaf necklace will be placed around your neck, as you’re invited to check in.

The RESERVE Plan and RESERVE Experience

The resort’s innovative Ozen Reserve Plan and Reserve Experience offer two different levels of ultra-luxurious all-inclusive experiences that indulge you with an array of exclusive benefits. From unlimited fine dining at the resort’s gourmet restaurants to an extensive selection of premium beverages, branded spirits and signature cocktails as well as daily refilling of your mini-bar, everything is taken care of to ensure a seamless and indulgent stay.

Find out more here

Earth and Ocean

Accommodation on the island is either on the beachfront (Earth) or overwater (Ocean), spread across eight categories and designed to take the best advantage of either the sunrise or sunset. But whichever of these options you choose, you’re assured of your own private pool and direct beach or lagoon access – in some cases the latter is achieved via a long slide directly from your overwater villa! As well as charming thatched roofs and high ceilings, with decor that fuses a traditional local aesthetic with the latest in contemporary living. Some have overwater sand decks and hammocks and multiple bedrooms, for those holidaying with family and friends.

Earth Villas

During our stay we were hosted in an Earth Pool Reserve Sunset With Two Bedrooms

Front Door & Entrance

There are so many little finishing touches all over the resort, I loved the sand pressed “Welcome Home” message at the door of the property.

Lounge

MiniBar

The term “minibar” doesn’t do the offering justice – it is infact a substantial cabinet housing not just a coffee machine but also drawers filled to the brim with various snacks. The refrigerator within is abundantly supplied, boasting champagne, a selection of fine white wines, along with an assortment of beers, soft drinks, and delightful treats like Toblerone and Ferrero Rocher. It’s clear they’re truly indulging us and it is topped up twice a day too!

Welcome

Main Bedroom

Bathroom

The bathroom flows from inside to outside and there is an inside and outdoor shower which also connects with the wrap-around swimming pool.

Upstairs Lounge

Housing a pool table, another mini-bar with sweets and soft drinks for children and an outside terrace.

Upstairs Bedroom and Bathroom

Another large bedroom with twin beds (these can be changed to a king-size bed depending on the guest configuration). There is also a large guest bathroom too.

Outdoors and Pool

The private outdoor area is huge with a large dining table, day bed and wrap-around pool. Just a 10-second walk and you reach your own secluded beach area.

Signature Hiyani Service

Being a guest at the hotel means you receive a Signature Hiyani Service. Your personal Hiyani (the word means “shadow”, but is best understood as a butler in this context) will offer a round-the-clock service taking care of everything during your trip and a handy Whatsapp service means assistance is only ever a call or message away.

Bikes

Complimentary bikes are a fun and easy way to get around the island, and if you don’t feel like cycling or walking, use the WhatsApp number to call for an electric buggy which can whisk you to any part of the island in minutes.

Ocean Villas

These unique overwater residences offer stunning ocean views that will leave you in awe. Situated along a private wooden jetty, They include a 35m² infinity pool and a private beach deck, many include an exciting 23-meter water slide taking you on a thrilling journey straight into the sparkling blue Indian Ocean.

The Royal Reserve

At the top end of the accommodation options, lies The Royal Reserve. Not one, but three properties interconnected to form a private palace, which is ideal for those travelling with an entourage of staff, or as part of a large group.

The lead guest stays in the main Sanctuary, with a living area complete with a Bang & Olufsen™ sound system, a private gym, a private spa pavilion, a six-seater jacuzzi with an in-built TV and a deep soaking Kelly Hoppen™ bathtub. A king-sized villa and a twin-bedded villa are also part of The Royal Reserve enclave. Guests receive in-villa dining at the 10-seater table, have access to a chauffeur, 24-hour Hiyani (butler) services and a chef, waiter and spa therapist providing three hours of treatments each day.

Dining On Your Terms

Choose from a selection of fine dining venues, each offering a unique ambience and delectable cuisine. From tantalising Asian flavours inspired by Indian spices at Tradition Saffron to the exotic Arabic mezze delights served at Sangu Beach, and multisensory fine dining at ORIGINƎ, each restaurant has something to suit every occasion, time of day and culinary cravings. Many of the ingredients come from the resort’s own kitchen garden and are freshly procured from the local fishermen. You can also arrange bespoke dining, such as floating breakfasts in your private pool (more on that below) and lantern-lit sunset picnics on the nearby sandbank.

ORIGINƎ

Step into the world of ORIGINE, where dining becomes a mesmerising journey of the senses. This unique culinary escapade offers the opportunity to savour the finest, freshest ingredients transformed into exquisite, fragrant creations that awaken every sense. And there’s an added delight: the in-house sommelier expertly selects the perfect wine companions from a captivating, limited selection of global wines and sparkling delights, culminating in an all-encompassing celebration of flavours beyond imagination!

Sangu Beach And Bar

Head down to Sangu Beach, where you can enjoy a unique blend of Arabic cultures. Delight in the artful fusion of Modern Levant and Moroccan Cuisine, including dishes from various regions such as Morocco, Cyprus, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Syria. From authentic mezze platters to flavourful tagines and mouthwatering shish-tawook, the menu promises a journey through these culinary traditions.

Lunch

Dinner

Tradition Saffron

Experience the enriching gastronomy of India centred around the star ingredient ‘saffron’ – widely used in the Indian subcontinent. Saffron, known for its rarity, visual appeal, and delicate flavour, has been favoured by royalty since ancient times. The restaurant, named after the spice, offers a journey into this heritage with recreated historical Indian recipes, presented in the form of a thali. Enjoy a welcome drink of Moët & Chandon champagne and indulge in an evening of Indian cuisine.

Vista Del Mar

Indulge in an elegant and deeply resonant dining affair, beautifully infused with a rejuvenating ‘By the Ocean’ philosophy, at the all-day dining establishment known as Vista del Mar. This culinary haven offers a global gastronomic journey where you can delve into a selection of exquisite dishes sourced from across the world. The thoughtfully crafted menu spans a diverse array of options: from the purity of fresh sushi and sashimi to the heartwarming embrace of pizzas and pasta; from the aromatic allure of nasi goreng to the comforting warmth of steaming noodle bowls and the irresistible temptation of dim sum creations.

Ozar

The cosy hotel bar, located beside the main pool, offers is open day and night. Throughout the day, it buzzes with activity, offering special RESERVE drinks, elegant high tea, molecular mixology, exotic cocktails, premium coffee, and fresh juices. As the day turns into evening, the bar transforms into an electric hub with sundowners taking the spotlight. While international DJ sets and live music creates the mood to take you into the night.

Breakfast

This takes place in Vista Del Mar and offers a wonderful array of options to start the day, served buffet style with some hot dishes made to order.

Make sure you order the Maldivian Breakfast – this was a real highlight for me. It was absolutely delicious and is made using fresh fish with a kick of spiciness.

Floating Breakfast

Another dining highlight is the floating breakfast which can be pre-ordered and served at your villa, this feast is placed into your pool and allows you to get that Instaworthy breakfast photo.

Memorable Experiences For All Ages

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi has an array of exhilarating activities to offer. Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Maldives with thrilling snorkelling and diving experiences, as well as semi-submarine rides. Embark on a sunset fishing trip or set sail on a private luxury yacht to explore the azure waters. And watch movies under the stars, in the resort’s alfresco cinema.

Families travelling with little ones will appreciate the Kuda Koli Kids Club, a haven of fun and entertainment for children of all ages. Supervised by professional staff, children can engage in their own activities and educational experiences giving parents the freedom for some grown-up time.

And if you want to get up close and personal with stingrays without getting wet, make sure you head along to the daily fish feeding.

Pool Area

Open all day with drinks and snacks served to your daybed, you can easily while away a few hours reading a good book here.

Naturopathic Wellness Journeys

Follow the path of healing and rejuvenation, under the expert guidance of the Ele | Na Spa team. Book overwater and garden-based organic treatments inspired by nature’s elements, at your leisure. Or embark on a comprehensive wellness journey that includes; a pre-arrival consultation, an in-villa welcome, a nutritional plan to suit your itinerary, one wellness practitioner consultation, one spa treatment, one wellness activity per day, complimentary access to workshops, a vegan lunch in the oceanside spa garden, a farewell healthy dinner on the beach and after-care recommendations to take home.

Final Thoughts

Ozen Reserve Bolifushi prides itself on providing an elite and private experience for its guests. With only a limited number of villas and suites, you can relish the tranquillity and seclusion that this magical island sanctuary offers. I can guarantee it’s hard to return to everyday life after a stay here.