Planhotel Hospitality Group has reopened the island of Bathala under its Sandies Hotels & Resorts brand, as Sandies Bathala Maldives.
The Swiss hotel company had last year taken over Bathala from local hotel group AAA Hotels & Resorts, which had been operating it as a three-star resort since 2011.
The resort has been upgraded to four-star level after a reconstruction project, which saw the building of all-new overwater villas and major renovations to the beach villas. The resort now features a combination of 73 beach and overwater villas — all fresh and refreshingly simple; there are no TVs in the rooms to help you completely switch off.
Sandies Bathala brings a great-value all-inclusive option to the Ari Atoll. This small island is located along the north-eastern rim of the atoll, just a 15-minute scenic seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, and it has long been a popular spot with divers from all around the globe.
The house reef surrounding the island is stunning, with colourful fish, reef sharks and turtles regularly spotted. Head beyond the reef with the experienced PADI and SSI dive crew of the famous Warner Lau Diving Centre, or venture out on a snorkelling trip where you can stop on a desert island for lunch. Bathala also offers night snorkelling for a totally different perspective of the ocean and marine life. If you prefer a dip in the pool, then the infinity pool here is a great spot to cool off.
For dining, there’s the buffet-style Island Gallery – where all your meals are included – with fresh fish barbecue, live cooking stations and local dishes. The Beach Grill offers freshly caught seafood specialities and fresh lobster menus in a romantic setting on the beach. Guests can quench their thirst at the Island Bar, which is a great place to relax and unwind after exploring the magnificent marine life.
Sandies Hotels & Resorts, part of the Planhotel Hospitality Group, are all-inclusive resorts in exceptional locations, including Kenya and Zanzibar. The brand’s philosophy is to create a simple and friendly atmosphere whilst providing a high level of service.
Planhotel Hospitality Group already runs two resorts in the Maldives under its luxury all-inclusive brand, Diamonds Hotels & Resorts.
The two resorts of Diamonds Thudufushi and Athuruga are located in the magnificent South Ari Atoll, and are accessible by a 20-minute seaplane flight from the main airport. These are ideal resorts to discover the Maldives from a centre of excellence, where attention to detail will make your journey unforgettable.