Leroy Colin Dias, an accomplished hospitality professional with a passion for excellence, joined THE OZEN COLLECTION in 2021 as Director of Food & Beverage at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. With over 15 years of industry experience spanning renowned luxury brands, Leroy has been instrumental in driving guest satisfaction and operational success. His leadership, strategic mindset, and ability to foster high-performing teams led to his promotion to Executive Assistant Manager in 2024. Now, as Resort Manager, Leroy brings his expertise in service excellence, revenue growth, and team empowerment to further enhance the resort’s reputation. With a strong background in curating exceptional dining experiences and elevating service standards, he is well positioned to lead with vision and innovation in his new role.
How would you position the hotel in the luxury segment?
We position ourselves as the destination for transformative experiences – where cutting-edge design meets untouched natural beauty, and where every villa becomes a private sanctuary with dedicated Guru butlers anticipating guests’ unspoken desires. What truly differentiates us is our RESERVE™ Plan concept: an uncompromising all-inclusive experience that blends generosity with à la carte exclusivity. Unlike conventional luxury resorts, we offer not just accommodation but curated journeys and memories that last.
Where we are now is heaven on earth. Would you kindly introduce your hotel?
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI occupies the pinnacle of Maldivian luxury, and what truly stands out is our RESERVE experience – an uncompromising standard of privacy, bespoke service, and an all-inclusive indulgence that goes beyond expectations. Three features distinguish our RESERVE experience: firstly, every villa comes with personalised butler service; secondly, guests enjoy a selection of fine wines, premium spirits, and exceptional dining options; and thirdly, the entire stay is designed as a seamless journey of indulgence.
Would you tell us more about your wine programme? It sounds very interesting.
Our wine programme is fundamentally about creating meaningful connections between discerning oenophiles and visionary vintners who share our philosophy of authenticity. We’ve carefully curated relationships with vineyards that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to organic viticulture and sustainable production practices at every stage.
Our temperature-controlled cellar, housing some 1,560 bottles representing 368 distinctive labels, serves as a veritable temple to the vintner’s art. This extensive collection enables us to offer guests truly exceptional experiences – from intimate tutored tastings that explore nuanced terroirs to bespoke wine pairing dinners where each course finds its perfect liquid counterpart.
It’s more than a wine list; it’s an ongoing dialogue between passionate producers and curious connoisseurs, with our sommeliers serving as knowledgeable interpreters of this delicious narrative.
Do you have a dedicated person who selects the wines?
Indeed, our parent company Atmosphere Core has a dedicated Director of Wines who works closely with organic vineyards across Spain, France, and Italy. This collaboration ensures every producer in our portfolio meets rigorous sustainability standards – a truly rewarding partnership that elevates our offerings.
Let us continue with commercial questions. How is the occupancy of the hotel nowadays?
Our occupancy naturally varies with seasonal trends, though we’ve observed a notable shift in travel patterns – even traditionally low seasons now experience remarkably high occupancy. Currently, we are technically in what would be considered the low season, yet we continue to welcome a distinct segment of travellers who deliberately choose this period for their visits. This trend has resulted in sustained high occupancy rates, reflecting evolving preferences in the luxury travel market.
What do you do when the market is not so strong and you have a low season?
When occupancy is lower than expected, our team focuses on a sales strategy that adds value to the guest experience. This could take the form of additional services beyond the usual offering, which attracts curiosity and encourages guests to come and experience OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI.
Where do most of your guests come from?
Our number one market segment currently is Greater China, followed by Russia and then the United Kingdom. Beyond that, we also welcome guests from other parts of Europe, such as Italy, Spain, and Germany, as well as Central European countries. Of course, this depends on seasonal flight movements.
How would you evaluate your sales and marketing policy?
Our sales and marketing strategy is highly targeted and well structured. We maintain close partnerships with leading travel advisors globally, supported by a dedicated international sales and marketing team. This network, strategically positioned across key markets in Europe, the UK, Asia, and the subcontinent, ensures we engage travellers effectively through both online and offline channels. Each region is serviced by specialised local agencies, allowing us to deliver tailored outreach and maximise our presence in these priority markets.
Do you have any development in Central Europe, especially in our country?
Currently, our core operations remain centred in the Maldives. However, THE OZEN COLLECTION has an exciting pipeline of upcoming properties across Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Nandi Hills in India; South Malé Atoll in the Maldives; and Tangalle in Sri Lanka. Additionally, with our parent company Atmosphere Core recently announcing a new property in Italy, we anticipate further expansion beyond these regions in the near future.
How many travellers do you have from Central Europe and Hungary?
At present, we welcome relatively few visitors from Central Europe to both our property and the Maldives in general – likely due to limited flight connectivity. Nevertheless, we recognise the importance of diversifying our guest demographics. This understanding underpins our strategic focus on expanding into new markets. As part of this initiative, we are currently establishing a dedicated sales presence across Central Europe to cultivate these emerging markets more effectively.
You have an ultra-luxury part of the hotel that we visited yesterday. As I know, you also won some prizes for this. Can you tell us more?
Our most recent accolade comes from the World Travel Awards, where OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI was honoured as the Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa for the Royal RESERVE. This marks our third consecutive win in this prestigious category (2023, 2024, and 2025). The Royal RESERVE has become a preferred retreat for an exclusive clientele, including distinguished diplomats, renowned athletes, and celebrated actors – each drawn to its unparalleled privacy and bespoke luxury.
What feedback do you receive from guests?
Our guests consistently praise three defining pillars of the OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI experience: firstly, our impeccably personalised butler service complemented by curated fine wines and premium dining; secondly, our privileged marine location featuring one of the Maldives’ most vibrant house reefs; and thirdly, our architectural philosophy that masterfully preserves Maldivian heritage while embodying timeless elegance. These elements combine to create what travellers describe as the quintessential Maldivian luxury experience.
At which professional exhibitions do you take part?
At THE OZEN COLLECTION, we maintain an active presence at the world’s leading travel trade shows, including WTM London, ATM Dubai, ITB Berlin, and ILTM Cannes – as part of our comprehensive global engagement strategy. These prestigious platforms enable us to strengthen existing partnerships while cultivating new relationships across key markets, ensuring our brand remains highly visible to both trade professionals and discerning travellers worldwide.
How many days or weeks does a family usually spend here?
The average length of stay is six to eight nights. Different markets and regions show varying patterns, particularly during school holidays, Christmas, and New Year.
You are very close to the international airport. I suppose this is a big advantage for the hotel.
Indeed, this is a significant advantage for all types of travellers, especially families. As a dedicated family resort, we understand that after arriving in Malé, guests – particularly those with children – are eager to settle into their holiday without delay. Our proximity eliminates the need for additional transfers via seaplane or domestic flight, allowing families to commence their retreat the moment they touch down. With the recently opened new terminal at Velana International Airport, we are eager to welcome even more guests in the future.
And how do guests find out about the hotel?
Guests discover OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI through our multi-channel approach: strategic partnerships with luxury travel advisors, targeted digital campaigns across premium platforms such as luxury lifestyle magazines, news outlets, and travel channels, as well as our active presence at elite trade shows including ILTM and ITB. Our parent company, Atmosphere Core, further amplifies visibility through its global network. Most importantly, word of mouth from our discerning repeat guests remains our most valued endorsement.
What unique things does the island offer?
Three elements define our uniqueness: firstly, our architectural harmony – where Maldivian craftsmanship meets contemporary luxury across just 90 villas. Secondly, the extraordinary house reef, teeming with marine life just steps from the overwater villas. Thirdly, our RESERVE™ Plan, which redefines all-inclusive luxury with 24/7 butler service, premium wines and spirits, and exclusive gastronomic experiences.
How long has the hotel been operating here? Was it always the same?
The property originally opened under a different brand in 2016 before we reimagined it under THE OZEN COLLECTION in 2021. The transformation was comprehensive – we retained the Maldivian architectural soul while elevating every detail to our exacting standards, from marine conservation programmes to champagne rituals at sunset.
In what features is it outstanding compared to other high-end hotels?
Where we truly stand apart is in balancing authentic Maldivian character with uncompromising luxury. Unlike larger resorts, we offer extraordinary privacy (our staff-to-guest ratio is 3:1) while maintaining genuine cultural touches – from local artisan workshops that honour island traditions. Our sustainability initiatives, like the coral regeneration project, further differentiate us.
How many employees do you have, and how is their work organised?
Our resort operates with a dedicated team of 350 permanent staff across 11 departments, spanning both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Each department is led by a Director or Manager, supported by assistant managers and supervisors. Staff work an 8-hour day, inclusive of meal and prayer breaks, with some departments operating on split shifts.
Operations are scaled according to occupancy levels, ensuring optimal service while maintaining a work-life balance for our team. All employees are entitled to one weekly rest day, 30 days of paid annual leave, and government-mandated public holidays. This structure allows us to maintain consistent service standards while prioritising staff well-being.
