LUX* South Ari Atoll – Maldives
On a 28 acre island, floating in the Indian Ocean, and surrounded by over 50 spectacular dive sites, LUX* South Ari Atoll is an exclusive tropical retreat, that showcases the very best of the Maldives. There are four kilometres of white, powdery sand beach, all the way round, with a wealth of wildlife in the reefs just off-shore. This is castaway luxe, from the minute you arrive by private seaplane and feel the sand between your toes – where you can choose to do as little or as much as you like. It’s an island for couples looking for privacy and seclusion, as well as for families after sun, fun and time together.
At A Glance
Luxury Hotel
Why We Love It:
For its exceptional range of dining, water sports and activities – with something to keep everyone smiling.Style:
Contemporary tropical chic.Location:
Southwest of Malé, on the private island of Dhidhoofinolfu.Rooms:
A luxurious selection of beach and overwater villas and pavilions – some with plunge pools and all with dreamy views.Swimming:
Two resort pools and the pristine Indian Ocean.Children:
A big slice of family paradise – with something for all ages.Accessibility:
The resort has good facilities for guests with limited mobility.rooms
Scattered along the beach, amongst swaying palms, or on stilts off shore, surrounded by rainbow coloured fish, the selection of villas and pavilions is a seductive one. Light and airy, with thatched roofs, outside bathrooms and spacious living, each and everyone is a private idyll. The thatched One Bedroom Beach Pavilions are just steps from the water’s edge, making them an ideal romantic hideaway. Or for families, they can accommodate an extra bed, or interconnect.
The even more spacious Beach Villas are roomy and elegant, opening out onto the lagoon. The larger Family Lagoon Pavilions and Family Beach Pavilions have two bedrooms, sleeping up to six with their very own stretch of beach. The Beach Pool Villas come with a private and secluded plunge pool, whilst the Romantic Beach Pool Villas have one overlooking the ocean.
For an overwater experience, the Maldives Water Villas are positively sublime. Dive straight into the ocean from your private terrace, and enjoy open plan living, where your bathtub has floor to ceiling views. The larger Romantic Pool Water Villas come with their own plunge pool, and plenty of outdoor space. Honeymooners might want to head straight for the Temptation Pool Water Villas, with their enormous living space and 14m infinity pool, or possibly the vast and stand-alone LUX* Villa that has a private butler, infinity pool and direct lagoon access.
food
Spread across the island are eight restaurants and five bars, all of which bring you the flavours of the world. And if you’d like a romantic evening, a private chef will come to you, or to a secluded spot amongst the palms. Mixe is right on the beach – in fact the floor is sand – with a delicious international menu. The exotic Senses serves food inspired by Morocco and India, or if you prefer Mediterranean, Allegria cooks everything in an open kitchen.
You’ll find Southeast Asian dishes at East Market and Japanese at Umami. At any one of the bars, enjoy a selection of cocktails, sundowners and light snacks.
activities
On, in and off the water – you’re spoilt for choice. And whatever you choose, you can do it at your own pace. This part of the Indian Ocean has one of the largest and permanent habitats for whale sharks, and a swim or dive with them and the resident marine biologist, promises to be a highlight of your stay. Snorkelers can spot turtles, manta rays and countless fish species from the surface, whilst divers can experience some of the ocean’s most famous sites, and learners can take their first PADI foray.
There are kayaks and paddle boards for guests, and for more adrenalin fueled water sports, there’s waterskiing, flyboarding, tubing, wake boarding, deep sea fishing and private boat trips. LUX* South Ari Atoll has two tennis courts and a very well-equipped fitness centre, with an extensive list of group classes and personal training. The floating and sunset yoga is sure to help you find your inner Zen – if you haven’t already found it! And then maybe, enjoy a treatment in one of the overwater Spa villas.
family
With a welcome ice cream offered the minute you arrive, and a daily entertainment programme for both adults and children, you can see why families love this resort. The kids’ club PLAY has a wonderfully curated programme of age appropriate experiences and activities, with large, well-designed indoor and outdoor spaces, including a dedicated swimming pool. And your little ones can even learn how to make the ice cream.
The Spa has treatments for younger guests and babysitting is available for children over the age of one.
sustainability
With its idyllic and pristine location, LUX* South Ari Atoll takes sustainability very seriously. The resort has a floating solar power system providing a large percentage of energy, and you’ll find no single use or non-degradable plastic in the resort. There’s also an on-site Marine Biology Centre that carries out underwater wildlife research, plants coral and runs adoption programmes.
Location
Dhidhoofinolhu, Maldives
25 minutes by seaplane, southwest of Malé, on the private island of Dhidhoofinolhu.
