Maldives
LUX South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Menu
Surrounded by a crystal-clear lagoon and close to some of the best dive sites in the Maldives (including year-round whale shark spotting) LUX* is the perfect place to escape it all.
The extensive beachfront means you are always only a few steps away from the warm Indian Ocean and with 7 restaurants there are plenty of dining experiences to enjoy. Thatched cottages complete with outside showers amongst lush foliage promotes a true castaway feel, with year-round special offers making this stylish yet remote holiday destination surprisingly affordable.
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Facilities & Activities
For those who’d like to enjoy a casual dip, LUX* Maldives has two spacious swimming pools located on the sunset side of the island.
Land-Based activities include beach volley, table tennis, tennis courts, billiards, table football and games machines. There is also a wide variety of water sports including snorkelling, pedal boats and kayaks free of charge whilst windsurfing, banana rides, water-skiing and jet-skiing are also available at a cost. The 5-Star PADI Diving Centre is managed by Euro-Divers, enabling you to make the most of your aquatic adventure under the waves. Free-diving courses are also offered for those seeking to learn a new skill. Daily meeting sessions with the baby reef sharks and rays are also arranged so you don’t even need to dip your toes in the water to interact with the local marine life!
LUX* Me is a unique concept which combines fitness, spa, nutrition, yoga, retreats and experiences into one venue. The unique ‘Me Time’ Menu is designed to tailor-make an experience from luxurious facials, massages and scrubs to invigorating yoga classes and a broad array of dynamic and fun exercise programmes.
In the evening, head out to Musik, the lively island nightclub, where an eclectic mix of rock, salsa and techno mixed by the in-house DJ will have you dancing until the early hours.
LUX* is full of special touches such as free calls home from a traditional red phone box, cinema nights on the beach and messages in bottles heralding free drinks and massages!
Get In Touch
Feeling inspired? Start planning your next adventure by contacting us today.
Dining
Café LUX*offers a really great cup of coffee blended with certified green organic beans, a great place to commence your culinary day!
The Island Kitchen is where guests can sink their feet into the warm sand below while tucking into mouth-watering buffets for breakfast and dinner. Live cooking stations offer everything from wood-fired pizzas and grills to stir-fries with a tempting island twist. In the evening, enjoy genuine island entertainment performed by talented local performers.
Senses, serves delicious fare inspired by North African, Lebanese, Indian and Indian Ocean cuisine, featuring a tempting menu of tagines, tandoori prawns and unique tropical sorbets. Enjoy a light lunch of fresh salads, grills and local seafood, then take a seat at the water’s edge overlooking the infinity pool for an exquisite à la carte dinner under the stars. Guests in the Water Villas also enjoy exclusive use of the restaurant for breakfast.
Senses Bar and Lounge offers a selection of cocktails, rums, liqueurs, beers and spirits, as well as a refreshing selection of Sri Lankan teas in the afternoon. It also offers light Indian Ocean lunches in the shade or by the pool if you don’t feel like visiting one of the more formal restaurants.
East Restaurant and Bar is suspended above the water boasting inspiring views out over the lagoon. The menu features the best of Cambodian, Indonesian, Thai, Sri Lankan, Hong Kong and Chinese-style buffets. The adjacent East Bar offers fresh fruit cocktails and unforgettable local evening entertainment.
If you are seeking a great Pizza for lunch, then head to The Beach Rouge, in the most relaxing setting, right on the soft sands, whilst the Veli Pool Bar is located near the crystal clear swimming pool that extends out to sea, with shimmering views of the lagoon on three sides, offering a casual menu of tasty sandwiches and spring rolls, as well as Mediterranean-style tapas, mezze and antipasti.
Allegria Restaurant and Bar is one of our favourite Indian Ocean venues, offering vibrant Italian flair blended with a lively island ambience. Located right on the beach, this open kitchen allows guests to watch the skilled chefs at work as they create pizzas, pastas and gnocchi dishes. Exclusive arrangements can also be made for small parties to dine in the cellar and indulge in a range cheeses complemented by our exceptional selection of French and New World wines.
Umami is perched on stilts over the water and features a Japanese-style teppanyaki table. Delicate flavours of Kobe beef sushi rolls served with scallops or fresh seaweed and squid salad can be enjoyed here during the evening!
The Island Bar is from where you can watch the sun set over the shimmering water as your sip on a delicious island cocktail or aperitif and tasty canapés whilst the Lagoon Bar located on the beach, facing the sunrise, is your regular laid-back watering hole.
Rooms
Beach Pavilions (65m²) take in all the sights, sounds and colours of authentic island living. Sunlight filters through lofty thatched roofs, while the luxurious bathroom offers a private garden with a refreshing outdoor shower. Connecting sets of these rooms are readily available making up one cottage.
Sunset Junior Suites (70m²) are shaded by sprawling Badamier trees and palms, each spacious suite faces the sunset and enjoys breath-taking views over the ocean. The simple, minimalist design is accented with warm wood and splashes of red and orange inspired by the reef.
Water Villas (71m²) are suspended on stilts over the water and offer incredible views of the Indian Ocean and steps down to the lagoon. Fall asleep to the gentle sound of the ocean, and then sink into a generously sized bathtub with sweeping views out the large bay windows. The more modern Prestige Water Villas (98 m²) come complete with private plunge pool as well as direct access to the sea.
Beach Villas (95m²) incorporate light sand and ochre tones which reflect the beautiful island setting beyond the terrace, while subtle décor echoes the ebb and flow of the ocean. All guestrooms enjoy en suite outdoor bathrooms where the open sky, bright hibiscus and beautiful banana trees provide privacy in a natural setting.
Beach Pool Villas (116m²) are west-facing, and offer sensational views over the lagoon. Native wood accents and light sandy tones bring the natural beauty of island living inside, while a private terrace unfolds into a luxurious living space outdoors. All guestrooms offer en suite bathrooms that open onto a private garden, along with a shower and separate bath. Relax in the privacy of your secluded garden with its sunken swimming pool, wooden deck, sun loungers and invigorating outdoor shower.
The LUX* Villa (360m²) features unparalleled views over the lagoon and island surrounds. Sink into your infinity plunge pool that merges with the lagoon or watch the kaleidoscope of sea life swim beneath your feet through the glass floor in the living room. With a master bedroom suite and guest bedroom both featuring handcrafted LUX* Sleep Tight beds and direct access to the deck, the LUX* Villa is ideal for a party of 4. Make the most of your stay with a 24-hour personal butler to cater to all your needs.
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Family
PLAY offers children between the ages of 3 – 12 years an opportunity to explore the many wonders and delights of island living. Supervised by a highly trained and enthusiastic team, kids are exposed to the nature and culture of the island’s incredible surrounds, as well as a range of high-energy sports and outdoor activities. From art classes and treasure hunts to engaging and educational Teddy Tennis lessons, PLAY is everything your kids could hope for on an island holiday.
Studio 17 is our complimentary teens’ club, where guests between 12 – 17 years can get together, explore the island or just hang out. Run by trained and enthusiastic LUX* supervisors, teens can make the most of their island holiday with loads of activities including local dance and language classes, beach sports activities and exciting adventure trips around the island. Both PLAY and Studio 17 are open every day from 9am to 7pm, with meal options available.
Children’s menu and bespoke meals are available on request at the resort. Whilst 1 child can share most room types, connecting Beach Pavilions (sleeping up to 6 people) make up a private thatched beach villa ideal for families. Family Water Villas incorporating 2 bedrooms are also available for those travelling with strong swimmers, located in an area of the resort offering the best snorkelling.
Sustainability
The hotel has developed a strategy that aims to align with the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. This involves: bringing the local community together, healthcare development, poverty reduction, endemic biodiversity conservation and strong governance and sustainability throughout all decision making.
You can see all the individual projects the hotel runs that encompass all these values on their website.
Location
As the only settlement on the island of Dhidhoofinolhu in South Ari Atoll, this luxury resort offers real insight into unspoiled island living.
The sea plane journey is approximately 25 minutes from Mahe, whilst the option of scheduled flight and short speed boat transfer is also available for those wishing to keep costs down.
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