LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas, Maldives
‘All inclusive vegan friendly resort’
Nestled on the atoll of Dhidhoofinolhu, LUX* South Ari Atoll is an island paradise complete with 4km white-gold beach, only 25 minutes away by seaplane from the capital of Malé. There are 187 villas located alongside the beach or perched on stilts over the lagoon each with an outdoor private terrace. The resort has a 5* PADI dive centre and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean is a must along with unique experiences such as viewing the resident whale sharks here. There are two infinity pools, tennis courts, a fitness centre and spa as well as a Kids’ Club to keep the young ones entertained. On the island, there are 8 restaurants including East Market which is an Asian market-inspired venue and UMAMI which is dedicated to the theatrics of resident sushi and teppanyaki knife masters. For aperitifs or after-dinner drinks, there are five bars including Beach Rouge which has a fashionable beach club vibe. Sustainability is incredibly important to Lux* and they won the South Asian Travel Award 2019 as the leading eco-friendly resort. Diversity is also hugely welcome here including solo travellers, families and friends celebrating various chapters in their lives, there is something for everyone.
In Our Opinion
‘Take a Whale Shark Search – they are a sight to behold. In the sheltered lagoon you can snorkel with coral fish, baby black tip reef sharks and sometimes Manta Ray. This is an underwater paradise’
Tables are set out under thatched roofs on the beach and live cooking stations and wood fired ovens provide the food. In the evening enjoy performances by local entertainers. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Inspired by Middle Eastern and Indian Ocean food, Senses specialises in tagines, tandoori dishes and tropical sorbets. Overlooks the infinity pool. Open for light lunch and dinner.
The place for cocktails, rums, liquers, beers and spirits as well as Sri Lankan teas in the afternoon. Open during the day. Afternoon tea from 17.00 – 19.00.
Asian-market inspired restaurant where dishes from Thailand, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines are served from interactive stalls and live cooking stations. The terrace overlooks the ocean. Breakfasts are European, fresh baguettes, pastries and croissants alongside fresh fruits. Open for breakfast and dinner.
Located on the beach and specialising in Italian fare this restaurant and bar presents live cooking stations where pizzas pastas and gnocchi are created. Wine cellar. Open for dinner.
Umami is perched on stilts over the water and is where chefs prepare Japanese-style teppanyaki dishes along with sake and Japanese whiskies. Open for dinner.
Fresh pizzas from a wood-fired oven baked to perfection. A beach club in the Maldives. Open for lunch and dinner.
Poolside venue with far reaching ocean views and refreshing drinks. Open during the day.
On the beach and perfect for the sunrise the Lagoon bar is by the water sports centre and is a laid back watering hole. Open during the day.
LUX*’s very own island coffee blend served here, derived from green organic beans roasted on the island and prepared with care and passion by its baristas. Open during the day.
East Bar is the hip place to hang out, literally! Relax in nets floating above the waters of swing on double seats on the deck. Spend the evening sipping on a chilled drink or socialising. Open in the evening until midnight.
Leisure
- Two swimming pools
- Beach club
- Fitness centre
Land Sports
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Beach yoga
- Cycling*
Water Sports
- Canoes
- Pedal boats
- Kayaks
- Snorkelling
- Topcat sailing*
- Kite surfing*
- Windsurfing*
- Wake boarding*
- Flyboarding*
- Hoverboarding*
Spa & Wellbeing
- 15 spa villas including 4 over water
- Relaxation area with sauna & hammam bath
- Plunge pool
- 1 beauty room
- 1 spa boutique
- Pedicure/manicure facitilities
- Yoga grove
Excursions*
- Whale shark safari
- Speadboat & Dhoni trips
- Sunrise or Sunset fishing
Diving*
The waters around LUX* South Ari Atoll are famous for its collection of beautiful dive sites. The PADI dive centre here at the resort provides two dive sessions, hosted daily with at least one trained monitor for every four divers.
PADI courses:
• Euro Divers five-star PADI certification
• Discover scuba diving
• Scuba diver
• Open water diver
• Nitrox
*Additional charges apply
Services
• Laundry service
• Hotel boutique
• Free internet connection in public areas
• Private lounge at Malé International Airport
*Additional charges apply
Families
LUX* South Ari Atoll welcomes families with children of all ages and offers the following facilities and services to ensure they have an enjoyable stay.
Accommodation
• All room types can accommodate at least one child
• The Family Lagoon Pavilion can accommodate a large family
Dining
• Lunch is served at PLAY between 12:00 – 13:00 for children ages 3 – 12
• High chairs are available
• Allegria Restaurant And Bar is available for dinner 18:00 – 23:00
Beach & Sea
• 4km of sand around the resort
• Calm waters
• White sand
Medical
• There is a doctor located on site
Kids Club
PLAY
Ages
• 3 – 12
Opening times
• 09:00 – 19:00
Indoor activities include
• Coconut painting
• Calligraphy
• Bodu beru dance
• Shell necklace making
• Henna painting
• Palm weaving
• Pirate crafts
• Puppet making
• Yoga classes
• Cake decorating
• Kids disco
Outdoor activities include
• Crab racing
• Treasure hunts
• Teddy tennis
• Banana ride
• Mini Olympics
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Fish feeding
• Visit to a herb and orchid garden
Studio 17
Ages
• 12 – 17
Opening times
• 10:00 – 19:00
Cost
• Complimentary
Indoor activities include:
• Video game consoles
• Soccer table
• Darts
• Billiards
• Table tennis
• Non-alcoholic bar
• Language classes
• Local dance classes
Outdoor activities include:
• Volleyball
• Yoga
• Water sports activities
• Diving
• Excursions
• Cinema night
Babysitting
• A babysitting service is available on request
• One 3 hour session of babysitting per stay is available as part of the LUX* It Up package
You can choose to take an All Inclusive package at this resort; you can also opt for the LUX* It Up as detailed below (subject to change and update)
Included in the All-Inclusive Package:
Food & drinks
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Breakfast at MIXE and East Market
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Lunch at Senses, Veli Pool Bar or Beach Rouge
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Dinner in MIXE, East Market or Beach Rouge
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Afternoon high tea served at Senses Lounge and Bar 15:00 - 17:00
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Soft drinks, tea, coffee, beer, wine, juices, mineral water, cocktails and liquors are available at all restaurants and bars
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Tea & coffee facilities in each room
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Mini bar which includes: water, soft drinks and beers (replenished once per day)
Leisure
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Yoga & stretching classes, access to sauna, steam room plunge pool and spa garden
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Daily use of snorkelling equipment, kayaks, pedal boats and scheduled snorkelling trips on the house reef
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Access to the gym, floodlit tennis courts, table tennis, bocce balls and beach volleyball
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Live music
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Weekly Maldivian cultural performance
Services
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Free Wi-Fi connection in the resort
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Beach service
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Poolside service – available at the Lagoon Bar and Senses beach only
Conditions
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All-Inclusive begins upon arrival and finishes at departure time from hotel for individual guests
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The remaining duration of stay must be on the same meal plan basis
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No compensation in cash or kind will be offered for non-consumed items
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Families or friends travelling as a group or party must be booked under the same package conditions
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All drink and food items are for personal consumption only and must be ordered one at a time. Any drink or food item offered to a non-resident or visitor will be charged at list prices
Not Included
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Unami Restaurant
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Items not included in the menus in the restaurants, bars and minibars
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In villa dining
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Tennis balls
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Cigars / cigarettes / shisha
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Telephone calls, fax, laptop rental and postal services
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Laundry
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Items from the boutiques
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Bicycle rentals
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Private lessons, such as: tennis, sailing, kite-surfing fitness
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Treatments at the spa
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Scuba diving
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Deep sea fishing
-
Excursions
-
Special evenings, events and dinner
An island unlike any other, LUX* South Ari Atoll is the only settlement in the stunning atoll of Dhidhoofinolhu. The captivating scenery certainly lends itself to romance and lovers will find their natural habitat here.
Lux* South Ari Atoll is a romantic destination in the Indian Ocean the perfect spot for a honeymoon. The resort welcomes newly wed couples with the following:
- 60% discount for the second person per night or 30% discount per villa per night on bed & breakfast basis only
- One fruit platter & one bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
- One couple’s massage per stay to be taken between 10.00 – 16.00
Conditions
- Not combinable with any other offers
- Applicable to all room types
- Half Board/Full Board/All-Inclusive supplements remain payable in full
- Cannot be exchanged, refunded or offered to any other person
- Copy of wedding certificate must be sent to booking department
- Wedding certificate must be within 12 months of date of travel
- Applicable for wedding anniversary – 5,10,15,20…
- Not applicable to early check-in/late check-out
- Voucher must specify ‘Honeymoon/Pacs – Same Sex Couple/Wedding Anniversary Special Offer’
The Maldives makes an idyllic destination for your special day, and the resort offers the following packages to help you celebrate.
It is not possible to have a legally recognised wedding in the Maldives; this ceremony is for effect only. Guests may choose to have this ceremony after a legal UK ceremony.
‘Island Dream’ Wedding Package (subject to change)
- Tropical beach set up and coconut lover drink
- Flower bouquet for bride & buttonhole for groom
- Traditional Bodu Beru performance
- Symbolic wedding certificate
- Sparkling wind & wedding cake or selection of tropical fruits
- Palm tree planting ceremony
- Wedding photo shoot including digital album with 40 images
- Tropical decorated buggy
- Sunset Dhoni cruise with sparkling wine & canapes
- Exclusive dinner
- In-villa flowers & romantic bed decoration
- One in-villa breakfast
- One 30 minute Balinese massage for the bridal couple
Conditions
- Drinks are not included other than those stated
- Activities are per couple, per stay
- The ceremony is purely symbolic
- Information is subject to change
Dates and prices on application
- All inclusive resort with access to six restaurants and five bars
- Maldives first recognised "vegan Friendly Hotel"
- Exclusive spa experiences such as Shirley Page signature facials
Room Options
Location
Situated in the South Ari Atoll just 25 minutes by sea plane from the capital Malé, and from the airport. Flights operate during daylight hours.
TRAVEL AWARE – PREPARING FOR SAFE AND HEALTHY TRAVEL ABROAD
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to www.gov.uk/travelaware
Current travel health information can be found by visiting www.travelhealthpro.org.uk a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.
