SO/ Maldives

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

The hotel

Newly opened in November 2023, SO/ Maldives is a resort that epitomises luxury at every turn. Centred around arts and fashion, you're sure to feel like royalty from the moment you step foot in the arrival pavilion. This feeling is certainly no different when heading to your villa either... Each of the 80 villas are designed with a delicate, minimalistic touch and are curated with all the necessary amenities to ensure the perfect stay. Be it a Beach Villa or an Overwater Villa, the views are simply outstanding and stretch as far as the eye can see. So, it seems only right that they should be enjoyed from your villas own private pool. We think this makes for the ideal spot to grab those all important pictures, because it wouldn't be a trip the Maldives without letting your Instagram followers know, right?! If you're feeling energetic, head over to Lazuli Beach Club to enjoy great vibes, refreshing cocktails and a sunset that's sure to be, one of the best you'll ever see.

Amenities

  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Water Skiing
  • Yoga
  • Honeymoon
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Spa

Where is it

Sat on a private island overlooking the Emboodhoo Lagoon. Transfer time from Malé International Airport: 15 minutes by speedboat.

Hotel information

SO/ Maldives is a luxurious resort, inspired by fashion and art. Each of the 80 villas are created with open plan living in mind and offer sensational views of the lagoon or beach. Each villa comes equipped with Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities and a safe. Lagoon Beach Pool Villas are 228 sqm and is complete with a private garden and plunge pool. Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults.

Board basis options

Bed & Breakfast: breakfast is included at the Citronelle Club.

Half Board: inclusive of dinner with complimentary soft drink and drinking water during meal time at Citronelle Club and Hadaba except for highlighted supplement items.

Full Board: inclusive of lunch and dinner with complimentary soft drinks and drinking water during meal times. Dinner is fully inclusive at Citronelle Club and Hadaba. Lunch is fully inclusive, except for highlighted supplement items at Citronelle Club and Lazuli based on a special menu option.

All Inclusive: inclusive of lunch and dinner with complimentary select alcoholic beverages during meals, soft drinks and drinking water. Dinner is fully inclusive at Citronelle Club and Hadaba except for highlighted supplement items. Lunch is fully inclusive at Citronelle Club and Lazuli based on a special menu option. Mini-bar inclusions with daily one-time replenishment of select items or menu of non-alcoholic/alcoholic beverages are included.

Select alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and drinking water are available from 10:00am until 00:00am at Lazuli Beach Club. Drinks from the Citronelle Club, Hadaba and Pavilion Bar are served only during outlet operational hours.

A minimum 5 night stay receives a one-time spa treatment at the spa for 2 adults per bedroom.

A minimum 7 night stay receives a one-time spa treatment at the spa and one-time excursion (dolphin cruise or sunset cruise) for 2 adults per bedroom.

Ocean Beach Pool Villas are 228 sqm and is complete with a private garden and plunge pool. Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults.

Family Beach Pool Villa with Capsule are 23 8sqm and features two-bedrooms, one of which, a stylishly designed bunk capsule for the kids. The spacious private garden is complete with a private pool and access to your own private beach. Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children.

Two-Bedroom Lagoon Beach Pool Lofts are 322 sqm and set over two floors. The first bedroom features a king-size bed and the other, two single beds, making this perfect for families. The loft also features it's own private pool, mini-bar, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Sleeps a maximum of 4 adults.

Lagoon Water Pool Villas are 120 sqm and feature their own sundeck with private infinity pool. This villa also includes a mini-bar, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults.

Ocean Water Pool Villas are 120 sqm and feature their own sundeck with private infinity pool. This villa also includes a mini-bar, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Sleeps a maximum of 2 adults.

Two-Bedroom Ocean Water Pool Ateliers are 240 sqm and set across two floors. This residence is a slice of paradise with panoramic ocean views and private pool.. This villa has two separate bedrooms, the first of which with a king-size bed and the other, two single beds. The villa is also complete with spacious living and dining areas. This villa also includes a mini-bar, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Sleeps a maximum of 4 adults.

Three-Bedroom Ocean Water Pool Ateliers are a larger 330 sqm and a third bedroom, containing an additional king-size bed. The villa is complete with spacious living and dining areas. This villa also includes a mini-bar, in-room tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Sleeps a maximum of 6 adults.

Citronelle Club (all-day dining, Asian flavours). Lazuli Beach Club (Mediterranean menu). Hadaba (signature restaurant, Levantine cuisine).

Wellness spa* with hammam, steam and sauna, and state-of-the-art gym. Scuba-diving*. Snorkelling. Kayaking. Glass-bottom boat. Cycling. The Nest (kids area). The Zone (teens area).

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: to ensure our customer's safety, we are unable to offer over water accommodation to children under the age of 12.

Please note: check-out is not permitted on 31st December.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (234)
  • Very good (9)
  • Average (4)
  • Poor (1)
  • Terrible (4)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating First time in Maldives - First time at SO.

Nov 21, 2024 mbL464WX Sevenoaks, United Kingdom

First time in the Maldives, first time with So Maldives. Clearly new just one year old, Quality over water bungalows incredible front of House Team, back of house Team, catering Team. The Staff are the real Gem here. The management get it. Food and restaurants incredible, quality just excellent. Spa amazing, Gym very good. Missing leg exercise… Read more
First time in the Maldives, first time with So Maldives. Clearly new just one year old, Quality over water bungalows incredible front of House Team, back of house Team, catering Team. The Staff are the real Gem here. The management get it. Food and restaurants incredible, quality just excellent. Spa amazing, Gym very good. Missing leg exercise machines. Bikes around the island excellent. Boat transport excellent. Annoying bits, Jet ski’s crazy money £7.27 per Minute, twice the price of anywhere I’ve been in the world, spa expensive, over £900 for 4 hours treatments. Booze dear but I get that. Ants on the beach annoying. Other than that incredible. Good job Guys. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating SO Maldives: THE BEST!!!

Nov 20, 2024 FunkininJamaica

Celebrating our 36th year at the SO Maldives was the best choice we could have ever made. It was the most beautiful, friendly and relaxing time ever! Thank you, to our GEM, Mahmoud, for meeting our planning needs, Faarish, our village attendant, for the room service and your talents in decorating our room, and Saifullah, resort manager, we will… Read more
Celebrating our 36th year at the SO Maldives was the best choice we could have ever made. It was the most beautiful, friendly and relaxing time ever! Thank you, to our GEM, Mahmoud, for meeting our planning needs, Faarish, our village attendant, for the room service and your talents in decorating our room, and Saifullah, resort manager, we will never forget your kind and warm spirit of making us feel at home. The memories created will not be forgotten. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating SO/Maldives November 2024

Nov 18, 2024 May K Green Bay, Wisconsin

Best vacation ever. We have gone to Bali, Thailand, Fiji and this is by far the best in regards service, facilities, food, and amenities. Staff super friendly, nice, attentive, and our butler Ahsan was respectful and responsive. We had our privacy but when we needed help he took care of us. Food was excellent, restaurant staff was… Read more
Best vacation ever. We have gone to Bali, Thailand, Fiji and this is by far the best in regards service, facilities, food, and amenities. Staff super friendly, nice, attentive, and our butler Ahsan was respectful and responsive. We had our privacy but when we needed help he took care of us. Food was excellent, restaurant staff was exceptional, facilities just had the perfect amount of people that one can sit and do what you wanted anytime. Just can’t say enough great things about this once in a lifetime trip. Now all my trips will be compared to this experience! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Book this trip! It will be the best thing you ever do.

Nov 18, 2024 Christine D

Staying at So Maldives was above and beyond anything my husband and I expected. From the boat pick-up at the airport, the welcome we received from Ahsan when we arrived at the resort, our overwater bungalow, the views, the food, the service, the people, etc. I could go on forever mentioning everything that made this vacation the best my husband… Read more
Staying at So Maldives was above and beyond anything my husband and I expected. From the boat pick-up at the airport, the welcome we received from Ahsan when we arrived at the resort, our overwater bungalow, the views, the food, the service, the people, etc. I could go on forever mentioning everything that made this vacation the best my husband and I have ever had. This resort island offered bikes for us to use throughout our stay so we could travel throughout the island to get to restaurants, the spa, the beach, the bar, and more with ease. The entire staff at So Maldives was amazing and went above and beyond for us. I would like to call out a few of the staff that made our stay extra special. Ahsan helped us with reservations for the restaurants, spa, and excursions. He always greeted us with a smile throughout our stay and took a few minutes to talk each time we saw him. Luna in Citronelle was the best waitress and greeter we have ever had. She also always had a smile on her face and knew our breakfast drinks each morning bringing them to us before we even asked. Amazing! Lastly I want to mention the snorkeling excursions we went on. Ali helped us with everything we wanted for these excursions and took us on the most impressive snorkeling excursion we ever went on- swimming with nurse sharks. Do not think twice about booking a vacation to So Maldives. Just do it! It will be the best choice you ever made. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating SO / Maldives - UNFORGETTABLE

Nov 17, 2024 635stevez Sydney, Australia

The experience from the very beginning was outstanding. Communication from Mali and the boat trip to SO / was amazing. Upon arriving at SO / Maldives we were greeted by Saifulla (Saif). Nothing short of an outstanding service. Greeted with drinks and cooling towels to getting on a golf buggie taken around the island and shown the different… Read more
The experience from the very beginning was outstanding. Communication from Mali and the boat trip to SO / was amazing. Upon arriving at SO / Maldives we were greeted by Saifulla (Saif). Nothing short of an outstanding service. Greeted with drinks and cooling towels to getting on a golf buggie taken around the island and shown the different restaurants, spa and gym. I couldn’t resist and had the most PERFECT massage I have ever had. That included laying on the best towels from France. Throughout our stay all the staff and I mean all the staff showed us nothing short of royal treatment. We were here for 7 nights celebrating my 50th Birthday. We have travelled to many countries around the world and stayed in many 5 star hotels, but SO / Maldives is second to none along with the hospitality from Aresti the Hotel manager, Saif our host was there for us 24/7. Saif you are exceptional at what you do. The staff throughout the hotel were amazing and we would like to thank them for the effort and time they put in to make our stay so memorable. Many birthday wishes laid out on the bed to the restaurant staff being truly amazing each and everyday. I could not highly recommend SO / Maldives enough. See you again in 2025. Steve & Esta Read less