LUX* South Ari Atoll

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Beach Pool Villa
Romantic Pool Water Villa
Veli Pool
Swimming pool - Senses
Spa
EAST Market
Beach Rouge
Beach Rouge terrace
Spa
Spa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
Temptation Pool Water Villa
East Bar
Romantic Pool Water Villas
Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Beach Pool Villa
Romantic Pool Water Villa
Veli Pool
Swimming pool - Senses
Spa
EAST Market
Beach Rouge
Beach Rouge terrace
Spa
Spa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
LUX* Villa
Temptation Pool Water Villa
East Bar
Romantic Pool Water Villas

The hotel

This stunning resort gives a true insight into island living. As well as being exceedingly laid back, there’s a spontaneous atmosphere with open air cinema on the beach, pop-up musical performances and much more. If you’re a water sport enthusiast you’re in for a treat, the diving here is spectacular, with plenty of underwater sites to explore for beginners to advanced divers. There’s also land sports aplenty, two pools (both fully serviced by poolside bars), two miles of sandy beach and the LUX* Me Spa, an oasis within an oasis. The kids, meanwhile, can engage in a variety of activities at PLAY, including decadent cake decorating and art classes. There are plenty of eateries to choose from: at the core of the island, MIXE offers everything from wood-fired pizzas to grills & stir fries, with a tempting island twist; for Italian cuisine, there is Allegria or head to East Market for Asian-inspired dishes.

Amenities

  • Bicycle Rental
  • Kayaking
  • Scuba Diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis
  • Windsurfing
  • Babysitting service
  • Kids Club
  • Families
  • Bar
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Internet Access

Where is it

On the island of Dhidhoofinolhu in the South Ari Atoll. Transfer time from Malé International Airport: 25 minutes by seaplane (remember to pack light for the seaplane transfer as luggage allowance is 20kg plus 5kg hand luggage, per person).

Hotel information

Choice of thatched roof beach villas/pavilions and overwater villas, including 62 with a private pool. All with air-conditioning, private terrace or balcony, satellite TV, telephone, complimentary WiFi, mini-bar*, tea/coffee-making facilities, safe, hairdryer, iron and board (on request). Beach Pavilions are interconnecting pavilions on the beach with individual outdoor terrace, they have 1 king-size bed plus rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 infant (in baby cot) or 1 child or 1 teen.

Board basis options

Bed & Breakfast: includes breakfast in MIXE or East Market. Juices, coffee, and tea are included in the meal plan package during breakfast time.

Half Board option: includes breakfast in MIXE and East Market. Dinner in MIXE, East Market, Beach Rouge or Senses. A credit of USD 30 per person per meal on the food charges at Umami or Allegria.

Full Board option: includes breakfast in East Market or MIXE. Lunch in Lagoon Bar, Veli Bar, Beach Rouge and Senses. Dinner in MIXE, East Market, Beach Rouge and Senses. A credit of USD 30 per person per meal on the food charges at Umami or Allegria. Still water, sparkling water, soft drinks and Café LUX* coffee are included during your meal only.

All Inclusive option: includes buffet breakfast at MIXE and East Market. Lunch in Lagoon Bar, Veli Bar, Beach Rouge and Senses. Dinner in MIXE, East Market, Beach Rouge and Senses. Pastries at Café LUX* and ice cream at ICI parlour. A credit of USD 30 per person per meal on the food charges at Umami or Allegria. Wide selection of beverages - soft drinks, tea, coffee, beers, wines, sparkling wine, fresh and canned juices, water cocktails, liquors and selected champagne by glass. Access to Wine library featuring 90 premium bottles. Tea/coffee facilities in the villas and coffee at Café LUX*. Mini-bar: water, juice, soft drinks, wines, vodka, gin, beers, sweet and savoury bites are included and replenished daily).

Room upgrades

Beach Villas enjoy magnificent sea views and direct access to the beach and lagoon, with 1 king-size bed, a sofa bed and single rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen.

Beach Pool Villas are on the sunset side of the island, and have a private plunge pool, garden and a direct access to the beach, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen or 1 child or 1 infant.

Family Lagoon Pavilions are a two-bedroom pavilion located on the beach with a common entrance and separate terrace, sleeping maximum 4 adults and 2 children/teens/infants or 2 adults and 4 teens/children/infants.

Two Bedroom Family Beach Pavilions are located on the beach with two entrances and separate terrace, sleeping maxium 4 adults and 2 infants or 2 children or 2 teens , or 2 adults + 2 infants or 4 children or 4 teens.

Water Villas are located directly over the lagoon on the far sunset side of the island and offer optimal privacy and seclusion, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 teens.

Romantic Pool Water Villas are luxurious over-water villas with a private pool offering sunrise views and a direct lagoon access, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

Temptation Pool Water Villas are ideal for couples, with a dedicated living space, spacious wooden deck with dining area and cabana, a 14-metre infinity pool, a glass Jacuzzi room and a circular king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen.

LUX* Villas feature panoramic sunset views at the jetty's end. Glass floored living and dining room, extensive outdoor terrace and lounge area with infinity pool, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen.

9 restaurants; MIXE (feet-in-the-sand international buffet, open for breakfast and dinner), Allegria Restaurant (Mediterranean cuisine, open for dinner), Senses Restaurant (Middle Eastern and Indian ocean cuisine, open for lunch and dinner), East Market (over-the-water Asian market-inspired restaurant, open for European breakfasts and authentic Asian dinners), Umami (Japanese fusion, open for dinner), Beach Rouge (beach club and restaurant, open for all day dining), Cafe LUX* (freshly ground coffee served all day), Veli Pool Bar (all-day poolside drinks, open for lunch), Lagoon Bar (sociable beach bar, open for lunch), Senses Bar and Lounge (cocktails, drinks, teas, light lunches and evening snacks), East Bar (hip over-the-water hangout, open in the evenings). Ice cream once a day from the ICI tricycle.

Daily programme for adults and children including performances by local artists and themed evenings. Cinema Paradiso - open air movies on the beach.

2 swimming pools. Spa*. Fitness centre. Complimentary snorkelling equipment, canoe, pedal boats, kayaks, snorkelling trips to the house reef. Water sports* including diving, tube rides, waterskiing, kite surfing, fishing, flyboarding and windsurfing. Whale shark safaris*. Access to volleyball court and tennis courts with complimentary rackets and balls (upon availability). Bicycles*. Beach yoga. PLAY kids club (3–11 years), Teens programme. Weekly activities cater to different age groups and include fun themes like gardening, cooking, swimming, yoga, storytelling, and more.

 Babysitting* (on request). Laundry service*. 24-hour room service*. Complimentary WiFi in public areas.

4 nights from the 31st December.

* 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.

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
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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6455)
  • Very good (386)
  • Average (88)
  • Poor (31)
  • Terrible (18)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing

Nov 10, 2024 John S

It is truly amazing! I came for the Forbes Audit and the Seaplane experience was the best, Pilot Mr. Abu Bakuru Al- Siddiq was top 👌 he flew the Seaplane very smooth. It was a very rainy days as well but the Hotel is 5 star, I totally recommend this hotel.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Another wonderful family holiday in paradise!

Nov 9, 2024 534rachel Marbella, Spain

This was our third holiday at Lux and I can honestly say it gets better every time! We chose Lux to havs a very special family holiday for my 50th Birthday and it did not disappoint! Never have I had so many birthday cakes in one day, wiith the staff singing happy birthday to me at every opportunity 😂 The service, food and facilities are… Read more
This was our third holiday at Lux and I can honestly say it gets better every time! We chose Lux to havs a very special family holiday for my 50th Birthday and it did not disappoint! Never have I had so many birthday cakes in one day, wiith the staff singing happy birthday to me at every opportunity 😂 The service, food and facilities are outstanding. It is a snorkelling paradise and I highly recommend the dolphin sunrise cruise. The sunset cruise was also lovely and Nilhaan was an excellent and informative host. We prefer to stay in the water villas but all of the rooms are lovely and they have something to suit everyone. The new lagoon rooms with pools look lovely. Our favourite beach restaurant is Senses, it is the best Indian food I have ever had and Subhunni and Sentil are master chefs! East Market is a fabulous over water dining experience with the best buffet selection I have ever experienced. Mr Pong provided us with amazing Thai dishes that had us smiling and full each night. Glenda was also lovely, providing an excellent service. For pre dinner drinks the very best place to go is East Bar where the lovely Mano, Ravi and Allaudin will concoct the most delicious cocktails for you and provide the very best service. Mixe is our choice for breakfast most mornings as it is closer to our water villa and Rimaah always had a friendly welcome for us each day. East Market is also lovely for breakfast with stunning views over the lagoon. For our days lounging on the beach we prefer Senses beach as it is a little quieter there and very close to our water villa. We were also very well looked after at all times by Shahumeen, Moosa, Pintu and Mamun ❤️ The check in/check out is always seamless with a very quick transfer time from the lux lounge at the airport to the resort by seaplane.. Yaameen in the airport on departure is always so lovely and helpful, a real asset to the resort! The buggy service at the resort is regular enough that you arent waiting too long and of course I have to say a big thank you to the star of the resort, Shawcat, the best buggy driver in the Maldives 😁 Our daughter insists Lux is the only Maldive island she will ever return to as nowhere else has Shawcat! She will happiliy spend hours driving up and down the island with him listening to his interesting stories. Thank you to everyone at Lux and we cannot wait to come back and see you all in February ❤️ Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating We had an amazing week!

Nov 6, 2024 Susan V

We had a great time. The hotel managed to never feel overcrowded and was very spacious and intriguingly laid out. It offered a variety of activities, ensuring that a family with children, where the parents enjoy diving, could all find something to their liking. The grounds were beautifully designed..The diving was great, food was delicious, kids… Read more
We had a great time. The hotel managed to never feel overcrowded and was very spacious and intriguingly laid out. It offered a variety of activities, ensuring that a family with children, where the parents enjoy diving, could all find something to their liking. The grounds were beautifully designed..The diving was great, food was delicious, kids had a splendid time. Trip included whale sharks and mantas spotting - a highlight for everyone Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic island, resort and team!

Nov 5, 2024 Rick S

The LUX South Ari Atol is fantastic! This was our second stay there and we had an even better time than the first (if possible)! The hospitality team is amazing — we were remembered by many team members from our visit a yesr ago! We really like the healthy, green focus on cuisine. Our family eats a completely plant based diet and there were… Read more
The LUX South Ari Atol is fantastic! This was our second stay there and we had an even better time than the first (if possible)! The hospitality team is amazing — we were remembered by many team members from our visit a yesr ago! We really like the healthy, green focus on cuisine. Our family eats a completely plant based diet and there were plenty of creative, tasty food options; and the chefs took great initiative in suggesting and creating special dishes for us. The island is beautiful and relaxing, the facilities, including spa, are top notch, and we felt pampered thru our whole experience from being greeted at Male airport to LUX team members assistance checking us back in at the Male airline counter at the end of our trip. I highly recommend this hotel… the whole experience is fantastic. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The best vacation ever

Nov 5, 2024 Maj M San Bruno, California

The Lux resort was the best resort we have ever been to. Everything from the staff including Salwa, who was our main host, to the shuttle drivers like Shawkut, to the excursion team with Aank and his team, everything was a pure dream. We have always wanted to go to the Maldives and we are so happy to have stayed at Lux. The fact that there are… Read more
The Lux resort was the best resort we have ever been to. Everything from the staff including Salwa, who was our main host, to the shuttle drivers like Shawkut, to the excursion team with Aank and his team, everything was a pure dream. We have always wanted to go to the Maldives and we are so happy to have stayed at Lux. The fact that there are so many activities and daily excursions makes it so you never miss anything. My four year old son had the time of his life snorkeling in the ocean with turtles and tropical fish. The whole staff was incredibly accommodating to allow us to bring him along and they were so nice and catering to him. I felt like they were his uncles, the way they went out of their way to converse with him. So thoughtful! We initially stayed at the over water bungalow and it was beautiful. We then switched it up to the beach bungalow and that was perfect for our family. My son and I would wake up at 5 and walk the beach, which was literally outside our door. There were baby sharks in the water right in front of our bungalow, the coolest thing ever! I am so glad to have done the research and select Lux as the resort for our stay. We will definitely be coming back and hope to see the wonderful friends we made again. Thank you for the time of our life and the wonderful memories! Read less