LUX* South Ari Atoll

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Virgin rating

Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Romantic Pool Water Villa
Veli Pool
Swimming pool - Senses
Spa
EAST Market
Beach Rouge
Beach Rouge terrace
Café LUX*
Spa
Spa
Spa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Romantic Pool Water Villa
Veli Pool
Swimming pool - Senses
Spa
EAST Market
Beach Rouge
Beach Rouge terrace
Café LUX*
Spa
Spa
Spa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa
Lux Villa

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, with private garden with direct access to the beach and outdoor shower, have 1 king-size bed plus rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen or 1 child or 1 infant. Interconnecting pairs available.

All-Inclusive option: includes buffet breakfast: at MIXE and East Market. Lunch: à la carte at Senses Restaurant, Veli Bar, Lagoon Bar and Beach Rouge. Dinner: à la carte at Senses Restaurant and Beach Rouge/buffet at MIXE and East Market. Umami and Allegria are open for dinner only. These restaurants are excluded from the All Inclusive Package but are accessible with 30% discount. For guests staying in LUX* Villa and/or Temptation Pool Water Villa, one dinner at Umami and one dinner at Allergia are included per 7-night stay period. A wide selection of beverages (soft drinks, tea/coffee, beers, wines, sparkling wine, juices, water, cocktails and liquors) as per the scheduled opening hours of the restaurants and bars.

Please note: All-Inclusive is available from your time of arrival until your time of departure. Each restaurant and bar has the 'All-Inclusive' drinks menus available, with full details of all choices included. Some items may incur a supplement. Special evenings, events and dinners are not included. Reservations are mandatory at the spa and its facilities are subject to availability, for adults only.

Beach Villas with outdoor bathrooms, 1 king-size bed, a sofa bed and single rollaway bed, sleeping maximum 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children or 2 adults and 1 teen.

Beach Pool Villas have a private pool and a terrace which unfolds into a luxurious living space, with 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 teen or 1 child or 1 infant.

Family Lagoon Pavilions are next to the lagoon, sleeping maximum 4 adults and 2 children/teens/infants or 2 adults and 4 teens/children/infants.

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

Romantic Pool Water Villas have a private plunge pool and 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.

Lux* Villa feature unparalleled views over the lagoon with an infinity plunge pool, spacious living area with glass floor and direct access to the deck, a master bedroom suite and handcrafted LUX* Sleep Tight bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

  • Book by 15 May 2024 to receive up to 45% off the accommodation costs, plus a complimentary meal upgrade from half board to full board or half board to all-inclusive. Valid for stays between 26 Mar– 31 Jan '25. Terms and conditions apply. Blackout Dates apply. Applies to certain room types. 

8 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 snorkeling equipment, canoe, pedal boats, kayaks,snorkeling 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.

 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
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6137)
  • Very good (381)
  • Average (86)
  • Poor (30)
  • Terrible (17)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Trip of a lifetime!

Apr 28, 2024 Fátima L Stockholm, Sweden

Went on a momcation to Lux South Ari Atoll and it was an exceptional experience, a trip of a lifetime! Everything was from out of this world: the food, wine, service, suite, the lagoon... Giada really stood out in terms of service - she was exceptionally professional, friendly, and always went above and beyond to make sure my experience was… Read more
Went on a momcation to Lux South Ari Atoll and it was an exceptional experience, a trip of a lifetime! Everything was from out of this world: the food, wine, service, suite, the lagoon... Giada really stood out in terms of service - she was exceptionally professional, friendly, and always went above and beyond to make sure my experience was unforgettable. She even took pictures of me, as I was traveling on my own. The staff on this island are unbelievable, they are so happy to make your stay incredible, and do it with a huge smile on their face. Also, thanks to the gentleman that looked after my Villa, he was very respectful, courteous, and such an exceptional guy. It's no surprise that they have many repeat customers. I will definitely be returning with my family next time and also recommend it to my friends. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An unbeatable Maldives experience

Apr 28, 2024 Harrison M

The perfect getaway for a family or couple. No stone was left unturned with the service and hospitality. I would recommend LUX to everyone and anyone who is looking to visit the Maldives. A magical place of which we will be back very soon. We can’t wait to see the team again. Thank you
Image of the Tripadvisor rating 5th visit and can't wait to go back

Apr 27, 2024 jimbo1Surrey surrey

We have been back a few weeks now and we are still sad about leaving and planning how we can come back!! This was our fifth trip to Lux south and each trip just gets better and better! It truly is the most magical place not just the scenery, but this place is made magical because of the staff. The staff treat you like family and are genuinely… Read more
We have been back a few weeks now and we are still sad about leaving and planning how we can come back!! This was our fifth trip to Lux south and each trip just gets better and better! It truly is the most magical place not just the scenery, but this place is made magical because of the staff. The staff treat you like family and are genuinely happy to see you, they especially love to see returning guests. It is the staff that will make your holiday the best it can possibly be. Please talk to the staff, the knowledge they have and can share is worth asking about, not just about the Maldives but from their own home countries is just incredible, after all travelling is a learning experience make the most of the time you have with the team there! We must mention some of the staff that have made our trip extra special, some of which we have met on several trips to Lux, Senses bar, one of our absolute favourites, lovely place to watch the sunset. Jino was amazing making us cocktails based on which drinks we like. He would talk to us in great detail about the wine we ordered and gave us some great advice in what would go well with our meal choices. Pintu, well what a true gentleman. We have had the pleasure to meet Pintu on many trips now and he has always been amazing always very attentive to the guests. Thank you Pintu hope to see you soon! Sangeeth asked the senses chef to come and meet with us to talk about the meals we like, Subhuni the chef made us some off menu meals during our stay which were some of the best curries I’ve ever tried! Elena was our personal contact of which we have had the pleasure of meeting on nearly all of our trips. She made sure all of our reservations were taken care of and let us know daily of all events happening. Any questions she answered immediately. Lagoon bar was perfect for lunch, close by our water bungalow and Shanny was so lovely warm and welcoming even remembered our room number and drinks every lunch time. Such a true lovely lady! East market Supervisor Azmeel wow what a happy guy, he took time out of every shift to speak with us to talk about local Maldivian matters. So interesting. We were lucky enough to enjoy a Microbiology talk one evening in senses bar. Wow how interesting and concerning. Please go along and listen you will learn so much. Beach rouge another favourite, great place to listen to the sunset DJ whom is amazing. Pulkit & Rafhan are the best servers they get the drinks flowing quickly and are very attentive to the guests. Handhoon gets the party going once the disco starts, he encouraged guests to dance if they want to and really has a great vibe about him. Keep the party going Handhoon! Moosa was so great in advising food choices and asking the chef to speak to us. He noticed our phones were not working as we were trying to contact our daughters and offered us to hotspot to his wifi. So thankful for his kindness. Sangeeth has been our absolute favourite staff member since our first visit, he’s always making sure everyone is having a good time and at hand if anything needs seeing to, his attention to the details that matter are the best, he is a credit to LUX and can’t wait to see him and his team at Lux again. This place just gets better and better! Can’t wait to see you all again! Thank you team for organising our special room requests we appreciate this very much 😊 If your thinking of going here, the only tip we can give you is stoping thinking about it and book it you will have the time of your life Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A perfect vacation on a perfect place

Apr 26, 2024 Veska T Sofia, Bulgaria

We had a perfect vacation and everything was great -the food, villa and the personnel. Salwa was so polite and did her best to do everything for us.We recommended the hotel to our friends and they will go in november.A perfect place! Veska Tsanova
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fabulous resort

Apr 26, 2024 Destination631815 Galway, Ireland

Amazing resort. Food was lovely across the resort, we tried the Japanese restaurant and had the best Indian meal in Senses. Great choice at breakfast and at the buffets. We stayed in an overwater villa with a pool which I would highly recommend. Anfal kept our room spotless every day and nothing was too much of an ask. The only thing that stops… Read more
Amazing resort. Food was lovely across the resort, we tried the Japanese restaurant and had the best Indian meal in Senses. Great choice at breakfast and at the buffets. We stayed in an overwater villa with a pool which I would highly recommend. Anfal kept our room spotless every day and nothing was too much of an ask. The only thing that stops it getting a 5 star rating is the fact that we were lied to in relation to departing on the seaplane. Our flight was at 11:40pm and we were told the last seaplane to the airport was 3pm. We later discovered that other guests flew after 5pm which was actually the last seaplane. This is extremely disappointing behaviour from the LUX staff. Read less