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 or 1 child.  

Romantic Pool Water Villas have a private plunge pool and 1 king-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults and 1 child.

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 child.

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.

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.

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 (5939)
  • Very good (371)
  • Average (86)
  • Poor (29)
  • Terrible (16)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Relaxing and Lively, Everything you Need

Dec 1, 2023 Diz1981 London, United Kingdom

This was our second time here and we’re so glad we came again. We had so many fond memories the first time around and the island was more beautiful than we remembered! The resort is magical! It is so well maintained with lush palm trees and white sand beaches. The water is crystal clear and so warm. It strikes a great balance of being relaxing… Read more
This was our second time here and we’re so glad we came again. We had so many fond memories the first time around and the island was more beautiful than we remembered! The resort is magical! It is so well maintained with lush palm trees and white sand beaches. The water is crystal clear and so warm. It strikes a great balance of being relaxing and calm yet lively and buzzing. It really does feel like you get several resorts in one here. We had days where we lounged by the pool and read our books and other days on the beach where we swam in the warm clear waters. We hired cycles for a couple of days and just cycled up and down the island (approx 2.5km long). We tried morning and sunset yoga which was actually pretty tough! We did some snorkelling and kayaking too which was great fun. There are also lots of quirky things like a coffee house and ice cream bar which I loved. Twice a week there is an outdoor cinema which showed some really good films. There is also a quiz night (which we won ;)) and a pool table. Most nights the various bars have DJs and play music till the early hours. Our favourite memories include: - Senthil and team at Mixe. The service was friendly every single day and they were all so attentive. Rimaah is an absolute star - the food at Mixe for Maldivian nights and Seafood nights was exceptional. The lobster and oysters were devine! - You have to go to the spa and have a massage in the over water bungalows. - One night we saw manta rays by reception which was magical. - Allan at the teriyaki restaurant was very entertaining too Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Great Place to celebrate Life

Nov 29, 2023 Lyes B Munich, Germany

The LUX ressort is a fantastic place to enjoy vacation, great cuisine, nice cocktails and greats dives! The beach villa was fantastic, enough space, nice beach! We had all inclusive and could enjoy the 5 restaurants on the island. Fom Maledivian, India, Japanese, Italian or Mixed food, an incredible choice and excellent! Special Thanks to… Read more
The LUX ressort is a fantastic place to enjoy vacation, great cuisine, nice cocktails and greats dives! The beach villa was fantastic, enough space, nice beach! We had all inclusive and could enjoy the 5 restaurants on the island. Fom Maledivian, India, Japanese, Italian or Mixed food, an incredible choice and excellent! Special Thanks to Barun & Senthil who guide us into the local food specialties: fantastic! Thanks to the Euro-Dives team and all LUX-Ressort team! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE SERVICE PROVIDER LUX SOUTH ARI ATOLL THANK YOU MR, ZAHIR

Nov 29, 2023 BERY N

We had a very good time at LUX, especially,, because of the local people, we want to. Give SPECIAL, thank particular to. tha LOCAL, employees, they were really, fantastic, you get to know the better during your stay and it feel like family,. 1,MUAZ( housekeeper how took care of our VILLA)… Read more
We had a very good time at LUX, especially,, because of the local people, we want to. Give SPECIAL, thank particular to. tha LOCAL, employees, they were really, fantastic, you get to know the better during your stay and it feel like family,. 1,MUAZ( housekeeper how took care of our VILLA) extremely friendly guy who works to make your holiday amazing 2,(last but most important is) ZAHIR,(our server at MIXE) he is very lovely professional GREAT, table server, works with PASSION, is intrinsically very SMART, person, does good without expecting in return , I am very glad that I have met her, Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Incredible place to stay

Nov 27, 2023 Vicki L Coorabell

AMAZING!! Every aspect of this place was beautiful, stunning and an incredible dreamy paradise. Attention to detail was great, the food was exquisite and they made our whole experience special. Everyone was friendly, helpful and they would go out of their way to make sure you were enjoying your stay. Oscar was a great snorkel tour guide!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best Family Vacation

Nov 27, 2023 Andy J

This was our 1st full family vacation in about 5 years. I had been communicating with LUX via email about 6 months in advance. They were so great in answering my so many questions. Thank you Delarne and team. On arrival at LUX it was just such an amazing warm welcome by the staff. Max was our first contact who explained everything we needed for… Read more
This was our 1st full family vacation in about 5 years. I had been communicating with LUX via email about 6 months in advance. They were so great in answering my so many questions. Thank you Delarne and team. On arrival at LUX it was just such an amazing warm welcome by the staff. Max was our first contact who explained everything we needed for our stay. John the GM introduced himself also. My wife was concerned about her diet restrictions would be an issue. However, a very kind gentleman by the name of Barun went out of his way to ensure she had food that she could eat. Rimah was also very lovely in assisting us with any needs. Thank you for arranging with Mofizul to return my daughter's sweater she forgot at dinner. Juash was also great at the customer service desk in assisting me on our last night. Thank you Mofizul for your entertaining rides back and from our villa. We were so happy to see you when you were our driver. Everyone else was also amazing with great customer service could not get all their names. The meals were amazing with so many choices. There were so many activities to choose from never a dull moment. We were a little disappointed on the whale shark tour as there were none to be seen. However this is mother nature so no fault of the tour. They actually gave a discount due to this. This will be another reason for my return to LUX. On one day we had a lot of rain, but due to the amount of activities available and the kindness of all the staff we never actually felt disappointed. Would definitely return again. Read less