Some 4km of unspoilt beaches ring this delightfully expansive island, which charms its visitors with a combination of exceptional natural beauty, fine-dining and superlative scuba diving.
Why you'll love it here
- One of the Maldives’ biggest resorts with plenty of activities
- Head to Blu Bar for a weekly DJ night and dancing
- Enjoy breakfast in the Asian Market with its own tea corner
- Take excursions to see the famed whale sharks that reside in nearby waters
Best For
- Honeymoon, Family, Kids (4-12), Teens (13+)
Sarah
Travel Specialist
Your holiday always includes
- Premium lounge passes at UK airports
- VIP meet & greet service at departure
- Private transfers to and from your hotel
- Personal concierge service throughout
- 24/7 assistance when travelling
- The first-hand knowledge of our team
Full accommodation information
Hotel information
This is the place for a real getaway.
LUX* South Ari Atoll was designed with a desire to preserve the natural environment and is a successful marriage of contemporary style with traditional Maldivian tones. This island jewel is home to some of the finest diving imaginable and offers guests a range of deluxe accommodation along 4 kilometres of white sandy beaches.
All accommodation is either located on the stunning beach, of which there is 4 kilometres, or perched over the sparkling lagoon. With eight restaurants, five bars & Café LUX*, guests are spoilt for choice and can enjoy a wealth of island-inspired & international cuisine. Why not enjoy a tailor-made spa treatment at the LUX* Me Spa, or simply relax by one of the two pools whilst enjoying a homemade ICI ice cream.
If activity is more your thing, watersports are plentiful and in a prime location for whale sharks, rays and other marine life, snorkelling, whale shark safaris and diving are not to be missed. Above the waterline and below, LUX* South Ari Atoll will always delight.
Room Options
Combining authentic island living with the ultimate in luxury, the resort’s 193 pavilions and villas feature understated décor with neutral tones, plush furnishings and stunning Indian Ocean views from their private terrace or balcony.
Beach Pavilion
Sleeps: 2 Adults , 1 Child
Alongside a luxurious bedroom and bathroom, the thatched Beach Pavilion offers a private garden with direct access to the beach, complete with an impressive outdoor shower.
Beach Villa
Sleeps: 2 Adults , 2 Children
A private outdoor bathtub is surrounded by banana trees and overlooks the ocean. Inside, the spacious bedroom is joined by an elegant en suite bathroom.
Beach Pool Villa
Sleeps: 2 Adults , 1 Child
Offering the same glorious facilities as the Beach Villa, this beautiful accommodation also features a sundeck with sunken plunge pool and luxurious loungers.
Family Lagoon Pavilion
Sleeps: 4 Adults , 2 Children
Designed with families in mind, this spacious pavilion overlooks the tranquil lagoon, featuring two comfortable bedrooms.
Water Villa
Sleeps: 3 Adults
Suspended above the crystalline Indian Ocean, the Water Villa comprises a king-size bedroom, huge bathroom and sun deck with oversized sun beds. Enjoy direct access to the lagoon.
Romantic Pool Water Villa
Sleeps: 2 Adults
Luxurious and incredibly romantic, this aptly-named villa sits directly over the lagoon. A LUX* Signature ‘Sleep Tight’ bed, Home Theatre system, private pool on a secluded terrace, and a cosy ‘love-nest’ overlooking the turquoise ocean.
Temptation Pool Water Villa
Sleeps: 2 Adults
Floor-to-ceiling windows light up the Temptation Pool Water Villa. Designed for couples, the accommodation includes an al fresco dining area, plush cabana, private infinity pool and luxurious round master-bed.Facilities/Amenities
LUX* South Ari Atoll features two stunning infinity pools, an over-water spa, a fully-equipped fitness centre and a yoga grove overlooking the Indian Ocean. A kids’ club, teen club and babysitting services are available for treasured younger guests, while eight restaurants and six bars ensure that you will never be stuck for choice when it comes to dining and entertainment.
For an active escape, tennis courts, a watersports centre and PADI dive centre are yours to enjoy. Meanwhile, the knowledgeable concierge service can recommend and arrange an array of incredible island excursions and activities. Allowing you to remain connected to the world outside of this Maldivian paradise, complimentary Wifi is offered throughout the resort.
- All Inclusive
- Dive Centre
- Gym/Fitness Centre
- House Reef
- Motorised Watersports
- Overwater Villas
- Spa/Wellness Facilities
- Tennis
Restaurants & Bars
Home to nine distinctive eateries, LUX* South Ari Atoll guarantees an exciting and varied gastronomic adventure.
MIXE gives a true taste of island living, offering tables on the sand and a menu of locally-sourced produce, alongside live performers in the evening. East Market resembles an authentic Asian market, serving incredible dishes from Thailand, China, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, while Senses Restaurant overlooks the infinity pool, offering a fresh menu of Middle Eastern and Indian Ocean cuisine. Enjoy flavoursome Mediterranean cuisine in Allegria, dramatic and delicious teppanyaki at Umami, or a mouth-watering wood-fired pizza at Beach Rouge.
Café LUX* serves excellent coffee all day long; Senses Bar and Lounge offers light lunches and exotic cocktails; the atmospheric East Bar sits above the lagoon; Veli Bar lies right next to the impressive swimming pool; while the laid-back Lagoon Bar is located right next to the watersports centre.
MIXE
MIXE, the main beachside restaurant, features a sandy floor beneath thatched roofs and breezy fans. Savour global dishes — from wood-fired pizzas to stir-fries — prepared in a vibrant open kitchen for breakfast and dinner. By night, live local performers enhance the lively atmosphere, creating an unforgettable sensory dining experience.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Senses
Perched at the infinity pool’s edge, Senses blends sea vistas with vibrant flavours. Enjoy freshly caught fish, grilled seafood, Moroccan tagines and Indian Ocean–inspired curries, alongside colourful tropical cocktails and ice-cold beers. Dine poolside by day or beneath a starry sky for an unforgettable sensory journey.
- Lunch
- Dinner
Allegria
Allegria transports you from the Maldives to the Mediterranean with Italian comfort food. Watch chefs in the open kitchen craft homemade pasta, gnocchi, fresh seafood and wood-fired pizzas. Dine on the stunning beachfront deck or reserve an intimate private table for an unforgettable seaside Italian feast.
- Dinner
UMAMI
UMAMI offers chic, contemporary Japanese dining where you can perch at the cobalt-blue bar and watch chefs craft sashimi, nigiri and maki. Kobe beef and Australian lamb sizzle on the robata grill while teppanyaki unfolds before you. With 30 saké varieties and fine Japanese whiskies, every toast is epic.
- Dinner
Cafe Lux
Café LUX* is your go-to for exceptional barista-crafted coffee, day or night. Experience the rich flavours of the beans roasted onsite with an aromatic behind-the-scenes tour, and keep pace with trends like Cold Press, Pour Over and Nitro. Situated at the heart of LUX* South Ari Atoll, it’s where coffee lovers gather for truly fresh brews.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Veli Bar
Perched beside the Veli Pool at the water’s edge — with the sea and lagoon on three sides — Veli Pool Bar offers refreshing cocktails and light bites. Relax by the crystal-clear pool, soaking up panoramic aquatic vistas as you sip chilled drinks in this serene overwater retreat.
- Lunch
Beach Rouge
Situated on the soft-sand beach, the Beach Club & Restaurant offers wood-fired pizzas with crisp thin crusts and fresh toppings, alongside salads and grilled Mediterranean seafood. Sink your toes in the sand, savour panoramic lagoon views and feel the ocean breeze as you eat and make merry in relaxed style.
- Lunch
- Dinner
East Market
East Market, our overwater South-East Asian restaurant, evokes bustling night markets with a market-style open kitchen serving vibrant breakfast and dinner dishes — from fiery curries to steamed dim sum. Adjacent East Bar perches on stilts over the lagoon, offering panoramic lagoon views and expertly mixed cocktails for an authentic Maldives experience.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Lagoon Bar
Situated just a few steps away from the beach and watersports centre, this sociable bar offers front-row sunrise views. Relax to island soundtracks and reggae vibes as you swap stories of dives and water adventures. A laid-back favourite, it’s the perfect spot for post-activity refreshments and memorable moments by the sea.
- Lunch
Activities & Entertainment
Truly embracing its Indian Ocean location, the resort offers a selection of adrenalin-pumping watersports from its own fully-equipped centre – including windsurfing, wakeboarding, kite surfing, hoverboarding and flyboarding. The designated PADI dive centre provides full training, allowing you to discover the incredible marine life beneath the ocean’s surface.
On land, tennis, cycling and volleyball are yours to enjoy, while yoga from the beach-facing Yoga Grove ensures that you unwind, relax and connect with your surroundings. Continuing this feeling of calm, the LUX* Me Spa offers a menu of rejuvenating treatments in a tranquil over-water pavilion.
Not forgetting the little guests, the resort houses PLAY, a club for children aged three to 12 years, allowing them to discover the nature and culture of this enchanting island, while making new friends. Activities include treasure hunts, locally-inspired art workshops, sports classes and more! For those aged between 12 and 17 years old, Studio 17 also offers a great programme of enriching experiences – including language classes, beach sports and even (fully supervised) excursions around the island.
Sustainability Initiatives & Responsible Tourism
The picturesque South Ari Atoll is home to a cluster of beautiful islands. And the faraway tropical paradise that is LUX* Maldives South Ari Atoll is determined to support the global conscious travelling trend with an array of sustainable initiatives.
Every plastic bottle is replaced with bamboo fibre alternatives and the island's own water plant has saved over 810,000 plastic bottles since 2011. The property even features one of the world’s largest floating solar systems at sea.
While also powering the island cruiser bikes with the bright Maldivian sunshine, the eco-friendly measure helps save more than 260,000 litres of diesel per year.
All Inclusive Information
The LUX* South Ari Atoll all-inclusive programme includes the following:
- Buffet breakfast and dinner at MIXE or East Market
- A la carte lunch and dinner at Senses
- A la carte lunch and dinner at Beach Rouge
- A la carte lunch at Veli Bar
- A la carte lunch at Lagoon Bar
- A 30USD credit per person to have dinner at Umami, serving Japanese cuisine
- A 30USD credit per person to have dinner at Allegria, serving Italian cuisine
- Coffee, tea and pastries throughout the day at Cafe LUX
- Ice creams throughout the day at ICI
- In-room mini bar replenished once a day offering water, juices, green tea, soft drinks, wines, vodka, gin, beers and sweet & salty bites
- A wide selection of beverages (soft drinks, tea, coffee, beers, wines, sparkling wine, fresh seasonal or canned juices, water, cocktail, champagne by glass and liquors) available in all bars and restaurants
- Daily use of snorkelling equipment, kayaks, pedal boats and scheduled snorkelling trips on the house reef (dependent on weather and tide conditions)
Charges may be applied at certain restaurants, including speciality dishes and some premium beverages, as well as other amenities not mentioned above. Please enquire for more detailed information, including restaurant menus and up to date opening times closer to time of departure, as all inclusive programmes, may be subject to change.
Maldives travel information
When to visit Maldives
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best time
Good time
Ok time
- Time zone: +5 GMT
- Flight time: 8 hours, 30 minutes
- Currency: Rufiyaa, US dollar
- Tipping guideline: A 10% service tax is added to most restaurant bills
- Health considerations: No major health risks
- Capital: Malé
- Population: 521,021 (2023)
- National languages: Dhivehi, English
- Electricity and plugs: D/G - 230v, 50Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You must complete a traveller declaration form (IMUGA) within 96 hours before your flight to or from the Maldives.
Other hotels nearby
Looking for more options? You might also like these hotels in a similar location.
Enquire about your stay at LUX* South Ari Atoll
Prices from £2,285 per person for 7 nights
Price is per person, based on 2 adults sharing a double room for 7 nights on a Bed & Breakfast basis, including economy flights and transfers. Price includes relevant offers and is subject to availability.
Sarah
Travel Specialist
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