LUX* South Ari Atoll

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Star rating

Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Beach Pool Villa
Overwater Infinity Pool 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
Overwater Infinity Pool Villas
Beach Villa
Beach Villa
Beach Pavillion
Beach Pool Villa
Overwater Infinity Pool 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
Overwater Infinity Pool 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.

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.

Overwater Infinity Pool 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

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Traveller rating

  • Excellent (6752)
  • Very good (397)
  • Average (92)
  • Poor (35)
  • Terrible (19)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating What an experience

Jun 29, 2025 Nicola P

Absolutely amazing experience, well above what was expected, from the moment we arrived we were treated with exceptional customer service by each and everyone. Our dining experience at the Italian restaurant was so special. thank you
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Just wonderful

Jun 29, 2025 admin37 Peterborough, United Kingdom

This was our second visit to Lux and it’s just wonderful…the last time we were in a romantic pool villa this time a beach villa and for us we preferred the beach villa.. on arrival we were given a room on the wrong side of the island that we had requested but this was immediately rectified The room was very spacious with every amenity you need..… Read more
This was our second visit to Lux and it’s just wonderful…the last time we were in a romantic pool villa this time a beach villa and for us we preferred the beach villa.. on arrival we were given a room on the wrong side of the island that we had requested but this was immediately rectified The room was very spacious with every amenity you need.. amazing bath and shower in the open air..the room was kept immaculate by our cleaner and our fridge etc topped up as and when needed..the only thing that was annoying was the air conditioning was rather loud.. but you have a ceiling fan so not to much of a problem The island itself is immaculate we went In June and it was low season so not full and the buffet restaurants worked on a rota so it was East one night and Mixe the next.. there is also beach rouge for al a carte or two other restaurants not included In the AI We spent a lot of our time round the Veli pool the staff there were great we had some good banter going on.. food was top notch My husband was not to well and had to visit the Dr.. got to say Dr Ali was superb listen to hubby’s problem and delt with it first class even asking one evening at dinner how he was The staff are what make this place special and shawcut the bus driver is so lovely a credit to the island along with many others who’s name I don’t recall but thank them for their chats We did not see much of the general manager would have been nice if he did a bit of a walkabout at evening meals just to get some feedback or a nice chat.. We had a beautiful time and would not hesitate in returning Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Where dreams come true ❤️

Jun 27, 2025 agnesdudas

I wish every single lovely human being on this world would experience this fantastic resort island as just after returning from Lux South Ari Atoll, I can easily say that this was the most beautiful place I have ever experienced. I would like to start from the first day when on arrival of our seaplane the staff welcomes you on the deck and you… Read more
I wish every single lovely human being on this world would experience this fantastic resort island as just after returning from Lux South Ari Atoll, I can easily say that this was the most beautiful place I have ever experienced. I would like to start from the first day when on arrival of our seaplane the staff welcomes you on the deck and you realise you just arrived in paradise. Our fantastic personal assistant, Kayla made sure that all of our activities are booked and all of our requests are dealt with in a professional timely manner, regardless of her days off she was always a pleasure to talk to ❣️ We planned to have a renewal of our vows wedding ceremony on the island, which was organised beyond my expectations. Nasa, our event manager truly made my wishes and dreams come true, she is also a fantastic lady and I will really miss her too!! She is responsible for the quiz and bingo games which we overly enjoyed too! The bar and restaurant manager and his team at Veli and Mixe Restaurant made sure me and my family has everything we need, even catered for my little one, Emili’s peach ice tea special requests and my older daughter Mia, loved the food wherever we ate. Her favourite was of course Teppanyaki where the chef put on a little show for them to giggle. The cleaners, the buggy drivers, the workers, the receptionists, the waiting staff are all super nice kind hearted people who are there to make sure we had the most pleasant stay! Last but not least I would like to say thank you for the two gym and yoga instructors, the classes were amazing, I really enjoyed them! I loved the little boutique, the cafe Lux bar, and the watersport activities. I am truly grateful for Jojo for making my hair and make up beautiful on my wedding day and the lady at the spa reception to make me feel welcomed whether I went for a spa or sauna sessions. Everybody called us by our names, we were like in a big family on the other side of the world. The cleanliness of the places the food and the service by the staff are all 5 stars. We were sad to leave and I cannot wait for us to go back!! Thank you so much for our first Maldives experience of a lifetime! ♥️♥️ Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Would recommend

Jun 26, 2025 NorthernLight888 UK

The LUX* resort in the Maldives is everything you would expect from a luxury resort. Excellent accommodation and food, attentive and great staff and an overall great experience. The management staff are very keen to talk to you when they see you walking around the resort and are eager to find out if everything is going great with your stay. They… Read more
The LUX* resort in the Maldives is everything you would expect from a luxury resort. Excellent accommodation and food, attentive and great staff and an overall great experience. The management staff are very keen to talk to you when they see you walking around the resort and are eager to find out if everything is going great with your stay. They respond very quickly to feedback with more than satisfactory responses. They always have time for you. The catering staff went above and beyond for us. A family member has an allergy which needed extra care and attention when we were visiting the restaurants. The chefs were extra attentive and would proactively check in with us to ensure that everything was ok. The hotel seems have very robust processes when it comes to allergy management and they take it very seriously. This made us feel at ease throughout the holiday. Overall I would recommend this hotel. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Best days ever

Jun 25, 2025 Alvaro P Madrid, Spain

Our five-day experience at Lux South Ari Atoll was absolutely amazing—perfect doesn't even begin to describe it. We enjoyed the best diving, incredible meals and drinks, and mesmerizing beaches. Giada seamlessly managed every detail of our stay, making all our wishes a reality.