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.
Booking Bonus: Book by 31 Jan '25 to receive up to 40% off the accommodation cost between 16 Dec '24–31 Jan '26. Plus receive a complimentary upgrade from Full Board to All Inclusive on select dates.
Terms and conditions apply. Any applicable offers have been calculated into the prices shown. Offers may not be combinable. Blackout dates apply.
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.
Based on 7041 reviews
Rating summary
Location
Sleep Quality
Rooms
Service
Value
Cleanliness
Traveller rating
Excellent (6513)
Very good (389)
Average (89)
Poor (31)
Terrible (19)
A little bit of Paradise
Dec 24, 2024helen bJohannesburg, South Africa
We went to Lux South Ari Atoll to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The Staff were fantastic. They made a happy occasion into a wonderful experience. The Atoll is beautiful, the Villas and layout are perfect, a little bit of your own private paradise. Each and every one of the many staff were so welcoming and seemed so happy to be…
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We went to Lux South Ari Atoll to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. The Staff were fantastic. They made a happy occasion into a wonderful experience. The Atoll is beautiful, the Villas and layout are perfect, a little bit of your own private paradise. Each and every one of the many staff were so welcoming and seemed so happy to be working for Lux. We’d especially like to thank Elena our client contact, she was amazing. The snorkelling with turtles is a must. We would definitely recommend this beautiful spot.
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Best resort in the Maldives
Dec 23, 2024Niki H
The resort is outstanding, clean and certainly worthy of its 5* status. The staff to me are what make the resort they are kind, caring, extremely friendly and tend to your every need, they know you by your name and remember every little detail. The rooms are clean, comfortable and beautiful, every room has a spectacular view! The food is…
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The resort is outstanding, clean and certainly worthy of its 5* status. The staff to me are what make the resort they are kind, caring, extremely friendly and tend to your every need, they know you by your name and remember every little detail. The rooms are clean, comfortable and beautiful, every room has a spectacular view! The food is outstanding!!!! I think it’s the best resort I’ve been to in terms of food, every dish is delicious and made with love! The Maldives is a place very close to my heart and I have been coming for many years. LUX has made it home for myself and my family. Thankyou 🙏🏻 see you all in 2025.
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EPIC Holiday in The Maldives
Dec 22, 2024SpiceCaptainNew Delhi, India
LUX South Ari Atoll was the best resort in our entire travel life. We have visited over 100 countries and our travel experiences are vast and unique. The resort is 5-star service, staffed by the most talented and friendly people. We were originally received by our personal Concierge, ELENA. She greeted us with a warm smile and escorted us from the…
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LUX South Ari Atoll was the best resort in our entire travel life. We have visited over 100 countries and our travel experiences are vast and unique. The resort is 5-star service, staffed by the most talented and friendly people. We were originally received by our personal Concierge, ELENA. She greeted us with a warm smile and escorted us from the DHC-6 Twin Otter Sea Plane to our water villa. She was at our beck and call via Whats app and her service was exceptional. Anything we needed, Elena provided. Our housekeeper KHALID was outstanding. He kept our room clean and fresh everyday. He created special "Happy Birthday" art on our bed, made from palm leaves. We dined most nights and mornings at "East Market", an Asian buffet provided by Master Chef PONG. His food was legendary! Fresh, delicious, and satisfying. We enjoyed impeccable service by FATHO, who also created "Happy Birthday" art on our dining tables. When we enjoyed lunch at "Beach Rouge" restaurant, we were given priority service by HAMDHOON. He knew exactly what we wanted from previous days, and he provided those things without our asking. It was exceptional service. We must also mention our restaurant Concierge DAMINDA, who offered extremely professional and personal service to us. All our dining needs were met by him. The highlight of our trip was diving with Whale Sharks! Bucket List: CHECK! This resort is highly recommended by us. Don't leave this world until you have experienced the Maldives.
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Wonderful island!
Dec 21, 2024Jessica L
LUX south Ari atoll is absolutely amazing! I cannot recommend it more to anyone who is looking for Maldives experience, especially for families. Beautiful water villa and sand villas, friendly staff and delicious food, especially East Market - special thanks to Chef Yang! We were lucky enough to see whale shark, manta ray and the sea turtle…
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LUX south Ari atoll is absolutely amazing! I cannot recommend it more to anyone who is looking for Maldives experience, especially for families. Beautiful water villa and sand villas, friendly staff and delicious food, especially East Market - special thanks to Chef Yang! We were lucky enough to see whale shark, manta ray and the sea turtle which was changing breath just beside us, do recommend the excursion provided by water sport centre. Do visit their marine biology centre, my son absolutely enjoyed it and helped coral planting, If you want to give a hand to reef restoration, this is the chance!
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Thankyou LUX
Dec 21, 2024jon B
Everything met or exceeded our expectations. Wonderful food / staff. Larger island and lots of interesting quirks for adults and kids alike. Special mention to the amazing kids club in particular Eva who was so caring and engaging with our kids and the band Ambrosiaph who played so brilliantly at the EastBar each evening and made it the best place…
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Everything met or exceeded our expectations. Wonderful food / staff. Larger island and lots of interesting quirks for adults and kids alike. Special mention to the amazing kids club in particular Eva who was so caring and engaging with our kids and the band Ambrosiaph who played so brilliantly at the EastBar each evening and made it the best place in the world to be ❤️.
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A little bit of Paradise