LUX* South Ari Atoll

The resort is beautiful and the food is AMAZING! Service is impeccable and the staff are all great- especially driver Shawkat who is the happiest person in the universe. Also kudos to our housekeeper Aus Rauf, hostess Gianda at East Market, servers Ruaan and Naseer! And our assistant Jovi who helped us with any questions we had. It is expensive but worth it for a once in a lifetime splurge! Read less

Our stay was incredible – the best holiday we’ve had! The hotel is a dream, with fantastic food (lots made in-house), professional and very friendly service, and amazing staff in the whole hotel. We loved the variety of restaurants and bars, with beautiful spots to relax and even watch sharks. The bikes around the resort made getting around easy(The shuttle was also always available and so great. All the drivers were so friendly), and the all-inclusive package was definitely worth it. The diving experience was excellent, the best we ever had. We felt very safe and comfortable. Everything was prepared for the divers and everything was set up on the boat. We didn't have to do anything ourselves and the best thing was, that we could always dive with the same equipment. Also Snorkeling tours were organized excellently, and we always had a thorough briefing. The villas were beautiful, and the minibar and cleaning service were outstanding. The only thing was that the romantic Water Pool Villa lacked shade or a covered area for rain, but everything else was great . The Romantic Beach Pool Villa, on the other hand, had everything, including a covered area with a sofa to relax and a lot more, the perfect villa for us:) Bookings or any other requests could easily be made via Salwas WhatsApp( You had Wi-Fi everywhere) which was super convenient and efficient. Thank you very much for you excellent and fast service Salwa! Highly recommend – we are extremely satisfied with our stay! Read less

If you’re considering LUX South Ari Atoll, for whatever occasion, then do not hesitate and book! We have not long returned from our honeymoon here and feel we picked the perfect place to do it! From the moment we arrived we were greeted by smiles and waves from the staff (despite it raining!). On hand straightaway was our designated concierge Rachael, who provided us with daily updates on all the activities and restaurants available and who was more than happy to arrange and deal with all our needs and requirements throughout our stay. Thank you , Rachael. We were swiftly checked-in and shown around the island by buggy before arriving at our room, a Beach Pavilion, which was beautifully decorated acknowledging our honeymoon. Additionally, a few days into our stay it was my wife’s birthday, and the room was decorated again (without asking) acknowledging the birthday. A lovely surprise and attention to detail. After settling in, Rachael was quick to ask where we would like to dine that evening and that’s where the headache started! The choices on this resort are excellent! As foodies this was one of the main reasons why we chose to come here and as All-Inclusive guests, the options are endless! From whatever cuisine you’re after to whatever tipple you fancy, it’s available. And if it’s not, the staff will do their upmost to get it for you. One of our first meals on the island was at Umami where we had teppanyaki for my wife’s birthday. We were looked after by the very charismatic and friendly teppanyaki chef, Chef Allan. Allan’s cooking skills and stories left us captivated (it is amazing what that man can do with a spatula!). We had the teppanyaki station to ourselves and was once again, beautifully decorated for my wife’s birthday and Allan turned the dining experience into a show we will never forget. Thank you, Chef Allan. In addition to the restaurants, there were plenty of themed evenings you could attend (for a supplemental fee) which also added another layer of variety. Of note, is the Seafood & Lobster night where fresh ingredients is taken to a BBQ, grilled for you, and then returned to your table on a mini-bbq to keep warm whilst you get stuck in! Also, an evening called Amaa’s Kitchen. This was a unique experience where a local mother/woman is brought to the island to explain and show you the traditional Maldivian cooking methods and ingredients before cooking for you where you get to sample true Maldivian flavours and dishes. Getting around the island was also a breeze thanks to the excellent buggy service constantly on hand. The island is quite large by comparison (30mins on foot from top to bottom) so the buggies are helpful (we even had the General Manger stop on one occasion to give us a lift which, in our eyes clearly demonstrates there is no hierarchy and it’s all about teamwork). And whilst all the drivers greet you with a smile and polite conversation, one driver seemed to make an extra effort, and that was Shawkut who was always feeling ‘first class’. For example, one evening, completely unaware he was there, Shawkut noticed us in a bar at the end of his shift and waited for us (20mins or so) so he could drive us back to our Pavilion. So, thank you Shawkut for making every journey with you a joy! Now if you like your cocktails, again, there’s so many to choose from and the signature cocktails vary depending which bar you go to. However, a big shout out must go to Jino in particular. You will find Jino at the Senses bar and the man is an amazing mixologist, blending some weird and wonderful flavours, even making some of his own ingredients, so you end up with a cocktail like you’ve never had before! Thank you, Jino, for looking after me and my wife and for presenting us with some fantastic one-off drinks. Also, a brief word for Jomon and Vijay who we spoke with at Lagoon Bar, Allegria and Veli Pool Bar. Both men were attentive and generous with their time. Vijay always greeted us with one of the biggest smiles on the island and plenty of conversation. And we want to wish Jomon all the best with his studies on wine. For the last few days of our stay, we moved to a Water Villa which we would certainly recommend. The switch was seamless, and the room and views were amazing. Steps at the back of the property leading down to the Indian Ocean, with all the sea life around you, were a surreal and wonderful experience. Despite our best endeavours, we have come away from LUX South Ari Atoll still having not seen and done it all and we spent our journey back to the UK discussing how and when we can come back! The island, the staff, the food, the drinks, the rooms, the facilities, the activities, all of it is amazing! The resort receives so many accolades and you can see why. I cannot give any higher praise than if you are searching for somewhere where you are denied nothing and can have everything, then stop your search and book LUX South Ari Atoll! Thank you to everyone we met and who looked after us and hopefully, see you soon! Read less

The staffs are very welcoming!Everyone says hello.See us with children will take the initiative to play with children.Employees are always concerned when a child is unwell.Just take the medicine prescribed by the island doctor.Whether it is catering, medical treatment, sports, it is very perfect.Parents like East Market best.When there is a communication problem, the Chinese chef will help translate.The front desk staff are also very responsible.Feel free to contact them with any questions.It was an unforgettable experience in LUX.Next time there is a chance, I will choose LUX again！ Read less