LUX* South Ari Atoll

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Star rating

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.

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.

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

  • 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 (6730)
  • Very good (397)
  • Average (92)
  • Poor (35)
  • Terrible (19)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lux is the best resort

Jun 7, 2025 Anna B

Lux south Ari island is amazing location and resort made even better is by excellent lux team members. Thanks you Zahir, afshal. And mode all time smile and very helpful and other friend to make us part of the wonderful lux family!!!!!!! We 'll be back soon!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Perfect holiday 👍

مايو 29, 2025 Emma O

Beautiful stay, an excellent breakfast buffet!! Thanks to Zahir and the team for your warm welcome ❤️. Maldives in lux island resort is really a amazing paradise, We have done diving with mantas and sharks feed! It's to be done!! We'll be back!!!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful experience

مايو 27, 2025 Andrew C

Nothing to complain about. a very clean and very beautiful island with a grown-up garden which is probably cared, amazing service. The food was very delicious and of excellent quality and freshness. The sunset beach villa was a perfect choice. Big thanks to our butler Rachel. best ever chef and Zahir from mixe restaurant as well… Read more
Nothing to complain about. a very clean and very beautiful island with a grown-up garden which is probably cared, amazing service. The food was very delicious and of excellent quality and freshness. The sunset beach villa was a perfect choice. Big thanks to our butler Rachel. best ever chef and Zahir from mixe restaurant as well as to other nice and attentive personal for their work!!!🙏 Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Paradise

مايو 27, 2025 Brittilomalla

This is hounestly nothing wrong in this resort. Staff is amazing, always taking care of everything. Food is just fabulous and all these choices to go to eat. There is every day something special for us. We are so thankful of everything and expecially to Elena and our housekeeper Jayfar, we really felt like welcome. Hope we are able to come back… Read more
This is hounestly nothing wrong in this resort. Staff is amazing, always taking care of everything. Food is just fabulous and all these choices to go to eat. There is every day something special for us. We are so thankful of everything and expecially to Elena and our housekeeper Jayfar, we really felt like welcome. Hope we are able to come back again. Br. Mika and Britt Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Dream Come True

مايو 27, 2025 alleonahpatrice Maldives

This is literally one of our bucket list to stay in a luxury resort and it was more than we have ever imagine! Everyone and everything, from the staffs to the facilities is truly FantastAmazing! (Mixing the word Fantastic and Amazing) The whole Island itself is also stunning with its size and also the natural growth of the greenery! Their… Read more
This is literally one of our bucket list to stay in a luxury resort and it was more than we have ever imagine! Everyone and everything, from the staffs to the facilities is truly FantastAmazing! (Mixing the word Fantastic and Amazing) The whole Island itself is also stunning with its size and also the natural growth of the greenery! Their restaurants have their own unique designs which compliments the scenery and also gives a relaxed ambience. They have a wide variety of food and all of them are very delicious! There are many more things to explore and hopefully we will come back soon! Special thank you to Elena for our great Guest Relations! Very cheerful and very kind, We miss you and the resort already! Rasika for doing a detailed tour of the power house. Jaisham our cool and famous buggy guy and the rest of the team! Read less