LUX* South Ari Atoll
LUX* South Ari Atoll sits about 25 minutes by seaplane from the airport, on a long, slender island that happens to be one of the very few places on earth where whale sharks gather year-round, making it a magnet for anyone hoping to swim alongside them. Spread across 193 villas, accommodation ranges from thatched-roof beach pavilions to overwater villas with private infinity pools, including a standout 360-square-metre LUX* Villa perched at the tip of the jetty. Food and drink take up a serious share of the experience, with a dozen distinct venues spanning Middle Eastern-inspired dining by the infinity pool, a cobalt-blue Japanese sushi bar, an Asian night-market concept served from overwater stalls, and an Italian restaurant that spills straight onto the beach at sunset. Beyond meals, guests can cycle the island's jetty paths, dive or snorkel across South Ari Atoll's reefs alongside manta rays and reef sharks, join a marine biologist on a traditional dhoni to look for whale sharks, or arrange a private Divine Dinner on a secluded stretch of beach. With around 40 complimentary experiences built in and a strong conservation focus running through the resort, it's designed as much for adventure and family fun as for quieter indulgence.
Room Types
1/5Beach Pavilion
At 60 square metres, the Beach Pavilion sits just steps from the shoreline under a thatched roof, with bright interiors and a garden bathroom that includes an outdoor shower. The furnished terrace leads straight onto the beach, and the villa can interconnect with a second unit, making it a flexible option for couples, friends or families with children.
1/7Beach Villa
This 95-square-metre villa is set among greenery within earshot of the ocean, with a king bed inside and an indoor-outdoor bathroom featuring a stand-alone tub surrounded by tropical planting. The terrace opens onto a secluded stretch of beach with sunbeds, suiting up to three adults or two adults travelling with children.
1/5Beach Pool Villa
Set on the island's sunset-facing side, this 116-square-metre villa has a secluded garden with a sunken plunge pool, wooden deck and outdoor shower. The indoor-outdoor bathroom looks out toward the lagoon, and a furnished terrace leads directly to the beach, making it a fit for couples or small families.
1/5Romantic Beach Pool Villa
This 136-square-metre villa centres on a private infinity pool with panoramic ocean views, set within a secluded garden just steps from the lagoon and beach. A tropical indoor-outdoor bathroom and an ocean-facing terrace round out a villa built for romance, sleeping up to three adults or two adults with children.
1/4Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion
Made up of two interconnected thatched-roof bungalows with separate entrances, this 120-square-metre pavilion suits families or groups of friends after both space and privacy. Each bedroom has its own bathroom with shower and bathtub, and two furnished terraces open directly onto the beach, together sleeping up to four adults with children or six adults.
1/6Family Lagoon Pavilion
At 130 square metres, this lagoon-front villa holds two separate bedrooms within one unit, each with an indoor-outdoor bathroom, plus furnished terraces opening onto the sand for children to play while adults relax nearby. It comfortably sleeps up to four adults with children or six adults.
1/5Maldives Water Villa
Set on stilts above the ocean on the island's sunset side, this 98-square-metre villa offers direct lagoon access, panoramic views and a sun deck with a catamaran net and steps down into the water. A king bed, sofa bed and a naturally lit bathroom with both tub and shower complete a villa suited to up to three adults or two adults with children.
1/7Romantic Pool Water Villa
This 110-square-metre overwater villa blends contemporary style with traditional cabana architecture, built around privacy for couples. A private terrace holds an infinity plunge pool, sun loungers and a hanging swing, while the interior includes double rain showers and a home theatre setup with a drop-down projector.
1/8Temptation Pool Water Villa
Spanning 220 square metres above the ocean, this villa is designed for couples chasing sunrise views and total privacy, with a round master bed, marble Jacuzzi and a separate living area behind floor-to-ceiling glass. Outside, a wooden deck holds a dining area, cabana and a 12-metre private infinity pool with direct lagoon access.
1/6LUX* Villa
Set at the very end of the jetty, the 360-square-metre LUX* Villa offers sweeping, uninterrupted lagoon and ocean views. A master suite with a handcrafted bed, a living room with a glass floor and a signature round bathtub sit alongside an outdoor deck with an infinity pool that appears to merge with the lagoon, plus butler service and a private buggy for getting around.
Dining
Senses Restaurant
Middle Eastern
Set at the edge of the infinity pool with wide ocean views, Senses draws on Middle Eastern and Indian Ocean flavours, from Moroccan tagines to tandoori prawns and fresh seafood. Lunch keeps things light, while dinner shifts into a full à la carte experience under the stars.
Senses Lounge & Bar
Bar
A relaxed poolside lounge for cocktails, rum, Sri Lankan teas and light bites throughout the day, with a giant hammock for evening snacks and a good spot to toast the sunset.
MIXE – Inventive International Cuisine
International
Set on the beach beneath thatched roofs, MIXE serves breakfast and dinner through fresh buffets and live cooking stations, turning out wood-fired pizza, grills and stir-fries with island flavour. Local performers add entertainment to evening meals.
Umami – Modern Japanese Cuisine
Japanese
Guests can watch chefs work at the cobalt-blue sushi bar or the robata grill, which turns out barbecued Kobe beef and Australian lamb alongside sashimi, nigiri and maki. A wide sake list and Japanese whisky selection round out a lively, theatrical dining experience.
East Market – South-East Asian Cuisine
South-East Asian
Modelled on Asia's night markets, East Market lets guests move between interactive overwater stalls serving dim sum, stir-fries, noodles and Peking duck, prepared live. Terraces open onto Indian Ocean views, and breakfast adds a run of classic European pastries.
East Bar – Overwater Cocktails & Chill
Bar
Perched above the lagoon, this bar runs from sunset to midnight with swing seats, loungers set over catamaran nets and a hidden under-the-sea-themed lounge tucked inside for a change of pace.
Allegria – Italian Signatures & Sunset Vibes
Italian
An open kitchen turns out fresh pasta, gnocchi and wood-fired pizza, alongside seafood given a southern European twist. Dinner is served on the deck or right on the beach, with private dining available for a more intimate evening.
Beach Rouge – Mediterranean by the Shore
Mediterranean
Wood-fired pizza, fresh salads and grilled seafood are served straight on the sand at this beach club-style venue, which shifts from laid-back daytime dining into a livelier evening scene with music and cocktails.
Veli Pool Bar – Lagoon Views & Refreshing Sips
Bar
Set beside a pool that stretches toward the sea, with lagoon views on three sides, this bar serves cocktails, wine and light bites for guests moving between swims and sunbathing.
Café LUX*
Café
On-site roasted coffee anchors this café, with everything from cold press to nitro brew on the menu and a behind-the-scenes look at the roasting rooms available for guests who want to see the process.
Lagoon Bar – Reggae Beats & Beachfront Vibes
Bar
Close to reception and the watersports centre, this laid-back bar is a natural spot to swap stories from the day's dive or water sports over a drink, set to a reggae soundtrack.
Divine Dinner – Romance Under the Stars
Private Dining
A private, three-hour dinner is set up on a secluded beach, complete with a real bed, candlelight, a bonfire and a chef-crafted menu paired with champagne under the stars.
Activities
Spa & Wellbeing
LUX* Me Spa tailors treatments to each guest, from Balinese and Shirley Page massages to signature facials, Chinese medicine therapies, and yoga and meditation, using the resort's own product line throughout.
Fitness
The LUX* Me Fitness Centre offers tailored training programmes built around a complimentary body balance analysis, linking directly with the resort's spa and wellness offerings for a more complete approach.
Sports & Leisure
Jet skiing, kite surfing, flyboarding, paddleboarding and sailing cover the water side of things, while tennis, volleyball, cycling and beach yoga round out activity on land.
Diving & Snorkelling
South Ari Atoll is known for excellent diving and snorkelling, with a PADI-certified centre welcoming all levels to reefs rich with fish, manta rays and stingrays, plus easy encounters with baby reef sharks in the sheltered lagoon.
Signature Experiences
Standout experiences include swimming with whale sharks alongside a marine biologist, a jet ski safari, a private Divine Dinner on the beach, and sunset yoga with a Tibetan sound bath aboard a traditional dhoni.
Transfers
Seaplane: 30-45 minutes, USD 600; Speedboat: 45 minutes, USD 150
Policies
Check-in 2:00 PM. Check-out 12:00 PM. Children of all ages are welcome. Kids under 12 stay free when sharing parents' room.. Free cancellation up to 30 days before arrival. 50% charge for cancellations 14-29 days before. Full charge for cancellations less than 14 days before arrival.. Smart casual for restaurants. Swimwear appropriate only at pool and beach areas.
Gallery
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