By LUX* South Ari Atoll has been awarded Forbes Travel Guide 2024 ‘Five Star’ Rating for its outstanding experience and consistency in providing a highly customized level of service.
The Indian Ocean beckons from LUX* South Ari Atoll, which floats in the South Ari Atoll in the Maldives archipelago. This islet personifies the spirit of the destination, often hailed as one of the eco-friendliest resorts in the country.
In line with the LUX* Collection, the all-inclusive beach resort exudes minimalist luxury accentuated by the inherent warmth of Maldivian hospitality, creating a place that feels like home the moment you land from your scenic seaplane journey.
Sprawled across more than two miles of pristine sand, the resort offers 193 villas by renowned Thailand design studio P49 Deesign. Made with simplicity in mind, each villa connects the inside and the outside seamlessly with stunning whitewashed and azure-blue nautical elements throughout. Discover an array of Instagram-worthy spots dotted around the island — a hammock hovers above crystalline waters and an egg-shaped swinging chair nestles among lush foliage. They all offer invitations to savor life in the most laid-back way.
Explore the Collectable Experiences, bespoke itineraries crafted for guests to make the most of their island time. Whether they’re a wellness seeker, food connoisseur, nature lover or spirited adventurer, the luxury hotel can create a bucket-list-worthy schedule.
In the heart of the marine-protected South Ari Atoll, more than 50 dive spots teem with vibrant aquatic life, shipwrecks and caves. With the help of the hotel’s dive center, guests can swim alongside whale sharks, manta rays and a variety of tropical fish.
The world’s largest solar platform at sea floats in the lagoon, providing power for the resort. Single-use plastics are banned from the island. And guests can participate in the sustainable initiatives by joining the resident marine biologist in planting coral or taking part in a beach or lagoon clean-up.
For coffee lovers, LUX* Café offers the fresh island-roasted LUX* brew served in an assortment of delicious beverages.
In addition to this, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers culinary options among the eight restaurants and five bars Plant-based foodies will be amazed by the choice of clean, nutritious and locally sourced dishes on the vibrant “Keen on Green” menu, available across all restaurants.
Forbes Travel Guide
For over 65 years, Forbes Travel Guide has rated almost 2,000 hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises in over 81 countries by sending professional inspectors to experience properties and evaluate the hotels based on 900 standards. Considered the pinnacle of achievement in the travel industry, attaining the “Recommended” label from Forbes Travel Guide takes time, attention to detail, and an admirable dedication to customer service by a hotel’s team. This comprehensive verification system assesses the customer service, facilities, and overall feel of the property and abides by the mantra “how the visit makes you feel is what you will remember most”.
FTG compiles its ratings using an objective, independent and data-driven process. Incognito inspectors pose as everyday guests and stay at hotels, board cruises, receive spa services and dine at fine restaurants around the world. They test some 900 exacting standards—such as whether a room is designed to promote sleep quality or whether the food-and-beverage choices support a guest’s well-being—emphasizing exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating.