LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
A full-scale island resort where the house reef is steps from your door.
A resort island in South Ari Atoll
LUX South Ari Atoll sits on a private island in the Maldives, 104 km from Velana International Airport. The resort runs eight restaurants, a spa, an infinity pool, and a kids' club. Room types range from 60 m² beach pavilions to 220 m² overwater suites with private pools. The house reef is the practical centrepiece here — accessible directly for snorkelling and diving without a boat. With a Google rating of 4.8 across 1,065 reviews, and recent guests flagging both location and bed comfort as standouts, the property has a consistent track record.
The honest verdict
A large, well-equipped island resort with genuine reef access, multiple dining options, and room categories that stretch from entry-level beach rooms to expansive overwater pool villas.
Best for
- Couples wanting overwater villa accommodation
- Families needing a kids' club and family-sized rooms
- Divers and snorkellers prioritising house reef access
- Guests who want dining variety on a single island
Maybe not ideal for
- Budget travellers — rooms start above $795 per night
- Those wanting a small, quiet boutique property
- Travellers uncomfortable with seaplane or domestic flight transfers
What a stay costs
Indicative room-only estimate from the lowest nightly rate — excludes airport transfers, taxes and seasonal price changes. Many Maldives properties also require a minimum stay. Check live rates for your dates.
House reef for divers and snorkellers
The reef sits directly off the island, so there is no boat required for a snorkel session. Diving is also available on-site. This is one of the more practical reef setups in the South Ari Atoll, where many resorts require a boat to reach usable coral.
Eight restaurants on one island
Eight dining venues is an unusually high count for a single island. Options include a coffee house, snack bar, and themed dinner nights. Special diet menus are available on request. Breakfast in the room is also offered.
Overwater and beachfront pool villas
Private pools appear in several room categories. The Overwater Infinity Pool Villa puts the pool directly above the lagoon at 110 m². The Temptation Pool Water Villa doubles that at 220 m². Beach Pool Villas keep the same concept on land at 116 m².
Kids' club and family rooms
The kids' club is a dedicated facility, and the Two Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion at 120 m² is the main family room option. Kid-friendly buffet and children's meals are available in the restaurants.
Spa and fitness facilities
The spa and wellness centre is on-site. A fitness centre, tennis court, and bicycle rental round out the active options. The spa is the most likely draw for guests not focused on water activities.
Evening and cultural programming
The activities list includes live music and performances, cooking classes, themed dinner nights, movie nights, and temporary art galleries. Fishing trips are also available.
Rooms & suites
Beach Pavili
60 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
- Safety deposit box
Water Villa
98 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
- Safety deposit box
Beach Villa
95 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
- Safety deposit box
Beach Pool Villa
116 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
- Safety deposit box
Overwater Infinity Pool Villa
110 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Private suite
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
Beachfront Infinity Pool Villa
136 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Sea view
- Pool view
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
Temptation Pool Water Villa
220 m² · sleeps 2 · 1 king bed
- Private suite
- Air conditioning
- Minibar
- Free Wifi
- Bathrobe
Inside LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Amenities at LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas
Most popular facilities
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Airport shuttle
- Spa and wellness center
- Fitness center
- Room service
- Tea/Coffee Maker in All Rooms
- Bar
- Beachfront
Bathroom
- Slippers
- Bathrobe
Outdoors
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Private beach area
- BBQ facilities Additional charge
- Terrace
- Garden
Activities
- Bicycle rental Additional charge
- Bingo Additional charge
- Live sports events (broadcast)
- Live music/Performance
- Cooking class Additional charge
- Happy hour Additional charge
- Themed dinners Additional charge
- Movie nights
Media & Technology
- Telephone
Food & Drink
- Coffee house on site
- Fruit Additional charge
- Wine/Champagne Additional charge
- Kid-friendly buffet
- Kids' meals Additional charge
- Special diet meals (on request)
- Snack bar
- Breakfast in the room
Getting there
Getting to LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas on the island in South Ari Atoll means covering about 104 km from Malé (MLE) by seaplane — a scenic flight of roughly 30 minutes. The resort books the seaplane with your stay. Seaplanes fly in daylight hours only, so late arrivals may overnight in Malé.
Seaplane transfers typically run $250–600 per person round trip, booked through the property. A few islands in this band are also served by a domestic flight to a nearby regional airport plus a short boat — ask the property which routing is faster for your dates.
On the map
South Ari Atoll (Alifu Dhaalu) is renowned for year-round whale shark sightings and some of the country's best diving.
Maldives tours & activities
Excursions you can book for a Maldives stay — manta & whale-shark snorkelling, sandbank picnics, diving and sunset cruises. Availability varies by island; filter by your dates and location on GetYourGuide.
Across 1,065 Google reviews, the property holds a 4.8 rating. Recent guest feedback has flagged location and bed comfort as two of the most consistent positives. The resort received a 9.6 location score from guests.
Good to know
House rules
- Check-in
From 14:00
You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.
- Check-out
Until 11:00
- Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please check what conditions may apply to each option when making your selection.
- Children and beds
Child policies
Children of any age are welcome. To see correct prices and occupancy information, please add the number of children in your group and their ages to your search.
Cot and extra bed policies
12 - 17 years Extra bed upon request Prices for extra beds are not included in the total price, and will have to be paid for separately during your stay. The number of extra beds allowed is dependent on the option you choose. Please check your selected option for more information. There are no cots available at this property. All extra beds are subject to availability.
- No age restriction
There is no age requirement for check-in
- Pets
Pets are not allowed.
- Cards accepted at this property
Cash is not accepted
As published by the booking provider · always reconfirm with the property
Frequently asked
How do I get to Lux South Ari Atoll?
The resort is 104 km from Velana International Airport. The transfer runs by seaplane or domestic flight. An airport shuttle is listed as an available facility. Journey time will depend on the transfer mode selected at booking.
What room types are available?
There are seven room categories: Beach Pavilion, Beach Villa, Beach Pool Villa, Water Villa, Two Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion, Overwater Infinity Pool Villa, and Temptation Pool Water Villa. Sizes run from 60 m² to 220 m².
Which rooms have private pools?
Three room categories include private pools: the Beach Pool Villa (116 m²), the Overwater Infinity Pool Villa (110 m²), and the Temptation Pool Water Villa (220 m²). The infinity pool villa sits directly above the lagoon.
What is the price range for rooms?
Rates start from $795 per night for the Beach Pavilion and rise to $1,379 per night for the Temptation Pool Water Villa. All other categories fall between those two points.
How many restaurants does the resort have?
There are eight restaurants and dining venues on the island. Options include a coffee house, snack bar, bar, and themed dinner nights. Special diet menus are available on request, and breakfast can be served in the room.
Is there a house reef for snorkelling and diving?
Yes. The house reef is accessible directly from the island, so no boat transfer is required. Both snorkelling and diving are available. The South Ari Atoll location also gives access to broader dive sites in the area.
Is LUX South Ari Atoll suitable for families?
The resort has a dedicated kids' club, a Two Bedroom Family Beach Pavilion at 120 m², a kid-friendly buffet, and children's meals. Family rooms are listed as an available facility category.
What activities are available beyond water sports?
On land, the resort has a tennis court, fitness centre, bicycle rental, cooking classes, live music performances, movie nights, themed dinner nights, temporary art galleries, and fishing. Bingo and happy hour events are also listed.
Is there a spa at the resort?
Yes, a spa and wellness centre is on-site.
Does the resort have WiFi?
Free WiFi is available throughout the property and is listed as a facility in every room category.
When is the best time to visit?
The Maldives generally sees drier conditions from November through April, but specific weather patterns for the South Ari Atoll should be checked against current forecasts before booking.
Does the resort have facilities for guests with disabilities?
Facilities for disabled guests are listed as an available amenity. Specific accessibility details beyond this are not in the available data, so it is worth contacting the resort directly to confirm requirements.