Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas, Dhidhoofinolhu: Photos, Reviews & Rates

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Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas Dhidhoofinolhu Amenities photo

Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas Dhidhoofinolhu Nearby photo

Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas Dhidhoofinolhu Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

Dhidhoofinolhu, Dhidhoofinolhu

On a sandy beach

Perfect

9.4

9.6

/10

4.8

Loved by Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas guests

Ici ice cream

Beach pool villa

Whale shark diving

Message in bottles

Coffee bar

"Whale shark snorkeling - swam with a whale shark for 3km!"

Timothy from United States

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"Excellent Dolphin trip where many pods of dolphins were seen."

John from United Kingdom

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"We enjoyed the complimentary outdoor photo shoot."

Neo from Singapore

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"The resort has many instagram hot spots for great photos."

Cheh from Singapore

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5-star beachfront resort with 193 villas in South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Accommodations

LUX* South Ari Atoll offers 193 villas, each with direct beach or lagoon access. Villa types include the Romantic Pool Water Villa with a private infinity plunge pool, and the Beach Pool Villa with an outdoor shower and garden. The Temptation Pool Villas feature a two-section open-plan layout, a large private pool, and a separate sleeping area for children.

Dining

The resort houses 8 restaurants and 5 bars, serving cuisines from Italian at Allegria to Japanese teppanyaki at Umami. East Market offers a pan-Asian buffet with live cooking stations, while Senses serves Indian dishes with Maldivian influences. The Veli pool bar and Lagoon Bar provide casual beachside meals, and ICI ice cream parlor and Cafe Lux offer specialty drinks and gelato.

Wellness & Spa

The LUX* Me Spa is one of only four 4-star Forbes spas in the Maldives, with overwater treatment rooms and a steam room. Guests can book massages, body scrubs, facials, and use the sauna and outdoor swimming pool. Yoga classes, fitness sessions, and personalized wellness programs are available daily.

Activities & Excursions

The resort operates the largest motorized and non-motorized water sports facility in the Maldives, including diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing. Excursions to the South Ari Atoll Marine Park target the world's only year-round whale shark aggregation site, with guided trips led by marine biologists. Evening entertainment features movie nights under the stars at Cinema Paradiso, live music, and themed dinner events.

Family-Friendly Features

The kids' club offers supervised activities such as baking, Zumba, art classes, and coral planting. Babysitting services and family board games are available, and the resort provides buggy transport across the 2 km island. Children enjoy a free ice cream scoop daily and can join the daily message-in-a-bottle treasure hunt for prizes.

Highlights

Accommodation: 193 villas with direct beach or lagoon access and private pools

Dining: 8 restaurants, 5 bars, including Japanese, Indian, Italian, and pan-Asian

Wellness: One of only four 4-star Forbes spas in the Maldives

Activities: Largest water sports facility in the Maldives & year-round whale shark snorkeling

Family: Kids' club, babysitting, daily treasure hunt, and free ice cream

Location: Near South Ari Atoll Marine Park with direct seaplane transfer from Malé

Must-do experiences

Snorkel at the vibrant coral reefs of Maamigili Whale Shark Point.
Savor Maldivian curry at the local eatery, Aohtaa Restaurant.
Visit Dhigurah's local market for fresh fish and traditional snacks.
Take a sunset dolphin cruise for an unforgettable evening on the water.
Explore the historic island of Dhalkuni for a glimpse of local culture.

Location: Perfect

9.5/10Review score

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Highlights from guests

DiningTaste Paradise

From sourdough to lobster tagliatelle, every meal was a culinary journey. Fresh ingredients, creative dishes, and delightful desserts.

Marco from Italy

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Spa & LeisureTranquil Escape

Overwater spa huts offered transcendental massages, leaving us feeling lighter and utterly relaxed. Pure bliss.

Sophie from France

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Room FeaturesDream Villa

Our water villa offered stunning ocean views through huge glass panes. Waking up to the sea was a dream.

Liam from Ireland

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Children's AmenitiesKids' Joy

Young children delighted in daily towel animal creations. Families felt exceptionally welcome with smiles and interaction.

Chloe from Australia

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Select your room type

Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Beachfront Infinity Pool Villa
2 persons
136 m²
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
room details
Beach Pavilion
3 persons
60 m²
1 King-size bed
Air conditioning
room details
Water Villa
2 persons
98 m²
1 King-size bed and 1 Sofa bed
Air conditioning
room details

Show all rooms

Price and Room Availability Calendar

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September 2026 - September 2027

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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Perfect

9.4/10Review score

General

Non-smoking rooms
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Locker room
Private beach
Hairdresser
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Wind surfing
Diving
Snorkelling
Canoeing
Cycling
Tennis court
Badminton
Billiard tables
Darts
Table tennis
Yoga class
Fishing

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Services

Paid airport shuttle
Room service
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink
Happy hour

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area
Picnic area/ Tables
Dinner
Packed lunches
Special diet menus

Business

Business centre
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Babysitting/Child services
Children's buffet
Board games
Children's play area
Kids club
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Outdoor swimming pool
Beach access
Beach umbrellas
Sun loungers
Live entertainment
Garden area
BBQ facilities
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Pedicure
Manicure
Waxing
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Massage
Pool with view
Shallow end
Make up services

Room features

Air conditioning
Mini-bar
Terrace
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas Location

Dhidhoofinolhu, Dhidhoofinolhu

Explore Dhidhoofinolhu

Local Highlights

Dhidhoofinolhu

3 minutes' walk

A nearby island known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life, perfect for a leisurely stroll and soaking up the sun.

Didu

40 minutes' walk

A scenic island featuring beautiful landscapes and local culture, ideal for those looking to experience the Maldivian way of life.

Snorkeling and Diving

10 minutes' boat ride

Thrilling underwater adventures await, with half-day trips available to explore stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life.

Spa Treatments

5 minutes' walk

Relaxation comes easy with on-site spa services offering massages and wellness treatments in a tranquil environment.

Taste of Maldives

10 minutes' drive

Traditional Maldivian cuisine served in a casual setting with fresh seafood and local flavors. Reservations recommended.

Seaside Café

5 minutes' walk

A laid-back eatery with international cuisine and sunset views, known for its fresh salads and grilled dishes, suitable for all diets.

Maldives Night Market

25 minutes' drive

A vibrant local market featuring crafts, street food, and live music, perfect for experiencing Maldivian nightlife and culture.

Beach Bonfire Events

5 minutes' walk

Family-friendly gatherings hosted on the beach with music and light refreshments, ideal for unwinding under the stars.

Getting around

City Centre
Dhidhoofinolhu 2 min · 100 m
Airports
Villa International Maamigili (VAM) 11 min · 7.2 km

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs USD 35.0 per person.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

English, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Korean, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesian

Number of rooms:

193

Former name

Diva Maldives

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas from previous guests about their experience.

Review score

Based on 1538 verified reviews

9.8 /10

Perfect

98 %

Recommend

Breakfast

10.0/10

Cleanliness

9.5/10

Comfort

9.6/10

Facilities

9.4/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.0/10

Location

9.5/10

Paid Wi-Fi

10.0/10

Staff

9.6/10

Value for money

8.7/10

Pros

Delicious food

Friendly staff

Water villas

Whale shark tours

Cons

Seaplane delays

Loud music

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Questions of the users

About Lux* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

Is transfer from the airport part of my package?

12 November 2024

The transfer from the airport is not included in the package rate. The round-trip charge for seaplane transfer is USD 470 per adult and USD 235 per child.

Can guests enjoy room service as part of the all-inclusive plan?

1 January 2025

Room service is not included in the all-inclusive package.

Are there vegetarian dining options available at the resort's restaurants?

25 February 2025

Vegetarian and vegan menus are available across all dining facilities in the resort.

What should I expect in terms of activities included with my all-inclusive stay?

15 March 2025

The all-inclusive package includes a wide range of meals, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), various activities, and non-motorized water sports.

Is there a shop on-site for purchasing essentials and gifts?

18 April 2025

Yes, there is a boutique near the reception where guests can buy essentials, gifts, and various items.

What types of transfers are available to reach the resort?

30 April 2025

Transfers can be arranged via domestic flight plus speedboat or by seaplane. It's advisable to contact the Reservation Office for specific details and costs.

How do I book special dining or event experiences while staying at the resort?

20 May 2025

For special dining experiences, like private dinners or events, guests are encouraged to contact the resort directly for arrangements.

What can children do at the resort? Are there activities specifically for them?

15 June 2025

The resort features a kids' club, offering a variety of activities catering to children aged 3 to 11, along with programs designed for teens.

Are gluten-free dining options available for guests with dietary restrictions?

5 July 2025

Gluten-free dishes are offered throughout the resort's dining venues to accommodate guests with dietary needs.

Is the swimming pool private or shared among guests?

22 August 2025

The resort features both private pools in certain villas and a communal pool for guests to enjoy.