SEE THE MALDIVES IN A NEW LIGHT AT LUX* SOUTH ARI ATOLL

11th October 2016 -

World-renowned luxury resort and hotel operator LUX* Resorts & Hotels is known for a different style of holidaying – a lighter, brighter way of celebrating life. Part of an exciting brand expansion, LUX*'s newest resort LUX* South Ari Atoll opened last week in the Maldives.

The brand's latest five-star resort has been entirely reimagined, with a chic beach-house style. Innovative and trend-setting, it features a contemporary vibe while protecting the tropical-island atmosphere. LUX* South Ari Atoll is not just about luxury and aesthetics: it's a resort with a soul. Playful, fun, modern this is paradise for travellers looking for a distinctive experience in the Maldives.

Dotted at the water's edge along two miles of pure white sand beach and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear lagoon, are 193 super-spacious pavilions and villas designed by P49 Deesign. The seductive overwater villas promise freedom, privacy and intimacy. 46 Romantic Pool Villas each have private 7m suspended infinity pools, and three Temptation Pool Water Villas boast a 14m pool and this forms the resort's adults-only sanctuary. These villas enjoy twin showers, private terraces and a deck with steps into the sea, perfect for enjoying the turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean.

The eight new ​restaurants and five bars includes​ a sophisticated take on a bustling night market; East Market where guests can enjoy flavours from Vietnam, Thailand and Sichuan among others. Umami promises fine dining from the open sushi kitchen, teppanyaki and robata counters as well as the Maldives' largest selection of sakés and Japanese whiskies. Allegria, Senses and MIXE satisfy international palates with Mediterranean to Maldivian specialities and the new Beach Rouge introduces fresh beach-club dining experience to the island.

The LUX* Me spa and its overwater treatment villas set the tone for a Zen-inspired reboot of its own. The facility incorporates a traditional Chinese teahouse, a dedicated zone for brand new skin and body care experiences and an extended lagoon-view relaxation area. For those in search of the ultimate personalised spa experience, try the once-in-a-lifetime 10 hands massage. 

A Zen wellness pavilion accommodates a wide range of alternative wellbeing activities including yoga, meditation, Pilates, tai chi and qigong, all of which are overseen by an expert wellness concierge. LUX* Me is all about a tailored approach to your wellbeing, whether it be spa, fitness, yoga, meditation, nutrition or a unique combination tailored especially to your needs.

Graced by one of ​the ​Maldives' most spectacular lagoons, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers the finest choice of water sports of any Maldives' five-star resort. LUX* was the first to offer flyboarding and hoverboarding and once again introduced the Maldives' first jet-surfboarding. 

LUX* South Ari Atoll promises a lighter, brighter, more enlightening holiday experience. Stay tuned for events worth travelling for as Beach Rouge, the East Market, and even a sandbank host music and culinary celebrations. Where else can guests dance to a DJ with their toes dipped in the warm ocean or taste the best of South-East Asia in a night market suspended over-the-water?

Paul Jones, CEO of LUX* Resorts & Hotels confides: “The focus around the creation of a new LUX* South Ari Atoll has been as much about the transformation of the property as it has been about the enhancement of the guests' experiences. For this, our team has worked effortlessly on enriching the moments that matter, and we have created new and exciting Reasons To Go LUX*. I am convinced that places you remember are the ones that inspire you; those that have a soul and caring people. LUX* South Ari Atoll has this magical mix.”

The remodelling of LUX* South Ari Atoll doesn't just mean a contemporary, characterful new look; guests can also expect a cultural calendar. Entirely new for the Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll hosts short expert-led workshops throughout the year, with leading practitioners from diverse, creative and inspiring walks of life.

The workshops are as varied as they are numerous. There are painting lessons with Jeannine Platz, a motivation workshop with Ron Kaufman, food art with Samantha Lee and photography with world-renowned travel photographer Michel Freeman. For those in search of health and fitness there are masterclasses from fitness guru Anna Victoria, and also the opportunity to explore underwater with the freediving world record holder William Winram.

What makes LUX* South Ari Atoll so special is its spirit, team members, and entirely different approach to helping guests have the best-ever holiday. LUX* promises a journey for the senses, where – in true LUX* style – you can expect the unexpected.

Visit http://www.luxresorts.com/en/hotel-maldives/luxsouthariatoll for more information.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels helps people to celebrate life by delivering consistently on the promise of a different kind of Luxury; hospitality that is Lighter.Brighter. LUX* stages exceptional experiences in different locales – whether on the Beach, in the City or in Nature – by banishing thoughtless patterns and being more simple, fresh and sensory than our competitors.

The resorts and hotels in the LUX* portfolio include LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius; LUX* Le Morne, Mauritius; LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius; LUX* South Ari Atoll, Mal-dives; LUX* Saint Gilles, Reunion Island , LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China, and LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan, Yunnan Province, China. LUX* Lijiang and Benzilan hotels are start of a collection of six luxury boutique hotels along an exciting new circuit of distinctive stays allowing guests to discover the legends of the Tea Horse Road first hand.

Other new properties in the pipeline and opening soon LUX* Al Zorah, United Arab Emirates; LUX* North Male Atoll, Maldives; LUX* Sud Sauvage, Reunion Island, LUX* Bodrum, Turkey, LUX* Dianshan Lake, China and LUX* Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels is a member of Lux Island Resorts Co Ltd, which is listed on the Stock Exchange Market of Mauritius and is an affiliate member of IBL, a major economic player in the Indian Ocean, leader of the "Top 100" Mauritian companies. IBL is active in key sectors of the Mauritian economy, representing a portfolio of approximately 300 subsidiaries and associated companies.

Other properties managed by LUX* Resorts & Hotels are Tamassa, Bel Ombre, Mauritius; Merville Beach, Grand Baie, Mauritius and Hôtel Le Récif, Réunion Island, as well Ile des Deux Cocos, Mauritius, a private paradise island.

100% CARBON FREE HOLIDAYS AT LUX* RESORTS & HOTELS

LUX* Resorts & Hotels strongly believes in sustainable tourism development, and has embarked in a journey towards a carbon clean future through its project "Tread Lightly". Tread Lightly is the offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions emitted during guests stay. The carbon offsetting contribution is used to support various offsetting projects in developing countries within the regions where LUX* is operating. To learn more about the LUX* Tread Lightly €1 per day voluntary participation carbon-offsetting fee, please visit www.luxtreadlightly.com.

For more information, please contact:

Kate Ardron / kardron@prco.com 
Lily Dodwell-Hill / lhill@prco.com 
Krisha Kotak / kkotak@prco.com