LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

LUX* South Ari Atoll is one of the Maldives’ largest islands, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for more extensive resort facilities in an idyllic private island setting. As a LUX* resort, service and features are top quality, and there’s a relaxed and playful vibe – you might find a few fun surprises during your stay. Guests are spoilt for choice with eight restaurants, so you could dine at a different place each night of the week. Favourites include Senses, serving boat-fresh seafood by the pool, and East Market, where it’s all about fiery south-east Asian favours in a street food-style setting.

This is a good island for families as there’s plenty to keep kids and teens busy. The huge choice of watersports includes lesser-found adventures like flyboarding and hoverboarding, plus you can hope to spot whale sharks year-round. On land, there’s tennis and volleyball. And with the kids entertained, you can sneak off for beach yoga or an overwater treatment at the LUX* Me Spa.

Villas are light and airy, with thatched roofs and a chic white-washed décor. Keeping with its approach of catering for families and couples, rooms range from family pavilions perched by the shallow lagoon waters to romantic adults-only water villas with their own private pool and extras like a hanging bird’s nest swing and drop-down projector for your own cinema in bed.