A Wellbeing Destination For Conscious Travellers LUX* South Ari Atoll in the Maldives

The Maldives, 29 September 2023 – From the essential daily workout, to enjoying meals that fit an individual’s constitution and mindful wellness practices, LUX* South Ari Atoll is a destination for those who choose holistic wellbeing as a way of life. LUX* South Ari Atoll is an eco-conscious, sustainability-oriented property that is a 30-minute seaplane ride from the Maldivian capital Male. The 193-key resort stretches across a 2km-long tree-covered island, fringed by white sand beaches and coral reefs. The region is home to a vibrant array of marine life, including black tip sharks and sting rays. The inviting resort offers a mix of beachfront and overwater villas and suites, with 46 adults-only Romantic Pool Water Villas and 12 two-bedroom villas tailor-made for families.

At LUX* South Ari Atoll, wellbeing is woven into every aspect of the island experience. Here, room amenities include all-natural, cruelty-free, paraben-free bath and beauty products created by the in-house brand LUX* ME. These aromatherapy formulations are also used at the LUX* ME Spa therapies and journeys, that among other goals, help destress, kick-start metabolism and rejuvenate the body. The spa philosophy draws from the best of Eastern and Western wellness traditions, including Ayurvedic and Chinese. From sessions on mindfulness to HIIT yoga, Pilates, circuit training, shirodhara and reiki, LUX* South Ari Atoll features an extensive selection of wellbeing offerings.

Speaking of the extraordinary, an elevated culinary experience is a core part of the LUX* DNA. The resort’s 5 bars and 8 restaurants present distinctive menus – from Indian, East Asian, Italian to inventive global cuisine. Going further, every menu carries appropriate dietary labels (e.g., vegan, contains gluten, contains dairy) and features at least 30 per cent vegan, raw and vegetarian options. Notably, ICI the beachside ice-cream parlour serves sugar-free and vegan ice-creams and gelatos; several of the restaurants serve vegan wines. Termed #KeenOnGreen, these thoughtfully-created healthy offerings are part of The Lux Collective’s conscious decision to offer guests their preferred food and beverage choices, where eating well and sustainability go hand in hand.

At LUX* South Ari Atoll, holistic wellness extends to children (3 -11 years) too, through age-appropriate designed activities that nurture self-discovery and individuality. Weekly programming includes gardening, bread and ice cream making, storytelling and yoga. At Junk Art Studio, guests, especially children, are encouraged to create art out of waste; it opens the mind to positive life practices. At the LUX* ME Spa, children and teenagers can sign up for mini-massages and tutti frutti scrubs using ingredients that look like desserts. The PLAY kids’ club – with its arts and crafts space, a library, a mini-kitchen, outdoor play structures and a swimming pool – forms the bedrock of the resort’s child-centric offerings.

On the sporty front, guests have plenty to pick from. Tennis, table tennis, snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing, kite surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, parasailing, scuba diving and more. Some of these are offered complimentary, including the use of the resort’s sporting equipment. The resort’s unique Extraordinary Experience - Swimming With Whale Sharks is a signature experience for ocean lovers with reasonable fitness levels. It is led by the resort’s marine biologist who is also involved in the study and conservation of the whale shark population that resides perennially within the boundaries of the South Ari Marine Protected Area. Every care is taken to ensure that the whale sharks are treated with respect.

LUX* South Ari Atoll’s strong support for whale shark conservation is one of several key sustainability initiatives, which includes growing a range of vegetables and herbs in its farm, using sustainable amenities made from glass, bamboo and paper fibre; and producing up to 30 percent of the resort’s energy needs from its own overwater solar panels. In fact, LUX* South Ari Atoll's overwater solar array is currently one of the largest in the world. Guests can also track energy usage from their in-room TV sets.

At LUX* South Ari Atoll, the wellness of the planet is truly as important as the wellness of every guest checking in.

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