LUX* Maldives, South Ari Atoll

In South Ari Atoll lies the lovely LUX* Maldives. This resort is what people come to The Maldives for: remote and detached; guests feel they have arrived in paradise; a place to sit back and soak in the picturesque scene. Its distance from any other resort guarantees to sate the appetite of the most ardent island lover.

This resort is ideal for families or couples wanting a luxurious holiday, with plenty to keep everyone happy but without the high costs of staying at one of the super-luxury 5* resorts. The rates are competitive, and there are 18 pairs of inter-connecting Deluxe Rooms, meaning we can book and guarantee inter-connecting rooms. Guaranteed interconnecting rooms are essential for a relaxing family holiday for families with young children, and this can be surprisingly difficult in the Maldives. There are also 3 Family Over-Water Villas which offer two-bedroom villas over the water. Under 12s are not encouraged in these, but it is possible if a disclaimer is signed. There is an excellent and comprehensive kids club open all year and a well-run teens club in the peak holiday seasons.

There are seven excellent restaurants, and an outstanding feature here is that the half board and all-inclusive plans allow for eating at 6 of them rather than operating a buffet and voucher system.

LUX Maldives was formerly known as 'Dive Resort and Spa', and the new version is a more luxurious version of the same - building on the strong service ethos of the original resort and making the most of the ridiculously beautiful location. The resort now claims to be  100% carbon neutral which is excellent news.

They have also introduced activities such as pop up musical performances and impromptu temporary cinemas and other quirky and cool touches which we would spoil by telling you too much about them!  

This is a diving island with an excellent dive centre and plenty of fantastic sites within the marine conservation area nearby, including 1 of the top 10 places in the Maldives. It is possible to swim with whale sharks all year round even for non-divers! The snorkelling is also good, though the reef is a short (and free) boat ride away. The lagoon is perfect for swimming, and the long sandy beaches are excellent for lounging. Other facilities include tennis courts, badminton and the delightful Coconut Spa.

The night entertainment can get lively, but there is no possibility of it disturbing anyone's sleep as the island is so well spaced.

The service is excellent with accommodating and friendly staff. The food too is superb and marks this hotel out among the competition. Also, the size of the island precludes any possibility of over-crowding, even when full.