Discovering the Maldives, the holiday destination par excellence where everything is allowed

Martinique turns green: discovery of the surroundings of Pelée Mountain

A high-level trip

To get there, we took off from Charles de Gaules airport in Paris on a Gulf Air flight to stop in Bahrain. The company offers flights starting from €732 taxes included in economy class and €2,422 taxes included in business class. In fact, it has ten long-range B787-900 aircraft, equipped with 26 Business Class beds. It is in this last category that we were able to travel. The luxury theme of the trip was already announced. Removable bunks, three-course menus, an extensive catalog of films and pampering services, everything is designed to make these six hours of flight go by faster. Then follows a second four-hour flight before arriving in Malé, the capital of the Maldives.

The wooden piers take on the appearance of works of art. ©Levente Bodo

The Maldives archipelago is made up of almost 1,200 islands that form a chain of 26 atolls. Most of them are occupied by hotels or are still available for sale. You should know that the country has just under 550,000 inhabitants, but welcomes more than 600,000 tourists every year. To reach these islands, you can travel there across the Indian Ocean by boat or aboard a seaplane. An experience in itself, the feeling of taking off and landing on the water is incredible, not to mention the beauty of the landscape is breathtaking. Turquoise and crystalline water as far as the eye can see: the change of scenery is immediate.

A heavenly environment. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

As part of this trip, we headed to Didhoofinolhu Island to explore the LUX South Ari Atoll hotel. The Mauritian hotel group has taken possession of the island to create a truly heavenly little holiday village because, as the name suggests, the watchword here is LUXURY! But attention, luxury and sustainability do not necessarily have to be mutually exclusive. And because the Maldives is one of the most unique ecosystems on the planet, it’s even more important to take action. So you might be happy to know that’s why the resort built one of the largest offshore floating solar systems in the world.

High standard rooms

As soon as we arrive, the hotel staff awaits us on the pier to welcome us with a fresh towel. Our suitcases are then transported directly to our rooms, while we stop at the reception to freshen up and learn more about this place. Palm leaf roofs, designer furniture in fine wood, colorful walls and lush vegetation make the complex an oasis. To move around the hotel you can rent a bicycle or ride a cart, as there is a regular shuttle system. Didhoofinolhu is one of the largest islands in the Maldives and offers 4km of pristine beaches and a sparkling lagoon. As the island is narrow, no matter where you look, you will be able to see the blue ocean at any time.

Dubai, the sporting megalomaniac (photo and video)The villas on stilts, isolated from the island for even more tranquility. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

Let’s focus now on housing. When you think of the Maldives, images of small overwater bungalows certainly come to mind. Well, you’re right, since LUX offers exactly this type of accommodation. You will have the opportunity to choose between different standards of villas, some of which have swimming pools, installed directly above the ocean. We had the opportunity to stay several nights in the classic villa, with a surface area of ​​98 m2, equipped with a terrace with hammock, deckchairs, outdoor lounge and direct access to the water. The bathroom alone is worth the detour. A large bathtub sits next to the huge glass window and gives the impression of magically floating while you wash. Of course, king size bed, bathrobes, toiletries… they are there. The must is the part of the glass floor that allows us to see the ocean under our feet. This is one of the hotel’s best sellers.

The villa on stilts and its ultra-bright bathroom. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

In addition to overwater villas, LUX South Ari Atoll also offers a wide selection of lodges and villas located directly on the beach. We thus had the opportunity to stay in a romantic villa with swimming pool, a new addition to the complex. In total, 136 m2 are available, including a 36 m2 infinity pool. A must in this room is also the external bathroom, equipped with a gigantic bathtub, in which it is possible to float in complete tranquility and at any time of the day, since we are protected from eyes. Everything has been well thought out to ensure the peace of mind of the occupants. It is for this reason that the villa has private access to the beach. Please note that you will not find plastic bottles in your minibar, as they are prohibited in the complex. Instead you will find glass versions which are obviously changed every day.

The romantic villa on the beach. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

What’s on the menu?

The LUX South Ari Atoll hotel has a total of eight restaurants and five bars, including one specialized in coffee roasting, a service present in all hotels in the group. Each establishment highlights a different cuisine. It is therefore difficult not to find happiness. Street food revisited, Asian, Italian cuisine… You can even see a chef in action waving his knives in front of you on an impressive teppanyaki. Utensils fly through the air and ingredients magically land on your plates. In addition to the fun, the show is guaranteed. But the restaurant that caught our attention the most was Amaa’s Kitchen. The latter tries to recreate the atmosphere that characterizes the traditional Maldivian populations. Since the pandemic, local residents have become more cautious about welcoming tourists. Furthermore, LUX wanted to bring the Maldives to tourists by imagining this restaurant lost among the trees. Here dishes are simmered in pots over coals, coconuts are cut in front of you using wooden stakes. There are woven tablecloths made from palm leaves on the tables and Amaa behind the stove. Amaa is a sort of Maldivian “mother” who tries to pass on her customs and know-how to tourists. She prepares bread, meat, fish and rice before your eyes with astonishing speed. But we prefer to warn you that it is better to prefer spicy dishes, because spicy dishes characterize Maldivian cuisine.

Amaa’s Kitchen is the most authentic of the resort’s restaurants. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

Nature to entertain you

Now that you’ve set the scene, you may be wondering what activities to do on the island. It’s no surprise that snorkeling and diving are things to do while traveling. The instructors are also at your disposal. Whoever says turquoise water means exotic marine creatures: manta rays, sharks, turtles, whale sharks and dozens and dozens of species of colorful fish hide under these waters. The hotel has also started a program to protect all these species in collaboration with local authorities. You don’t always have to get on a boat and set sail to see what it’s like. Equipped with masks, fins and snorkels lent by the diving center, we set off to play adventurers in our room and have already been able to observe some specimens up close. There are also numerous small harmless sharks lurking in the rooms. In addition to all this impressive fauna, you will also have the chance to observe the most threatened flora ever: coral reefs. In this regard, LUX has started a coral restoration program across the island, where it is possible to participate in workshops with a marine biology expert.

Paradise for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

You can also opt for a paddle tour, kayak, jet ski… Or prefer an aperitif on board a boat to admire the sunset. If you prefer to let your artistic fiber express itself, then you can take part in the coconut painting workshop, undertake a photo shoot in one of the hotel’s many locations or try latte art. This technique which consists of drawing with milk on coffee. You can also indulge in a giant game of chess or get lost in one of the libraries. For party lovers, LUX offers a themed evening every day at the Beach Rouge restaurant, as well as a cinema session once a week. Finally, those who prefer to recharge their batteries can take part in the morning yoga lessons, discover the floating champagne served directly in the pool or even go to the spa. In addition to the sauna and hammam, the experts offer a wide choice of massages and treatments every day using the hotel’s cosmetic products (not tested on animals). Once again, the location is ultra exotic as each cabin takes place in a comfortable oceanfront lodge.

Traditional boat tour or photo session in one of the hotel’s many locations, the choice is yours. ©Lux* Resorts and hotels

After reading these few lines, there is no doubt that you can already see yourself with us on the seashore, hearing the lapping of the waves and the sun delicately caressing your skin. Mission accomplished! The Maldives can be summed up in two words: relaxation and change of scenery. To find out more about LUX South Ari Atoll, click here. And to end on a high note, we share a little advice with you: keep your eyes open if you go. Every morning, the hotel staff hides several dozen bottles inside which there are gifts: free meals, massages, cocktails… In the center of the resort there is also a majestic wishing tree. You won’t be able to miss it thanks to its many colorful ribbons hanging from the branches. We can only advise you enough to participate in the weekly ceremony and add a wish of your own. Every December 31st a lucky child is drawn to win a free stay. Advice that we are sure will not fall on deaf ears.

Good to know: It is best to plan your trip between the months of December and April, as the rainy season falls between the months of May and November.

2024-01-13 12:36:00
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