How to spend 7 Days in the Maldives
Maldives has long been attracting honeymooners from far and wide, but with so many resorts to choose from, where should you stay? We’ve found the resort that has it all.
Best time to visit: November to April
Your stay:
Lux* South Ari Atoll
The Maldives is made up of over 1,500 islands across 26 atolls, housing approximately 132 resorts. Known for its high-end luxury private island properties, the Maldives offers far more than you might expect; so whether you’re a sun-worshiper or an underwater adventurer, you’ll find there’s a lot more than just the beach on your doorstep at Lux* South Ari Atoll.
Here’s how you could spend 7 days:
Day 1
Arriving by seaplane is the ultimate vacation kick-off. Take in the incredible views as you traverse from one atoll to another, with crystal clear waters and deserted sandy beaches below.
You won’t even realize you’re being checked-in as you sip a fresh juice on arrival and lounge in the reception meets coffee-bar that’s situated at the end of the arrival pier, with the beach on both sides.
Your room awaits you, and whether you’ve chosen over-water or beach-with-pool you absolutely won’t be disappointed. Clean lines and crisp whites supplemented with fun pops of color inside do little to detract from the main feature - the ocean that’s right on your doorstep.
Before dinner at Beach Rouge, take in your first Maldivian sunset. Hanging over the ocean in hammocks with the Lux* resident DJ playing in the background, cheers to the 7-days ahead. You can probably already feel how much you’re going to love it here…
Day 2
Wake up and open the curtains to the paradise outside. Breakfast is served at Mixe (with your feet in the sand) or at East Bar (on stilts above the water), with the latter offering traditional Asian breakfast specialties in addition to all the usuals.
After you’ve fuelled up for the day head out on the sea turtle snorkeling excursion and get your feet wet (literally) with the first of many marine adventures this week. The water is just as clear and calm as it looks and you’ll enjoy the tranquil Dhoni boat ride there as much as the majestic main event.
You’ll be ready for a hearty lunch on your return and Lagoon Bar is the perfect spot to stop, located right at the end of the pier, and offering casual sandwiches, salads and snacks on picnic tables just meters from the water’s edge.
After a lazy afternoon at the pool or beach, it’s time for the best kind of adventure - one that ends with sunset cocktails. Lux’s wandering Apertivo cocktail bar pops up twice per week in a different location, so guests must seek it out. Those that do will be rewarded with tasty tapas-style snacks and signature cocktails designed by the resort’s expert mixologists.
Dinner tonight is at Mixe, a true seafood feast featuring all-you-can-eat fresh sushi, salmon, prawns and lobster. If you’re able to avoid the food coma, head to Beach Rouge after and dance the night away with the Lux* DJ playing until midnight.
Day 3
Wake up with an early morning aqua yoga class or boot camp and get to breakfast a little later today. There’s nothing else to do this morning but explore the island and enjoy the spa, pools or beach. Hidden throughout the resort are messages in a bottle - find one along the way and you’ll be treated to complimentary wine, spa credit or even a sunset cruise. Who said treasure hunts are just for kids?
Whether you end up at the Veli pool or Senses beach, a delicious lunch is always within stumbling distance. Afterwards stop by Café Lux* for a coffee, cake and informative class. The resident barista will take you through the fundamentals of coffee roasting (regularly done on-site at Lux*) or get creative with a lesson in latte art.
Enjoy an early dinner this evening at Senses, featuring delicious local Maldivian curries and grilled fish and meat. After dinner, walk across to the Senses Bar and prepare to get your brain working with the weekly Lux* pub quiz. Just in case you didn’t find your message in a bottle yet, here’s another opportunity to win a little complimentary treat.
Day 4
An early breakfast calls this morning as you’ll be heading out on the Whale Shark Safari. Available as both a snorkeling or scuba experience, this is an adventure truly not to be missed. After a short boat ride, with your crew on watch for the gentle giants in the water below, you’ll jump in and be able to swim alongside.
An epic morning calls for an equally epic lunch and you won’t be disappointed with today’s pop-up burger BBQ at the Veli Pool. A casual lunch with your feet in the sand is the perfect way to continue the day and fuel up for your afternoon activity. Visit the Junk Art studio and get creative, creating one-off artworks and sustainable souvenirs from upcycled materials.
Find yourself at East Bar in time for Happy Hour coupled with live music, and make your choice between East Market’s casual pan-Asian dining, or Umami’s refined sushi and teppanyaki experience. There is no wrong choice!
After dinner take the beach buggy from one end of the island to the other, and head to Senses where you’ll relax into bean-bags with a movie under the stars, complete with popcorn, drinks and ice cream.
Day 5
Another morning in paradise begins and the world of Lux* is once again your oyster. Choose to start the day with a Yoga or Meditation session and then channel your gratitude with a visit to the Tree of Wishes. Take-in the mesmerizing red and yellow adorned tree and then tie your own ribbon containing your wish around one of the available branches.
From mindfulness to movement, stop by the watersports center this afternoon and rent a paddleboard or kayak. Or for those looking for a high-octane adventure, sign-up for the jetski safari where you’ll get a guided tour of the atoll whilst flying full-speed across the flat seas as far as the eye can see.
By now you’ll be pretty familiar with the magical Maldivian golden hour, so it’s time for a change of perspective. Enjoy a relaxed evening cruise in the lagoon as you witness another stunning sunset, while sipping on a cold drink and enjoying the island breeze.
Returning to land another treat awaits, it’s Maldivian night at Mixe. Indulge in local delicacies accompanied by traditional musical entertainment. After you’re done feasting, your next stop is just stumbling distance. Head over to the White Party at Beach Rouge and enjoy some drinks and dancing late into the night.
Day 6
Your last full day in paradise and you’re heading out of Lux* for much of today, but don’t worry, the destination is just as mesmerizing as your island home. As you sail out to your own private sandbank, not a single other soul in sight, you’ll start to see why they call this the “castaway” experience.
On arrival, you’ll enjoy an island-made picnic lunch and beach games and the afternoon continues with unlimited sand, sea and sun. Snorkel the local reef or simply relax on a beanbag with a good book, knowing there is nowhere else in the world you need to be right now. Returning back to the resort around mid-afternoon there’s just enough time to revisit your favorite spots before your final evening gets underway…
Tonight’s pre-dinner drinks take the form of a wine tasting with the Lux* sommelier, who will share their expert knowledge while you sample some perfect pairings and learn how to select and store wines of different vintages. Continue your epicurean evening with an Italian dinner at Allegria, the most romantic fine-dining restaurant at Lux* and the perfect place to reminisce about your 7 days in paradise.
Day 7
The vacation’s not over yet, and it’s time to make the most of every last minute with an early morning fishing trip. Start your day just before sunrise and set out on the traditional Maldivian dhoni for the last time as you learn how to fish like a local.
Get back to the resort in time for a mid-morning breakfast, followed by a final dip in the pool and a few minutes to finish your packing. Your Maldivian adventure ends just as it began, with the stunning seaplane trip across the atoll, back to Malé. You might be saying goodbye to Lux* for now, but just as the personalized luggage tags they leave you with say, be back soon!
