Travel feels smooth from the start. Use the private lounge at the international airport. The seaplane ride takes 25 minutes. South Ari Atoll sits in clear, calm seas. The island has four kilometres of beach and a wide, colourful lagoon. Sunrise suits the water villas. Sunset fits the beachside gardens. Step off a deck, and the ocean is below you. Swim the house reef before breakfast. Days feel unhurried.

Sleep comes with choice, and each feels grown up. Pick a Beach Pavilion as a base. Step up to a Beach Villa for more space and sea views. Choose a Water Villa for steps into the lagoon. The Overwater Infinity Pool Villa features a private pool with sunrise views. Temptation Pool Water Villa features a long pool and a glass-floor lounge. The LUX* Villa sits at the jetty end and faces sunset each night.

Water calls. Slip on a snorkel kit and drift over the house reef. Paddle a canoe, kayak, or pedal boat in the lagoon. For more pace, try windsurfing, jet skiing, kitesurfing, or parasailing. Join a whale shark safari for a day to remember. Divers can reach over 50 sites, including Kuda Rah Thila. On land, play tennis, beach volleyball, football, or table tennis before sunset fishing. Add wakeboarding, flyboarding, or a cruise too.

Days here settle into a neat rhythm. Start at LUX* Me Spa, with 15 spa villas and four overwater treatment villas. Move from the sauna to the hammam, then dip in the plunge pools. Join yoga in the sea view grove. The LUX* Me Fitness Centre features a TechnoGym kit. Families value PLAY, with arts, a library corner, and a kids pool. Studio 17, Photo Fanatics, and the Wanderlust Library add polish. Wi Fi spans areas.

Meals set the tone, and the island plays with flavour. Start with breakfast at MIXE or East Market. Book a dinner at Allegria for Italian classics, or at Umami for modern Japanese. Senses Restaurant blends Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, while Beach Rouge leans toward Mediterranean cuisine. Pause at Café LUX* for coffee roasted in house. Finish with cocktails at Senses Lounge and Bar or a drink at East Bar over water. ICI sorts ice cream at tea time.

Big moments deserve craft, not noise. The Celebration Desk handles vow renewals, birthdays, anniversaries, and proposals. The team can set a symbolic ceremony, then follow with private, customised dining. Keep it simple on the sand. Keep it sharp with smart casual style. Add flowers, your chosen menu, and a view that does the talking. Photo Fanatics catch the light so you stay in the moment. A sunset table turns into a legend.