Do you dream of experiencing a one-of-a-kind holiday where you can luxuriate in your overwater bungalow, bicycle along a charming jetty, swim alongside whale sharks, partake in marine conservation, and savour dishes at exclusive restaurants, all while embracing the natural beauty and being eco-responsible? Welcome to LUX* South Ari Atoll, the bedrock of creating sustainable luxury experiences with the ultimate goal of pampering every guest who visits the island.

Situated at an ecologically sensitive location—the South Ari Marine Protected Area, a safeguarded site for whale sharks, olive ridley turtles and manta rays—the resort is always mindful about the impact it has on local marine life and the ways to support the livelihoods of its neighbouring communities. The sustainability mission goes well beyond what it serves in its restaurants and how it tackles waste. Let’s find out.

Sustainable Aesthetics

Created in harmony with nature, LUX* South Ari Atoll’s villas designs feature floor-to-ceiling windows to invite sunlight, natural kajan grass for roofing, and light colours in the décor — all aid in maintaining the indoor temperature, brightening up the space, and reducing the need for artificial lighting through the day. At the same time, the biophilic design of public spaces and thoughtful gardening practices further heightens the sustainability quotient.

Another example of the resort’s care for nature is through its array of overwater solar panels, one of the largest sea floating solar complexes in the world. These panels, along with the ones mounted on the roofs of the hotel’s buildings, generate up to 30% of the energy needs of the resort’s 193 guest villas. You can track the daily production and usage of solar power right from your in-room TV screens. The cruisers that ferry guests around the 2km-long island are also powered by green energy. If fossil fuels were used instead, it would amount to over 260,000 litres of fuel annually.

The resort stopped using single-use and non-biodegradable plastic in 2011, replacing them with environment-friendly alternatives, such as glass bottles, paper straws and bamboo fibre takeaway cups. Its onsite bottling plant alone has helped to reduce over 800,000 plastic bottles from entering the environment. Whether young or adult, you can learn how to recycle different waste into creative items at the property’s Junk Art Studio.

Staying with the nature theme, all the spa products and in-room toiletries are cruelty-free and are formulated using natural and paraben-free ingredients by the in-house brand LUX* ME. You can also discover wellbeing lifestyle tips and learn how to make your own natural self-care products at hosted spa workshops.

Dining Green & Clean

The animal protein industry is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gases. To reduce its carbon footprint, the resort has curated menus at each of its 8 restaurants and 5 bars, where at least 30 percent of the dishes are either vegetarian, raw, or vegan. This wholesome and healthy cuisine, termed Keen on Green, includes vegan ice creams and wines. A number of organic vegetables and herbs are grown on the island, offering farm-to-table freshness. In addition to locally-sourced produce, the resort works with a sustainable supply chain of partners for importing ingredients and products.

Eco-Friendly Weddings

With the rise in mindful weddings, LUX* South Ari Atoll offers zero-waste celebration ceremonies, which include all the joys of a destination wedding without impacting the environment. Additionally, a part of what the couple spends on the wedding is donated in support of a Male-based children’s home.

Closer to Nature

Looking beyond the white sands that fringe the island, the resort partners with the Whale Shark Research Programme and the Olive Ridley Project to protect marine biodiversity. It has raised funds via numerous charity auctions and adoption programmes to create greater awareness towards marine conservation. You can volunteer to plant corals, which are important for a healthy marine ecosystem, and even to adopt coral frames. The resort’s passionate marine biologists are involved in research and work with both government and private authorities to track the health of the ocean. They use their knowledge to lead educational tours, snorkelling trips, and offer immersive marine biology presentations that encourage protecting the oceans.

Sustainable practices have to go beyond the green spectrum to touch local communities and immerse guests in the beauty of local culture. Another extraordinary experience, Amaa’s Kitchen, is a spectacular way to enjoy homemade meals and learn about island life from Maldivian ‘mothers’ invited to cook and host the dinner. The team members of LUX* South Ari Atoll are frequent visitors of neighbouring islands, offering educational teaching support and engaging schools in ongoing sustainable projects, thereby uplifting the communities. You can hence hop on a dhoni boat for a guided shopping and exploration tour of one such island.

The Lux Collective, the global hospitality group headquartered in Singapore, has always been on the forefront of sustainability. It believes that travel can be an instrument of positive change. At the heart of its purpose, the Group values each moment and cares about what matters. And at LUX* South Ari Atoll, the Group believes the resort’s everyday attempts are making a mindful impact for the planet and people, one day at a time.