Metro News

June 2016 – LUX* Resorts & Hotels unveils exciting developments for LUX* South Ari Atoll, including innovative guest experiences that are a first for the Maldives, upon its re-opening on 1st September 2016. Surfacing from a complete refurbishment, LUX* South Ari Atoll, the largest of the rapidly expanding LUX* Resorts & Hotels' portfolio, is being entirely reimagined in stunning beach house chic.

Nestled on one of the Maldives' largest and most picture-perfect islands, LUX* South Ari Atoll will not force adventurous epicureans to choose between a peaceful hideaway and an active adventure. Here, waiting to be found will be a luxury resort that will fulfill the ultimate fantasy: a laid-back, cosy and refined atmosphere, un- compromising in privacy, ready to delight sun-starved, relaxation-seeking globalistas during the forthcoming winter season and beyond.

Dotted at the water's edge along two miles of powder-fine beach, and perched on stilts above a crystal-clear lagoon teeming with colourful fish, reside the 193 pavilions and villas. On land or water, sunset or sunrise facing, the top-to- bottom redesign of these super-spacious rooms and suites by renowned design studio P49 Deesign will introduce a cool nautical vibe to the property. Award winning landscape architect, Stephen Woodhams has also ensured a rich abundance of lush trees and plant life surround the villas.

On the island's east side, 46 Romantic Pool Villas each with private 7m pools, and 3 Temptation Pool Water Villas each featuring a 14m infinity pool will form the resort's adults-only sanctuary. These villas will enjoy twin showers, private terraces incorporating a unique couples' love nest, and small steps to the lagoon, perfect for lounging with a drink.

Two kilometres to the west, 38 Water Villas and a two-bedroom LUX* Villa will complement 105 Beach Villas, 12 of which with private pools. Both villa types are designed to become the perfect home for families or small groups.

Once settled, food and drink quickly becomes a way of island life at LUX* South Ari Atoll. The resort's unparalleled offering of seven restaurants and five bars are all undergoing a major conceptual upgrade under the expert and caring hands of Corporate Chef, Walter Lanfranchi, and the design collaborators from P49.

New, inventive Asian flavours will be served at East Market, featuring a contemporary take on a bustling local night market. Umami sets itself to become an elegant and sophisticated setting for beautifully refined Japanese dining. Highlights will include dedicated sushi, teppanyaki and robatayaki counters accompanied by the largest selection of saké and Japanese whiskies in the Maldives.

Beach Rouge will be the latest incarnation of the LUX* brand's dynamic beach-club concept, first seen at flagship LUX* Belle Mare in Mauritius. Injecting the laid-back energy of a fashionable Mediterranean beach club to this private Maldivian island, Beach Rouge will become a favourite to the winter jet set. Expect ceviche, carpaccio and grilled fish, washed down with chilled rosé and lazy afternoons danced away to chilled island beats.

Rounding out the beachside dining options, Allegria (Italian), Senses (Indian and Arabic) and Mixe (International Buffet) will stimulate every palate.

As for wellness, the LUX* Me spa and its overwater treatment villas will experience a Zen-inspired reboot of its own. The facility incorporates a traditional Chinese teahouse, a dedicated zone for brand new skin and body care experiences and an extended lagoon-view relaxation area. A Zen wellness pavilion will accommodate a wide

range of alternative wellbeing activities including yoga, meditation, Pilates, Tai chi and Qigong, all of which are over- seen by an expert wellness concierge. An updated treatment menu will offer the full range of LUX* Me signature treatments.

Of course, LUX* wouldn't be LUX* without a surprise or two, and the new LUX* South Ari Atoll will be the setting for a fresh collection of Reasons to Go LUX* – guest experience innovations from a brand that never ceases in its quest to create “Lighter, Brighter” luxury in the world's most desirable holiday hotspots.

To mark the occasion, six new Reasons To Go LUX* are in the starting blocks, to be premiered at the resort, heralding yet another round of product revolution, which will be rolled out across the entire portfolio of LUX* properties in Mauritius, La Réunion, the Maldives, China, the Middle East and Turkey.

To spice up guest experience, LUX* South Ari Atoll will introduce a series of Expert-Led Workshops. Each month the resort will host a residency with leading practitioners from diverse, creative and inspiring walks of life. Guests will be able to brush up on their watercolouring skills with painter Corinne Dalle Ore, focus on their framing and lighting with world-renowned travel photographer Michael Freeman, breathe more deeply and master the art of meditative therapy with Bhavnath Gansam, to name a few.

Glenn Daniels, General Manager comments: “After being recognised among the top ten resorts in the Maldives by both industry leaders and consumers, LUX* South Ari Atoll is now ready to take the resort's experience to the next level by introducing not only a fresh and exciting new look but most importantly an incredible team committed to de- liver world class service to our guests.”

Despite all that is new and exciting at LUX* South Ari Atoll, what remains unchanged is the passion of the people who work here and the heartfelt service they provide because, ultimately, LUX* will always be about its people and their spirit. At the new LUX* South Ari Atoll, 650 Team Members, rested and retrained, are primed and pumped to showcase their revitalised resort. They cannot wait to deliver the shining service of LUX* to their guests and to help all of them to celebrate life! Intuitive, friendly and unpretentious, they create an atmosphere that is as soulful as it's sybaritic.

“The brand vision is to offer our guests different luxury hospitality experience; helping people celebrate life, by mak- ing each moment matter. I have no doubt LUX* South Ari Atoll will become a real spot in the Maldives, with its

fresh and exciting new look and its incredibly passionate team, getting ready to welcome guests. We have a winning combination,” shares Paul Jones, CEO of LUX* Resorts & Hotels.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels helps people to celebrate life by delivering consistently on the promise of a different kind of Luxury; hospitality that is Lighter.Brighter. LUX* stages exceptional experiences in different locales – whether on the Beach, in the City or in Nature – by banishing thoughtless patterns and being more simple, fresh and sensory than our competitors.

The resorts and hotels in the LUX* portfolio include LUX* Belle Mare, Mauritius; LUX* Le Morne, Mauritius; LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius; LUX* South Ari Atoll, Mal- dives; LUX* Saint Gilles, Reunion Island , LUX* Tea Horse Road Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China, and LUX* Tea Horse Road Benzilan, Yunnan Province, China. LUX* Lijiang and Benzilan hotels are start of a collection of six luxury boutique hotels along an exciting new circuit of distinctive stays allowing guests to discover the legends of the Tea Horse Road first hand.

Other new properties in the pipeline and opening soon LUX* Al Zorah, United Arab Emirates; LUX* North Male Atoll, Maldives; LUX* Sud Sauvage, Reunion Island, LUX* Bodrum, Turkey and LUX* Dianshan Lake, China.

LUX* Resorts & Hotels is a member of Lux Island Resorts Co Ltd, which is listed on the Stock Exchange Market of Mauritius and is an affiliate member of GML (Groupe Mon Loisir), a major economic player in the Indian Ocean, leader of the "Top 100" Mauritian companies. GML is active in key sectors of the Mauritian econo- my, representing a portfolio of approximately 300 subsidiaries and associated companies.

Other properties managed by LUX* Resorts & Hotels are Tamassa, Bel Ombre, Mauritius; Merville Beach, Grand Baie, Mauritius and Hôtel Le Récif, Réunion Island, as well Ile des Deux Cocos, Mauritius, a private paradise island.

100% CARBON FREE HOLIDAYS AT LUX* RESORTS & HOTELS

LUX* Resorts & Hotels strongly believes in sustainable tourism development, and has embarked in a journey towards a carbon clean future through its project "Tread Lightly". Tread Lightly is the offsetting 100% of the carbon emissions emitted during guests stay. The carbon offsetting contribution is used to support various offsetting projects in developing countries within the regions where LUX* is operating. To learn more about the LUX* Tread Lightly €1 per day voluntary participation carbon-offsetting fee, please visit www.luxtreadlightly.com