SO/, the coveted collection of fashion-forward hotels from Ennismore, has unveiled trend-setting and avant-garde living in the Maldives with the opening of its latest address, SO/ Maldives – a vibrant private-island destination rooted in fashion, art and design. 

A swift, 15-minute speedboat transfer from Male Velana International Airport is all it takes for guests to reach SO/ Maldives’ luxurious, 15-acre enclave where overwater and beachfront villas, distinctive dining experiences, and a wellness camp – all lapped by the turquoise waters of Emboodhoo Lagoon – await.

On reaching SO/ Maldives, guests are welcomed at an Arrival Pavilion.

Beachfront and Overwater Villas

SO/ Maldives has curated a stylish collection of 80 beachfront and overwater villas ​​that reflect modern luxury and feature avant-garde design. Spanning one to three bedrooms and eight categories, the villas are designed for open plan living, each with a private pool and deck from which guests can enjoy ocean views.

From the 120 sqm Lagoon Water Pool Villa Collection and the 410 sqm three-bedroom Ocean Water Pool Atelier, to the 238 sqm Family Beach Pool Villa with Capsule, which features adjoining “sleep pods” for younger travellers and multi-generational groups, each villa is a cocoon of sartorial luxury that comes with Maison Codage toiletries, which employ sustainably-sourced vegan ingredients; plush robes and slippers; and individualised concierge service.

Culinary Options

SO/ Maldives delivers innovative and diverse restaurant and bar experiences. The Citronelle Club is an all-day dining destination where flavours are woven into a menu of Pan-Asian cuisine while the French, Riviera-inspired Lazuli Beach Club is a sophisticated day-to-night beach bar where guests can enjoy sunbathing around the multicoloured mosaic pool.

The menu features creative and healthy Mediterranean fare, including a Prosciutto di Parm pizza with olives, wild arugula, parmigiano Reggiano and stracciatella, while vibrant cocktails are waiting to be sipped alongside tunes by visiting DJs in the evenings.

Located in the hotel’s stunning Arrival Pavilion, Hadaba celebrates the atmosphere and flavours of Arabian nights with Levantine slow-cooked dishes and smoked delicacies, such as Saltbush Lamb Cutletswith glazed eggplant, za’atar and toum and Maldivian Lobster with Aleppo pepper, garlic butter and finger lime.

Guests can also enjoy private in-villa dining or head outside of the resort to sample an assortment of destination food and beverage options.

Wellness Camp

The property’s Wellness Camp is an East-meets-West concept that offers unlimited access to fitness and relaxation in a serene setting. A restorative spa menu curated alongside Salon C Stellar, featuring Maison Codage, Comfort Zone and Odacité products to name a few, offers a nutritive approach to wellness with tailor-made care no matter the treatment.

This includes LED and quartz beds for cutting-edge relaxation, ancient wisdom, and maximum personalisation. From “The Best Facial” whose fans already include Lily Allen and White Lotus star Will Sharpe, to the 75-minute “Astro Facial” which is tailored to an individual’s moon sign, each treatment employs carefully selected ingredients, advanced technology and is exquisitely crafted to meet the guests’ desired result.

The facilities also include steam and sauna rooms, a Vichy Rainforest Shower, and a revitalizing vitality pool. The state-of-the-art gym showcases the latest Technogym and Alo equipment, offering sweeping views of the cyanic waters. Guests can participate in scheduled complimentary classes such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, and personalized training sessions.  

Water Adventures and Excursions

An array of paid and complimentary water-based adventures including kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling, jet ski, stand-up paddleboarding, and offsite excursions are available to further enhance travellers’ experience of the island.

Guests can learn how to scuba dive, or for experienced divers, there is a wide selection of curated dives that can be arranged daily including turtle expeditions, outer reef explorations and traditional Maldivian fishing excursions.

Other lessons available for purchase are windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamaran courses, parasailing, surfing, hydro flight rentals and more. Private boats and yachts are also available for guests to charter for private exploration by the hour or the day. 

Friends and Families

Younger guests can enjoy a wide selection of activities and areas customised to their ages and needs – whether it’s making new friends at The Zone (Teen’s Club for ages 12-16) or The Nest (Kids Club for ages 4-11), which are both fully equipped with toys, games and activities, or enjoying the myriad of family-forward programming such as beach volleyball, bocce ball, soccer, water sports and more. Babysitting for children under 4 years of age is available at an extra cost. 

From dawn to dusk, SO/ Maldives stands as the idyllic backdrop for exciting events. With oceanfront venues ranging from the show-stopping Arrival Pavilion, Lazuli Beach Club and Hadaba, to the two- and three-bedroom villas and the possibility of island privatisation, an array of areas set the stage for various occasions.

Opening Offers

Guests can experience the allure of SO/ Maldives with an exclusive The Castaway Escape opening offer. For those seeking an exceptionally sweet opening offer, Dis-loyalty, Ennismore's innovative travel and food membership, presents a remarkable discount on all accommodations at SO/ Maldives.

This exclusive deal is available for bookings made via the Dis-loyalty website on stays through April 30, 2024. – TradeArabia News Service