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Island Couture Lands in South Asia With The Opening Of SO/ Maldives

This new all-villa destination offers exciting wellness experiences.
Julie Keller Callaghan

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Reinventing the luxury island getaway, SO/, the coveted collection of fashion-forward hotels from Ennismore, unveils 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 Malé Velana International Airport is all it takes for guests to be whisked away to 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. As soon as guests reach SO/ Maldives, they are welcomed in a beautiful arrival pavilion and met with a red carpet-worthy arrival experience.

Runway-Worthy Villas

SO/ Maldives has curated a stylish collection of 80 beachfront and overwater villas​​that epitomize modern luxury and command attention with their 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 Lagoon Water Pool Villa Collection and Three-Bedroom Ocean Water Pool Atelier to the Family Beach Pool Villa with Capsule, which features adjoining “sleep pods” for younger travelers 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 individualized concierge service.

Feasts For The Senses

SO/ Maldives delivers innovative and diverse restaurant and bar experiences. The Citronelle Club is an all-day dining destination where flavors 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 multicolored mosaic pool. The menu features creative and healthy Mediterranean fare, while vibrant cocktails are waiting to be sipped alongside tunes by visiting DJs in the evenings. Located in the hotel’s arrival pavilion, Hadaba celebrates the atmosphere and flavors of Arabian nights with Levantine slow-cooked dishes and smoked delicacies, such as Saltbush Lamb Cutlets with 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.

A World Of Wellness 

The property’s Wellness Camp is an East-meets-West concept that offers unlimited access to fitness and relaxation in an unparalleled 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 personalization to meet guests’ every need. Each treatment employs carefully selected ingredients and advanced technology and is 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, showcasing the latest Technogym and Alo equipment, offers 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 & 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 travelers’ 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, Families Welcome

Younger guests can enjoy a wide selection of activities and areas customized 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, watersports and more. Babysitting for children under four years of age is available at an extra cost.

Island Takeover

From dawn to dusk, SO/ Maldives stands as the idyllic backdrop for glamorous 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 privatization, an array of areas set the stage for various occasions.

About The Author
julieKeller_author-1

Julie is the co-founder of Well Defined and a longtime influencer and advocate in the wellness world. Along with her work at Well Defined, she is an executive recruiter and marketing specialist for Hutchinson Consulting. She is also a consultant and content strategist for numerous wellness brands. She is the former editor-in-chief and publisher of American Spa and was named a 2019 Folio Top Woman in Media in the Industry Trailblazers category and a 2018 winner of ISPA’s Innovate Award. She is also a seasoned journalist, specializing in spa, travel, health, fitness, wellness, sustainability, and beauty. She has been published in Departures, ForbesTraveler.com, E! Online, Gayot.com, Insider’s Guide to Spas, Luxury Travel Advisor, Marin Magazine, Ocean Home, Smart Meetings, Spa Asia, and Travel Agent.