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LUX* South Ari Atoll launches year-long ‘Beat the Plastic’ campaign
LUX* South Ari Atoll has launched an ambitious year-long plan to combat plastic pollution.
At a ceremony held at the resort’s multi purpose court Friday evening to kick start the initiative, reusable flasks were given to all team members to be used for drinking water. The flasks will replace the plastic water bottles used by the 350 plus employees at the resort.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Manager Jonas Amstad expressed hope that the resort would be completely plastic free within a year. Even achieving 50 percent of that ambitious target would be a huge milestone for the resort as well as to entire the tourism industry of the Maldives, he added.
“We’re here as guests. And as guests, we’ve to take care of the environment and leave it behind as it is for our future generations,” Jonas said.
“This will be a team effort. We can achieve it with the help of each and every member of our team. We’ll also welcome any initiatives that will help us achieve this goal. So, if you’ve any ideas, please do share them with us.”
General Manager Jonas Amstad distributes reusable flasks to team members. PHOTO/ LUX*
As part of the ambitious plan, Executive Housekeeper Amarajith Ranaweersingha unveiled a specially-made reusable garbage bag to be used by housekeeping staff. The bag, sewn in-house, will replace the 22,000 single-use plastic bags used per annum by the room attendants.
“We’re in the process of sewing these bags. Once we’ve enough bags, our housekeeping staff will entirely shift to these bags. Each bag will last five months,” Amarajith said.
Executive Housekeeper Amarajith Ranaweersingha (L) shows a specially-made reusable garbage bag to be used by housekeeping staff. PHOTO/ LUX*
Executive Chef Dave Minten also announced a plan to set up an organic vegetable farm on the island, in partnership with an international company. The hydroponic farming system would be built inside a 40-foot shipping container, and would produce about two to four tonnes of vegetables and herbs per year, he added.
“When we airlift a lot of expensive vegetables and herbs, they come in styrofoam boxes and with plastic wrapping. Our island farm will not only provide our guests with fresh farm-to-table dishes, but we’ll also be able to eliminate a lot of plastic,” Dave said.
Executive Chef Dave Minten announces plans to set up a vegetable farm on the island. PHOTO/ LUX*
Meanwhile, Director of Engineering Paul Smith Rose revealed an upcoming solar power project that aims to provide at least 30 percent of the resort’s energy from renewable sources by 2019. Installation of solar panels is expected to begin in December, with them up and running early next year, he added.
“Our plan is to produce over one megawatts of power from solar panels installed on the island as well from those floating in the sea. In the first phase, at least 500 kilowatts will be produced,” Paul said.
Regional Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance Hussain Afeef speaks at the ceremony. PHOTO/ LUX*
Under the year-long plan, LUX* South Ari Atoll has also discontinued the use of single-use, plastic drinking straws. Guests are now served drinks without any straws; if they request for a straw, eco-friendly paper straws are provided instead of plastic.
While plastic is one of the most defining inventions of our time, its negative environmental impact is undeniable. Globally, 300 million tons of plastic are produced on an annual basis and around 8.8 million tons are dumped into the oceans.
The problem is found in every known ecosystem and at every level of the food chain. If current marine pollution trends continue, the oceans will contain more plastic than fish by the year 2050.
The latest initiative is amongst a number of green projects undertaken by LUX* South Ari Atoll. The resort teamed up with local telecom giant Dhiraagu last year to launch a campaign aimed at replacing all plastic bags used by staff members with reusable bags.
These green initiatives by LUX* South Ari Atoll are part of a wider commitment by parent company LUX* Resorts and Hotels.
The Mauritius based hotel chain was recently recognised for its voluntary commitment to invest in sustainable tourism projects, with flagship initiatives such as Tread Lightly by LUX* and Ray of Light by LUX* where it goes beyond legal compliance to protect the environment and uplift host communities.
Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives.
With 187 private villas dotted at the water’s edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.
Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.
While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa which hosts a wellness concierge and a menu of indulgent treatments, what sets the property apart from its neighbours are surprises, or better known as #ReasonstogoLUX. Designed to create lasting memories for guests, these ‘reasons’ can range from island-roasted coffee in Café LUX* to impromptu movie screenings at cinema paradise and the chance to hang your wishes on the Tree of Wishes.
Villa Nautica will embrace the festive spirit from 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, offering guests an easy island rhythm that flows from bright mornings by the water to music-filled evenings on the sand. The season begins with illuminated beaches and relaxed barbecues, gradually building through creative afternoons and live performances. Christmas Eve will feature a gala dinner, followed by Santa’s arrival on 25 December. The celebrations will culminate in a vibrant New Year’s Eve countdown with fireworks, before settling into a calm reset on New Year’s Day and concluding with Orthodox Christmas.
The programme balances practicality with a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Mornings will bring sunrise yoga, family pool activities, and interactive cooking sessions, while evenings will feature poolside soirées, wine-paired dinners, and sunset cruises. With simple yet photogenic settings, the lagoon and sky take centre stage in shaping the mood. Guests—whether couples, friends, or families—can participate freely without losing the island’s easy pace.
For younger visitors, the festivities will centre around the kids’ club, where cookie and cupcake decorating, beach games, origami and craft sessions, storytelling, and cosy movie nights will take place. Small groups and attentive care ensure that creativity and play remain the focus, allowing parents to enjoy uninterrupted moments around the island.
A highlight of the season will be the Champagne Lucky Draw & Disco. From 1 to 31 December, each bottle of champagne purchased at resort bars or restaurants will serve as an entry to the draw. Guests are advised to keep their entry stubs for the live draw, held at 01:00 during the New Year’s celebration, where the prize will be a seven-night stay in a Water Villa for two.
Throughout the festive period, private experiences will feel as memorable as the larger celebrations. Guests may enjoy candlelit dinners on the sand, floating breakfasts, or early morning snorkelling sessions to begin the year anew. Whether seeking a lively shoreline celebration or a quiet evening stroll beneath lanterns and palms, Villa Nautica offers an atmosphere where every festive moment can glow in its own way.
JOALI BEING, the world’s first well-being island, has announced the launch of its new global brand campaign titled “Joyful Journeys of Well-Living.” The campaign celebrates the art of self-discovery, inviting travellers to reconnect with their inner selves through bespoke and transformative experiences.
Building upon JOALI BEING’s core philosophy of the “Joy of Weightlessness,” the campaign embodies the essence of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. It encourages guests to explore holistic pathways designed to restore balance and inspire personal growth.
Joyful Journeys of Well-Living serves as an invitation to travellers seeking meaningful change and renewal. The campaign narrates stories of individuals discovering joy through purposeful living, mindful connection, and immersive well-being experiences at JOALI BEING.
The visuals capture the island’s tranquil landscapes and nurturing spaces — from oceanfront sanctuaries to treetop villas and transformative healing sessions led by resident experts. The campaign presents JOALI BEING as more than a destination; it is a journey towards well-being, creativity, and self-transformation.
Each guest journey at JOALI BEING is founded on the resort’s Four Pillars of Well-Being — Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. Through tailored programmes, guests can embark on integrative wellness experiences encompassing sound therapy, movement and fitness, hydrotherapy, nutritional guidance, and energy-healing sessions curated by specialists.
The island features a series of advanced well-being spaces, including:
- CORE: a movement and fitness zone
- AREKA: a transformative treatment centre
- KAASHI: a hydrotherapy hall
- SEDA: a sound-healing room
- Ocean Sala: an open-air meditation and relaxation deck
Each space is designed to nurture a profound connection with nature and the self.
The Joyful Journeys of Well-Living campaign has been conceptualised and produced by JOALI BEING’s in-house team in collaboration with creative partners and visual storytellers from across the globe. The multi-platform campaign integrates film, digital, and print media to convey JOALI BEING’s ethos — a celebration of joy, transformation, and harmony.
The visual narrative draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the Maldives, reflecting JOALI BEING’s immersive design philosophy. The imagery captures the rhythm of the ocean, the play of light, and the flow of energy that define the spirit of the island.
Coco Bodu Hithi has been recognised on the global stage, winning Best Waterside Hotel (Riverside, Lakeside, Seaside) at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence 2026, held on 3 November 2025 in the UK. It is the second consecutive year the resort has been honoured by the publication, following last year’s win for Best Service, reaffirming its focus on heartfelt Maldivian hospitality and refined island living.
Described by Condé Nast Johansens as an “over-water, over-indulgent Maldivian island outpost,” Coco Bodu Hithi offers an intimate retreat of comfort and calm. The resort’s 32 Water Villas and 24 Coco Residences, each measuring 184 square metres and featuring private pools, provide secluded spaces set above the lagoon, where nature, design, and comfort come together to reflect the island’s romantic ambience.
Known for contemporary design infused with Maldivian heritage, the resort continues to welcome travellers seeking time by the sea, complemented by culinary collaborations with celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs. The experience balances privacy and comfort throughout a guest’s stay. With turquoise waters, quiet spaces, and experiences designed for connection and shared discovery, the resort presents a considered take on island living.
Located 35 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the island combines accessibility with seclusion—close enough for convenience, yet removed for privacy and serenity. As part of Coco Collection, the resort offers bespoke experiences, attentive service, and sustainable practices, shaping stays that feel personal and reflective of relaxed, authentic island life.
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