New resort in paradise is just 15 minutes from an international airport

It’s uniquely beautiful and the epitome of honeymoon romance, but there’s no getting around it – the Maldives is an expensive destination.

The things that tend to make prices go down are in place – plenty of competition with seemingly never-ending resort openings and visitation numbers hitting pre-COVID-19 levels in the first quarter of this year. But the very things that make it so attractive – those glittering aqua expanses and isolated white-sand islands – makes operations pricey, along with limited resources, taxes and environmental measures.

A two/three bedroom villa.

And then there are the flights – while some resorts at the high-end build air transfers in, domestic travel is expensive.

However, a new resort opening in November at least cuts the expense of those intra-country airfares.

SO/ Maldives lies in Emboodhoo Lagoon, a 15-minute speedboat ride from Male’s Velana International Airport – no air transfer necessary.

An overwater villa at SO/ Maldives.

The 80-villa resort is family-friendly, with eight categories of accommodation, all with private pools, and all spacious, ranging from the 120-square-metre lagoon water pool villas to a three-bedroom ocean water pool atelier which gives 330 square metres of space.

There’s also the 238-square-metre family beach pool villa with capsule category, the latter being a sleep pod for the kids.

The SO/ brand, begun as a funkier, fashion-driven little sister to Accor’s Sofitel in 2011, is now under the auspices of Ennismore. It’s a joint venture between London-based entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha and Accor.

Ennismore has 91 hotels across SO/ and 13 other brands, including Mondrian and Jo&Joe as well as more than 150 restaurants and night spots.

At SO/ Maldives “the craftsmanship and theatricality of contemporary couture” are behind the aesthetic with a sculptural, red-latticed central staircase and walkways framed by billowing fabric just some of the flourishes.

There are three dining options, one offering Asian cuisine, another slow-cooked and smoked dishes, and one doing Mediterranean in a space that will feature DJs and live music.

A beach villa.

Activities include programs through the Wellness Camp with spa, hammam, steam rooms and a full-fitted gym, The Nest kids club and for the teens, The Zone.

There are, of course, myriad water sports on offer, after all, air transfers may not be required but this is still very much the Maldivian idyll.

See so-hotels.com