This Maldives resort won’t break the bank
The new luxury property has stunning overwater bungalows but is good value compared to its competitors.
Twenty-six atolls, almost 1200 coral isles, and water of such vivid luminosity as to almost require sunglasses, even when viewed from a plane. Welcome to The Maldives. But my second visit to this destination doesn’t start with a bird’s-eye vista.
While seaplanes and resort-branded private jets whisk visitors from Male airport to resorts on far-flung atolls such as Baa and Raa, the cost can be eye-watering and flights typically take between 30 and 60 minutes. Speedboat journeys cover transfers to properties within close access from the capital, and one of the quickest hops is to SO/Maldives.
It takes a lively 15 minutes of gentle bumps and sea spray to reach Kaafu Atoll and yet it all feels satisfyingly removed, even though this area covers an “integrated lifestyle” project known as Crossroads. Hard Rock Resort and the “boho chic” Saai Resort Maldives (a Hilton Curio Collection member) are the other accommodation options, plus restaurants and retail outlets, water sports and a marine discovery centre.
So it’s a neighbourhood of sorts, built around a yacht marina but with plenty of elbow room, and the instant trade-off for any lack of Robinson Crusoe-style remoteness is the ease of access.
Opened late last year, SO/Maldives is the star pick of this complex, with room rate to match, although still good value by Maldivian resort standards. It’s fun and funky, from the moment of arrival at the welcome pavilion, with its restaurant, bar and lounge.
There are 360-degree panoramas via window walls on the top storey and a “runway” boardwalk that’s defined at night by red footlights to mimic (perhaps) a celebrity red carpet. Eighty villas, all with private pools, are set either beachfront or overwater; those in the latter category are ranged along a swooping timber boardwalk over Emboodhoo lagoon. The Dhivehi language of The Maldives is so mellifluous that this expanse of water’s name almost demands to be sung, not merely said.
But let’s start with singing the praises of those overwater pads. They are not as large as those at many competitors, and the tropical island aesthetic is overlaid with more urban touches, but space has been well utilised. Each has a semicircular sofa for two on the deck, a boom net strewn with cushions for idle lolling, and a semi-shaded plunge pool patterned with tiled blue stripes. Interiors are fresh and fun, with a colourful wicker light shaped like a sombrero over the tub, bright hues in soft furnishings, tub chairs, modular furniture and automatic curtains to be whooshed open for the morning reveal.
The decor is resonant with the SO/ design look, evident in 11 properties (and counting) in destinations as disparate as Dubai and Vienna, Bangkok and Auckland. It’s cheeky and playful. The demographic, while tilted to young couples, includes older guests and families during my stay. The perfect morning, overwater style, starts with donning snorkelling gear, venturing down wooden steps with a handy railing from the deck, and coming face to face with the locals, which will likely include idling stingrays, squid and tropical fish of preposterously bright hues zooming about as if playing tag. Or just sit on one of those steps, coffee in hand from the in-room espresso machine, and salute the day.
Choose a beachfront villa option for a larger floor plan; white sand beckons on the doorstep for strolls and instant swims. These units are walled with double-entry gate (park your complimentary bike under palms) and are even more contemporary in feel, almost like glasshouses, with large pool and terrace.
A family beach villa features a cute double-bunk capsule for two children plus the expected king bed in the main suite. The set-up is like a kids’ den, with huge TV, games and a contoured design that looks slightly sci-fi.
There are two kids’ clubs, too, one exclusively for teens, and the dive centre offers complimentary kayaks, paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Lazuli Beach Club has a big pool tiled in multi-coloured bands and shaded with striped parasols; hang out there for pizzas, burgers and a transplanted Riviera vibe. Barbecues on the beach feature starters of sushi, plentiful sides and grills, including lobster.
My partner and I swim, snooze, cycle and snorkel over three days. Some of the exercise balances the kilojoule intake, which is considerable. Meal packages are offered as half or full board. The former excludes lunch and I imagine is the more popular as there’s no stinting on the breakfast buffet at Citronelle Club. The tropical fruit and pastries alone could sate an appetite for hours but nonetheless the lunchtime dumplings prove tempting. Hadaba serves Moroccan cuisine and is romantically lit with candles and lanterns for dinner, clearly popular with guests from the UAE, who form a considerable percentage of patrons. But for the full panoramic experience, book in for lunch.
The must-do activities include a leisurely sunset boat trip to spot spinner dolphins, and breakfast served on a floating tray in your pool. For ultimate pampering, the spa experience starts with sandy soles being soaked in a footbath sprinkled with rose petals. Choose an Indian head massage, nourishing face masks or body treatments that include hot stones and essential oils. If you need a hand getting back to the villa, your barefoot butler (Guest Experience Maker, to be precise) can be summoned. Without fail, Rajee appears to collect us in a flash. There’s no such thing as too much attention, indulgence or mandated siesta times in this watery paradise.
In the know
Founded in 2011 as Sofitel’s “fashion-forward little sister”, SO/ is now under the auspices of the Ennismore group, which operates brands such as Mondrian and Mama Shelter.
SO/Maldives features one fully accessible villa.
Roofs of overwater villas are topped with solar panels. Water is recycled, vehicles are electric, single-use plastics have been eliminated and Codage Paris bathroom amenities are eco-friendly.
The Maldives is a fragile environment, and every such measure is vital. For seasonal deals and extras, sign up for Accor’s free loyalty program. Luxury Escapes has a package that includes speedboat transfers, taxes, daily buffet breakfast and set-menu lunch, and one spa treatment per adult; five nights from $5999, twin-share.
Jo Makito was a guest of SO/ Maldives.