Luxury Travel

Assessment: SO/ Maldives Resort – the Luxurious Journey Professional

August 8, 2024

Wednesday newsletters at all times function a lodge or flight evaluation.

I just lately loved an exceptional vacation within the Maldives, the place I stayed on the archipelago’s 4 most unique ultra-luxury resorts. You’ll be able to learn my critiques right here:

At this time: Assessment of SO/ Maldives

Positioned only a 15-minute speedboat experience from Malé’s Velana Worldwide Airport, SO/ Maldives harmoniously blends uncommon accessibility with beautiful privateness, with every of the 80 individually designed villas nestled immediately by itself slice of white-sand seaside or on stilts above the lagoon. Revolutionary restaurant and bar ideas are designed to supply a refreshing counterpart to the ever-present resort all-day eating buffet, whereas the cultural programming brings collectively the very best of music, vogue, design and artwork. With various eating, a playful seaside membership and serene spa all set in a non-public lagoon enclave, SO/ Maldives affords moments to flee, discover and play.

Have you ever ever stayed at SO/ Maldives? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this evaluation (extra data and photographs under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

SO/ Maldives is about within the Emboodhoo Lagoon throughout the multi-island vacation spot of Crossroads Maldives, only a 15-minute speedboat experience from Malé’s Velana Worldwide Airport (making transfers from/to the airport simple). Crossoards is a man-made island advanced positioned within the Emboodhoo lagoon on the northern tip of the South Male Atoll. Going past the normal ‘one island, one resort’ idea that typifies the area, Crossroads Maldives affords a brand new built-in expertise, providing its friends entry to over 14 eating places, a night-club, a marine discovery centre, large-scale occasion venues and far more. The venture homes a number of lodges: SAii Lagoon Maldives (Curio Assortment by Hilton), Onerous Rock Resort Maldives, and SO/ Maldives.

In a break with the normal tropical structure which is omni-present within the Maldives, SO/ Maldives includes a daring design, drawing inspiration from the craftsmanship and theatricality of latest couture, and interesting to a youthful clientele. Upon arrival, friends are met by a contemporary glass over-water pavilion, which units the aesthetic tone of the lodge with clear strains, cool neutrals, and pure wooden, juxtaposed in opposition to vibrant accents and a sculptural, red-latticed central staircase. The lodge’s distinctive walkways are framed by billowing materials or architectural timber canopies, making a placing counterpart to the island’s lush pure flora, and referencing the dramatic styling of excessive vogue displays.

Created in collaboration with main artists and vogue designers, SO/ Maldives has curated a classy assortment of 80 beachfront and overwater villas that epitomize fashionable luxurious and command consideration with their avant-garde design. Spanning one to 3 bedrooms and eight classes, the villas are designed for open plan dwelling, every with a non-public pool and deck from which friends can take pleasure in ocean views. From the 120 sqm. Lagoon Water Pool Villa Assortment and the 410sqm. Three-Bed room Ocean Water Pool Atelier, to the 238 sqm Household Seashore Pool Villa with Capsule, which options adjoining “sleep pods” for youthful vacationers and multi-generational teams, every villa is a cocoon of contemporary luxurious that comes with Maison CODAGE toiletries, which make use of sustainably-sourced vegan elements; plush robes and slippers; and individualized concierge service

A whole antithesis of the staid all-day eating buffet, SO/ Maldives affords three distinct eating choices, every with its personal distinctive food-driven idea.
- The Citronelle Membership is an all-day eating vacation spot the place flavors are woven right into a menu of Pan-Asian delicacies.
- The French, Riviera-inspired Lazuli Seashore Membership is a classy day-to-night seaside bar the place friends can take pleasure in sunbathing across the multicolored mosaic pool. The menu options inventive and wholesome Mediterranean fare, together with a Prosciutto di Parm pizza with olives, wild arugula, parmigiano Reggiano and stracciatella, whereas vibrant cocktails are ready to be sipped alongside tunes by visiting DJs within the evenings.
- Positioned within the lodge’s fashionable arrival pavilion, Hadaba celebrates the environment and flavors of Arabian nights with Levantine slow-cooked dishes and smoked delicacies, corresponding to Saltbush Lamb Cutlets with glazed eggplant, za’atar and toum and Maldivian Lobster with Aleppo pepper, garlic butter and finger lime.

The property’s small spa facility – referred to as Wellness Camp – is an East-meets-West idea that provides limitless entry to health and leisure in an unparalleled setting. A restorative spa menu curated alongside Salon C. Stellar, that includes Maison CODAGE, Consolation Zone and Odacité merchandise to call a number of, affords a nutritive method to wellness with tailored care. This consists of LED and quartz beds for cutting-edge leisure, historic knowledge, and most personalization to fulfill friends’ each want. Each therapy employs rigorously chosen elements, superior expertise and is exquisitely crafted to fulfill the friends’ desired end result. The amenities additionally embrace steam and sauna rooms, a Vichy Rainforest Bathe, and a revitalizing vitality pool. The state-of-the-art health club showcases the most recent Technogym and Alo gear, providing sweeping views of the cyanic waters.

An array of paid and complimentary water-based adventures together with kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling, jet ski, stand-up paddleboarding, and offsite excursions can be found to additional improve vacationers’ expertise of the island. Visitors can discover ways to scuba dive, or for skilled divers, there’s a vast number of curated dives that may be organized every day together with turtle expeditions, outer reef explorations and conventional Maldivian fishing excursions. Different classes accessible for buy are windsurfing, kitesurfing, catamaran programs, parasailing, browsing, hydro flight leases and extra. Non-public boats and yachts are additionally accessible for friends to constitution for personal exploration by the hour or the day.

Youthful friends at SO/ Maldives can take pleasure in a wide array of actions and areas custom-made to their ages and wishes – whether or not it’s making new associates at The Zone (Teen’s Membership for ages 12-16) or The Nest (Children Membership for ages 4-11), that are each absolutely outfitted with toys, video games and actions, or having fun with the myriad of family-forward programming corresponding to seaside volleyball, bocce ball, soccer, watersports and extra. Babysitting for youngsters beneath 4 years of age is accessible at an additional price.

Vivid, vivacious and stuffed with persona, SO/ Inns & Resorts are solely present in socially vibrant locations corresponding to Berlin, Bangkok and Singapore. One of many fastest-growing manufacturers in Accor’s life-style portfolio, it’s designed for savvy travellers who’ve a ardour for vogue and wish to maintain their finger on the heart beat. Each keep is underpinned by the model’s signature ‘Simply Say SO’ service, to craft actually unforgettable experiences. SO/ Maldives will be part of Accor’s assortment of 5 resorts within the Maldives which embrace the midscale Mercure model, premium Pullman and Mövenpick manufacturers, and the luxurious Raffles and Fairmont manufacturers.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Identical to its neighboring resorts in Crossroad Maldives, SO/ Maldives is positioned on a man-made island, which was constructed utilizing sand scooped from the ocean ground and layered atop dwelling coral reefs, mimicking a course of that normally takes 1000’s of years. To make sure the development was as sustainable as potential, marine biologists had been introduced in to work alongside the architects. Harm-reduction measures included masking the present reef with silt nets to guard the corals from suffocating sand and mud, inspecting the currents to keep away from interfering with pure move patterns and stopping building throughout the essential coral-spawning season. Nonetheless, there’s an ongoing debate round any such building and the quantity of harm it would inflict upon the setting. I’m not an environmental professional in fact, but when sustainability is one thing you care about (and you must), you won’t really feel at peace right here.

Whatever the reality whether or not the development of a man-made island resort on a dwelling coral reef is a accountable factor to do in instances of environmental safety, the “pure look” of the island can be vastly totally different from that of the Maldives’ stunningly stunning pure islands. The vegetation on the island’s middle just isn’t as lush in comparison with the hovering jungle of coconut palms you’ll discover on the pure islands (though I assume the vegetation will mature over time). The resort’s man-made seashores (with a tough kind of sand) can’t compete with the magic and spectacular fantastic thing about the smooth white sand seashores on pure islands. If it’s your first go to to the Maldives, you’ll nonetheless be blown away by the tropical surroundings, however if you’re a repeat customer the Maldives (like me), the setting – and particularly the appear and feel of the synthetic seashores and vegetation – would possibly disappoint you.

The outstanding design of the resort won’t enchantment to everybody, particularly in the case of the colourful pool space, which includes a cacophony of pink, black, inexperienced, pink, yellow and blue tiles. Some would possibly discover the design modern, fashionable and daring, whereas others would possibly discover the design hideous, kitsch and ugly. In all honesty, I wasn’t a fan of the design since I desire a minimalist modernism or an eco-chic design, that are far more consistent with the Maldives’ vibe of tranquillity or serenity. I’m unsure what the pondering behind the colourful design was. I additionally didn’t just like the cheap-looking outfits of the resort workers (pink T-shirts with black & white striped shorts) however that’s a matter of style in fact.

The villas at SO/ Maldives function an open-plan toilet format. So, if you’re not touring with your beloved, thoughts that there isn’t any separation between the toilet and the room. The tub tube is positioned contained in the room and the bathroom & bathe cabins options glass doorways (so there’s zero privateness).

SO/ Maldives is positioned on the northern tip of the South Male Atoll, near the worldwide airport. This proximity signifies that friends can rapidly switch from their worldwide flight to the lodge inside an hour, not like many different resorts on this small Indian Ocean island nation, which can require prolonged air or boat transfers to the extra distant resorts. Nevertheless, the draw back to its location is that the reasonably unattractive skyline of the capital metropolis is seen on the horizon, albeit solely from the northern a part of the resort (most amenities and villas face the south, away from the town). There’s additionally a bit extra boat & aircraft visitors close to the resort (though nothing too unhealthy) which could have an effect on a real castaway feeling.

Whereas SO/ Maldives tick all of the bins for a 5-star resort, it’s not in the identical league because the archipelago’s uber-luxurious resorts, corresponding to One&Solely Reethi Rah, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Veela Non-public Island, Soneva Jani of Soneva Fushi. The design is okay however lacks a wow-factor (and feels extra fashionable than stylish); the service is sweet however not impeccable; the meals is nice however not refined; and the small-scale spa is sweet however not distinctive. That mentioned, the resort additionally doesn’t fake to rank among the many greatest within the Maldives and its room charges are half of what the archipelago’s high-end resorts cost (and thus extra reasonably priced).

MY VERDICT

Location: 7/10
Design: 7/10
Pool: 7/10
Rooms: 8/10
Meals: 7/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Wow issue: 7/10
Worth for cash: 7/10
Total expertise: good 7.4/10

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BEST TIME TO VISIT

The perfect climate within the Maldives is between January and April, which additionally means excessive season (and skyrocketing lodge charges). The monsoon runs from Could to October, peaking in June. It’s value paying increased costs and sticking to the dry season as there’s nothing to do on a wet day besides drink, eat, work out, or scuba dive. Particularly November and December, which are sometimes labelled as dry season months, have been very unsettled in recent times.

HOW TO GET THERE

SO/ Maldives is definitely reached by a 15 min speedboat experience from Male Worldwide Airport (MLE). Verify the Wikipedia web page of Male Worldwide Airport for an up to date checklist of airways that supply flights to Male Worldwide Airport.

PHOTOS

Right here’s a number of my photographs of SO/ Maldives. To view extra lodge photographs (together with breakfast, lunch and dinner), click on right here.