The Lux Collective, a global leader in hospitality, has unveiled the newly refurbished Water Villas at LUX* South Ari Atoll, its award-winning Maldivian resort. These villas now offer a luxurious and peaceful retreat. The modern design connects seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding ocean.
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John Rogers, the General Manager of LUX* South Ari Atoll, shared,
“The goal was to craft an environment that feels truly connected to the island’s landscape. Guests will indulge in a thoughtfully designed new setting, which exudes a sense of calm that complements the natural beauty and ocean, just beyond their villa doors”
The new design draws inspiration from the resort’s breathtaking environment. The Water Villas now feature a soft color palette. This palette mirrors the peaceful hues of the sea and the warm tones of the sandy beaches. Designers combined light blues, neutral tones, and soft nudes with natural wood accents. The result is a welcoming space that feels relaxing. Furthermore, the use of tactile materials and stylish furnishings helps foster a sense of calm.
The refurbishment includes ombre curtains in shades of white and blue that reflect the ocean’s colors. Designers also added woven textures to the bed headers and chairs. These patterns echo traditional craftsmanship and add subtle detail. In addition, indoor plants bring a touch of greenery inside the villas. This enhances the connection between the indoors and the lush environment outside.
The bathrooms in the Water Villas stand out. They feature bathtubs that offer sweeping views of the lagoon. Guests can unwind while enjoying the panoramic scenery. Meanwhile, the outdoor terrace provides a perfect space for relaxation. Guests can lounge on the overwater net, relax on the sofa, or unwind on the daybed while enjoying a meal. Moreover, the villas offer direct access to the lagoon via a private stairway. Guests are invited to snorkel and explore the vibrant marine life just steps away.
Every design element, from the textures to the custom furniture, enhances the guest experience. The minimalist interiors are visually striking. They also offer luxurious comfort, blending simplicity with elegance. As a result, the Water Villas provide an atmosphere that is both refined and tranquil.
On 20th February 2025, Dusit Thani Resorts in the Maldives, in partnership with the esteemed Maldivian NGO MOMS Aid, held a significant event at Salt Cafe and Restaurant. The event marked Dusit’s contribution to the Ramadan Aid 2025 initiative, where they provided essential items for the “Care Baskets” which will be filled with food staples and given to families facing financial hardship across the country during the holy month of Ramadan. The event saw participation from the teams at Dusit Thani Maldives and the soon-to-be-opened DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, as well as members of the MOMS Aid executive committee, the Chefs Guild of Maldives, and Hope for Women.
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Inauguration and Speeches from Dusit Leadership
Jean Louis, the Area General Manager of Dusit properties in Maldives, and Mauroof Mohamed, the Cluster Director of Human Resources for both Dusit Thani Maldives and DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, inaugurated the event. Both spoke about the importance of supporting the community, particularly women, and their efforts to empower the Maldives’ vulnerable families.
Jean Louis, the Area General Manager, expressed pride in the company’s commitment to supporting the women of the Maldives. He emphasized the importance of mothers, the foundation of any family, stating, “We are truly proud to contribute to this donation because, for us, it is very important to support the ‘mom’—the foundation of any family.” Jean Louis also highlighted Dusit’s values of operating as a family and stressed the importance of respecting women and providing equal opportunities for them, both today and in the future.
Moreover, Mauroof Mohamed, the Cluster Director of Human Resources for Dusit Thani Maldives and DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, shared the inspiration behind the Ramadan Aid initiative. As Ramadan approached, the team at Dusit wanted to support mothers by providing gifts, and the idea quickly evolved into something broader. They invited contributions from their team members, who responded with generosity, especially from both resorts. “Both resorts have generously supported this effort. With their contributions, we’ve been able to assist 178 families through this initiative.” Mauroof also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with MOMS Aid, a partnership that enabled them to make a meaningful impact on those in need during Ramadan.
From left to right: Jean Louis: the Area General Manager for Dusit Thani Resorts Maldives, Mauroof Mohamed: the Cluster Director of Human Resources for Dusit Thani Resorts Maldives Fathimath Riyasa: Executive Director of MOMs Aid Exco, Fathmath Zain Zareer: Marketing & PR Director of MOMS Aid Exco
MOMS Aid: Empowering Communities During Ramadan
MOMS Aid is one of the Maldives’ most prominent NGOs, dedicated to empowering women and tackling hunger and poverty across the nation. Their mission includes providing both immediate and long-term assistance to vulnerable families, offering care packages, and creating livelihood opportunities. In addition to supporting families, MOMS Aid works to educate the community on violence against women, offering training on how to eliminate violence and support those in vulnerable situations. The organization also empowers women by helping them recognize their strengths and providing platforms to develop their skills.
One of MOMS Aid’s most impactful initiatives is their Ramadan Aid campaign, which began in 2020. During Ramadan, they distribute “Care Baskets” filled with essential food staples to families enduring financial hardship. These packages go beyond just providing food—they represent MOMS Aid’s commitment to the community. With over 260 families registered in their care list, the organization aims to provide packages to 500 families this year. This includes both registered families and others who reach out for support, demonstrating MOMS Aid’s wide-reaching impact.
Addressing Financial Hardship and Empowering Women
Fathimath Riyasa, Executive Director of MOMS Aid Executive Committee, spoke about the stark realities of financial hardship in the Maldives: “Unimaginable situations are happening across the country. We once thought there would be no poverty, no children struggling to get food. But as we started visiting families, we found that some are facing extreme financial hardship—these are the realities we are facing.”
Riyasa highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to support those in need, especially during Ramadan, through their initiative of distributing care packages. These packages, filled with essential food items, aim to bring some comfort to families who are enduring financial struggles. Riyasa expressed her gratitude for the sponsorships, which help ensure that more families can benefit from this initiative. She also reflected on the importance of the Ramadan campaign, which marks the sixth year of their mission to assist vulnerable communities.
Moreover, Uza. Azima Shukoor attended the event as a member of MOMS Aid and Hope for Women, where she highlighted the crucial role of financial independence in empowering women and protecting their rights. She emphasized the significant impact of organizations like MOMS Aid. Uza. Azima Shukoor also urged more resorts in the Maldives to collaborate with local NGOs, stating, “I appeal to others who can contribute to the protection of women’s rights. It is not an easy task. Thank you all so much for your support and for opening your hearts to our NGOs.”
Dusit’s Commitment to Empowering Women
Dusit took the opportunity during the event to highlight their ongoing commitment to empowering women, particularly within their organization. They shared that at their soon-to-open DusitD2 Feydhoo Maldives, a special focus is placed on offering greater flexibility for female employees, enabling them to return home after work each evening—an important shift in an industry where workers are typically stationed at the resorts. In addition, Dusit emphasized their strides toward gender equality in leadership, noting that 30% of the leadership team at DusitD2 is made up of women. At the event, they also revealed that the resort will feature a female-only restaurant, a significant milestone for Dusit that underscores their continued dedication to creating opportunities for women within the workplace.
