Want the Ultimate Luxury Maldives Experience? Try This Lush Villa

In the summer of 2022, the SO/Paris Hotel opened its doors in an award-winning building by architect David Chipperfield. Located in Paris’s fourth arrondissement, SO/Paris quickly established itself as a haven of choice for editors and influencers in town for the final leg of their biannual pilgrimage to view the latest runway collections. Who could resist the hotel’s breathtaking panoramic views above Île Saint-Louis, the elegantly appointed wood-paneled rooms, the fitness space, and spa?

Although SO/ has held properties across Asia and Europe since 2011, the Paris location has especially captivated the attention of the most style-forward travelers, and firmly rooted itself in the “where-to-stay-during–Fashion Week” conversation. With the group’s latest outpost in the Maldives, design-conscious globetrotters now have a new all-villa island to consider when visiting the South Asian hotspot. Only a 15-minute speedboat ride from the Malé airport, SO/Maldives is a lush archipelago property in the crystalline waters of the Emboodhoo Lagoon, offering 80 private beachfront and over-water villas. 

Though the Maldives are often synonymous with romantic escapes, SO/Maldives distinguishes itself as a luxury destination equally ideal for a girls’ trip, or as a chic alternative to the typical family beach holiday. Two-person, three-person, and family-sized villas are sprinkled throughout the property, and all villas have their own private deck and pool. Vibrant fabrics and rich Maldivian colors (like verdant greens and deep reds) create a seamless indoor/outdoor design in every room. A beach club, three restaurants and bars, water sports, scenic walks, and a very good spa await travelers of all persuasions. 

While one will find it difficult to leave the cabanas at the Cote d’Azur–hued central pool, one of the delights of visiting the Maldives is getting out on the turquoise waters and enjoying the country’s rich marine life. A recent excursion in a boat yielded sightings of playful dolphins, stingrays, and hammerhead and whale sharks right at the surface. The health of coral reefs in the Maldives varies significantly by location due to climate change, but snorkelers and divers can often find coral teeming with fish, highlighting the importance of reef restoration efforts, coral reef farming, and responsible tourism practices in preserving these natural wonders. 

At the end of a lazy day in the sun, a cocktail at the Pavilion Bar is a must. The gorgeous bar, decorated with geometric copper and opal-esque tiles, brilliantly reflects the sunset, bathing patrons in warmth—it’s impossible not to feel relaxed. Of course, the fresh Levantine bites and passionfruit cocktails help, too.