A buggy delivered me to my Beach Pool Villa, where the welcome was pure indulgence – coral reef-inspired treats, champagne on ice, a private garden pool and a sandy pathway leading directly to the lagoon. The spacious villa featured a king-sized bed, robes, beach bags and a fully stocked bar. An enormous circular bath overlooked the pool and lagoon beyond, with a striking sombrero sculpture by a local artist suspended above. That night, falling asleep to the sound of tropical rain on the roof felt wonderfully therapeutic.
The following morning introduced me to one of the island’s greatest luxuries: simplicity. I wandered to the lagoon and spent almost half an hour floating in the warm water, gently moved by the tide. No phone. No deadlines. No noise. Just the rhythm of the ocean.
Food is another highlight. Despite the resort’s intimate size, SO/ Maldives offers a remarkable range of dining experiences – leisurely breakfasts and fresh seafood at Citronelle Restaurant, lunch at Lazuli Beach Club and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes at Hadaba, all with stunning sea views. The resort is also developing its own garden, producing herbs and greens used throughout the kitchen.
One of the most memorable moments was a Maldivian cooking class held beside the lagoon. We learned to prepare Mashuni – a fresh tuna and coconut salad served with chapati – and a fragrant lobster curry. Cooking with fresh ingredients while overlooking turquoise water felt worlds away from ordinary life.
That afternoon we boarded a sunset cruise in search of dolphins. Spinner dolphins leapt and twisted through the water as the sun disappeared behind neighbouring islands. Champagne in hand, it was one of those travel moments you know you will carry home with you.
Days quickly settled into a blissful rhythm. An art class challenged my complete lack of artistic talent, yet I returned home with a small painting of the beach that now sits as a reminder to embrace creativity more often. A tie-dye class became unexpectedly emotional – I made a tiny T-shirt for my new grandson, imagining the day he would be old enough to wear it and hear the story of where it came from.
Accommodation options range from Beach Pool Villas set directly on the sand to spectacular Overwater Villas. Friends staying over the lagoon enjoyed private pools, direct sea access and daily visits from rays, fish and reef sharks visible from their decks.
What stayed with me most, however, was the atmosphere. Everything seemed quieter. The soft lapping of waves, distant seaplanes, gentle music drifting through the resort and the occasional splash of marine life created a sense of calm that is increasingly rare in modern life.
SO/ Maldives is not simply a luxury resort. It is somewhere to rediscover stillness. For those of us who spend our days rushing from one commitment to the next, this tiny island offers something far more valuable than a holiday. It offers the chance to press the mute button on life for a while.
