If you’ve ever scrolled past those impossibly turquoise Maldives images and wondered “but would that actually work with a child?” — well same. That was exactly us before booking our trip to SO/ Maldives. We wanted something design-forward and genuinely luxe, but still relaxed enough that we weren’t side-eyeing our child every five seconds. And honestly? This stay delivered the most memorable island family holiday.
So here it is – my full, no-filter So Maldives review.
So Maldives Review: A Luxury Island Escape (With Kids) — Is It Worth It?
Our Journey to SO/ Maldives
This trip was a long time coming. We originally booked the Maldives in 2020… and well, we all know how that played out. We rebooked for 2021 – same story. So finally making it happen felt extra special. Third time lucky some might say.
In hindsight, travelling when our daughter was a little older made a big difference. Being surrounded by water at all times, I felt far more comfortable knowing she could swim and understood water safety. So, now you have the back story, let’s get into this So Maldives review.
Location & Getting There
We flew Perth → Singapore → Malé with Singapore Airlines (around 11.5 hours total including the layover). We travelled during April over the Easter holidays and stayed for 6 nights.
Once you land in Malé, everything feels incredibly seamless.
SO/ Maldives is located relatively close to the airport, which means:
- A short 15–20 minute speedboat transfer, provided by the hotel
- Minimal travel fatigue (a huge win with kids)
This makes So/ Maldives unique as many Maldives resorts like Soneva Fushi or Conrad Maldives require expensive seaplane transfers upon arrival at Malé.
From the moment you arrive at the resort, it’s that classic Maldives magic — cold towels, welcome drinks, and a buggy whisking you away to your villa. Within minutes, real life feels very far away.
Rooms at SO/ Maldives
We stayed in an overwater villa because honestly, it’s the Maldives … you have to! And it delivered that immediate wow moment from the minute we stepped into our room. Think:
- Floor-to-ceiling glass
- Direct ocean access
- A private pool and balcony that becomes your entire personality for the week
But beyond aesthetics (which are stunning), what stood out when recounting our trip and writing this So Maldives review was how liveable the space felt as a family.
We booked a Water Pool Villa, which included:
- A giant king bed for us
- A comfortable rollaway for our daughter
There was enough space to not feel on top of each other, and the layout worked surprisingly well with a child.
Luxe touches we loved:
- A seriously oversized bath (an experience in itself)
- Thoughtful, design-led interiors that were modern and chic, not cookie-cutter
- Sunset views that genuinely feel surreal
Food & Dining
Food can make or break a resort stay, especially when you’re there for almost a week. There were 3 restaurants to choose from and the Pavillion Bar available for drinks. We booked an all inclusive package which included breakfast, lunch and dinner plus an hour of drinks in the evening.
At SO/ Maldives, the dining was consistently strong, with enough variety to keep things interesting.
- Breakfast was a standout with an extensive buffet selection and al carte options
- Multiple dining options meant we didn’t feel like it was the same thing day in, day out
- Staff were incredibly accommodating with kids, including a kids menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nothing felt overly formal, which we appreciated. It struck that nice balance between elevated but still relaxed, which is exactly what you want on an island. My So Maldives review for food and dining was definitely 5 stars!
Facilities & Overall Vibe
This is where SO/ Maldives really sets itself apart and is a key highlight of this So Maldives review. The overall vibe is:
- Modern
- Stylish
- More “design hotel” than traditional Maldives resort
The main pool is stunning (and yes, very Instagrammable), but the entire island feels curated without being pretentious. It’s calm and considered and was not overly busy whilst we were there. Yet still social enough that you don’t feel isolated.
A few standout touches:
- Bikes available for both adults and kids to get around the island
- Complimentary snorkel gear for the duration of your stay
- The ability to snorkel straight from your villa which was incredible until I spotted a small shark and a giant stingray from our balcony, and I couldn’t quite bring myself to get back in the water
My daughter and I also had a spa treatment one afternoon which was quite easily one of the best massages I’ve ever had.
And while slightly less glamorous, I can also vouch for the very professional and well catered medical center… thanks to an incident involving a foot, a flip flop, and a bicycle wheel – ouch! It still makes me queasy just thinking about it.
Is SO/ Maldives Family-Friendly?
Short answer: Absolutely yes, depending on what you like to do as a family.
This isn’t a kids club-heavy, activity-packed resort. It leans more toward luxe escape that happens to work with kids, rather than being built entirely around them.
There is a lovely little kids club and I took my daughter there a couple of times to partake in the daily activities, which included making tie-die t-shirts and an Easter egg hunt.
There is also an option to book tours through the resort. One evening we set sail on a sunset dolphin spotting cruise and another evening we did a basic fishing charter. Both were a lot of fun and incredibly memorable, but they did come with a hefty price tag.
What worked well:
- Staff were incredibly warm and welcoming to families
- Dining was easy with a child
- Space to relax without feeling restricted
What to consider:
- Overwater villas require supervision
- Not a “drop them at kids club all day” kind of place
For us, the resort hit a sweet spot. We could enjoy the luxury experience without feeling like we’d compromised by bringing our child.
Is SO/ Maldives Worth It?
This is the real question.
Yes, if you’re looking for:
- A stylish, modern Maldives experience
- A luxe stay that still works with a child
- Something a little different from the traditional resort feel
Maybe not if:
- You want heavy kids programming
- You’re after a super traditional “Maldives classic” vibe
One thing to be aware of is that costs on the island can add up quickly. For example:
- Sunscreen: almost AUD $100 for a tube when we ran out
- Alcohol: even pricier than expected
That being said, I expect that this is fairly standard for the Maldives and luxe resorts.
Our Favourite Moments
- Early morning swims straight from the villa
- Watching the sunset from our private pool and balcony
- Slow breakfasts that turned into long, lazy mornings
- Bicycle rides around the island
- That feeling of actually switching off — which is rare with a child
Final Verdict
Would we go back? Yes, without hesitation if we were looking for a relaxing, island escape. I don’t think I will ever get over the colour of the water!
Best for: Couples or families wanting a design-led, luxe escape.
Skip if: You’re after a highly structured, kid-focused resort.
Would we stay at SO/ Maldives again? Absolutely. For families wanting a stylish luxury Maldives resort without the logistical stress of long seaplane transfers, it’s one of the best options we’ve experienced
If you’re trying to balance luxury travel with real-life parenting, SO/ Maldives gets a lot right. It doesn’t overpromise — but it quietly delivers where it matters. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want. Would we stay at SO/ Maldives again? Absolutely. For families wanting a stylish luxury Maldives resort without the logistical stress of long seaplane transfers, it’s one of the best options we’ve experienced. I hope you have enjoyed my So Maldives review, and be sure to let me know if you decide to book!
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