The Islanders’ Magazine

The latest updates, views and innovations from Soneva
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What’s New at Soneva

Stay up-to-date with all our island news, events and exciting happenings. Find your new favourite book with reading recommendations from our Barefoot Booksellers, read stories from our Hosts, discover new experiences and offerings at each of our resorts, and more

The Secret is Revealed

 

 

Soneva Secret 2024, the first property under the new Soneva Secret resort concept, has officially welcomed its first guests. Situated in the Maldives’ Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the resort island offers uninterrupted views and sets a new standard in personalisation with bespoke experiences. Each of the 14 villas features a Barefoot Guardian and Barefoot Assistant, while dedicated chefs de partie – each specialising in different world cuisines – provide exceptional variety for tailor-made destination dining.

Discover Soneva Secret 2024

New Collection of Soneva Secret Images

Our latest curation of high-resolution images is now available and ready for immediate distribution. Discover all the Secret details through our dedicated media portal, from resort maps and floor plans to factsheets on our inspired dining experiences, signature villas and what guests can expect with every stay.

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Soneva Welcomes Sanctum to SOUL Festival

As part of an exclusive partnership, global mindful movement Sanctum will be bringing its cutting-edge wellbeing experience to the Maldives for the first time at SOUL Festival 2024. Taking place from October 9 to 13 at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the festival will present an enriching exploration into health and wellbeing and provide a platform for discovery into the ‘Future of Wellness’.

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Summer at Soneva

From moments of tranquillity and wellness to sparks of childhood curiosity and family adventure, guests can discover one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire with the Soneva Summer Collection across our resorts in the Maldives and Thailand.

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Soneva Kiri to Welcome Haoma’s Chef Deepanker Khosla

As part of the resort’s spectacular Songkran festival programme, chef Deepanker will be dazzling diners at Soneva Kiri from April 12 to 16, 2024. The award-winning chef behind the Michelin Green Star neo-Indian restaurant will be hosting a series of exclusive dining events during a four-day pop-up.

Discover Soneva Kiri

Soneva Fushi Welcomes Chef Michael Wignall to Flying Sauces

Chef Michael Wignall is bringing the best of the UK’s The Angel at Hetton to Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. Helming the kitchen at the resort’s popular zipline fine dining restaurant, Flying Sauces, the exclusive 13-week residency will be running from February 8 to May 8, 2024.

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Our 2024 Awards

Compare Retreats’ Luxury Wellness Travel Awards 2024 – Soneva Soul at Soneva awarded Destination Spa of the Year

Compare Retreats’ Luxury Wellness Travel Awards 2024 – Soneva Fushi awarded Multigenerational Wellness Resort of the Year

Compare Retreats’ Luxury Wellness Travel Awards 2024 – Sonu Shivdasani, Wellness Pioneer of the Year

 

Our 2023 Awards

Voyage Best Hotel & Resort Awards 2023 – Soneva Fushi awarded Best Overseas Hotel Award

Little Emperors Hotel Awards 2023 – Soneva Fushi awarded Best Hotel for Sustainability

Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s Best Awards 2023 – Soneva Fushi awarded ‘Best International Sustainable Hotel’

Condé Nast Traveller India’s readers travel awards 2023 – Soneva Fushi awarded ‘Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotel’

The Sustainable Markets Initiative – Soneva awarded the Terra Carta Seal 2023

Lifestyle & Travel Awards 2023 – One of a Kind Resort Award, Soneva Kiri

Condé Nast Traveller ‘s Gold List 2023 – Soneva Jani

AHEAD Asia 2023 – Outstanding Contribution, Sonu Shivdasani and Eva Malmström Shivdasani

Conde Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2023, Best Resorts in the Indian Ocean – No. 5, Soneva Fushi

SpaChina Wellness & Spa Awards – Best Global Wellness Resort of the Year 2023, Soneva Jani

Destinations Deluxe Awards – Spa of the Year 2023, Soneva Soul at Soneva Jani

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023, No. 7, Soneva Fushi

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023, No. 36, Soneva Jani

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023, Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award, Soneva Fushi

The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023, SevenRooms Icon Award, Sonu Shivdasani

Forbes Travel Guide 2023, 5 stars, Soneva Jani

Robb Report, 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels 2023 – No. 10, Soneva Fushi

Elite Traveler, World’s Finest Top 100 Suites 2023, Soneva Fushi – Private Reserve

Condé Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Awards 2023, Leading Destination to ‘Bring the Family’, Soneva Jani

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, Best Resort in the Maldives – No. 5, Soneva Fushi

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, Best Resort in the Maldives for Families – No. 4, Soneva Fushi

Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, Most Outrageous Villas – No. 3, Soneva Jani

Soneva Stars

February 9, 2024 – February 21, 2024

May Chow

May Chow is the Canadian-born, Hong Kong-based chef founder of Little Bao and Happy Paradise with a reputation for creating unexpected Chinese flavour twists, mixing fine-dining techniques and traditional local ingredients. Happy Paradise was named Tatler’s Best 20 Restaurants in Macau and Hong Kong 2019 and 2020, Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2018, and selected in the World’s 50 Best Discovery list. The success of both restaurants has propelled her onto the global food scene where she is widely considered one of the most dynamic and respected culinary figures. Chef May was awarded Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2017 by the World’s 50 Best and has appeared on popular TV programmes such as Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown, MasterChef Asia, MasterChef UK, and Top Chef, and was a speaker at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival. She has also been featured in international media such as BBC, CNN, Vogue, Forbes, Food & Wine, The Food Network, Eater, and more. Chef May is on the board of Eat Forum, Save Hong Kong F&B and is an outspoken supporter for LGBTQ rights, diversity and female empowerment.
Learn more about May Chow
July 14, 2024 – July 28, 2024

Mark Lundgaard

The chef and director at Kong Hans Kælder Restaurant, located in the oldest building in Copenhagen. In Mark’s universe, food is not a gift sent down from heaven. In order to understand the taste and composition of a dish, it is essential to respect its origin and understand the craftsmanship in its preparation. With a distinctive mix of classic French cuisine and a new Nordic kitchen, Mark creates dishes that define palatability at its best.
Learn more about Mark Lundgaard
February 11, 2024 – February 18, 2024

Weingut Wittmann

Since 1663, the Wittmanns and their ancestors have been wine farmers in the town of Westhofen, Germany, in the southern part of the Rheinhessen appellation. Today Philipp Wittmann, his wife Eva and Philipp’s parents divide the tasks of running the estate. Riesling is the dominant grape of choice but also the Pinot varietals (Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris) and Silvaner have a long tradition in Westhofen. For more than twenty years their vineyards have been organically cultivated. The vines root deep in the living system of the soil which strengthens the expression of vineyard character year after year. This is complemented by the intensive hand craftsmanship in the tending of the vineyards to achieve the highest possible grape quality. Weingut Wittmann will be hosting wine-tasting experiences exclusively for guests at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
Learn more about Weingut Wittmann
February 12, 2024 – February 20, 2024

Anett Kontaveit

Former professional tennis player, Anett Kontaveit was ranked world No. 2 by the WTA in 2022, becoming the highest-ranked Estonian tennis player in history. Throughout her career, she won six WTA singles titles, as well as 11 singles and five doubles titles on the ITF Circuit, and was the first Estonian to qualify for and participate in the WTA Finals. Anett retired In 2023, she was featured on Netflix’s pro tennis docuseries Break Point and announced her retirement in June of the same year.
Learn more about Anett Kontaveit
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Island Tales

Barefoot Bookseller Recommendations

Our Barefoot Booksellers share their reading recommendations.

Read Here

Lost and Found in the Maldives

Follow our island bunnies on a magical adventure at Soneva Fushi, written by Amie Malmström, with illustrations by Pitchayut Samutsarn.

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Soneva Cocktail Book

Discover our signature cocktails from Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri, inspired by our SLOW LIFE philosophy and expertly shaken and stirred by our mixologists.

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Luxury Resorts in the Maldives and Thailand - 25 Years of Sustainable Luxury

Slow Life Magazine

Learn more about our storied past and our plans for the future. The Slow Life Magazine is packed with fascinating features on sustainability, nature, art and design, gastronomy and so much more.

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My Island Adventure

An enchanting tale of discovery at Soneva Jani, rendered in charming rhyme and watercolour.

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