What can we say about Soneva Fushi that has not been said already? After experiencing a stay at this most beloved of resorts, I can say there is so much more to this resort than one can read online or express for that matter. As Maldivians, we are so used to seeing and experiencing the natural beauty of our country, the very sights which become an immersive magical treat to our foreign visitors. Soneva Fushi, however, blew me away. It felt like stepping into an untouched island, so raw and untamed that it felt like I was in the wild. This is a rare beauty even among beautiful islands. What lies at the core of Soneva Fushi’s appeal, however, is something more elusive: anonymity. The ability to leave all labels behind and fully immerse yourself in nature while never having to miss out on the finest service provided in the country.
The island of Soneva Fushi is designed around its natural facets, with each modern amenity carefully placed to accentuate the wildness of its lush jungle and the beautiful marine life that surrounds it. We cohabited the space with many species of wildlife, from the excitable chickens and shy bunnies we encountered on every buggy ride to the many varieties of birds that habitually took baths in our pool and held court on top of our water slide, and the ever-present calls of lizards and chirping insects. The island truly comes to life at night, with minimal external lighting—an element that distinguishes Soneva Fushi from similar luxury offerings—emphasizing and preserving the island’s natural assets like the view of the night sky and stars while minimizing disruptions to the jungle and its inhabitants.
The resort’s commitment to preservation and healthy living doesn’t stop there—it’s incorporated into every facet of its design, from the glassware and cutlery all produced out of recycled material to the in-house coral nursery and even the cooking and preparation of the cuisine itself. This does not, however, detract from the indulgent options on offer, a personal favorite of ours being the ice cream and chocolate rooms which were open 24/7 and were a treasure trove of hand-crafted delicacies. We got to have a taste prior to arriving on the island itself at the Soneva Lounge, where a prime selection of unlimited ice cream was available for eating while enjoying a short spa treatment before our domestic flight.
Upon arrival at the resort, we were fortunate enough to reside in Villa 88, one of only eight new water villas at Soneva Fushi. This two-story behemoth boasted an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the ocean and, much to our delight, a slide from the second floor plunging into the lagoon. We were given special treatment, including a personalized wooden sign outside our door with our family name and a congratulatory message beautifully written in sand outside our door (a wonderful surprise set up by the staff, along with a congratulatory cake upon learning about one of our party’s recent accomplishments). We immediately had access to individualized bicycles with our names and snorkeling gear perfectly suited to our sizes and preferences. These touches, in particular, made our stay so special!
The villa itself was enormous but surprisingly cozy, with the interior adopting a treehouse aesthetic combined with clear inspiration drawn from traditional thatched roofing. The wooden aesthetic extended to the flooring as well, only occasionally interrupted by glass floors offering a view into the ocean underneath. It was truly something to have a cup of coffee at the dining table with the sights and sounds of the waves underneath your feet. In general, Soneva Fushi’s signature architectural stylings were present throughout the villa, with minimalist colors consisting of natural hues, ever-present driftwood and tree branch motifs, delicate mesh wire designs, and various knobs and features resembling marine life. In line with the theme of escaping into nature, most modern amenities are tucked away in little panels, with our in-room TVs folded away in suitcase-like structures at the foot of our beds. Inconspicuously placed as they may be, these features are ever-present and as exorbitant as one might expect from a luxury dwelling, a key example of which is the movie screen and projector offered in the living room in lieu of a traditional TV screen—a private option to the large outdoor theater available on the island.
The private exterior was somehow even more impressive, hosting an expansive deck with the pool and the enormous slide leading into the ocean. The sheer size of the rooms, bathrooms with unique design facets like glass and metal sinks, the sunken outdoor tub next to a ladder leading into the ocean, the extremely high ceilings and thatched features, the privacy offered—the thatched ceiling that opens up to expose the bedroom to the open night sky and view the stars—which is another way in which the resort seamlessly incorporates the modern into the natural in an understated yet awe-inspiring manner. Of the two stories, one was entirely open, shaded for the fresh ocean air, designed for families, but so large and extensive that one could easily wander about each space without ever interacting with fellow inhabitants—which is, I must add, truly a boon for family vacations. The other hosted 2 bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two common areas in addition to the large outdoor deck with comfortable seating, a swing, and the pool. The villa had a reading room, the books littered about—extremely rare and intriguing. My favorite was the book on lists of note, which gave us so much to discuss. The rooms themselves have so many different features and details that it would have taken at least a week to explore and appreciate them in full, from the uniquely designed pencils, the condiments stored in dried coconut shells, the hidden reading nooks, the TVs hidden in suitcases—and so much more.
Our villa came with our very own barefoot guardian who curated our activities, chauffeured us around, and attended to all our requests. This itself was one of the best features of the resort.
At Soneva Fushi, we had some of the best cuisine we’ve ever had. We loved the little appetizers, always seasonal and fresh, and shots of juice prior to each meal, always unique and supremely health-focused. The variety and ambience provided by each location deserve a separate discussion. We had lunch at ‘Mihiree Mithaa,’ with a la carte options that included superb Italian cuisine, Mediterranean options, and desserts from the chocolate and ice cream rooms. Dinner at ‘Down to Earth’ featured Maldivian cuisine at its most elevated, Italian cuisine with delicious squid ink crab carbonara, biryani, and havaadu fish, all accompanied by live music. Our personal favorite was the ‘Out of the Blue’ Asian fusion, where we had both lunch and dinner, which is also a peak diving spot. The amazing Japanese cuisine was delightful. Dinner at ‘Fresh in the Garden’ was an out-of-this-world experience, from the herb tasting (straight from the gardens) to the beautiful swinging bridge, dinner under the stars with the most incredible view of the night sky, the seasonal dishes, amazing drinks, and above all, the observatory for stargazing.
We also visited the spa, Soneva Soul, and experienced cryotherapy for the first time. Though only for 3 minutes, it shocked the body awake. It was a very unique experience to have in the middle of a tropical island, just one of the many health-based top-of-the-line experiences offered at Soneva Soul—we didn’t have the time to try out most of the offerings, but their sheer variety and quality were apparent.
Most of our time was spent snorkeling in the lagoon near our villa or in our private pool. We ventured into the deep lagoon on seabobs and went on a dolphin cruise.
We left this magical adventure and returned home with such fond memories enriched by the experience that is Soneva Fushi.
