Soneva Fushi is one of the most-loved resorts in the Maldives. Created by the Indian-British Hotelier Sonu, and his Wife, Eva (hence the name Soneva), this glam, chic and eco-conscious resort is an award-winning hideaway nestled in the Baa Atoll. The luxury villas are positioned amongst swaying palms and dense jungles for an idyllic ‘deserted island’ vibe getaway, perfect for those who favour privacy and seclusion.
But it’s not just the accommodation and setting that wows, Soneva Fushi is an exceptionally well designed and thought out resort with unique experiences on offer such as open air cinemas, dinners cooked up by Michelin-Starred chefs, and the ability to stay the night on a deserted beach under the stars. Are you thinking of booking a stay at Soneva Fushi? Read on for everything you need to know about staying, dining and getting to Soneva Fushi resort.
How to Get to Soneva Fushi
As the ‘original’ castaway resort, Soneva Fushi is nestled in one of the most pristine and beautiful regions of the Maldives in a UNESCO registered Biosphere Reserve. There are two main ways to get to Soneva Fushi: by seaplane or by speedboat. The most popular way is to take a seaplane from the seaplane departure area near to Male International Airport to the resort. A resort representative will be able to meet you at the International Airport to transport you to the nearby seaplane departure area. Here you can relax in a private airport lounge and enjoy snacks and a refreshing drink or some bubbles before your departure. The seaplane journey takes between 30 and 40 minutes. It is worth noting that flights are only able to depart during daylight, and the last seaplane leaves at 5pm.
If your international flights arrives late in the afternoon, then you may want to consider the other option which is to take a domestic flight to the nearby Dharavandhoo Airport. From here you can hop on speed boat which takes 15 minutes to get to Soneva Fushi. The staff are on hand to arrange all of your transfers for you based around your arrival times. However, they do recommend if you have the option to go for the seaplane over the speedboat journey, as this provides the most stunning birds-eye views of the archipelagos and glittering waters below.
Luxury Abodes: Staying at Soneva Fushi
Unlike its sister resort, Soneva Jani, all of Soneva Fushi’s accommodation options are positioned on land. There are 55 different rooms to choose from, and 24 different accommodation styles. From two-storey Robinson Crusoe Villas that offer a secret hideaway just steps away from the beach, to the 9 bedroom Private Reserve that’s more of a mansion than a villa, this resort has a little something for all tastes and budgets.
The most economical accommodation option is the Soneva Fushi Villa. This single-storey abode is able to accommodate two adults and one child, and It covers a rather spacious 395 square metres. The villa comes complete with a canopied daybed, crisp cotton linen and island-inspired decor that complements the azure waters and golden sands outside. There’s a cushioned daybed and an inside desk area, but the real surprise is the huge outdoor bathroom where you can shower under the stars. The Soneva Fushi Villa is encompassed by thick vegetation, so feel like you’re the only one living in paradise. Take just a few steps outside of your front door and you will find your own personal hammock, as well as tables and chairs where you can enjoy breakfast with your feet dipped in the sand.
If you’re travelling with a loved one and fancy something a little more spacious and luxurious, then we suggest that you go for the Crusoe Villa suite with pool. This Villa is able to accommodate two adults and one child, and it’s it’s almost double the size of the Robinson Crusoe Villa at 545 square metres in size. The villa features two large four poster beds, as well as a spacious living room which provides a lovely space to play board games or lounge with a loved one. It also has a large enclosed outdoor bathroom, which acts as a sanctuary where you can bathe and shower amongst palm trees and Maldivian flora. The sunken bath is a lovely touch and comes with Jacuzzi settings as well as luxurious bath amenities. On the top storey of this Villa you will find a large wooden decking area complete with seating for al fresco dining. Speak to the concierge about one of the dining packages, and they’ll be able to cook up delicious delights that you can enjoy in your home away from home.
And if you’re after the crème de la crème then book the private reserve, a desert island mansion complete with 9 bedrooms that can accommodate 18 adults and 3 children. This mega Villa is one of the largest in the Maldives and covers a whopping 5540 square feet. The villa contains everything to be a resort in itself! Here you will find a children’s room, nanny’s room, a steam room, sauna, massage room, gym, lounge, enormous private pool complete with sunken dining area, outside sitting and playing area, linen lined daybeds, sun loungers, parasols, and over water netting area, as well as a slide! The master bedroom features enormous floor to ceiling doors which open up and provide unparalleled views overlooking the private pool and beach. Unsurprisingly, there’s only one of these reserves located on the island, and it does get booked up pretty far in advance so make sure you book yours early – particularly if you plan on travelling in the high season.
Next-Level Dining
Soneva Fushi have designed a year-long Festival of Color in partnership with Michelin Guide. During this time, world-acclaimed Michelin star chefs offer exquisite dining experiences for just eight guests at a time.
You may have heard of their ‘no shoes no news policy’, which means guess that able to go barefoot for the duration of their stay. And like other fancy resorts, Soneva Fushi also extend this to all of its restaurants, so you are free to dine shoeless.
Dining options are plentiful. From cute cafes and hidden bars to more elaborate dining experiences, Soneva Fushi offer a range of options. We particularly love the Fresh in the Garden restaurant which offers organic vegetarian and plant based food with a Mediterranean flair. Here you can dine way above the Maldivian jungle, amongst squishy cushions and glowing lanterns.
For something truly special, book a Once Upon a Table experience, where are big name chef will take centre stage and create a secret surprise menu for you.
Mihiree Mithaa Is the place to head for casual breakfasts lunches and dinners, while seated steps away from the lapping Waters. Breakfast here is buffet style, but it’s incredibly bountiful with freshly cut exotic fruits, baked goodies, salad bar, juices and superfood smoothies, as well a whole range of other delectable delights. For lunch try their wood fired pizzas, or if you’re just in need for a little something sweet, then head to the ice cream and chocolate rooms where you can feast on rich ice creams and mouth-wateringly sumptuous treats.
Also like its sister resort, Soneva Fushi has a cheese room which houses some of them most delicious fromages from around the world. A knowledgeable sommelier is on-hand to pair up your cheesy selections with a fine wine or two.
If you are interested in learning more about where the food comes from, then take a visit to So Fresh, which is the first over water organic greenhouse light located in the Maldives. You can also take a tour at the Shades of Green restaurant, where you get to pick, feel and taste all of the ingredients for your meal.
These are just a handful of the restaurants on offer here, in fact it a little deeper and you’ll find several Japanese restaurants, one with a private teppanyaki table, and a casual international and south Asian dinner spot with dishes that are made for sharing.
“As a food obsessive, I have to say that the dishes at Soneva Fushi are extraordinary. I became embarrassed at how often my family, me included, kept refilling our plates. Then we were gently encouraged to visit the ‘chocolate room’, a chilled space filled with dozens of confectionery creations. My children wept”. – Stanley Tucci
Activities and Excursions at Soneva Fushi
You’re never going to have a dull moment with a stay at Soneva Fushi. In fact if they even there was no activities are excursions on offer – just the simple site of the ocean and beaches would be enough to capture your imagination for the duration of your stay. Yet Soneva Fushi have created a number of packages and experiences that really set themselves apart from other Maldives resorts.
Younger guests can head to the Den which is a dedicated Playhouse area where they can unleash their imagination and creativity. Here you’ll find an outdoor pirate play ship, as well as an arts and crafts area and special cooking and musical instruments classes.
There’s also an observatory where you can marvel at the stars, or take a course with the resident astronomer. if you’re a movie buff, then you will love cinema Paradiso, where you can watch a classic movie underneath a starlit sky. We love how the resort offers over 60 different flavours of ice cream as well as the perfect munchies for your beach theatre experience.
Water-lovers are well catered for here with the selection of oceanic adventures. There’s a sunset dolphin cruise where you can glimpse dozens of dolphins playing while sipping on some bubbly. There’s also eco-friendly surfing Adventures, where you can head out the Noonu Atoll complete with a surf instructor, and a surfboard recycled material. And then there’s there a PADI certified diving centre, where you can learn freediving, hire snorkel equipment head out the house reef, or even go and snorkel with manta rays.
No request is too big for the staff at Soneva Fushi, so if you have something else in mind speak to the helpful staff who will be able to put together the perfect adventures for you and your family.
Ecological Responsibility
Aside from the accommodation, dining and amenities, Soneva Fushi really do go above and beyond to make their resort and eco-friendly one. They’ve designed the whole operation with responsibility and sustainability in mind. At the core of their philosophy is causing minimal impact on the very delicate environment. They’ve created no-go areas which allow certain parts of the island’s coastline to remain untouched so that turtles are able to continue to nest there safely. They also pride themselves in using food which is sourced locally or even grown on the island whenever possible. There’s also a purpose built centre which they use for both recycling as well as mate waste management. Plus there’s a marine conservation program, and guests are able to attend a lecture by a resident marine biologist to learn more about the process.
The owners of even going as far as to create a Soneva Changemakers Foundation, which provides financial support for local community initiatives. They provide annual sustainability reports which you can view on their website.
Is Soneva Fushi tugging at your heart strings? Can you imagine yourself and a loved one soaking up the midday sun or lounging loved-up in a hammock on this paradise island? Click here to view all the latest rates at Soneva Fushi.
Do you need a little extra help booking your trip to the Maldives? Click here to for more info on some of our favourite resorts, read this for our ultimate guide to packing for the Maldives, and head here for everything that you need to know before you go. Happy travels!
Have you stayed at the fabulous Soneva Fushi before? How was your trip? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment sections below.
