Mesmerizing beauty, laid-back luxury, rustic brilliance, superlative privacy and a slow life attitude: Soneva Fushi makes all your luxury eco-resort dreams come true.
Last week I’ve visited Maldives for the first time, and Soneva Fushi – made all my luxury eco-resort dreams come true. For me luxury means time, peace, emotion and freedom. Luxury is about feeling the sand on your feet surrounded by beauty and extreme tranquility, dine under the moonlight with the ocean breeze. Luxury is about connecting with nature and to reconnect with yourself. Swimming in clear turquoise water, and to eat organic fresh food. All these luxuries can be found at Soneva Fushi, where you can experience the real lush eco-resort in a rare tropical paradise hideaway.
Less I knew about Soneva Fushi’s policy “No News, No Shoes”:
We arrived in the morning at Malé International Airport, where we were greeted by the lovely Soneva staff. A Soneva Fushi host took care of our check-in, while we were waiting at Soneva’s Airport lounge for the connecting seaplane transfer to the resort. It was a perfect break to change “winter clothes” and to cool down with a refreshing drink and some snacks. After 30 min flight we arrived to the resort by private plane, and landed on the lagoon 2 kilometers away from the island. The journey from the Soneva water airport to the resort took approximately 7 minutes by boat. First we received cold scented towels and a fresh coconut water, the “Mr/Ms Friday” asked us to take our shoes and place them in a bag with “No News, no Shoes” written on it. First it felt weird to walk barefoot everywhere, but we got used to it very quickly and it felt so good to walk free and to feel the earth on sugar white sands of the beautiful island.
ABOUT SONEVA
Soneva was founded by the British/Indian-Swedish couple Sonu and Eva Shivdasani as their first Barefoot Luxury hotel. Sonu and Eva founded Six Senses which they sold in 2012, but kept Soneva Fushi and created the group of other luxury resorts such as Soneva Jani in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand, as well as a luxury yacht Soneva in Aqua that sails from Soneva Fushi. Soneva Fushi was opened in 1995 with its SLOW LIFE philosophy. The core purpose and stands for Sustainable – Local –Organic – Wellness – Learning – Inspiring – Fun – Experiences. Sustainability runs through Soneva’s DNA. They built a special Eco-Centro that handles all of the waste management and recycling, like the wine bottles are upcycled into glasses and artworks.
THE ISLAND
Probably the most idyllic island I have ever visited. Soneva Fushi, is located in the unique Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Major Robinson Crusoe-vibes in tropical jungle. The sugar white sands feel so soft like walking on the snow. Soneva offers holistic, luxurious and inspirational travel experiences surrounded by a magnificent jungle, breathtakig white-sand beaches and sparkling 50-shades of blue water.
THE VILLA #55
We stayed in Villa 55, the sunset two-bedroom villa which is incredibly spacious – with its own pool, a mini kitchen, an outdoor bathroom, sunken seating, a full music system, a hidden TV in a stack of suitcase, outside sitting area, daybeds and sun loungers. Sophisticated eco-design interior, very calming with lots of wood and hammocks. A terrace with a view, which is perfect for a leisurely breakfast, drinks or just to watch the sunset and the breathtaking blue ocean.
This is what luxury means to me:
SONEVA VILLAS & PRIVATE PROPERTIES
Soneva Fushi villas are located on the sunset or sunrise side of the island. While both sides have the Maldives’ signature white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters, there are a few differences of the villas. Read here for more.
Rustic brilliance, laid-back luxury, mesmerizing beauty, superlative privacy and a slow life attitude.
THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE
Soneva Fushi is not just a paradise for its nature, but also a culinary paradise. Whatever I have ordered, was mind blowing delicious, amazingly flavored, and I must say Soneva Fushi has the best resort food ever. The incredible breakfast buffet and the dinner buffet on Saturday was fantastic. On the first day, we’ve visited Out Of The Blue and the Fresh In The Garden restaurant. We had appetizers at Out Of The Blue, followed by the main course and dessert at Fresh In The Garden restaurant. Both restaurants are unique in its own way. The Out Of The Blue, two-storey overwater view, offers Japanese cuisine with a contemporary twist. Whereby Fresh In The Garden, Chefs in the open kitchen use freshly picked herbs from the Soneva Fushi garden to create inspired dishes. I also loved the Down To Earth restaurant, which is at the opposite side to Mihiree Mitha. A fine dining venue that serves international and South Asian cuisine on the beach in a romantic setting.
BREAKFAST AT MIHIREE MITHAA
Mihiree Mitha is the main restaurant, and it means “here it is” in Maldivian. The most amazing breakfast buffet, offering freshly cut fruits, baked goodies, a salad room, lot of detox juices, and Soneva’s ubiquitous ice cream and chocolate rooms. For lunch they serve a buffet of organic garden vegetables, herbs and salads, freshly caught and grilled-to order fish, sushi, a selection of Indian dishes and bespoke pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven.
The breakfast buffet offers different kind of detox juices, infused water, Ayurvedic elixirs etc.
Still dreaming of Soneva Fushi breakfast…
THE SERVICE
Each villa has its own Mr or Mrs Friday – a butler who can arrange everything from dolphin cruise, snorkeling, to spa treatments. We received a custom itinerary, which was planned carefully. The staff members are so loving, down-to-earth, unpretentious, and have a huge heart. I could feel the positive energy of everyone, and this tells a lot about Soneva’s brand philosophy and quality.
What we have missed?
Unfortunately, our stay was too short and we couldn’t do everything what Soneva Fushi offers. We missed the Six Senses Spa, the Den for children (Lego room, fancy dress, giant keyboard). Due to rainy Friday, we missed the outdoor Cinema Paradiso, as well as the Shades of Green restaurant. Also, we couldn’t go snorkeling, because Adelina and I had to shoot the content for the blog.
What I loved the most?
I just don’t know where to begin, because I loved everything about Soneva Fushi. I loved the casual but luxurious atmosphere, the friendly and very professional staff, the amazing food, the barefoot vibes, and the turquoise water with endless white sand beaches.
All pictures (c) Edisa Shahini
Disclaimer: This content was brought to you in friendly collaboration with Soneva Fushi, as a press visit and a complimentary stay.
