News
Soneva reveals one of the largest resort villas in the Indian Ocean
Maldives.net.mv – Luxury private residences created by the Soneva Group in the Maldives and Thailand have become coveted as the ultimate in SLOW LIFE status symbols and their new eight bedroom magnum opus is already commanding interest worldwide.
The largest private residence to be built in the region, the eight bedroom secluded stronghold on Soneva Fushi will be unique and truly magnificent when it is completed mid October.Rental prices will range from $11,300-$30,000 (+ taxes) / night depending on the season.
As with all Soneva Group’s privately developed villas, it is constructed using time-tested indigenous techniques with materials from sustainable sources adapted to preserve the integrity of the environment and the local communities.
But there are features in this new property that no realtor’s dictionary can adequatelydescribe including some of the most breathtaking views of unending cerulean seas and a versatility in accommodation for large families and their attendants (private secretaries, security, chefs or personal trainers) or groups (such as executive retreats)that is hard to match.
The two guiding principles in its design were the need for privacy and sociable relaxation.
Living spaces inside and out are carefully drawn and generous, and located on a prime beachfront spot with a spectacular view that will never change.
Sales of Soneva Group’s limited range of luxury villas at Soneva Fushi, Maldives and Soneva Kiri, Thailand have been strong. Opportunities to purchase are scarce since so few are being built and prices, ranging from US$3M-US$15M, reflect their exclusivity. They provide an attractive financial return as well as a guarantee a ‘return on life’. Rental programmes are tailored to owners’ requirements.
There are more than 100 resorts in the Maldives but Soneva Fushi is alone in offering private villas with more than three bedrooms. This new development, with eight suites, provides the perfect solution for large multi generational families, groups of friends, weddings, business gatherings and sophisticated hen and stag parties.
The residence is a two storey collection of villas with an expansive wraparound swimming pool spread over a large area with generous outdoor living space. The master bedroom boasts its own private swimming pool measuring 111.3 m2 and an outdoor bathroom but
there are five additional guest bedrooms, a children’s bedroom, a smaller nanny’s bedroom and of course one for the Mr./Miss Friday butler.
Other features include a wine cellar, library, large sunken dining area within the pool, children’s playroom and a private spa suite with steam facilities, a gym and massage room.
The main swimming pool is 477.3 m2 with a slide going from the children’s den into the swimming pool. 1 big deck (58.3 m2 in the middle of the pool). There is a sunken dining area (12.4 m2) that seats up to 12 people.
When not used by the owner, the villa can be rented out with a guaranteed annual investment. Rental yields of up to 4% net guaranteed per annum indicate solid investment potential.
As with all Soneva Group properties, each fully serviced villa comes complete with a dedicated 24/7 butler, discounted transfers to and from the resorts and full access to all the island’s facilities, with special ‘owners rates’ being offered in the restaurants, bars and
galleries.
Soneva is an established resort and luxury residences company. It captures the hearts of the UHNW family due to its philosophy, SLOWLIFE – Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wellness-Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences.
It has managed the delicate balance of lifestyle and sustainability by providing luxurious accommodations, magnificent natural locations, incredible cuisine and a wealth of local, “money can’t buy” experiences.
This festive season, Adaaran Resorts invites couples and friends to experience Christmas in the Maldives through a glowing new seasonal concept: When the Island Blooms. Across Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the islands will come alive with blooming lights, shimmering trees, ocean-inspired installations and evenings shaped by romance, celebration and tropical wonder.
By day, the season unfolds through ocean adventures, festive workshops, private dining experiences and slow moments above the lagoon. By night, pathways glow, beaches turn into celebration spaces and Christmas takes on a softer, warmer island rhythm.
At Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, the festive season begins with romance at the centre. Set above the lagoon and shaped around overwater privacy, the island transforms into an adults-only festive escape where every evening feels made for two. From cake mixing by the shoreline to cocktail soirées, fire performances, private beach dinners and New Year celebrations, Vadoo brings the bloom concept to life through intimacy, sparkle and island charm.
Highlights include:
- The Grand Festive Formation Christmas Cake Mixing Ceremony by the lagoon
- 25 Days of Festive Moments, with daily games and seasonal surprises leading up to Christmas
- Saint Nicholas Cocktail Soirée at Sky Bar with festive cocktails, gourmet tapas and live acoustic music
- Romantic Sand Bench Dinners and Tropical Romance Dinners, both designed for couples by the beach
- Interactive festive experiences including spice blending, smoked cocktail demonstrations, wine blind tasting, latte art, Thai cookery and molecular cocktail sessions
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Cocktail Evening with carols, handcrafted cocktails, live music, fire performance and Tanoura dance
- “Festive Paradise Glow” Christmas Eve Celebration with festive cocktails, Santa’s arrival, gala dining, raffles, live music and a Christmas party by the lagoon
- Christmas Elegance Dinner, a romantic overwater dining experience with 360° ocean views
- New Year’s Eve “The Majestic London”, featuring cocktails, gala dining, entertainment, fireworks, DJ celebrations and the crowning of the Vadoo Queen
- Extraordinary New Year’s Dinner in the Tree House or Floating Deck, created for an intimate start to 2027
- Orthodox Christmas Eve with gala dining, DJ entertainment, free-flow drinks, games and Santa’s arrival
Vadoo is where the island blooms with romance, celebration and the easy magic of overwater living.
At Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, the festive season takes on a quieter, more exclusive rhythm. Set within Meedhupparu’s glowing island landscape, this adults-only overwater enclave offers a private festive escape above the lagoon, with access to the wider celebrations unfolding across the island. Guests can step into beachfront festivities, ocean adventures and signature dining experiences, then return to the calm of their own overwater sanctuary.
Highlights include:
- Christmas Tree Lighting by the beach as Meedhupparu begins to glow for the season
- Christmas Eve Magic, a moonlit celebration inspired by Maldivian island legends, ocean journeys and festive island storytelling
- Festive ocean adventures including dolphin cruises, snorkelling safaris, sunset jet ski experiences and sunset fishing by dhoni
- Floating Champagne Breakfast served in the Water Villa lagoon for a refined festive morning
- Private Sandbank Festive Lunch & High Tea surrounded by open ocean views
- Signature dining experiences including Lobster Beach Barbecue, 21-Course Progressive Dinner, Seven-Course Modern Gastronomy Dinner, Tree House Dinner and Chef’s Table – Indian Ocean Edition
- Private Cinema Under the Stars and Jungle-Themed Movie Night for couples seeking a quieter festive evening
- New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, a beachfront celebration with cocktails, gala dining, DJ entertainment, countdown, fire show and fireworks
- New Year’s Eve VIP Water Villa Dining Experience with champagne, seafood and premium countdown moments
- New Year dining experiences including Fire & Flame Steak Dinner, Romantic Sandbench Dinner and Sunset Sushi & Sake Experience
- Orthodox Festive Dinner with beachside grills, seafood, lobster and live duo music
Adaaran Prestige Water Villas is where the island blooms with stillness, privacy and beautifully crafted festive indulgence.
Together, Adaaran Prestige Vadoo and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas offer two adults-only ways to celebrate Christmas in the Maldives. One brings playful romance and festive energy close to Malé, while the other offers secluded overwater calm in the Raa Atoll. Across both, the season glows with ocean light, intimate dining, warm hospitality and memories made beneath a blooming island sky.
This Christmas, the islands do not simply celebrate. They bloom.
Action
First green sea turtle hatchlings of season emerge at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has recorded its first green sea turtle hatchlings of the season, marking another important milestone in the island’s ongoing marine conservation efforts.
Located in Raa Atoll, Maamunagau is recognised as an important sea turtle nesting site, with 6 nests recorded on the island so far this year. While sea turtles nest throughout the year in the Maldives, June and July typically mark the peak nesting period in Raa Atoll. This season, the recorded nests have primarily belonged to green sea turtles, a species that remains protected in the Maldives.
The first hatchlings of the season emerged naturally on the evening of 22 July, approximately two months after the eggs were laid. Throughout the nesting season, the resort’s Marine Biology team monitors each nest and conducts research activities under approved conservation protocols, collecting valuable data to better understand local sea turtle populations and nesting patterns.
Through its partnership with The Manta Trust and collaboration with conservation partners including the Olive Ridley Project, InterContinental Maldives continues to contribute to marine research and conservation efforts in the Maldives. Each recorded nest provides important insights that support the protection of sea turtles and their habitats for future generations.
Guests are encouraged to experience these special moments responsibly, with hatchlings observed from a dis tance and artificial lighting minimised to allow them to make their natural journey towards the ocean.
As part of its commitment to protecting the surrounding marine environment, InterContinental Maldives continues to support conservation through research, education and responsible wildlife experiences, helping guests connect with the unique ecosystems of the Maldives.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli part of Sun Siyam’s Privé Collection, has concluded an exclusive culinary residency with celebrated Czech chef Jan Punčochář, held from 25 July to 1 August 2026. Hosted in partnership with Colours of Maldives, the collaboration brought Chef Jan’s distinctive culinary philosophy and international expertise to Roma, the resort’s signature overwater restaurant renowned for its contemporary Italian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
At the heart of the residency was an intimate Chef’s Table on 31 July, where Chef Jan presented a multi-course menu created exclusively for guests. The menu showcased Czech culinary traditions interpreted through Maldivian ingredients and island-inspired flavours, accompanied by carefully selected wine pairings designed to complement each course. Earlier in the week, a special cocktail evening on 28 July introduced Chef Jan to guests in a relaxed setting, offering them the opportunity to meet and interact with him ahead of the dinner. Throughout his residency, he also worked alongside Iru Veli’s culinary team, sharing techniques, ideas and expertise through hands-on sessions in the kitchen.
One of the Czech Republic’s most recognised culinary figures, Chef Jan is behind the acclaimed Prague restaurants U Matěje, Stůl and Šnycl. His career has been shaped by experience across leading European kitchens, including stages at Michelin-starred Hangar 7 in Austria and Tim Raue in Germany, followed by senior roles in Switzerland and Prague. Known for honest, seasonal cooking, meticulous technique and thoughtful wine pairing, he is also widely recognised as a judge on MasterChef Česko and as the host and judge of Hell’s Kitchen Česko.
“Exceptional dining is an important part of the Sun Siyam experience, and we are always looking at how we can continue to evolve it. Welcoming Chef Jan allowed us to introduce our guests to an entirely new culinary perspective while creating valuable opportunities for our own chefs to exchange ideas, techniques and inspiration. It is these meaningful collaborations that continue to elevate the experience we offer.” Remarked Masdhooq Saeed, Cluster General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Vilu Reef.
As part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ signature chef residency programme, this collaboration held in partnership with Colours of Maldives, reflects the brand’s commitment to bringing respected culinary talent to the Maldives while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange, team development and memorable guest experiences.
For more information and to book your island getaway, please visit Sun Siyam Iru Veli Offers page.
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