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Soneva reveals details of its newest resort, Soneva Jani

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Soneva Jani

24 water villas and 1 island villa to open in October 2016 in the Maldives

All villas feature a retractable roof for stargazing

The resort is set in a 5.6km private lagoon

Maldives.net.mv – Soneva, the world-leading luxury resort operator, has revealed details of its newest resort, Soneva Jani, opening in October 2016 in the Maldives. The brand’s newest luxury resort offering will comprise 24 water villas and one island villa, with additional island villas planned at a later stage.

Inspired by a word that means wisdom in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru, which is part of an uninhabited five-island cluster in the Noonu Atoll. The highlight of the resort is its location within a 5.6 kilometer lagoon of crystal clear waters with uninterrupted 360° views of the Indian Ocean. The main island is fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed with lush tropical greenery.

Soneva Jani

Every water villa has a private pool and opens to its own stretch of lagoon, with some villas featuring slides going directly from the top deck into the lagoon below. The highlight of the villas is the retractable roof in the master bedroom, which slides back at the touch of a button so that guests can lie in bed and stargaze. Like all other Soneva properties, the spacious villas feature beautifully designed interiors by Eva Shivdasani, one of Soneva’s co-founders, and are made from the highest quality sustainable materials.

“When we opened Soneva Gili more than 15 years ago, it stood out as a unique and new concept in luxury travel. It is my belief that Soneva Jani is even more revolutionary. There are many small details and improvements, for example at Soneva Gili, guests would often sleep on the top deck so that they could sleep under the stars. In each Soneva Jani Water Retreat or Reserve the master bedroom roof slides back at the press of a button. It closes automatically if it rains,” said Sonu Shivdasani, founder and CEO of Soneva.

“We live in an ever more crowded and developed world. Soneva Jani is one of the lowest density resorts in the world. Just 25 Villas are built in an area that stretches nearly five kilometers. It is not an island resort. It is a lagoon with five private islands where only one of these will have development. When designing and building Soneva Jani, I was very mindful that when we open, the area should seem as natural and beautiful as the first day I laid eyes on it,” he added. “Soneva Jani is one of the most anticipated hotel openings in the Indian Ocean this year. We have already witnessed a huge amount of interest, with the first few weeks fully booked within a few days of opening the booking system to the global travel trade.”

Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani will include all of Soneva’s popular features including a Spa, a dive centre, an observatory, a children’s den, an Eco Centro, organic gardens and an outdoor Cinema Paradiso. The cinema will be the first ‘silent cinema’ in the Maldives, as guests will be given Bluetooth earphones to watch movies so as not to disturb the nesting wildlife in the area.

The resort will serve global cuisine at five dining outlets, and will feature Soneva’s ubiquitous cheese, chocolate, ice-cream and charcuterie rooms that are complimentary for all guests. Various destination and specialty dining experiences will also be available.

“Soneva Jani is a place of incredible natural beauty. The waters in the lagoon have the most vibrant shades of blue that I have not seen anywhere else in the Maldives. We have an extensive array of marine life, including turtles, rays and occasionally dolphins, and the lagoon is an excellent place for kayaking, sailing and swimming as it is calm, shallow and extends for miles and miles. The villas are stunning and include all the attention to detail that Soneva is renowned for. Construction is progressing quickly and we are on track for an opening in October 2016,” said Olivia Richli, the Pre-Opening and General Manager of Soneva Jani.

Soneva Jani includes 18 units of one-bedroom Water Retreats, four units of two-bedroom Water Retreats, one three-bedroom Water Retreat, 1 three-bedroom Water Reserve, and one four-bedroom Island Reserve.

Soneva Jani

In constructing the resort, Soneva kept its environmental impact as low as possible. The pools use seawater with UV filtration and the villas have been built over the sandy floors of the lagoon, with no damage to any part of the reef. Furthermore, solar PV will be a significant source of power generation at the resort, all waste-water will be collected and treated on-site, and water will also be produced on-site, including drinking water. Soneva’s Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre will ensure that waste is recycled, while the extensive vegetable garden will give local produce for the restaurants based on organic principles.

The resort’s soft opening is planned for October 01, 2016, while the official opening date is fixed at November 05, 2016. Bookings are now available from October 01, 2016 onwards.

In addition to Soneva Jani, Soneva owns and operates Soneva Fushi in the Maldives and Soneva Kiri in Thailand. Soneva in Aqua, an ultra luxurious yacht offering an experiential travel experience, was launched in the Maldives in 2015 and sails out of Soneva Fushi. For more information about Soneva visit www.soneva.com

Pictures by Richard Waite for Soneva Jani

Drink

Baros Maldives welcomes Italian winemaker Maria Stella for exclusive wine dinner

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There is something special about discovering a place through its wines. This November, Baros Maldives invites guests to experience a taste of Tuscany with an exclusive wine dinner celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of Poliziano, hosted by third-generation winemaker Maria Stella.

Set against the beautiful ocean backdrop of The Lighthouse Restaurant, the intimate evening will take place on Sunday 29 November 2026, at 7 pm, bringing together fine wines, thoughtfully prepared cuisine and the pleasure of sharing a table.

Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Poliziano has long been guided by a deep connection to its land and the traditions of its region. Its name reflects both its Tuscan home and a tribute to Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano. Over the decades, the winery has remained true to its origins, producing wines that speak of their landscape, heritage and the people behind them.

Leading the evening, Maria Stella will share the story of Poliziano through a selection of its wines, offering guests a personal perspective on the family’s winemaking heritage and the philosophy that continues to shape the estate.

Each wine will be accompanied by a specially created dinner course, with pairings designed to bring out the character of both the glass and the plate.

Limited to just 16 guests, the dinner is intended to be as much about the company and conversation as it is about the wines themselves. An evening to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and wine in wonderful surroundings.

The experience is priced at USD 235 per guest, inclusive of the specially curated dinner menu and wine pairings. Advance reservations are essential, with seating limited to 16 guests.

Event Details:

  • Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
  • Time: 7 pm
  • Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros Maldives

For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.

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Food

Michelin-starred Chef Charles Coulombeau to host exclusive residency at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi

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V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will welcome Michelin-starred French chef Charles Coulombeau from 26 to 28 November 2026.

The three-day programme opens with sunset cocktails and canapés, followed by a fine dining evening at Muraka Restaurant and a special cooking class with the chef.

Coulombeau leads the kitchen at La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy, France, which holds one Michelin star. His cooking pairs modern French technique with influences from his time in Japan, bringing ingredients such as citrus and seaweed into dishes shaped by seasonal produce.

The culinary programme:

  • Thursday, 26 November | Sunset cocktails and canapés. The programme opens with sunset cocktails and Michelin-inspired canapés, offering guests a first taste of the chef’s approach ahead of Friday’s fine dining event.
  • Friday, 27 November | Fine dining at Muraka Restaurant. Coulombeau will present a special dinner at the resort’s overwater Muraka Restaurant, where guests can experience his modern French cooking overlooking the Indian Ocean.
  • Saturday, 28 November | Special Cooking Class. Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from Coulombeau and explore some of the techniques behind his cooking.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection offers an intimate island retreat in the Maldives, with beach and overwater accommodation, dining overlooking the ocean, and experiences on and beneath the water.

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News

Dr Tridendra Shakya to lead wellness residency at Finolhu Maldives

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Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is set to welcome renowned wellness practitioner Dr Tridendra Shakya for an exclusive residency at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Set against the tranquil backdrop of the Maldives’ UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Baa Atoll, the residency invites guests to explore a more mindful approach to wellbeing through personalised treatments, traditional healing practices and restorative experiences.

Hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr Shakya brings 17 years of experience in naturopathy and holistic wellbeing, drawing upon ancient Eastern healing philosophies and contemporary wellness practices. His approach centres on understanding each individual’s needs, combining therapeutic techniques with lifestyle guidance to encourage relaxation, balance and a deeper connection between mind and body.

Throughout his seven-week residency, Dr Shakya will offer a carefully curated selection of therapies encompassing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, reflexology, cupping, manipulative massage and therapeutic yoga. Personalised wellness consultations, incorporating pulse diagnosis alongside lifestyle and nutritional guidance, will allow guests to explore treatments tailored to their individual wellbeing goals.

Among the signature experiences is Yin & Pin, a combination of gentle passive stretching and acupuncture designed to encourage deep relaxation and release muscular tension. Acu-Massage brings together acupuncture, Marma point massage and traditional cupping techniques, while the Head to Toe Reviver draws upon the principles of reflexology to provide a restorative experience particularly suited to travellers seeking relaxation after a long journey.

The programme also explores the relationship between movement, breath and mindfulness. Therapeutic yoga sessions incorporate supportive postures, breathing exercises and meditation techniques adapted to individual needs. Guests can also discover Motion Meditation, blending the graceful movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong with mindful breathing, or experience Yoga Nidra, a guided meditation practice that encourages profound relaxation and mental stillness.

For those seeking a more personalised wellness journey, the residency includes specialised experiences focusing on sleep, stress management, spinal care and traditional yogic cleansing practices. Each experience begins with an assessment, allowing Dr Shakya to tailor his approach to the guest’s individual preferences and wellbeing objectives.

The residency complements Finolhu’s existing wellness offering at Fehi Spa, where the island’s natural beauty provides an inviting setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Surrounded by turquoise waters, powder-soft beaches and lush tropical vegetation, the resort offers an opportunity to step away from everyday routines and embrace a slower, more considered pace of life.

With its distinctive blend of barefoot luxury, contemporary design and immersive island experiences, Finolhu continues to introduce thoughtfully curated programmes that enrich the guest journey. Dr. Shakya’s residency adds a new dimension to the resort’s wellness offering, inviting guests to incorporate moments of restoration and self-discovery into their Maldivian escape.

Dr Tridendra Shakya’s residency will take place at Fehi Spa from 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Complimentary initial consultations are available, with advance reservations recommended. For further information or reservations, guests may visit www.finolhu.com or contact stay@finolhu.com.

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