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Soneva sponsors London Art Fair 2018
Soneva has joined the London Art Fair for the first time this year, as part of the luxury resort operator’s focus on its Art and Glass programme.
In a statement, Soneva said it has sponsored the VIP stand at LAF 2018, which is being held from Wednesday to Sunday. An array of glass art works that have been created to date are being showcased at the stand, it added.
“Soneva’s Glass Studio is home to the only existing pieces that [Murano-born Lino] Tagliapietra has created from recycled glass. Guests can also watch the process of how a resort turns waste glass into art pieces whilst Soneva’s team will be on hand to speak to explain the significant role that glass and art will continue to have at Soneva,” the statement read.
Soneva is proud to be home to the only Glass Studio in the Maldives at their flagship resort Soneva Fushi, and uses 100 percent recycled glass.
Soneva sought to resolve the problem posed by waste materials such as glass bottles, and created the Glass Studio as a continuation of Soneva’s commitment to the environment and eco-credentials. Each month, up to 1,000 kilograms of glass is collected from Soneva and neighbouring resorts in the Baa atoll before being washed and delivered to Soneva’s Glass Studio by Eco Centro, Soneva’s Waste-to-Wealth team.
In founding the Glass Studio, Soneva has taken on an entire up-cycling process from start to finish: firstly crushing the glass and melting this in the state-of-the-art glass furnace, before adopting a variety of techniques such as blowing, casting and slumping the glass to create unique pieces of art.
A skilled team of glass specialists at Soneva Fushi also design and create stunning signature bowls, plates and glasses that are used at restaurants across Soneva resorts, and which perfectly complement the culinary vision of the chef teams. Guests can likewise purchase the signature collection from the glass retail boutique.
As part of the Art and Glass programme, Soneva has played host to noted glass artists from around the globe, such as Murano-born Lino Tagliapietra, sculptor Howard BenTre, and Venetian glass Master James Mongrain. Throughout their stay, each artist has been commissioned to create breath-taking artworks made entirely from recycled glass.
Soneva also champions the sharing of this time-honoured tradition, and the Glass Studio offers courses that teach guests the art of glassblowing. Guests can learn from experienced glass artists the skills required to create their very own masterpieces.
As the Soneva Art and Glass programme grows in popularity, the innovative team has also sought to work with glass in ever-changing ways.
Last year, Soneva Fushi created an inspired ‘Cooking With Glass’ dining experience, where top chefs collaborated with the resort’s Art and Glass Studio’s master glass artists: combining fine dining and glasswork for the very first time. The culinary adventure involves creating incredible dishes by cooking with molten glass, and guests are invited to take home the completely individual glass pieces forged with each course as mementoes.
A video of this event went viral on social media last year.
Soneva, a world-leading luxury resort operator, runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 65 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.
The iconic resort has bagged several international awards for eco-friendly tourism and green initiatives, including the 2017 Green Hotelier Award for the Asia Pacific region and the Sustainable Hotel Award by the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) as well as a spot in the Gold List compiled by Condé Nast Traveler China as the Best Hotel in the Maldives and amongst the best resorts in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2017.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and its second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of 24 overwater villas and one island villa set in a 5.6 kilometre private lagoon located in the northern Noonu atoll. The resort spans five islands surrounded by pure white beaches, covered in rich tropical vegetation, offering the ultimate in privacy and luxury.
Each of the resort’s multilevel water villas has its own private pool and a retractable roof that allows guests to sleep beneath the stars. Many villas also have slides that transport guests directly from the top level into the lagoon below. Other hotel highlights include a spa, an observatory — home to the largest telescope in the Indian Ocean — and an outdoor cinema.
Since its opening, Soneva Jani has created a lot of buzz amongst luxury travellers with its exciting features such as the retractable roofs and the water slides. It has been named the Best Over-the-Top Luxury hotel of the year by Jetsetter.com, the best new resort in the world by CNN, and the Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in South Asia and Leading Luxury Hotel/Resort in Maldives.
The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection has announced a collaboration with Ahmed Aleem Shakoor, who is currently in residence at the resort, introducing a creative element to the guest experience.
Aleem, a self-taught artist, is known for work that combines maritime themes, surrealism and symbolism. His practice spans watercolours, acrylics and mixed media, drawing inspiration from the Maldives’ history and ocean landscapes, often expressed through the use of light, depth and narrative.
During his residency, Aleem is working with the resort to develop a series of artistic and cultural experiences aimed at engaging guests. These include live painting sessions, informal interactions with the artist and workshops designed to encourage creative participation.
The programme forms part of the resort’s wider activities, with offerings such as mini canvas painting, coconut painting and creative art sessions available to guests. In addition, Tales Painted in Sunlight combines elements of Maldivian folklore, storytelling and visual art, providing further insight into local culture.
The collaboration reflects the resort’s approach to incorporating local artistic talent into its programming, while offering guests opportunities to engage with creative activities in a relaxed setting. The residency is designed to allow guests to explore artistic expression as part of their island experience.
As part of its seasonal programme, selected artistic activities are also included in the resort’s Easter offerings, providing additional opportunities for guests to take part in creative experiences during their stay.
Amilla Maldives has been named a joint winner in the Most OutThere Initiative in Inclusive Travel category at the Experientialist Awards 2026, following a Highly Commended recognition in the same category in 2025.
The Experientialist Awards recognise organisations shaping travel through inclusivity, individuality and design, with the inclusive travel category highlighting initiatives that address not only accessibility, but also how journeys are experienced by guests.
At Amilla Maldives, accessibility is integrated into the overall guest experience. The resort adopts an approach that begins at the planning stage and continues throughout the stay, with a focus on understanding individual guest needs and adapting experiences accordingly.
Aligned with its In Harmony with Purpose philosophy, the resort has introduced a range of measures aimed at improving accessibility. These include villa features designed for ease of use, accessible pathways across the island and adaptive experiences such as inclusive snorkelling and wellness sessions.
As an IncluCare Verified resort, Amilla Maldives continues to develop its offering through feedback and collaboration, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity across its operations.
Commenting on the recognition, Morgan Martinello said the resort remains focused on creating travel experiences that feel natural and accessible. He noted that the continued recognition reflects the resort’s ongoing efforts to improve inclusivity.
The award from OutThere, a platform focused on diversity and inclusion in travel, marks a further step in the resort’s efforts to create accessible and inclusive guest experiences.
Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, part of Centara Hotels and Resorts, has marked its first anniversary, highlighting a year of operations as a luxury island resort within The Atollia development.
During its first year, the resort has received international recognition, including being named among Favourite Overseas Leisure Hotels in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 and listed among the Top Ten Best Maldives Resorts in the DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2026.
Since opening, the resort has offered a collection of beachfront and overwater villas, along with two- and three-bedroom residences designed to provide privacy and space. Accommodation options include private pools or Jacuzzis, with design elements incorporating contemporary architecture, natural materials and Thai-inspired influences.
The resort’s concept draws on Thai heritage, reflected across its wellness, dining and guest experiences. At SPA Cenvaree Retreat, treatments are inspired by traditional Thai wellness practices. Dining options across the resort include live cooking experiences at The Gallery, Mediterranean-inspired seafood at Bluefin, and beverage offerings at venues such as Sunset Social, The Club and Coco Drift.
Guests can also take part in a range of leisure and recreational activities, including water sports and marine experiences. The resort caters to a variety of travellers, offering facilities for families, including a kids’ club and an entertainment zone for teenagers, as well as spaces for private events, group stays and corporate gatherings.
Commenting on the milestone, Jorge Fernandez said the resort combines elements of Thai heritage with the Maldivian environment to create a distinct guest experience. He noted that recognition received during the first year reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, sustainability and service, while also acknowledging the role of guests and staff in its development.
As it marks its first anniversary, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives continues to focus on delivering curated guest experiences, with an emphasis on hospitality, design and sustainable operations within the destination.
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