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Soneva Fushi unveils opulent new Private Residences
Soneva has unveiled two breath-taking new additions to its portfolio of villas and private hideaways at Soneva Fushi, the world-leading resort in the idyllic Baa atoll in Maldives.
Scheduled to be ready for occupancy by Christmas 2019, the six-bedroom Villa 43 Sunset Reserve and four-bedroom Villa 38 will set a new standard of desert island luxury.
Just steps away from the beach and hidden amongst lush tropical forest, both residences have been designed to exist in perfect harmony with the unspoiled setting and Soneva’s one-of-a-kind ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy. Each celebrates the wonders of nature – with expansive al fresco decked areas and terraces, verdant private gardens and open-air bathrooms with sunken baths and outdoor rain showers.
Named after its incredible views of the sun setting over the horizon, Villa 43 Sunset Reserve is one of the largest and most luxurious residences on the island. Centred around an ancient Banyan tree, it features a cluster of six buildings that are interconnected by extensive wooden walkways and elevated terraces. The vast main swimming pool comes with its very own water slide and sunken seating area, while a second pool sits just outside the master suite. The seashore is just a few feet beyond, with pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling.
With a maximum occupancy of 12 adults and 4 children, the 2,303 sq m (21,851 sq ft) Villa 43 achieves the perfect balance of secluded spaces and convivial communal living – private bedroom suites, living rooms and terraces with oversized daybeds are perfect for quiet moments of reflection, while family and friends can spend precious time together in the open plan living and dining areas, TV suite and well-appointed library.
The generously-sized master suite features its own living room, as well as Soneva’s signature open air bathroom – surrounded by a tranquil water feature, it includes a deep, sunken bath, steam facilities, indoor and outdoor rain showers and his-and-hers sinks. The main guest suite also features an al fresco bathroom, whilst three additional guest bedrooms include ample en-suite bathrooms and showers. For younger residents, there is a separate children’s bedroom which also features an en-suite and additional nanny’s room.
A true haven from the outside world, Villa 43 features its very own private gym with the latest fitness technology, plus a dedicated spa suite, complete with sauna and steam room. For wine connoisseurs, there is also a substantial cellar with a selection of the world’s finest vintages.
The four-bedroom Villa 38 is found on the serene sunrise side of the island. Also situated just next to snow-white sands, the two-storey villa is partly encircled by a vast, curved swimming pool, which can be accessed directly from both ground-floor bedroom suites and also features a lengthy slide. Large decked areas overlook the pool and the beach beyond, and include comfortable loungers and daybeds, dining areas and a sunken seating area for relaxing and entertaining.
The 1,525 sq m (16,415 sq ft) Villa 38 has a maximum occupancy of eight adults and four children. On the ground floor, there is an open-plan, double-height living area which is filled with light and a sense of space, plus a dining room, kitchen and pantry, as well as a spa suite, which features a sauna and steam room. The master bedroom suite and guest bedroom both include an extensive outdoor garden bathroom, with sunken baths, outdoor rain showers and water features.
Upstairs in Villa 38, there are two additional guest bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, dressing rooms and private balconies, as well as a fully-equipped private gym. A first-floor decked area offers an incredible vantage point over the Indian Ocean – with a dining table and plush daybeds, it is a tranquil spot to start the day watching the stunning Maldivian sunrise.
Both Villa 43 Sunset Reserve and Villa 38 are Private Residences, part of the exclusive Soneva Villa Ownership Programme – the first and only developer to offer high-end, luxury homes to foreign owners in the Maldives.
Currently operating in Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, as well as Soneva Kiri in Thailand, each Private Residence is a completely bespoke home-away-from-home, and has been carefully located to ensure that owners enjoy maximum privacy while remaining close to Soneva’s first-class services and amenities.
Sold on a renewable leasehold, every Private Residence is designed to meet its owner’s individual needs, whilst remaining true to Soneva’s signature ‘Intelligent Luxury’, uncompromising ecological and ethical credentials, high quality design and utmost attention to even the smallest of details. Privately-owned villas and retreats are fully maintained by the resort (including repairs, replacement furniture, fixtures and fittings, lighting, gardening and pest control), whilst owners enjoy myriad benefits, such as 20 per cent savings on food and beverages, motorised water sports and flight transfers.
As well as making significant savings whilst enjoying the use of their property during their own holidays, Private Residence owners can maximise their return on investment through Soneva’s Villa Rental Programme, which offers a strong cash yield when villas are rented out whilst owners are not residing at the resort. In the Maldives, for example, capital prices have appreciated by approximately eight to ten per cent per year.
World-leading luxury resort operator Soneva runs two resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.
In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury.
Sixty-two private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden amongst dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef. Intuitive service is provided by Mr./Ms. Friday butlers.
Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech Observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, six different restaurants and countless destination dining options. In November 2015, Soneva launched a floating villa concept, Soneva in Aqua, a treasure trove children’s Den and a multi-purpose facility encompasses a glass gallery, boutique and studio where guests can learn the art of glass blowing.
If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple: No news, no shoes. No pretensions either.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will welcome Indian chef and restaurateur Atul Kochhar for a culinary residency from 7 to 9 November 2026, coinciding with Diwali.
Kochhar, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, will bring the culinary approach of his London restaurant, Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, to Helios. The residency will present his contemporary interpretation of India’s regional cuisines, drawing on the traditions and influences that have shaped his cooking.
Rooted in Kochhar’s connection to India, the menu will combine regional flavours with contemporary techniques and carefully selected ingredients. It will reflect his approach to developing Indian cuisine while retaining its cultural foundations.
With more than 30 years in the industry, Kochhar has built an international reputation for his contribution to Indian dining. He received his first Michelin star in 2001, followed by another in 2007. His culinary philosophy brings together India’s regional diversity, traditional cooking practices and contemporary methods.
At Patina Maldives, this philosophy will be interpreted through the resort’s Indian Ocean setting and the multicultural character of the Fari Islands. The residency will give Kochhar an opportunity to adapt his culinary identity to the island and the Diwali celebrations, creating an experience shaped by the occasion and its surroundings.
Kochhar leads the Atul Kochhar Hospitality Group, whose portfolio includes Kanishka in Mayfair, Vaasu and Sindhu in Marlow, Riwaz in Beaconsfield, Masalchi in Wembley Park, Indian Essence in Petts Wood and Essence in Tunbridge Wells.
The residency forms part of Patina Maldives’ culinary programme, which connects guests with different cultures, perspectives and creative disciplines. Through Kochhar’s cooking, guests will have an opportunity to explore India’s regional food traditions and celebrate Diwali through shared dining experiences.
Baros Maldives will welcome guests for its festive season from 22 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, with a programme centred on the island’s natural surroundings, Maldivian heritage and a series of culinary, marine and cultural experiences.
The programme will combine Christmas and New Year traditions with activities inspired by island life, including ocean excursions, local cultural experiences, festive dining and wellbeing sessions.
The season will begin with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, followed by a series of activities introducing guests to festive traditions and Maldivian culture. These will include a Christmas cookie workshop, an Ocean, Coconut & Spice cooking class, a Maldivian Heritage Evening and an Island Christmas Market.
Marine experiences will remain a central part of the festive programme. Guests will be able to join a Sunrise Nooma sailing experience, take part in fishing trips at sunrise or twilight, explore the house reef with the resort’s marine team or join a dolphin-watching cruise.
Private yacht excursions, visits to local islands and trips to Malé will also be available for guests wishing to explore beyond the resort.
Baros Maldives will also offer a series of culinary experiences throughout the festive period. These will include a Sake Pairing Dinner, a Great Gatsby-themed five-course dinner and a Champagne Dinner inspired by the Seven Seas.
Other dining experiences will include a Butcher’s Block buffet, an Omakase tasting lunch and a Master Chef Tuna Carving Show & Tasting. Guests will also be able to take part in wine discovery experiences, cocktail-making sessions and an Island Crafted Cocktails programme.
On Christmas Eve, guests will gather at The Lighthouse for a cocktail reception before continuing to Lime for the Christmas Eve Gala Dinner.
Christmas Day will feature breakfast, festive activities and time for guests to enjoy the beach, lagoon and other island experiences with family and friends.
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a Gala Dinner, live entertainment and the countdown to 2027.
New Year’s Day will start with a celebratory brunch, followed by a selection of wellbeing and dining experiences. These will include a beachfront degustation dinner accompanied by live violin and saxophone performances.
Younger guests will also have a dedicated programme of festive activities, including mocktail-making, Christmas cookie workshops and island-based activities designed for families and children.
Throughout the season, Baros Maldives will host live music, marine presentations, yoga and meditation sessions alongside its wider programme of dining, recreation and ocean experiences.
The festive programme is intended to reflect the character of Baros Maldives by combining Christmas and New Year celebrations with the island’s marine environment, culinary offering and Maldivian culture.
From 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, Niva Kuramathi will mark the festive season with “A Tropical Festive Season”, a programme of dining, entertainment, outdoor activities and family experiences shaped around the island setting.
The programme will make use of Kuramathi’s natural surroundings, including its house reef and sandbank, alongside its 12 restaurants and seven bars.
The festivities will begin on the evening of 21 December with a Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the sandbank. Guests will be welcomed with drinks and live music at sunset, followed later in the evening by a traditional Bodu Beru performance.
On 28 and 29 December, the resort will host a traditional Maldivian Market, featuring Bodu Beru drumming, a folklore parade and locally made artisanal crafts.
Christmas Eve festivities
Christmas Eve celebrations will begin on the sandbank at sunset, with welcome drinks and Christmas carols. Santa Claus and his elves will also make an appearance before guests gather for a gala buffet dinner.
The evening will conclude with an outdoor screening of a classic Christmas film under the stars.
Countdown to 2027
New Year’s Eve celebrations will begin at sunset with cocktails on the sandbank.
A gala dinner will then be served across Farivalhu, Malaafaiy and Haruge restaurants before the countdown to 2027. Fireworks will mark the arrival of the New Year, while live music and DJ performances will continue at Fung Bar and Sand Bar.
Festive activities
Throughout the festive period, Niva Kuramathi will offer a programme of recreational, culinary and entertainment activities.
Guests will be able to take part in moonlit yoga sessions on the sandbank, sand sculpting, Sip & Paint evenings for couples and fire dance performances.
Sporting activities will include beach volleyball, a football match between the Niva Kuramathi team and guests, as well as kayak, pedal boat and stand-up paddleboard races.
The entertainment programme will also include wine tastings, karaoke, music trivia, live music and DJ evenings.
Cooking classes will be held at Kobe, where guests will be able to take part in sessions centred around the restaurant’s open kitchen experience.
The festive programme is designed to allow guests to participate in scheduled activities while also having the option to spend time at leisure.
The season will conclude on 1 January 2027 with a late-morning brunch and the first house reef dive of the year.
Festive programme for children
Bageecha Kids Club will host a separate festive programme for younger guests, combining recreation, creative activities and environmental learning.
Activities will include treasure hunts, splash pad games, cookie-making, arts and crafts, eco workshops, nature exploration, holiday films, karaoke, bracelet-making and gardening in the resort’s hydroponic garden.
Children will also be able to take part in scavenger hunts, mini-Olympic games, yoga and disco dancing, as well as shared lunches and dinners with other young guests.
On Christmas Eve, the programme will begin with a family photograph session, followed by gingerbread house decorating, writing letters to Santa, a palm-leaf handicraft workshop and outdoor games.
Christmas morning will feature a pyjama party with musical games and pool activities. Later in the day, families will gather at Athiri Deck to welcome Santa Claus, who will distribute gifts to children.
New Year’s Eve activities for younger guests will take place during the afternoon, with music and games around the pool followed by a children’s disco as part of the resort’s final celebrations of 2026.
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