Featured
Soneva: Where luxury blends castaway fantasy seamlessly

Soneva’s two iconic resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, have both island and overwater villas that embody sustainable luxury with castaway chic designs. Soneva Fushi’s recently launched One and Two Bedroom Water Retreats, of which there are only eight, are the largest one- and two-bedroom overwater villas in the world.
The Soneva Stars programme, which runs year-round at both resorts, sees visiting Michelin-starred chefs, famous authors, astronomers, athletes and wellness practitioners offering guests money-can’t-buy experiences.
The Den, Soneva’s children’s club, and its ever-changing programme of activities keep younger guests entertained and engaged throughout their stay.
Getting to the Maldives has gotten even easier for Russian guests, with Russia recently resuming direct flights twice a week to the island nation.
Villas
Soneva Fushi
The One Bedroom Water Retreats (584 sqm/6,286 sqft) and Two Bedroom Water Retreats (857 sqm/9,224 sqft) are the largest one- and two-bedroom overwater villas in the world.
The spacious interiors and exterior living spaces give guests more to love, as well as making them perfect for families.
As each of the rooms in the Water Retreats can be sealed off, the doors out onto the deck can be locked, and the children’s room is located at the back of the master bedroom, they are child-friendly and suitable for young Soneva guests of all ages.
The One and Two Bedroom Water Retreats, all with water slides, opened their doors to guests on Friday.
The interior colour palette consists of light blues, greens, and soft beiges, bringing to mind the colours of the ocean around Soneva Fushi. The décor comes to life in a contemporary castaway style, similar to the resort’s newer villas (Villa 37, 38 and 43). The lighting systems are from PLH Italia, known for their sleek and discrete design.

Last year, Soneva Fushi gave its one- and two-bedroom Crusoes (villa numbers 20-30), a long-anticipated refurbishment and design update.
Set within extensive tropical gardens, just steps away from pristine white sands and tranquil waves, these villas are located on the sunrise side of Soneva Fushi.
Each villa now features its own private pool, as well as outdoor showers and bathtubs. Multiple new terraced and decked areas offer vantage points no matter what time of day, whether relaxing on a shaded swing to escape the midday heat, or enjoying sundowners with postcard-worthy views of the magnificent natural surroundings.
The two-storey villas have been completely redesigned to maximise a sense of space and luxury and make the most of the villas’ stunning and secluded beachside setting.
Soneva Jani
The iconic white-washed Water Retreats at Soneva Jani all include a 13m private pool on the outdoor deck, a pantry with minibar, uninterrupted lagoon views with direct access, and many of them have water slides from the top deck into the water below.
This is in addition to a top deck dining area, an outdoor patio with a sunken dining table, a study and a sleeping area for children (conveniently located within the master bedroom so that parents can be assured their children are never too far from them in an overwater environment).
The Soneva signature retractable roof over the master bed lets guests stargaze from the comfort of their bedroom.
There are 24 overwater villas in total, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms.

On the island, three villas preside over the white sandy beach; the newest additions are the Two Bedroom Crusoe Residence and the Three Bedroom Island Reserve.
The three-bedroom reserve is wholly unique in that there are no straight lines in the design, and it comes with a viewing tower that is crowned by a dining table. This is also the only villa with its own ice cream and chocolate room.
Dining
While most luxury hotels and resorts around the world organise pop-ups with Michelin-starred chefs, it is usually just a few chefs over limited periods.
Soneva incorporates the visiting Michelin chef experience into its year-round operations. The dinners are intimate, with plenty of interactions with the chefs, and opportunities for bespoke, memorable and unique encounters such as picnics on a deserted island or cooking classes with the chef.

Some of the chefs to have hosted dining events include Julien Royer (three stars), Kiko Moya (two stars), Claus Meyer (the co-founder of Noma), and Chiara Pavan (one star).
Over 50 Michelin-starred chefs have since visited Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives over 18 months, most with two or three stars. All chefs were invited to curate a special Soneva menu by making their signature dishes using our organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Dining options at Soneva Fushi include the intimate chef’s table, Once Upon a Table, where award-winning chefs show off their culinary skills.
Out of the Blue, the overwater dining destination also houses Out of the Blue by Sobah, So Hands On and So Bespoke, a restaurant featuring Asian cuisines a sushi counter and Teppanyaki table, respectively.
Other dining experiences include the plant-based Shades of Green that marries Nordic cooking techniques with South Asian recipes, Mihiree Mithaa where breakfast is served daily, as well as buffet lunches and dinners throughout the week.
Down to Earth is inspired by the age-old tradition of gathering together for shared meals, with a menu of Asian and international dishes.
Fresh in the Garden, high above the fragrant herb gardens, focuses on Mediterranean cuisine.

Destination dining lets guests create bespoke menus under the guidance of the resort’s Executive Chef.
Soneva Jani’s The Gathering houses the all-day dining outlet, Down to Earth, where breakfast kicks off the day, before buffet lunches and dinners.
The toes-in-the-sand dining at the Crab Shack is a homage to crustaceans and seafood, with Alaskan and Mud crabs regularly appearing on the rotating menu.
Cinema Paradiso by Chef Nikki is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a Maldivian twist that overlooks the overwater Cinema Paradiso screen.
For stargazers, So Starstruck’s set menu dinners are accompanied by gazing through the resort’s Eleos telescope with the resort’s astronomer.
The weekly Guess Who’s Cooking dinner experience involves a secret menu, by a secret chef, held on the beach. Towards the end of the meal the chef will reveal themselves and explain their menu concept, inspiration and story behind the dinner.

Of course, Soneva’s food and beverage offerings would not be complete without the famous complimentary ice cream, chocolate and deli rooms, which are open all day long. An ever-changing selection of resort-made ice creams, sorbets, chocolates, truffles and more tempt any guest with a sweet tooth, with interesting flavours like screw pine, rosemary, and chilli with pineapple.
The deli rooms feature premium cold cuts, cheese, preserves, freshly baked bread and more. The Sommeliers at the resorts are more than happy to organise blind tastings, wine pairings and more.
Experiences
Soneva’s signature experiences mean that there is always something to do, whether that is taking a glassblowing class in the only hot glass studio in the Maldives at Soneva Fushi, or joining the resident marine biologist for a guided snorkelling session.
The complimentary water sports available include kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and kite surfing (lessons with an instructor are chargeable).
Dive the vibrant atolls with the Soleni Dive Centre, snorkel with manta rays or try the world’s first fully sustainable surfing programme, Soneva Surf.
Private astronomy sessions, cooking classes with speciality chefs, or cruising the waves looking for playful dolphins at sunset are also available.
Soneva recently launched its Conscious Experiences, which centre around learning and delving deeper into Soneva’s philosophy and sustainable practices. Guests can take part in marine conservation under the guidance of the resort Marine Biologist, learn how to track wildlife on the island, or learn about the organic gardens and pick ingredients for their lunch.

Soneva Stars, focuses on five key periods including February half term, the Easter break, August holidays, October half term and the end of year Festive holidays.
The new, annual programme promises an eclectic line-up of thought-provoking experts and rare experiences from across a thrilling spectrum of interests and disciplines – from best-selling authors, daring explorers, and sporting heroes to leading wellness practitioners, motivational speakers and Michelin-starred chefs.
Throughout the year, guests are guaranteed to encounter bespoke experiences with Soneva Stars’ fascinating array of talent, whether those are hosted dinners, engaging talks or enriching one-on-one sessions.
Guests can expect fitness gurus to lead boot camps or get invaluable training from some of tennis’ sporting legends such as Jonas Bjorkman and Thomas Johansson.
Children’s experiences
Soneva is known for its children’s clubs, called The Den. Every day there are countless activities to take part in, from arts and crafts, recycling, cooking classes and more.
The Den teams organise experiences for children and teenagers around the resort, from joining the Marine Biologist for a guided snorkelling session to learning about the organic gardens with the resort gardeners.
Tours of the Eco Centro waste management centres allow Soneva’s young guests to learn about sustainability practices and what they can do to give back to the environment and local communities.

Soneva Fushi’s Den is a sprawling playground for the imagination. Children can explore a pirate ship, splash in two swimming pools, go down the spiralling red water slide, play in the Lego and Duplo room, dress-up and makeup area, and watch movies in the cinema.
There is also a library, learning area, and music room filled with instruments, and more. During family time, parents can head over to The Den with their little ones to enjoy their very own shallow pool.
The Den also has a separate lounge area dedicated to teenagers.
At Soneva Jani, The Den is not just in The Gathering, it also includes the whole island itself. Creative and learning-inspired activities happen all day long, while water sports around the lagoon include kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkelling, sailing and so much more.
There are plans to build a much larger children’s club on the main island in the near future.
Featured
Angsana Velavaru shines in T+L Luxury Awards 2025 with top pool and GM honours

Angsana Velavaru, part of the esteemed Banyan Group, has secured prestigious placements in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, ranking #8 for Best Resort Pool and #3 for Best General Manager in the Maldives. These accolades underscore the resort’s dedication to outstanding service, thoughtfully crafted accommodations, and guest-centric innovation.
Located in the unspoiled South Nilandhe Atoll, Angsana Velavaru features 113 villas—79 of which are equipped with private infinity pools. Among them are the celebrated Beach Villas and the signature InOcean Pool Villas, which extend elegantly over the lagoon’s turquoise expanse. Each villa is designed to offer a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, enabling guests to immerse themselves in nature with both privacy and style.
Central to the resort’s social ambiance is the Kuredhi Pool Bar, a lively and inviting venue that offers more than just refreshments. It serves as a communal hub where guests can enjoy curated experiences such as DJ nights, aqua aerobics, and wellness sessions. This programming reflects the resort’s vision of merging serenity with social vibrancy.
Spearheading this success is General Manager Ahmed Zahir, who was recognised as the #3 Best General Manager in the Maldives. Zahir’s inspiring career began three decades ago as a Laundry Supervisor and has since evolved into a historic milestone—becoming the first Maldivian General Manager within the Banyan Group. His leadership is characterised by a deep understanding of local culture, empathy, and hands-on experience across resort operations.
“This recognition is not only an honour—it’s a reflection of how far we’ve come as a team and as an industry,” Zahir shared. “I’m proud to lead with values shaped by the Maldives itself: resilience, hospitality, and heart. At Angsana Velavaru, we aim to deliver something genuine and lasting—for our guests, our people, and our community.”
Under Zahir’s stewardship, Angsana Velavaru has fostered a culture rooted in authenticity, local empowerment, and purposeful guest engagement. The resort remains committed to evolving as a destination that honours tradition while embracing forward-thinking experiences.
Featured
Oaga Art Resort’s Samaasaa takes centre stage in Dubai’s art scene

Under the desert sky of Dubai, Oaga Art Resort made its international debut with a striking performance by Raai Badeeu at the closing night of renowned light calligrapher Karim Jabbari’s exhibition, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, held at Inloco Gallery. The performance introduced audiences to Samaasaa, the resort’s original theatrical dining concept where storytelling intertwines with seasonal cuisine, and folklore comes alive through immersive performance.
Samaasaa represents a distinctive fusion of art and gastronomy, with each course unfolding as an edible chapter of a story. The concept invites guests into a world where tradition meets innovation, rooted deeply in Maldivian heritage.
The venue for the performance, Inloco Gallery, is an emerging boutique art space in Dubai known for pushing creative boundaries. Its third season was dedicated to ‘vanishing urban landscapes’—a reflection on the echoes of fading cityscapes. Central to this season was the work of Karim Jabbari, whose intricate light calligraphy transforms traditional Arabic script into contemporary expressions of cultural memory. His Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees exhibition explored the theme of ‘Lost Tradition,’ featuring a collaborative project with artist Khalil Abdulwahid that documented Al Satwa’s disappearing historic fabric and reclaimed calligraphy’s original role as a vehicle for communication and preservation.
In collaboration with Inloco Gallery and Karim Jabbari, Oaga Art Resort presented Raai Badeeu as part of the finissage—a moving farewell performance that seamlessly blended calligraphy, choreography, and storytelling. The immersive show transformed the gallery into a space of ancestral memory, myth, and poetic expression, embodying the artistic ethos of Oaga.
The performance also offered audiences an exclusive preview of Samaasaa Presents: The First Coconuts, Oaga’s upcoming theatrical dining experience. A specially curated segment from the show was performed, offering a glimpse into the mythical origins of island life through expressive movement and narrative.
As Oaga Art Resort expands its creative reach beyond the Maldives, this performance in Dubai marks the beginning of a broader journey. Guided by a spirit that is playful, poetic, and deeply rooted in island culture, Oaga is poised to share its unique stories with the world.
Featured
JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.
Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.
As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.
FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”
Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.
Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”
This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.
Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.
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