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Soneva launches next phase of VR videos
Luxury hospitality pioneer Soneva has launched its next phase of Virtual Reality (VR) videos, sharing its inspiring experiences at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives with audiences around the world. A curated experience with discovery at its heart, Soneva’s latest series of VR videos champions its pioneering SLOW LIFE ethos and celebrates the beautiful Maldives Baa and Noonu atolls.
Using a VR headset or downloaded from YouTube, the immersive videos offer a journey of discovery around the sights and sounds of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, with 360-degree navigation offering a unique, first-hand perspective of the rare experiences, expansive villas and stunning setting in the Maldives’ archipelago. The new videos focus on a number of key areas, which include:
Soneva Villa Ownership in the Maldives: The first and only scheme that offers real estate to foreign buyers in the Maldives, with all appropriate controls and compliance in place. Soneva’s portfolio of luxury property for sale includes expansive private villas at both Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll and Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll.
Ocean Adventures at Soneva Jani: The playful escapism of Soneva Jani’s luxurious lagoon makes the resort irresistible to experience seekers. Guests can enjoy a range of complimentary non-motorised water sports, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling at the house reef. Or experience the ocean with complete freedom with the latest motorised tech, including eSurfboards and Flyboards. As the sun starts to set, guests can enjoy an out-of-this-world experience watching playful dolphins in Maldives’ deeper waters.
Dining Destinations at Soneva Fushi: Eleven dining destinations offer a tempting array of cuisines alongside Michelin-starred guest chefs through the Soneva Stars calendar. Each experience is in tune with nature’s rhythm and uses fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort’s organic gardens and sustainably caught fish from the waters surrounding the island. Guests can also visit the Bar and Wine Cellar, with more than 500 varieties curated from some of the world’s top wineries, or indulge at the complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.
Dining Destinations at Soneva Jani: The culinary experiences at Soneva Jani are as diverse as they are memorable. Eleven dining concepts, both at The Gathering and around the island, present gourmet menus across a variety of cultures and cuisines alongside Michelin-starred guest chefs through the Soneva Stars calendar. In addition to the delightful dining venues, guests can enjoy culinary adventures such as private dining around the lagoon, a deserted island castaway picnic, organic garden lunches and cooking classes. Guests can also indulge at the complimentary chocolate, ice cream and cheese and charcuterie parlours.
Soneva Unlimited at Soneva Jani: All guests staying in any Soneva Jani Chapter Two Reserve can truly indulge with Soneva Unlimited, which is included in the villa price. Guests can experience every facet of Soneva Jani to their hearts’ desire, including unlimited fine dining and wines, Soneva Soul wellness treatments, signature experiences and more.
Soneva Soul at Soneva Jani: Surrounded by the majesty of nature, Soneva Soul’s three-level Island Spa complex at Soneva Jani is linked by raised walkways that wind among the trees. Complementing the existing Over-water Spa at The Gathering, it includes open-air treatment rooms, consultation suites, integrative medicine rooms, a state-of-the-art gym and juice bar. A yoga pavilion and meditation platform also sit high above the tree line, offering 360-degree views across the turquoise private lagoon.
Renowned as a pioneer in the hospitality sector, Soneva has achieved a raft of industry firsts since the launch of Soneva Fushi in 1995: from opening some of the first spas in resorts in Asia, redefining the water villa and its commitment to existing in harmony with its natural environment, to its complimentary ice cream and chocolate parlours, open-air bathrooms, observatories, and private cinemas at each of its resorts.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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