Soneva Fushi

The first thing you do when you land by seaplane at Soneva Fushi is to put your shoes into a bag, and never to wear them again during your stay. Soneva Fushi is the total opposite of a flashy, showy resort where you dress to impress. Here, you find a laid-back playground that rekindles your childhood fantasies of Robinson Crusoe and that ‘perfect’ desert island escape.

Woven into the palm-fringed vegetation that lines the white, sandy beaches are a collection of eco-chic villas that come in all shapes and sizes. All villas have been built using natural materials. Think driftwood furniture, draped mosquito beds, and ginormous outdoor garden bathrooms. Most have private pools in your own garden that leads directly onto the beach. 

As well as a superb collection of one-bedroom villas for couples, there are some wonderful two, three and four-bedroom villas that are ideal for families and groups of friends travelling together. The island is vast, by Maldivian standards, and there are just 65 villas. You have your own bikes to cycle around the island. 

The main restaurant is Mihiree Mitha which is located right by the beach. With the sand under your toes, mooch there for a spot of breakfast. Feast on freshly made pastries, home-made jams and the egg-making station. At lunch, enjoy amazing wood-fired pizzas, indulgent salads and grilled meat. Fresh in the Garden is located in the interior of the island and is perched on a high canopy over the jungle. As its name suggests, its all about locally grown organic cuisine here, coupled with fresh fish and Maldivian sambals.

Dinner at Sambal is something you won’t forget – an uninhabited island about 15 minutes away serving up the yummiest Maldivian cuisine. The over-water Out of the Blue is open for lunch and has a rotating roster of internationally acclaimed chefs who serve up the most fabulous lunch. The options are extensive, yet many guests at Soneva Fushi tend to enjoy staying put in their villa and having it all delivered to their garden.

The bar, By the Bar, features cushioned hammocks strung out over the sea. In addition, Bar(a)bara is the place to head to for a sunset sundowner.

The Six Senses Spa at Soneva Fushi features a large reflecting pond and waterfalls that instantly get you into the mood for a long spa treatment. Enjoy beachside treatment rooms and there is also a great yoga pavilion. Attached to the spa is a well-stocked gym.

The Den is Soneva Fushi’s Kid’s Club and is one of the most well-thought-out of its kind in the Maldives, if not the world. There are two swimming pools, a pirate ship, Mock-tail bar, a room dedicated just to lego, a cinema, a dress-up area and a music room where your small people can spend hours jamming. If you thought that would be enough, they can also head outdoors and snorkel with the resident Marine Biologist, head out to see dolphins and have a bedtime star gazing session with the island astronomer. Put simply, your kids won’t want to leave Soneva Fushi!

There is a superb dive school at Soneva Fushi, and Baa Atoll has some of the best dive spots in the Maldives. The snorkelling is superb, right off the house reef. You can also enjoy sunset cruises, fishing trips and a range of water-sports. We love the outdoor cinema where they set up cosy loungers to watch a film, complete with popcorn and drinks brought to you when you need. This really sums up what Soneva Fushi is all about – a playground that brings out your inner child and simply makes you smile.