Soneva Jani

Reinventing the definition of tropical paradise, the barefoot luxury resort of Soneva Jani spans across an entire island archipelago and private lagoon, which boasts of long beaches swathed in white sand and turquoise waves. Accessible via a scenic 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport, a 60-minute speedboat ride from sister property Soneva Fushi, or half-day cruise from Soneva Fushi aboard the luxurious Soneva in Aqua vessel, Soneva Jani promises guests a secluded vacation that transcends the imagination. The resort is divided into the Chapter 1 (north) and Chapter 2 (south) branches of overwater villas, with the main island and some select land-based accommodations - plus facilities and dining venues - as a connector. Retreats, Reserves, and Residences come with one to four bedrooms, as well as superlative features such as private pools with catamaran nets, retractable roofs, and water slides that splash into the lagoon. Spectacular scenery sets the stage for a wide range of activities - experiences such as movie nights at the overwater cinema, dinner cruises beneath starlit skies and snorkel tours with sea turtles ensure that guests will certainly not be wanting for entertainment, and nor for exciting dining options - from freshly-caught fish to wood-fired pizzas, the resort is home to array of restaurants with cuisine to suit all palettes.

Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This resort is nestled in a patch of paradise with villas raised above the crystal clear, azure waters, and white sand beaches.

Luxury: Attended to by a personal butler, guests are certain to feel like royalty in their villa whether on a secluded beach or raised above the bluest of waters.

Activities: The range of activities available at this resort spans from stargazing to snorkeling, with silent cinema and yoga also available.

Destination: Resorts By Seaplane, Maldives
Hotel Type: Resort
Location Type: Waterfront

Amenities

24hr Room Service
Bar/pub
Boutiques
Business Center
Childcare Services
Cinema
Concierge
Cribs/infant Beds Available
Fitness Center
Fitness Classes
Garden
Kids Club
Library
Multilingual Staff
Private Beach
Restaurant
Safety Deposit Boxes
Sauna
Spa
Steam Room
Water Sports
Yoga Classes/instruction On Site

Each of Soneva Jani's spacious villas are elegantly decorated, while some are fitted with a fitness area or water slide that shoots down from the top floor into the water below. All villas are equipped with a Barefoot Butler, direct lagoon access, bicycles or tricycles, a 13-meter private pool with catamaran nets, outdoor decks and seating areas, WiFi with an on/off switch (for the option of a digital detox), as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Chapter 1 – Water Retreat

One- and Two-Bedroom Water Retreats start at 4,424 square feet and include direct access to the lagoon via steps, a rooftop deck dining space, and a retractable roof, so that guests can sleep under the stars. There is a separate children's room available within the property in the one-bedroom villa.

Chapter 1 – Water Retreat with Slide

Similar in style to the Water Retreats, the Water Retreat with Slides adds that extra element of playfulness, as guests can slip into the lagoon via their own private slide. These accommodations start from 4,424 square feet and are available with one, two, three, or four bedrooms (maximum eight adults and two children).

Chapter 1 – Two-Bedroom Crusoe Residence

For those who prefer to be secluded in the jungle rather than over the lagoon, the 8,676-square-foot Two-Bedroom Crusoe Residence offers a private "castaway"-style location tucked amongst mangrove trees.

Chapter 2 – Water Reserve

Starting at 5,974 square feet, the generous Water Reserves are available in configurations of one or two bedrooms in the newer Chapter 2 (south) area of the resort. These overwater villas feature retractable roofs, spacious living area, a children's sleeping area, as well as a freshwater pool.

Chapter 2 – Water Reserve with Slide

The Water Reserve with Slide adds the signature Soneva Jani slide into the lagoon, and is available with one, two, three, or four bedrooms (maximum eight adults and two children).

Chapter 2 – Island Reserve with Slide

Covering nearly 20,000 square feet, Chapter 2's beachfront three- and four-bedroom Island Reserve with Slide accommodations are the most spacious available at the resort, accommodating a maximum of eight adults and two children. Guests can unwind in the sauna, enjoy sundowners selected from the cellar, or dine in the viewing tower - the highest point on the island.

Life in this ocean paradise offers everything one could wish for, such as a spa, library, retail area, paddle-boarding equipment, catamaran sailing, windsurfing, and canoeing facilities. There is also an outdoor cinema, observatory, yoga and meditation center, organic vegetable garden, fully equipped gym, and tennis courts. In short, there is more than one way to spend sun soaked days at the Soneva Jani.

Astronomy

Visitors can marvel at the universe with a private stargazing experience at the first overwater observatory in the Maldives. A night of gazing at the sky can be paired with a dinner under the stars upon request, and, for an exclusive astronomical experience, the in-house astronomer can guide guests to a local sandbank or beach that sits further away from the lights of the resort and point out constellations above.

Boutique

So Soneva, a sustainable luxury boutique, sells beautiful clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, books, homeware, and gifts that reflect Soneva's core value of sustainability, as well as island life.

Cinema Paradiso

The first overwater silent cinema in the Maldives provides guests with Bluetooth headphones so as to leave the surrounding nesting wildlife undisturbed while guests enjoy a movie with delicious popcorn and prosecco beneath the stars.

Gym

The fully-equipped gym and yoga pavilion ensure that guests will not fall behind on their workout regimes while in paradise.

Library

On the top deck of The Gathering is an incredible selection of literature covering every element of the Maldives, its magnificent underwater world, and much more.

Mini Den

The Mini Den space is a playground where children can dress up, play with Lego, and participate in planned activities, from snorkeling, to gardening, to guided walks along nature trails - to name but a few of the resort's kid-focused experiences.

Private Sunset Dolphin Cruise

A private cruise where guests can enjoy the sunset and watch the playful dolphins all while indulging in a selection of canapes, champagne, and mocktails.

Soneva Spa

The overwater Soneva Spa, sitting above a stunning five-kilometer lagoon, is staffed by experts happy to offer advice to assist guests to heal, move, and simply "be." There is a diverse range of treatments available here, as well as sauna and steam rooms.

The Gardens & Labyrinth

The extensive gardens of the former farm upon which the Soneva Jani was built remain on the island and still supply the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms to the resort’s kitchens. The Labyrinth is a maze created out of ficus hedge that follows an ancient circular pattern and is almost meditative to get lost in.

Water Sports

The resort has facilities and equipment for a whole range of non-motorized watersport experiences, such as snorkeling through the Medhufaru lagoon reef as guided by our resident marine biologist, diving excursions with the center’s multi-lingual PADI instructors, kayaking, stand-up paddleboards, surfing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing.

Soneva Jani's culinary offerings are diverse, creative, memorable, and of the highest quality, making use of resort-grown organic ingredients and romantic dining spaces. In addition to the select venues and experiences listed below, guests can enjoy Deckadence, which hovers over the lagoon and offers a daily changing menu from a team of chefs; North Island pop-up dinners on a private beach; weekly Indian Ocean barefoot beach dinners on North Beach; South Beach lunches for a mix of Maldivian and Peruvian flavors; Guess Who's Cooking held every Thursday, prepared by a mystery chef who reveals themselves at the end of the meal; The Gathering Wine Cellar for wine tasting, plus organic and biodynamic wines; not to mention a seemingly limitless array of private dining options, including castaway picnics, champagne breakfast cruises, and in-villa dining.

Crab Shack

Voted by CNN as the world's most romantic restaurant, Crab Shack's specialty is the named-for crustacean, prepared using recipes sourced from all over the world and paired with a fine selection of wines and cocktails. The sunset view from the upstairs bar is simply spectacular.

Director's Cut by Chef Nikki

Showings at Soneva's overwater and open-air Cinema Paradiso can now be enjoyed with a meal, as this eight-table modern Japanese restaurant has both set menu and a la carte options for film-lovers.

Down to Earth

This laidback dining space serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting with cooking stations. Healthy concoctions can be whizzed up at the Juice Bar, organic garden salads make use of the resort's own fresh produce, while wood-burning pizza ovens, tandoors, and grills prepare catch of the day just how you like it. In the evenings, relax with a sunset aperitivo.

Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren

Acclaimed Swedish chef Mathias Dahlgren serves dishes with a focus on organic produce and seafood at Overseas. Pescatarian, vegetarian, and plant-based menus are available for lunch and dinner.

So Cool

The cold room is where you'll find a selection of ice cream flavors, handmade gourmet chocolates, as well as charcuterie, cheeses, and preserves - all complimentary.

So Imaginative

So Imaginative is a journey for the taste buds as well as the mind, as diners sample experimental dishes, learn about culinary chemistry, and partake in inspired wine tasting sessions and creative dinner menus.

So Primitive

What is more primal than to gather round the fire pit to cook and eat? This is the concept behind So Primitive - a dining venue with a focus on roasting, grilling, searing, clay pots, salt-crusted baking, and any other cooking technique you can think of that takes place over an open flame.

So Starstruck

Guests can take the phrase "dining under the stars" to the next level at So Starstruck, as this petite four-table venue is The Observatory's dining space. Curated menus are served next to the observatory's telescope, so diners can stargaze between courses.

So Wild by Diana Von Cranach

Raw food chef Diana Von Cranach elevates health-conscious and plant-based cuisine at So Wild, showcasing innovative and unique dishes with roots in traditional Southeast Asian and Indian Spice Island cuisines. Expect to be both surprised and educated by the unusual choice of ingredients, herbs, and botanics.

The Gathering

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, The Gathering is a three-storey overwater structure comprised of various facilities and dining venues, including So Imaginative, The Gathering Wine Cellar, Down to Earth, So Engaging, The Gathering Bar, and So Cool.

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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