Soneva Jani Resort Hotel

Insider’s Review of Soneva Jani, Maldives

More than 1,000 coral islands peak winsomely above the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. High on our Maldives A-list, Soneva Jani is an idyllic oasis nestled in a calm lagoon, replete with every expected indulgence – and more than a few extra ones to delight. Slip into the sea on your private water slide, star bathe under the night sky at the push of a button, or have the Barefoot Guardian add you to the Turtle On Call register. (Your thoughtful concierge has a finger on the pulse of precious local marine life and will alert you when a mother turtle lays her eggs in the sand and many other sea-friendly events.) From the ice-cream bar to outings with an on-site marine biologist, Soneva Jani delivers Maldives’ lagoon life to order.

Accommodations at Soneva Jani

Spread over two floors, these over-water suites are as sumptuous as they are secluded. A private saltwater pool is wrapped with a floating deck, perfect for relaxing, sunbathing and endless ocean vista-ing. There’s an upper deck with a sunken seating area, fitted with a rather nifty water slide for those Quick!-into-the-sea moments. Inside, the mod-cons begin (but doesn’t end) with: flatscreen TV, Bose audio system, wi-fi, pantry, minibar, pillow menu, and a five-billion-star bonus when Southern-Hemisphere sparkly dark skies are revealed – hey, presto – through the villa’s handy retractable roof. More than a half dozen restaurants offer a range of superb cuisines and styles from plant-based, Asian, pescetarian, and even surprise location supper evenings.

Activities at Soneva Jani

Most Maldivian thoughts quickly turn to chalky-white sand and languid seaside lounging, and so they should. But for those who desire more toing and froing, there is also yoga and meditation, bicycles, tricycles, gym, and tennis. All manner of water pursuits of the non-motorised kind includes paddleboards, catamarans, windsurfing, and snorkelling on the atoll’s adjacent reef. Save time for dolphin-spotting on a sunset cruise, hands-on help in the Soul Spa, or movie night at the Silent Cinema Paradiso – listening through Bose Bluetooth headphones lets resident nesting turtles sleep soundly as you recline suspended over the water, a glass of something cool and bubbly in hand.

A Note for Families

Proving the Maldives are not just for couples, kids at Soneva Jani are treated like royalty too. A dedicated children’s area (the Maldives’ largest) is called The Den – with waterfalls, zipline, pool and even a Cave Bar for teens and a do-it-yourself DJ zone. Guests of every age are welcome in the decadent Chocolate Room and the Ice Cream Parlour. And (another one to make the adults jealous), there’s even a cozy, quiet sleeping area, for those afternoons when nothing but a little siesta will do.