Soneva Fushi Hotel

Maldives

Sustainable, barefoot luxury reaches new heights in Maldives with all the trappings of a large resort parcelled up in a boutique hideaway with a castaway feel

Intimate, beautiful and easygoing, expect halcyon days at this joygiving hideaway island in Maldives’ Baa atoll. The pioneer of sustainable barefoot luxury, Soneva Fushi is the kind of resort you’ll look to return to time and again. Not only is the setting beyond belief – from labyrinthine jungle pathways complete with resident
rabbits, to the endless shades of ocean blue and soft sand tickling your villa – but Soneva manages to continually renew itself, while maintaining the mantra at its heart. That might manifest as the recent addition of a quiet strip of overwater villas decked out in Soneva’s signature castaway style; guest experts in the realm of photography, literature and art; a new kids’ club that’s a mini resort in its own right; or a roster of toptier visiting chefs at its zipline-accessed treetop restaurant. Indeed, the food offering is some of the country’s best, from one-on-one omakase with a sushi maestro, to Nordic-leaning plates that utilise garden produce via laidback, jetlag-salving modern Asian. Backed by exemplary service, it’s more boutiquey than sprawling sister Soneva Jani, but activities on tap include fishing, sandslip picnics and glass-blowing to swimming with manta rays and dolphin
cruises, while the art of doing nothing is well-served with private pools, slides and hammocks.

Beach villas from £1,315. 00 960 660 4300, soneva.com

Words by Blossom Green.

This review was taken from the 250th issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.