07 Jan Soneva Jani

The Lowdown

The resort is on an island in a lagoon and spread across the five islands in that lagoon, making the weather gentle and tranquil much of the time. Soneva Jani, which is named for the Sanskrit word for ‘wisdom’ or ‘learned’ comprises twenty-four vil-las built over the water, and one built onto the island, while the crystal clear water contrasts excitingly with green depths of jungle foliage. The Soneva Jani resort is undergoing construction to increase the acco-mmodation, all with the same care for the environment, attention to sustain-ability and love of the natural world that has marked every construction in the Soneva portfolio. Soneva was the first resort chain to combine the idea of sustainable operation and construction with a luxurious offering to guests – and they were ahead of their time, setting the standard for such leisure-friendly, high-end and yet low maintenance resorts which now proliferate in the Maldives and other island paradise locations. While the villas are designed for hedonistic and private idleness, the resort also boasts social options too. Like its older sister resort, Soneva Fushi, an hour away by boat, Soneva Jani also has an open-air cinema and an observatory from which to admire the blazing tropical stars without the diminishing light pollution that modern living inflicts upon us. There is also ‘The Gathering’, just next to the observatory, which is the social heart of the resort, a three-floor building with a spa, wine cellar and library providing food for the soul, while the restaurants and hotel shop satisfy more material needs.

The Rooms

It has 7 villas of different types within the 46 villas that they offer. They are equipped with all the luxuries and comforts. To give you an idea, the smallest villa that can accommodate two adults, occupies an area of ​​416 m2. All of them are built with wood, bamboo and straw, surrounded by warm water with two-story slides that make you immerse yourself in the crystal clear waters. The roofs are retractable so you can see the stars from the bed. Some have an open-air bathroom with water fountains and even a tree house for the little ones. As if that were not enough, they offer the possibility of staying on a yacht with a glass bottom bathtub for six people called Soneva En Aqua. So far this year the Hotel Soneva Jani has already garnered seven international awards that support this exclusive splendor.

Services and facilities

There are different activities that can be carried out and of all kinds, such as a floating cinema to enjoy a movie under the light of the stars, or a safari with dolphins at sunset.Imagine a spa on the edge of the beach with exclusive massages ….. have you imagined it? …. here in Soneva Jani you will have it too.

Food & Drinks

There are many dining experiences:

Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren: With a name inspired by its breath-taking overwater location in Soneva Jani’s lagoon, Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren is the brainchild of the acclaimed Swedish chef and restaurateur. The menu focuses on pescatarian, vegetarian and plant-based dishes, serving a selection of single plates, sharing plates and signature mains for lunch and dinner.

So Wild By Diana Von Cranach: It is a fully plant-based restaurant in the midst of the Organic Garden. Diana’s 50 years of experience in plant-focused dining come to life in a menu that draws inspiration from Ayurveda and highlights ingredients grown at the resort. Having forged her own culinary path in Asia, the internationally renowned raw food chef and cookbook author has created a menu that revives historical recipes from around South East Asia and Indonesia. Ingredients are prepared using techniques like steaming, flash-frying, and dehydrating when they aren’t presented raw.

The Crab Shack: With an upstairs deck for watching the sunset, try the Sri Lankan Mud Crab curry, or the Alaskan crabs that rotate through the week. A selection of rosés are the highlight of the drinks menu. Voted as the ‘World’s Most Romantic Restaurant’ on CNN.com. The 32 cover restaurant and 14 seat bar is located on Soneva Jani’s southwest beach, on the opposite side of the island to Cinema Paradiso, and is comprised of two levels. The ground floor is taken up by the restaurant, kitchen and bar area, with the first-floor deck designed especially for guests to relax on tiered daybeds and enjoy the Maldivian sunsets while sipping on rosé wine or other beverages.

So Primitive: So Primitive’s centrepiece is a fire pit where different cooking techniques are honoured. Think roasting, grilling, searing and cooking in a kettle, clay pots (on coals), salt-crusted baking and cooking over coals.

And Also: So engaging, Special diets, So Imaginative, So Starstruck, The Gathering bar, The Wine Cellar, So Cool and So Guilty.

Essential info

Address: Medhufaru lagoon in the Noonu Atoll
Phone: +960-7387671
Website: https://soneva.com/