The Soneva brand is renowned for its constant evolution, ensuring that even after 25+ years, its resorts are still the premier option in the destination. Its two barefoot-luxe resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, are each a hive of activity, news, developments, innovation… and endless inspiration!

Whether you’re a Soneva enthusiast returning to your island home, or planning your first encounter with the revolutionary brand, here are some new offerings to keep your eye out for in 2023.

Soneva SOUL

A collaboration between Soneva and ORGANIC INDIA, SOUL is a life-enriching festival with a purpose, a verdant space to move, eat, explore and be creative, while celebrating ancient healing traditions and modern innovations that benefit individuals, communities, and the planet.

The first-ever SOUL Festival will take place from September 29 to October 8, 2023, at Soneva Fushi. The intimate health and wellbeing-focused festival explores wellness in all its forms, from personal to planetary.

“Wellness permeates all that we do at Soneva: our sustainable, barefoot philosophy that reconnects our guests to the earth; our life-affirming natural locations; our delicious yet health-focused cuisine; and our life-changing guest experiences,” says Sonu Shivdasani, CEO and Co-Founder of Soneva. “Soneva Soul is the culmination of everything we have learned since we launched our spa at Soneva Fushi in 1995, the very first resort spa in the Maldives. Much like Soneva, at Soneva Soul we are pioneering an approach that combines apparent opposites to offer our guests a transformative and personalised wellbeing experience.”

Offering each guest a personalised pathway to health, happiness and fulfilment, Soneva Soul will encompass resort spas; movement, sleep, yoga and meditation programmes; wellness and lifestyle products; a global network of acclaimed wellness specialists; and innovative, regenerative modalities and medical services. As the brand grows, it will tailor integrated care plans guided by the principle of ‘lifestyle evolution’, helping guests realise their utmost potential and achieve their long-term wellness goals.

The new Soneva Soul Island Spa at Soneva Jani elevates guests’ wellness experience far beyond the pampering treatments and massages found at a typical wellness centre or resort spa. Linked by raised walkways that wind among the trees, the three-level complex is designed in perfect harmony with its stunning setting on the eastern side of the island. Complementing the existing Over-water Spa at The Gathering, it includes open-air treatment rooms, consultation suites, therapeutic biomodulation rooms, a state-of-the-art gym and juice bar. A yoga pavilion and meditation platform sit high above the tree line, offering 360-degree views across the turquoise private lagoon.

Flying Sauces x Magnolia Ristorante

As part of the brand’s ‘Soneva Stars’ program, Soneva Fushi’s unique zipline dining experience, Flying Sauces, is hosting an exclusive 12-week residency by Italian chef Alberto Faccani and his team from two-Michelin-starred Magnolia Ristorante. This is a wifi-free quiet zone.

Dine with chef Alberto Faccani and his team from two-Michelin-starred Magnolia Ristorante, who are currently running an exclusive 12-week pop-up from February 1 until April 30, 2023. A rare opportunity to dine with one of Italy’s best chefs, the menu showcases his signature style that’s entirely driven by food, crafted using noteworthy ingredients with no anchoring to tradition and a focus on the holistic dining experience.

Each recipe comes from the spark of an idea. Added to this is the extensive research into details and processes that have now become Chef Alberto’s signature style. Lightened of everything superfluous, his cuisine is increasingly personal: subtle, clean, colourful, and creative, while remaining down-to-earth.

Working alongside chef Alberto during the 12-week Flying Sauces residency will be Chef de Partie at Magnolia Ristorante, Sean Conti.

JLF Soneva Fushi

The ‘greatest literary show on Earth’ is returning to the Maldives from May 12 – 21, 2023. Following the dazzling celebration that took place on the shores of Soneva Fushi in 2022, Soneva has once again joined forces with Teamwork Arts, producer of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival, to launch the second edition of JLF Soneva Fushi.

A truly bespoke experience, JLF Soneva Fushi is a rare opportunity to reconnect with the joys of live performances of art, music and literature on the idyllic island of Kunfunadhoo in the beautiful Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Over the course of ten days and two weekends, the vibrant barefoot festival will once again host an unforgettable international line-up of award-winning authors and a captivating programme of gala celebrations on the sand, insightful sessions, fascinating workshops and live music performances.

Soneva Jani Room Tour

Join our founder aka social media star, Di Lechner for a tour of her incredible 4 Bedroom Water Reserve at Soneva Jani during her recent stay. If this doesn’t make you click the BOOK NOW button, we don’t know what will!