Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi is the original desert island hideaway in the Maldives. It practically invented the “castaway chic” fashion all on its own, with the honed-to-perfection service and atmosphere of a fairytale stay.

We couldn’t ask for a better place to welcome us back to our favorite island destination. The Soneva experience begins even before arriving at the resort. As we landed at Male, the courteous Soneva representatives greeted us at the airport and ushered swiftly to the tranquil lounge, designed in the brand’s hallmark eco style. There we were checked-in and offered drinks and snacks, on which we munched while waiting for the seaplane.

The highlights of the seaplane journey that followed included some fantastic ocean views and the final arrival at Soneva Fushi’s “International Airport.” Which, as far as the “International” airports go, must be the cutest of them all. It’s just a small wooden platform, offshore from the resort.

As we switched crafts for a short boat ride to the jetty, we were presented with welcome drinks in the way of two coconuts, and our shoes were confiscated, in compliance with the “no news no shoes” policy. All this put us right in the holiday mood.

Timeless design

Given the age of the resort, you’d expect that the villas should be dated, but they are nothing of the kind. The “Robinson Crusoe” feel of the thatched roofs and the organic shapes of the walls have timeless appeal.

Soneva is a brand of rustic aesthetic and eco-aware philosophy. At the Fushi resort, this approach is fine-tuned to match the impossibly blue sea, the wild greenery of the island, and the white-sand beach surrounding it.

The sixty-or-so villas are tucked away amongst the lush foliage, all with easy access to the beach, and they feel very private as if each were set up on its own deserted island.

Check availability for Soneva Fushi: Booking.com | Tablet Hotels | Mr And Mrs Smith | Hotels.com or see what others think on TripAdvisor.

Dream of an island

The castaway theme extends to other aspects of the resort experience. The butlers are called Mr. Friday (or Ms. Friday), the dress code is casual and low-key, and one of the activities on offer is an intimate “desert island picnic”, set up on a tiny private islet… which is as close to the real Robinson Crusoe experience as you’d want to get.

At other times the resort invokes comparisons to a fairytale. This must be especially true to families with children. The Den, Soneva’s concept children’s club is out of this world, though maybe not as spectacular-looking as what we saw at Soneva Kiri (Don’t miss our review). Build in the middle of the island’s jungle, The Den at Fushi is packed with creative ideas, cool surprises and spaces to play and explore. There is even a “pirate ship.” Plus, there are bunnies on the island, just casually hopping around. Pinch us — or maybe don’t. From this dream, we don’t want to wake up.

Not many resorts in the Maldives serve as idyllic an island holiday experience as Soneva Fushi.

Barefoot luxury

Of course, the entire island and the surrounding sea is a playground, and we had our favorite things. One example is the reef. We only snorkeled, but this was enough to give us an idea of the beauty and richness of the sea around the island.

Returning to the surface, a new addition to the Soneva Resorts family is Soneva In Aqua. Rather than just a sailing boat, it is more like a floating villa, merging the resort-level amenities and service with a private yacht experience.

The food at Soneva Fushi deserves a special mention. Breakfasts are heavenly, dinners the best we had since we don’t know when, and the free chocolate & ice cream parlor had us as frequent customers. Another hangout we couldn’t get tired of was the overwater bar, which features a string of hammocks suspended over the waves. It’s perfect for a sundowner.

However, the most appealing aspect of the resort experience has to be the honed-to-perfection approach of the staff. The Soneva Fushi is in its own league when it comes to the level of service, and the atmosphere this creates. Guests here enjoy a very special sense of luxury, making them feel more like a member of the family.

in our opinion

The beautiful rustic chic design, the barefoot luxury experience, and wild nature all contribute to making Soneva Fushi one of our favorite places in the world.

A good idea is to combine Soneva Fushi with a stay at its sister property Soneva Jani. Don't miss our Soneva Jani review.

What we love

• The "no news, no shoes policy," with a symbolic "surrendering" of your shoes at the beginning of the stay. It put us in a casual mood from the first moments!
• A wonderful blend of eco-sensitivity and fine luxury
• The timeless design of the thatched-roof villas. All guest accommodation benefits from direct access to the white sand beach
• Excellent food—one of the best we had in the Maldives. Plus, we loved the free ice cream parlor, and the chocolate room!
• The reef around the island offers some of the world's best diving and snorkeling (after all, it's located in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve). Of course, the resort has a certified dive center
• It's one of the largest islands in the Maldives, so Fushi is fairly well spread out, and both the villas and common areas feel intimate
• The resort has its own, a fully-fledged stargazing observatory! (Which is, by the way, true of all Soneva resorts)
• Bar(a)bara: it's a great sunset hangout in the form of the overwater bar. We loved the nets-with-pillows hung above the waves.
• Truly excellent, intuitive service
• Spectacular spa, operated by the Six Senses Spas, which we adore
• Each villa comes with bikes, and cycling around the island (which is not small) was one of our fave activities
• The Den. It's a children's club packed with the coolest ideas, like the piano floor that plays tunes when you walk, or the triple door for the big, the middle and the small people!
• Like at other Soneva resorts, the Fushi has the al-fresco Cinema Paradiso, where classic movies are screened under the stars (to the complimentary ice cream and popcorn)

What you should know

• True to the Soneva's commitment to the preservation of the local nature, the resort offers beach villas only (building over-water always results in damage to the coral reefs)
• The resort's luxury boat, Soneva-in-Aqua, is inspired by the Chinese junk boats, which means that from the outside, it's just not the prettiest, as far as the yachts go. But wait until you board. The unique shape becomes a distinct advantage inside, as the cabins are shaped into incredibly comfortable and spacious rooms
• This is not a place if your idea of luxury involves glittering gold, red carpets, and white-glove waiters. Soneva Fushi epitomizes barefoot luxury with a laid-back vibe, encompassed in the philosophy called "SLOW LIFE", which stands for Sustainable Local Organic Wellness Learning Inspiring Fun Experiences
• The idyllic Robinson Crusoe style is somewhat spoiled by proximity to another island to the west side, with a "normal" urban build-up of industrial buildings and transmitter masts. Ask for a villa on the other side if you think this could be a bother
• If you are a member of the Tablet Plus program, you can count on some nice freebies: Complimentary upgrade upon hotel check-in (if available), a bottle of champagne, as well as a 10% discount on food and beverages and on spa treatments