Soneva Fushi

Introduction

Soneva Fushi is owned by the renowned Six Senses Resorts and Spas and its commitment to luxury living comes with has a green conscience and a sense of social responsibility that has benefited the resort’s natural environment and Maldivian fishing communities. The resort itself is a tropical paradise set amidst coconut palms, old banyan trees and fruit trees. Pristine white beaches, a turquoise lagoon and a house reef ring the island. A dedicated butler will ensure that all your favourite films, music and food are at hand when checking into your private residence.

Accommodation

The villas and residences are spread out along the shore, surrounded by tropical vegetation. All open out on to the sun-kissed beaches and magnificent ocean views. Accommodation is set well apart to ensure privacy. Bicycles enable guests to explore the island and cycle to the many restaurants and bars.

There are several categories of residences starting from the smaller Crusoe Villa to a six-bedroom villa. They are designed with natural materials such as wood, Indian slate, bamboo, and coconut thatch. Interiors are stylishly decorated with muslin drapes over the king-sized beds, brightly coloured cushions and sofas. Some residences have private sea water swimming pools. Standard facilities include a/c, overhead fan, minibar, safe, CD, DVD, VCD hi-fi system with speakers in the bedroom and bathroom, extensive movie and DVD library, satellite TV and Wi-Fi.

Crusoe Villas: These 15 beach front two-storey villas have an ensuite bedroom on the upper floor with twin beds or a king-sized bed. A walkway with ropes from the bedroom leads to a balcony with a day bed and dining table. The living room on the ground floor with day bed opens out to an outdoor sitting area, and opens to an air garden bathroom with free standing bathtub and two outdoor showers. Seven of the Crusoe Villas have private sea water swimming pools.

Soneva Fushi Villas: There are 15 Sonevi Fushi beach front villas with spacious bedrooms, large garden bathroom with bath tub and showers, and private outdoor sitting area with direct beach access. Ten have private sea water swimming pools.

Soneva Fushi Villa Suites: These 9 beach front villas are spacious and have a bedroom and living area opening out to an outdoor terrace with another living area and direct access to the sea, spacious garden bathrooms with water features, bath tub and shower. Seven have sea water swimming pools. These villa suites have two bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom options with pools, all furnished with similar amenities.

Crusoe One Bedroom Suite: This is a beach front two storey villa with a spacious bedroom upstairs, sitting room on the ground floor opening out to a walled garden, and garden bathroom, and private sea water swimming pool. This luxurious suite comes with a dedicated Mr Friday (butler service) and in-room wine cellar. Crusoe suites also have the option of two bedrooms and three bedrooms with a swimming pool.

Sunset Retreat Villas: There are two Retreats, each with two interconnecting upstairs bungalows. The first bungalow has a spacious garden bathroom on the ground floor and spacious bedroom upstairs with connecting walkway to the second bungalow that has a large study, kitchen, and wine cellar with gangway leading to the dining pavilion. The ground floor of the second bungalow consists of a second bedroom and living room opening out to a private swimming pool, a spa suite with in-room treatments beds, steam room, and gym; and an outdoor dining pavilion.

Jungle Reserve: Set amidst Banyan trees and mangroves, the Jungle Reserve is the ultimate in privacy and consists of four bedrooms including a master bedroom, living area, dining pavilion, massage pavilion with steam room, separate gym pavilion, and private swimming pool that wraps around the Jungle Reserve.

In addition, there are several three bedroom, four bedroom and six bedroom villas with living areas, dining pavilions and swimming pools, all well-appointed with the best of amenities and furnishings.

Facilities

Have your nutritious breakfast including healthy cleansing tonics at the Mihiree Mitha which has tables right on the sand. Mediterranean a la carte meals are served at `Ever Soneva So Down to Earth’ and the adobe-walled `Sense by the Beach’ serves Peruvian and Japanese fusion cuisine. Set several metres above ground, `Fresh in the Garden’ restaurant serves health conscious, balanced meals. This restaurant is set amidst a large organic fruit and herb garden and is reached across winding stairs followed by a rope bridge that crosses over an entire banana plantation. Soneva Fushi boasts a subterranean wine cellar holding up to 7000 bottles. The tranquil Six Senses Spa features water walls and soothing aromas aimed at relaxation. A range of Six Senses signature massages and beauty treatments are on offer. Yoga and tai chi sessions are also held to achieve mind and body balance.

Another novel experience is the `Ever Soneva So Celestial’ observatory which is a Meade RCX 400 telescope through which guests can study the surface of planets and stars. Watch movies on the beach at the `Cinema Paradiso.’ Soneva Fushi has a resident Marine Biologist who conducts awareness programmes and will accompany guests on snorkelling and diving excursions. The resort conducts several research projects that focus on environmental and marine conservation where guests can participate. Other facilities include a dive centre that conducts PADI-certified diving courses, snorkelling and diving excursions; water sports centre offering water-skiing and wake boarding; fully-equipped fitness centre, tennis, badminton, beach volleyball, library, gift shops, baby sitting service, butler service and pharmacy and doctor located on nearby island which is just five minutes away.

Why we like it

Its eco commitments and lush surroundings.

Location

Soneva Fushi is approximately 45 minutes from the Malé International Airport. Guests can take the seaplane or a domestic flight to the nearby Dharavandhoo Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride to the resort. The duration of both flights is around 30 – 40 minutes.