soneva fushi: baa atoll

Located in one of the furthest Atolls from Male,  Soneva Fushi ‘s creation in 1995 was where the Maldives really took off from in the luxury sector. Started by husband and wife team Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, the idea was to provide a luxury resort with completely green credentials using sustainable materials and practices to build the resort and also to run it in the long term. They have achieved this and continue to improve practices, even making 25% of their own charcoal on site now. Added to this responsible management style, innovative touches such and Cinema Paradiso and a world class Observatory and you have a resort which makes you feel comfortable in the knowledge that  your impact on the environment is being sustained and you are also in a place which oozes originality in everything it does.

Rooms:-

Soneva Fushi has a vast array of different room types to suit different needs and feel. Unlike its Maldivian sister Soneva Gili, all the rooms and villas here are based on land. They range from a modest 48m2 room up to 700m2 of internal and total area of 1,720m2 in the case of the Jungle Reserve.

In terms of style, as with all the Soneva brand, the theme is intelligent rustic luxury, but here you can go really rustic with the Crusoe villas which come in various sizes and positions, with and without pool.

Whilst the island is big enough to cater for all , from honeymooners to single travelers escaping their stressful jobs, you can always feel the sense of fun in the larger rooms with regards to children. Many of the bigger residences such as the Jungle Reserve, have children’s rooms which have quaint bunk beds made out of old wood, and some even have  their own tree house style extensions away from the parents for those slightly older children with a sense of adventure.

Villa amenities include the following;- A/C, minibar, wine fridge, safe, binoculars, CD + DVD player, semi open air bathrooms, IDD phone, Wi-Fi, outdoor area with seating and loungers and direct beach access for all rooms.

Top Villas:-

“The Retreats” and “The Jungle Reserve” are the 2 major highlights here. The 2 Retreats consist of a Principal Villa which comprises of master bedroom with 4-poster, bathroom, sitting room, wine cellar, sea water swimming pool, dining pavilion and spa suite including gym, steam room and relaxation area. The second villa consists of a bedroom, bathroom, study, sitting room,  kitchen and wine cellar.

The Jungle Reserve consists of a master bedroom, huge outdoor/ indoor bathroom and walled garden area, a large swimming pool, separate living room, separate tree house with en-suite for kids, a separate spa champa and gym. It is right on the beach and is ideal for a family travelling with 2 children but equally can be enjoyed by a couple wanting unparalleled space.

Spa: -

As with all Soneva properties, the spa is run by another Shivdasani creation, “Six Senses Spas”.  There is a vast choice of treatments and different rooms to suit all from air-conditioned indoor rooms to outdoor salas.  As you’d expect the quality of treatment from initial consultation through to your post treatment tea is excellent and the therapists come from all over Asia, offering different skills and treatments. They also have guest therapists from Yoga masters to lifestyle experts.  Try their unique new treatment “Watsu” which is Shiatsu performed in a hot water pool.

Dining:

There are 4 key dining options here. The main restaurant, at the resorts heart is called Mihiree Mitha and provides open air dining for lunch, breakfast and dinner.

Then there is Fresh in the Garden, an award winning healthy dining option set within the gardens of the resort where they grow a lot of their own herbs and vegetables. Booking here is essential as it only has 40 covers but the setting, as well as the food, are stunning.

Sense by the Beach provides a very modern fusion of Peruvian and Japanese cuisine.

Ever Soneva so down to Earth provides Mediterranean fayre with a seafood influence.

Aside to this there are various bars including bar(a)bara Bar on the west jetty, and The Main Bar complete with snooker table.

There also their legendary collection of over 7,000 wine bottles in the islands wine cellar, sure to satisfy any taste.

Other facilities:-

Diving, non motorised water sports, cycling, Observatory, fishing trips, Yoga and Tai Chi, library, DVD collection, board games, waterskiing and wakeboarding nearby, tennis, fitness centre, table tennis, volleyball, excursions to local uninhabited islands, snorkeling and Dolphin cruises.

Final word:

The Maldives may provide the perfect beach destination but Soneva Fushi makes it the perfect rustic getaway with incredibly high end food and service standards and levels of accommodation that sit unobtrusively within their jungle surroundings.  The idyllic beaches, vast array of activities and the child friendly nature of the resort make it a haven for families while the privacy and space its villas afford mean you can equally hide away in undisturbed peace as a honeymoon couple or someone just looking to re-charge the batteries.

On arrival, you’ll know you’ve entered a unique paradise as they respectfully ask you to remove your footwear and to put your watch forward 1 hour to resort time. Welcome to “no news, no shoes” and complete R&R.

Location

accoMModation

Soneva Fushi, the first “Robinson Crusoe” style hideaway in the Maldives, is set on the privately owned, tropical island of Kunfunadhoo in Baa Atoll. The resort can be reached with scenic 30-minute sea plane flight

Concept

The island is 1,400 metres long and 400 metres wide. It is one of the largest islands in Maldives. Apart from the crystal clear waters, white beaches and tropical climate, the island’s unusually rich vegetation offers a unique natural experience. Villas are scattered along the beach and tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy.

Fringed by white sand beaches that shelve gently into the azure blue sea, legendary Soneva Fushi looks like a Robinson Crusoe idyll, however the finest creature comforts are always at hand. Its remoteness is central to its charm, offering the ultimate in barefoot sophistication for which the oft borrowed expression – No News No Shoes was coined. Welcome to a luxurious experience in which the natural reality of the destination unites understated yet sophisticated style. This is Intelligent Luxury.

Soneva Fushi’s down to earth feel is reflected in its guest’s casual dress code and its naturally-designed architecture.