RINGED BY A DAZZLING turquoise lagoon in the remote Makunudhoo Atoll on the Maldives’ westernmost edge, Soneva Secret (rates from US$3,200) is the resort its owners have been wanting to build for 30 years. An hour’s seaplane flight from the capital, Malé, is Sonu and Eva Shivdasani’s most exclusive property to date, a culmination of what they’ve learned over the years.
The “no news, no shoes” experience that the group is known for begins soon after landing. A dedicated barefoot guardian, who attends to your needs around the clock, whisks away your shoes. Instead of pulling up at a jetty, guests are ferried from seaplane to beach by boat, so they can set foot directly onto the sand.
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Seaplane Arrival
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Arriving at Soneva by private seaplane
Standing majestically in the middle of the island, which takes less than 10 minutes to walk across, is the amphitheatre-like Living Room. It houses a library, games room, a room devoted to cheese and charcuterie, and chocolate and ice-cream parlours, which guests can raid 24/7. Breakfast, lunch, sundowners, dinner and movie nights are here—but don’t worry, it’s not likely to get crowded.
That’s because the 14 palatial villas, starting at 460 square metres, are fully self-contained. Each comes with a gym, spa treatment room, kitchen, two bedrooms, an infinity pool, retractable roof for stargazing, and killer sunset views. A clever system of shutters and sliding doors allows for open-air living, with overhangs to keep the rain out.
Overwater villas, generously spaced apart, feature water slides (a Soneva signature), while beach villas offer greater privacy. Some can only be reached by boat, and a first-of-its-kind “floating” mansion will debut later in the year.
A brigade of private chefs specialise in over a dozen cuisines. Options include Maldivian, Sri Lankan, Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, Vietnamese, South American, and Indonesian home-style meals prepared in your villa. Medical and wellbeing experts are on hand to provide tailor-made health and wellness solutions.
What really sets Soneva Secret apart is the absence of any other resort for miles around. Only Makunudhoo, the regional capital, is visible in the distance, and the next land mass west of the resort is Africa. That means a vast expanse of virgin dive and snorkelling sites, with the possibility of seeing the marine big five—whales, sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and turtles—and some of the healthiest coral formations in the Maldives.
Private, personalized and unique experiences are another Soneva hallmark. Think: zip-lining to fine diner Out of This World, wine tastings in a glass-floored cellar, castaway picnics on a private beach, food that’s been cooked in a fire pit and eaten under the moonlight, or nightcaps at the observatory sans light pollution.
Luxury carries a large carbon footprint, and Soneva Secret, like its sister properties, mitigates this through a range of measures: cross-ventilation reduces the need for air con, waste is recycled or composted, plastics are avoided, and a solar-energy system is due to be installed by year’s end. Soneva also supports the people of Makunudhoo Island and cultural visits can be arranged.
In an industry where giants often rule, it’s heartening when an independent brand cracks the secret to longevity.
Photos by Stevie Mann/Courtesy of Soneva
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Kee Foong
Born in Malaysia, raised and educated in Australia and based in Hong Kong, Kee Foong has had the privilege ..Read More
