As a luxury travel designer, I often ask people - what does luxury actually mean to you?
I receive a variety of different answers which means that most people have a definition of luxury that is not only unique to them but can cover various aspects.
That is true to myself as well, as my personal definition of what luxury is has a few elements to it: I value that it gives time to yourself, where time slows down and in some exhilarating situations, actually stands still; I value luxury when it defines the environment you are in and the resultant experience is something that you didn’t even know existed!
I am fortunate to have visited all three Soneva properties on many occasions - Soneva Kiri in Thailand and both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives. I have loved all three, with each offering a unique experience while staying true to Soneva’s DNA of SLOW life - Sustainability, Local, Organic, Wellness - where sustainability and luxury are one. Soneva has been instrumental in teaching me what luxury actually means.
I am now delighted to add that I have just returned from visiting Soneva Secret, their ambitious fourth property within the portfolio and their third island in the Maldives.
Soneva Secret
Back in 2021 I was let into a secret shared with a small circle of people who were informed about the development of the new island from Sonu (the founder and visionary of Soneva).
Sonu explained his vision and how this island would be located in a more remote atoll and how it would only have 14 villas.
Now that I have witnessed for myself this remarkable vision come to life. I can honestly say that Sonu and Eva have done it again, raising the proverbial bar to a stratospheric level and bringing with them an entire new meaning to a personalized luxury experience.
Maldives has something for everyone – if you prefer more refined and polished luxury experience rather than what Soneva specializes in which is raw, natural beauty, what they call “barefoot luxury” - I can totally understand that, but let me tell you, if you are looking for something that blows you off your feet and transports you to a level of travel very seldom experienced, than Soneva Secret is the answer!
Let’s see if I can tempt you with what I’m going to share and what I personally experienced during my stay on the island.
The location
Soneva Secret is located in the Makunudhoo Atoll, so remote that there are no other islands in sight – the closest is a local island.
A 75 min sea plane from Male and only a 30 min flight from Soneva Fushi (so the option I recommend to my clients is to team up your stay and visit both resorts)
As the water was a little choppy and being a windy day, our sea plane landed on the water’s edge, close enough to jump off the plane directly onto the beach - this was certainly a first for me and instantly gave me the impression that this was going to be an experience like no other.
The Service
From the moment your feet touch the sand you are introduced to your personal butlers – known in the Soneva world as your “Barefoot Guardians”.
They come fully prepared, fully aware of your personal preferences (as on booking your stay you will receive an email requesting all your preferences, such as your favorite scent, dietary preferences, favorite drinks, music, books, bathroom requirements, activities you enjoy etc etc) and believe me this is all you need to do pre-arrival and the rest is taken care off during your stay.
The Villas
Soneva Secret has only 14 villas in total, which include 1-bedroom beach and water villas, 2 x 2 bedroom residences – beach and water and soon to be a one-of-a-kind - floating villa. The island is so exclusive that even when at maximum occupancy there will only be 64 guests spread across the island. This uber exclusivity adds to the mystique of the resort, where you feel like you are on your own personal luxury island.
The villas are all open plan and extremely spacious with concertina glass doors around the bedroom which fully open up bringing the outside in. The deck area is huge with a dining area, sunken seating area, a nice size swimming pool and a living room with TV. The kitchen is separate as is the
small fully equipped gym, and spa/massage area.
The one-bedroom villas have 2 bathrooms with outdoor showers and come with a secret door that opens up into another king bedroom. This means all of the 1 bedrooms are actually 2 bedrooms and the 2 bedrooms are 4 bedrooms.
In true Soneva style the water villas all come with a slide and all villas include their latest feature of the retractable roofs so you can stargaze from the luxurious comfort of your own bed.
The fully equipped kitchen has everything you require from their standard well stocked SMEG fridge, Nutri-Bullets and coffee machines. This is where your personal chef will prepare your meals – more on that below.
Dining
Soneva have always taken great pride in their dining experiences and the cuisine they offer to their guests, always setting trailblazing standards that entice foodies from all over the world - but Soneva Secret has taken this even further.
If you truly are a sophisticated foodie - you may not want to eat for a month before you arrive as I promise you this is a full-blown foodies’ paradise.
Breakfast is served at the Living Room – the heart of the island or it can also be served in your villa.
Soneva Secret offers its guests 14 different cuisines such as
South American, Italian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Chinese
Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern, Maldivian, Indian etc. The Chef will prepare your lunch at your villa whilst your barefoot guardian sets up your table and serves the food. There is no menu as every dish is designed to your preference with many courses to enjoy - the presentation of each dish is picture perfect and the taste is universally divine.
Your guardian will also schedule into your itinerary a Culinary Journey at “Out of this World’ - true to its name and thanks to the brilliant Brazilan Chef Henrique Lork.
The journey starts at the ‘Living Room’ with a glass of Delamotte champagne served by resident sommelier Rebecca and served with a amuse bouche. Then you will zip line to ‘Out of this World” which is 330 feet off the shoreline.
You will zipline straight into the extensive wine cellar and experience another unique creation by Chef Lork.
From there you will then go upstairs to the roof top and open kitchen where Chef Lork will prepare a wonderful 5 course delight, each aspect of this culinary journey is his interpretation of the “Universe” - each dish served on recycled glass plates designed and hand-blown by the chef himself at the custom Soneva Fushi glass studio.
Even for an expert traveler, this culinary experience is beyond anything I have seen or experienced so I can't truly give it enough justice and I have to let Chef Hork describe it:
“Perception of the Universe by Chef Henrique Lork”
Imagine the universe as a vast cosmic menu where each element from gravity to light plays its unique role. In a similar way our tongue is the organ responsible for the perception of flavours each associated with specific molecules that stimulate our taste receptors.
Just as astronomers explore the far reaches of space to understand the composition of the universe our taste buds explore the diversity of flavors. Astronomers seek to identify elements and substances in outer space while our taste buds distinguish between sweet, salty, sour and umami.
After this gastronomic delight and before or after your dessert, in true Soneva style, resident astronomer Moosa will take you on an actual star and planet gazing experience. Moosa showed me pictures on his phone from the last few nights as it had been a full moon - he compared his pictures with pictures taken by NASA and they were pretty impressive in how identical they were; this is what happens when you go live on the edge of the world, as far away as possible from the noise and pollution of mankind!
Marine life
While standing on the Soneva Secret island, in one direction is Somalia and in the other direction is Sri Lanka, which means the island sits in a virtual ocean corridor for migrating whales. Since being on the island, which is only a few months, the marine team have spotted numerous blue whales and sperm whales – that just shows how untouched and magnificent this location is. The coral reefs are incredible and in more bloom than I have seen anywhere in the Maldives. They don’t have a house reef as such but the reefs are only 10 mins by boat. They have great dive sites close by and as the area is untouched you will get to experience incredible marine life and dive sights not many have witnessed.
Even while just walking on the beach, I saw many eagle and sting rays and there are many Manta-Ray cleaning stations around the lagoon. The team have spotted many mantas and turtles on a daily basis, they have also found a huge pod of dolphins (spinner and bottle nose).
While Maldives is getting cluttered around Male, the capital and the centre of this archipelago of islands, its now resorts and islands like Soneva Secret that are opening up the rest of this magical place to marine life lovers.
For Kids
The Den on the island is smaller than the Den at the other Soneva properties but that doesn't mean theres not much for kids to do. The team will keep your kids busy with lots of outdoor activities and they can shadow the marine biologists.
Soneva Fushi was the first island to have a zipline which soared above the trees on many short wires and also offers a dining experience. A fun experience for all and one my kids absolutely love. At Soneva Secret the zipline goes across the ocean from The Living Room to the Out Of This World restaurant.
You can also enjoy the zipline throughout the day (max weight 30kg). I know my kids would spend most of their day on the zipline as its so much fun!
Spa
As well as the individual and private spa rooms in each of the villas, Soneva Secret has a standalone spa where you can hear the ocean in the background, providing the perfect nature soundtrack as you drift into relaxation bliss.
Sustainability
Sustainability is one of Soneva’s core pillars and one of the key reasons why I am a huge advocate of intelligent luxury properties. Having known and worked with Soneva for many years, I have learnt so much about sustainability thanks to Sonu, Eva and their efforts at not only education but providing practical solutions.
Their DNA includes using ingredients which are local or grown onsite, plastics are banned and much of the resort is solar-powered. But Soneva’s commitment to long-term environmental and community projects is what truly sets them apart. A percentage of the proceeds from each guests’ stay are channeled into the Soneva Foundation, which supports reforestation efforts, provides communities with access to clean water and restores coral reefs, amongst many other endeavors. Actions have always spoken louder than words and Soneva is a shining example of harnessing the true power of sustainability and applying it to any aspect of luxurious hospitality.
With a nightly rate of approx. $5,000 for the 1 bedroom villa, including full board and all activities, I can assure you that you get more for your money than you can possibly imagine. A city hotel may charge you the same nightly rate - which may come with a beautiful view, butler and a wonderful breakfast, but let’s be honest, it’s not on a private island, with endless views, a dining experience like no other, your own chef and butlers, and a remoteness that re-connects you to your soul – it's honestly the best kept secret - its Soneva Secret.
For unique rates and more information contact
Unique Family Travels
Danielle@uniquefamilytravels.com
