Luxury, wellness and sustainability coexist in perfect harmony at the tranquil Soneva Jani in the cerulean waters of the Maldives
Far from the inclemency and bustle of rainy Mumbai, the aircraft landed on the serene, crystal-clear waters of Noonu Atoll in the Maldives. “Please allow me to take your shoes,” announced Mohammad Irshad, my designated ‘barefoot butler’, as he held out his hand to escort me onto the speedboat that would ferry me to the secluded sanctuary of Soneva Jani in the Maldives. Although I must admit that I am not very fond of beaches, this sequestered Maldivian island sought to convert my preferences from the get-go. I was more than happy to kick back and allow it to succeed in its endeavours.
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While I stowed my footwear in the bag I had been handed, Irshad expounded the island’s philosophy of ‘no shoes, no news’ which encourages guests to truly disconnect, relax and reconnect with the ground beneath their feet. Over the next three days, he would show me around Soneva Jani in his trusty buggy, regaling me with local tales of the land.
Indian-British hotelier Sonu Shivdasani and his Swedish wife Eva Malmström fell in love with the Maldives and leased their first island in 1990, christening it ‘Soneva’, a portmanteau of their names. The couple do not claim to be owners of the space. Instead, they refer to themselves as custodians of these lands that have existed long before them. Their commitment to this guardianship is evident in how the architecture coexists with nature and its unparalleled beauty. Boasting a profusion of mangroves and diverse flora and fauna, Soneva Jani is an unspoiled natural haven where mud crabs come out at night, flamingoes wet their beaks at the freshwater lakes and turtles nest in secret pockets of the beaches.
I visited Soneva Jani in June, which is supposed to be one of the hotter months of the year, but as the weather fluctuated between warm and dry in the mornings, gradually becoming cooler once the sun hid behind bloated rain clouds, it turned out to be the perfect climate for a getaway. My days began with yoga and meditation set against panoramic views of the lagoon, followed by walking barefoot around the resort and nature reserve, clicking photographs. I spent my afternoons cycling around the expansive property, stopping to interact with employees and sample the local cuisine which comprised organic sea produce, modern-style Japanese dishes and plant-based fare.
Soneva goes beyond the garden-variety definition of luxury. Yes, there are lavish overwater villas and pristine private beaches, but the thoughtfully curated experiences and the nutritious, seasonal and sustainable menus are what cement its position as one of the best luxury hotels in the Maldives. From eating salads prepared with fresh produce from the resort’s own gardens and sighting dolphins from a special cruise, to watching the stars through a large telescope guided by the resident astronomer, what Soneva offers is beyond a bespoke experience—it is the possibility of discovering a new way of living.
At the wellness centre Soneva Soul, a transformative wellness concept developed by the hotel, I opted for the hyperbaric oxygen therapy which involves spending an hour inside a pressurised chamber to increase oxygen in the body, thereby speeding up the immune system’s healing process and aiding general well-being. I was initially nervous about being confined in a chamber for an hour, but the specialist managed to allay my fears, patiently guiding me through the entire process. She intermittently checked if I was doing alright through a glass panel in the chamber, but I fell into a peaceful sleep soon enough. I cannot comment on the instant results of the therapy, but a single glance at the elaborate architecture of the spa is enough to make anyone pause, reflect and rethink the magnitude of stress they are exposed to in urban spaces.
On one of the days, I went snorkelling with Tess, a marine biologist and my guide for the activity, who showed me the corals that her team and she had planted in the ocean. “This incredibly unique island has so much potential for research, conservation and outreach capacity. We have an ongoing coral propagation project, which we hope to expand, as well as shark- and ray-tracking projects and a sea turtle rehabilitation centre opening soon,” shared Tess post-dive, telling me about her love for the tropics and its warm, clear waters brimming with life. After dinner that night, Tess, Irshad and I sat in quiet camaraderie and watched a football match between the employees of the resort.
Soneva Jani in the Maldives not only seeks to please your physical senses, but it also strives to be an oasis to rest and heal in, which is perhaps what makes it so popular among international celebrities and world-class athletes. Its hospitality and philosophy of sentient luxury understands and serves a holistic need that prepares you for life back in the city, even though every fibre of your being begs you to never leave.
