Buy your own piece of paradise in the Indian Ocean.
Do you know what constellations are in the sky above you? Can you tell what each ball of light is?
As you zoom in on the stars twinkling in the dark through a telescope, an expert in astronomy tells you the names of the distant spheres. You might even pick out Mars or Venus.
At Soneva, seeing the jewels in the sky is one of the special experiences on offer. Soneva Jani boasts the first over-water observatory in the Maldives.
Here you can dine on the deck in the middle of the Indian Ocean, on tables fitted with screens linked to the telescope, so you view the changing skies as you eat. At Soneva Fushi, the sister resort based a short boat ride away, the observatory is built high above the rainforest, giving you a panoramic view of the island.
Travel between the two luxury resorts is a scenic one-hour speedboat ride through the atolls of the Maldives, or you can get to Soneva Jani from the capital airport of Male in 40 minutes by seaplane. While Soneva Fushi is an island paradise, with villas built in the rainforest, the new Soneva Jani has both island and over-water residences. And some even have slides from the villas straight into the lagoon. Can you imagine stepping out of your bedroom on the top deck of your villa and sliding straight into the crystal waters?
Soneva Jani continues the luxuries which are seen at the other Soneva resorts. A Mr or Mrs Friday, named from the Robinson Crusoe novels, will take care of you and your family, acting as your personal butler.
Open-air bathtubs, private swimming pools and sunken dining areas are the unique traits familiar to Soneva guests. But whether you are just heading to the island to visit, or buying into one of the properties, there is more to Soneva than just a luxury holiday villa.
The brainchild of Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, Soneva is committed to its environmental and social responsibilities. They aim to recycle waste materials, use renewable energy and preserve the ecosystems which lie around their resorts. At Soneva Fushi they grow as much fresh produce as they can. Coconut shells are recycled and waste water is used on the plants. Everything that can be reused at Soneva, is.
The dark and damp mushroom hut is an interesting place to visit, and one of the restaurants is built high above the herb gardens, so the smells drift upwards as you dine. By building the dining areas in high-up locations or by the beach, it makes the most of natural ventilation. By avoiding air conditioning, the resort is able to reduce its energy usage and its carbon footprint.
Improving energy efficiency is one of the things on which Soneva is concentrating. In 2009, Soneva Fushi had a 70kW Solar Photovoltaic power plant built on the island, the largest renewable energy plant in the Maldives when it was installed, and there are plans for an extension.
Sustainability is built into the ethos of the resorts, and is an important part of the special kind of luxury guests experience. The glasses that you drink from and the plates in your villa are made on the island of Soneva Fushi at the Glass Studio. They take the waste glass from bottles and other products and crush and melt the glass in their own furnace. Guests can take part in a glassblowing experience, and witness the heat of the furnace first-hand.
Villa owners will notice, as they explore their home in the Maldives, that many items throughout are made from Soneva glass. The extraordinary items add to the interior design of the residences, which was created by Eva Shivdasani. Whether you are a private owner or a guest, the intelligent design will amaze. The pale colouring with comfortable purple furnishings create a relaxing atmosphere at Soneva Jani.
Purple is a cool colour which has calming effects on the mood, perfect for when you need some rest and relaxation.
Modern conveniences are hidden, so that you really do feel like you are on your own private island paradise. Instead of the children being occupied by the television, there are pools and family areas to keep everyone busy. Soneva Fushi is an island for all ages, and The Den is the perfect place for little ones who want to play the day away. The children’s club is a playground for the imagination where young guests can explore the pirate ship, dress up, or spend hours in the Lego room while mum and dad enjoy some adult time. Parents can also join in the fun at The Den with the shallow pool and music areas, providing the perfect place to spend time as a family.
The newly opened Soneva Jani is just as perfect for all ages and will have its own version of The Den, built within the impressive over-water structure of The Gathering, at the heart of the resort.
But families are not confined to one area with Soneva, the whole resort is a playground. The way the residences are built at Soneva Jani makes them appear like mini-castles from a fairytale, whether they are on land or over-water. Turrets and arches and swinging chairs above the lagoon all add to the excitement of staying in or owning one of the residences.
The whole lagoon is a place of adventure, where families and couples can kayak, snorkel or head out on a dolphin cruise. A picnic on a deserted island could be the perfect way to spend the day, followed by an evening with the resort astronomer, sharing stargazing secrets . . . bliss.
