theLuxuryTravelExpert

I recently enjoyed a terrific stay at Soneva Jani, what I consider to be the best resort in the Maldives, if not the world (same level as North Island in the Seychelles). Soneva Jani raises the bar for luxury travel, not only in the Maldives, but around the globe, and rewrites the rule of an exclusive private island vacation.

I made a Youtube clip with my impressions of the resort, which you can watch here:


I guess the clip tells it all, but I hereby want to share a few key point with you as well.

PROS & THINGS I LIKE:
- Location, location, location! The resort is located in one of the Maldives' most stunning and largest lagoons (with a length of more than 5 km or 3,5 mi). The lagoon's waters boast the most vibrant shades of blue that I have ever seen.
- What sets Soneva Jani apart from all other resorts in the Maldives – is that its stunning lagoon has access to not one, but five paradisiac islands. The largest island is connected to the resort by a snake-like jetty, and features an overwater cinema, tennis courts, water sport center and miles of deserted beaches. The other four islands are smaller in size, with three of them remaining undeveloped while the fourth island features a beach club and tented club.
- The resort is completely built overwater along a 1,7 km long jetty (that is connected to the main island). Halfway the jetty, you find the Gathering, the resort's heart, which appears like something out of a fairytale. The Gathering is the largest overwater structure in the Maldives and the houses various dining outlets, spa, gym, library, a boutique shop, the chocolate & ice cream parlor, wine cellar and kids club.
- During my holiday, I stayed in the resort’s lowest category villa – a one bedroom water retreat – which was bigger than the presidential suites of most 5-star hotels. It featured a living area, study room, kitchenette, master bedroom, kid's room, outdoor bathroom, and a lounge upstairs. The villa's highlight was the terrace with an enormous private pool and the retractable roof (so you can stargaze while falling asleep).
- The design of the villas and the main facilities is mindblowing and will knock you off your feet. It's all about understated luxury and eco-chic design, and it's clear that the Swedish roots of Eva, one of the Soneva founders, have influenced the overall decor.
- Although there is just one main restaurant, Soneva Jani offers several food experiences at other places, such as a deserted island, near the overwater cinema, or at the overwater observatory. Food is delicious, as you would expect from a resort of this caliber.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW:
- While incredibly beautiful, the lagoon is not teeming with fish. The good news though is that the resort is surrounded by 12 km (7,5 mi) of stunning reef which circles the lagoon and can be reached by the resort boat (unless you are a very good swimmer).

theLuxuryTravelExpert

SanDiego1K

Stunning.

Kagehitokiri

great photos, glad to hear it went well

they are adding a bunch more villas on island, sounds like not soon
wouldve been even more unique if current 1 island villa was more private

somehow i missed the beach club on another island, interesting

DSI

Thank you! At the top of my list should I be lucky enough to return to the Maldives

Epicura

Thanks for your review!

Do you happen to have a copy of the menu's?

I was considering a stay at Soneva Jani (still am) but the transfer cost did put me off a bit TBH. Over 800 EUR pp (and we are 4!) which is substantially more than all others resorts are charging for very similar flights.

Kagehitokiri

soneva.com/soneva-jani/offer/family-vacation-maldives-soneva-jani/
flights just for kids or adults too?
negotiable if kids around 13?
so far there are few rooms

what was cost for velaa/cheval?
re locations and boat transfers >
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post26788474

or free nights (including 4th) and half board
soneva.com/soneva-jani/offer/esignature-sjr/

possibly deal on 7 excursions (also at other soneva)
soneva.com/soneva-jani/offer/iconic-family-getaway-soneva-jani/

soneva.com/soneva-jani/offer/michelin-dinner-maldives-soneva/
im guessing this is NOT a deal
soneva.com/soneva-jani/offer/sonu-and-evas-must-do-maldivian-discovery-2/

uggboy

Thanks theLuxuryTravelExpert for your insightful review/video and images.

What a beautiful resort. Glad to learn that you enjoyed it.

Cheers & Safe Travels. ^

Pausanias

I think that place looks hideous. Sorry. The usual Maldives story of destruction of a pristine coastal and marine environment.

Luxurytravelexpert - did you pay for your visit or was it a freebie?

Kagehitokiri

was that the case with soneva gili in 2001?

kamel123

Based on the photos, I have to agree with this. The picture taken from the beach with the tent, looking out at the resort - that would not be my idea of an unspoilt beach view.

Nevertheless, thank you very much for the review, and glad you enjoyed it.

Michael82

The location/lagoon really is awesome.
But i will never understand why people pay that much to stay in a soneva hotel - which are all (in my opinion) hideously designed but cost the same as something like reethi rah, cheval or velaa and probably cost a tiny friction of them to be built.

The cinema and the water slides are really cool though.

bhrubin

Thanks for the great report and video!

And now, the most important question: how was the air con in the villa and main public spaces? I didn't notice any air con units or vents.

I must confess to being in agreement with some others in that the resort, while seemingly beautiful, looks not so genuinely Maldivian nor so appealing from the beaches. And definitely the least green resort perhaps in the whole of the Maldives, being constructed almost entirely overwater.

Kagehitokiri

(ex-soneva gili does not have any rooms on island)
island(s) have 1 villa plus common areas, will add villas
Michael82, jani has (at least right now) fewer villas
not sure if this is exactly right >
(19 1BR crusoe beach villa 288m2 planned)
18 1BR water retreat 411m2
04 2BR water retreat 555m2
01 3BR water retreat 555m2
01 4BR water reserve 1245m2
01 4BR island reserve 1424m2 (12 more planned) - not private location

overwaters do not run parallel to beach/island
so pretty sure above photo not big island/beach

offerendum

Indeed impressive if you like the style. The beach is without doubt very nice.