The long-awaited opening of Soneva Secret has arrived, as the new ultra-bespoke resort invites guests for the first time. Setting a new bar for personalised service amidst untold luxury, this retreat promises the rarest of island experiences
THE SLOW-LIFE WORTH LIVING
Soneva is oft the first name on anyone’s lips for those seeking to experience luxury on a different level, forgoing bells and whistles in favour of rustic, heartfelt, tailored experiences that redefine what luxury really means. With three beautiful island retreats already sitting under Soneva’s umbrella - Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand - it’s the opening of Soneva Secret that is now stirring our souls. Its island home in the sparkling waters of the Maldives’ Haa Dhaalu Atoll leaves no room for improvement, the views untouched and ethereal, and the ocean as blue as one could ever imagine. Privacy abound and a story untold.
Thirty years in the making, the concept takes Soneva’s world-leading and award-winning hospitality up a gear. Centred around one-of-a-kind experiences, the individual is at the heart of the brand’s ethos. There’s personalised service and then there’s Soneva Secret - whatever you want, however you want it... Just ask.
The island is home to just 14 beach and overwater villas, including lagoon Crusoe Villas accessed only by boat, and the Castaway, the Maldives’ first and only floating villa. Each designed with nature in mind, celebrating the pureness of the surrounds, calming colours, wooden interiors and billowing materials all create a rustic richness from the ground up that ask nothing more from the guests than time to linger and soak in the goodness.
Things are done differently at Soneva Secret: villa roofs that slide open to reveal star-strewn skies; a private chef per villa; an Out of this World dining tower, observatory and wine cellar hovering over the lagoon, reachable by zipline; an Astronomical Dinner Cruise under the stars; integrative wellness honed over thousands of years; both a dedicated Barefoot Guardian and Barefoot Assistant to tailor-make your stay; and in-villa gyms and spa rooms, ensuring the highest levels of pampering in privacy.
The journey to Soneva Secret is as much a part of the experience as the island itself; take a 75-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport, or a leisurely full-day cruise from Soneva Fushi aboard Soneva Aqua, and sail your way to paradise. Shhh, don’t tell everyone.
