Cradled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a pristine paradise for honeymooners second to none. Boasting endless white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and lush landscapes, this tropical archipelago offers newlyweds the kind of intimate escape dreams are made of. Whether it’s exploring vibrant coral reefs hand-in-hand, enjoying adrenaline-boosted water sports, indulging in some R&R, or simply doing nothing at all, the destination invites lovers to slow down and savour every blissful moment.
Fantastic, far from the crowds and the first barefoot luxury resorts to ever open in the Maldives is Soneva Fushi. Thanks to its outer-worldly location, coastal charm, overwater villas that appear to be floating in the horizon and contemporary amenities, the eco-luxury sanctuary is one of the most sought-after honeymoon hotels in the world.
Getting There
Soneva Fushi is nestled within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the Maldives’ largest and most unspoiled islands. It’s just a 45-minute journey from Malé airport, via a Soneva shared seaplane for 9 guests. You can also go for a private charter. The idyllic commute, overlooking the straight-from-Pinterest azure waters, verdant lagoons and powder white beaches, and with excellent in air-natural air-conditioning, is ultimate experience that feels like it’ll end in a blip.
The Idyllic Setting
The Baa Atoll is home to some of the largest networks of coral reef and the world’s biggest annual congregation of manta rays. The castaway island is surrounded by soft sand and an abundant house reef. From the moment you enter the Soneva Fushi lounge, guests are spoilt to the T. Take, for instance, the welcome massage. An express relaxation treatment or compression boots to help you relieve the aches and pains after a long flight, and before you can explore the property in all its glory. Once in, you can slow down, disconnect, and fall in love all over again. The castaway, fantasy island is 1 hour ahead of Malé time—this means you can enjoy the sunsets and sunrises a little later than others.
The Eco-Luxe Philosophy
If laid-back yet luxe aesthetic is the heart of Soneva Fushi, its unwavering eco-friendly philosophy makes it soul. The tranquil retreat coaxes you to live the slow life, whether you extend a green thumb for different aspects of your lifestyle or you’re trying to start making conscious choices. At Soneva Fushi, every element is curated to champion a deeply rooted sustainable vision and mission that honours both luxury and environmental stewardship. Some highlights include their endeavour to harness solar energy, practice zero-waste initiatives, and source organic produce from its own gardens and local communities. You can also take a tour of Soneva Fushi’s Eco Centro practise that sees a waste-to-wealth credo come to life. Or make your way to the organic gardens at Fresh In The Garden to dive into the many ways that they use island-grown fresh ingredients for their delicious food and materials. They also promote less consumption of red meat, lobster and dairy to ensure your gut and the planet are both healthy.
The Accommodations
The multiple award-winning resort features 71 villas. While most of them are on the beach, each a dwelling of exclusivity, privacy and luxury. The 64 On-Beach villas are spread across 1 Bedroom Crusoe Suite with Pool, 2 Bedroom Crusoe with Pool, 2 Bedroom Crusoe Soneva Fushi Suite with Pool, 2 Bedroom Crusoe Residence with Pool, and 3 Bedroom Sunrise Retreat. The 8 Over-Water villas include 1 Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide and 2 Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide.
The architecture spotlights their sustainably commitment, featuring recycled glass and reclaimed timber. Its “low-tech, high-touch” ethos ensures understated elegance with minimal environmental impact. Through conscientious design, luxurious amenities and community engagement, Soneva Fushi offers honeymooners a pampering escape that nurtures both romance and the planet.
Inside the villas, you’re welcomed by interior design blends Maldivian charm with Robinson Crusoe fantasy, using a palette of whites, earthy tones, and sea-washed hues. Its perfection lies in its intentionally imperfect interiors—think textured wooden beams, thatched roofs, and handcrafted furnishings, built using locally-sourced, reclaimed and recycled materials like driftwood, coconut husk, bamboo, and sustainable teak. The villas are designed to blur the lines between indoor comfort and outdoor paradise. Large sliding doors and slides open up to lush gardens, private pools, and direct beach or lagoon access, perfect for you to enjoy a glass of bubbly and some playfulness with your beloved. The high, cathedral-style ceilings and canopy beds create a sense of grandeur as you enjoy intimate moments.
The Service
At Soneva Fushi, the hospitality is the heart of the experience. With graciousness, attention to detail, and heartfelt smiles at every step, it goes far beyond traditional service. The magic is brought to life by the incredible Indian and Sri Lankan staff expect and anticipate all your needs, and deliver service with a deeply personal and warm touch. Whether it’s your private barefoot butler anticipating your breakfast preference, a spa therapist who intuitively understands how to ease your tension, or an expert at concierge to book a special service to surprise your darling on your honeymoon, every interaction is infused with intuition and personalisation.
The Culinary Delights
Dining at Soneva Fushi offers an immersive, sensorial journey across flavours and cultures from the world over. Sol by Chef Sobah reimagines modern Maldivian cuisine with a rudimentary spin, celebrating local ingredients and age-old techniques. Perched over water, Out of the Blue offers an eclectic combination of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indo-Asian flavours, with Michelin-starred Chef Akira and Chef Hiroshi whipping up memorable dishes using ingredients sourced entirely from Japan. Savour teppanyaki grills and sushi counters here along with innovative cocktails.
To surprise your loved one with an intimate, indulgent experience, book an exclusive private dining at Once Upon a Table. For some playfulness, head to Turtle Beach on Tuesday that transforms into a chic cocktail bar under the stars, aptly called So Social. There’s also Flying Sauces, a dining experience suspended high among the treetops, to relish seasonal fare. Nestled high on their organic gardens, Fresh in the Garden serves up innovative dishes via its à la carte menu made using seasonal produce straight from the island’s gardens. They also host cooking classes here that celebrate the joy of fresh, conscious cuisine.
The Recreation
Romance meets unrivalled seclusion and recreation at Soneva, making it a haven for honeymooners across personalities and preferences. To experience and enjoy the abundant activities on the 43-acre property, you will need to stay for at least a couple of weeks. You can try your hand at glassblowing at the on-site glass studio, stargaze at the observatory, or shop at their 3 well-curated stores and book shop. A must is coral planting with Aquatrea. Spend a romantic evening watching your favourite movie at the open-air VIP Cinema Paradiso under the stars. Or head to Turtle Beach Champa for a sunset stroll or an ocean dip. The adrenalin-seeking adventurers must take a zipwire through the rainforest, snorkel with manta rays in the waters of the Baa Atoll, or try the complimentary non-motorised watersports (paddle boards, kayaks, windsurfing, catamarans). You can also break a sweat at the jungle gym with a zip line, two badminton courts, and a volleyball court.
Couples celebrating milestone occasions and travelling with their kids won’t be disappointed. Little ones are thoughtfully catered to as well, thanks to their dedicated kid’s club offering full-day adventures for 4–12-year-olds. They will be pleasantly surprised spotting one of the 20 bunnies hopping around the island.
The Holistic Sanctuary
The Soneva Soul Spa is a gateway to the ultimate indulgence and relaxation—much needed after the wedding planning chaos. A state-of-the-art sanctuary that combined time-honoured techniques with cutting-edge therapies, all done at the hands of the Bhutani or Balinese skilled experts. Their signature Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbalism massages are complemented by integrative approaches like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cryotherapy. The spa’s five pillars—Wellness, Momentum, Medical, Specialists, and Therapists—ensure a personalised approach to wellbeing, whether it is to alleviate chronic illness or every day stress.
Start your day with Yoga, Pilates and meditation. Beyond the tried-and-true treatments, you can take full advantage of their Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine consultations, IV therapies, stem cell treatments, high-tech rejuvenation in the Cryochamber, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy suite, or the Hyperthermia Room that detoxes at 104°F. It’s no surprise then that a UK-based couple landed spending $67,000 at the all-encompassing Spa. Take a piece of their wellness philosophy back home with you by shopping at the Spa store.
