Quick Facts

Class:

Location:

Transfer Type:
Transfer Duration:

Island Size:

Total no. Villas:

Highlights:

★★★★★

Baa Atoll

Seaplane or domestic flight + speedboat
30 minutes or 20 + 12 minutes

Large

71

• Barefoot luxury
• 14 dining concepts

• Complimentary Ice Cream, Chocolate, Cheese & Charcuterie Rooms

Reviewed by Florian

Getting to Soneva Fushi: The Journey from Malé

Soneva Fushi is located in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, which is known for its abundant marine life and protected reefs. To reach the resort, you’ll first land at Velana International Airport (Malé). From there, Soneva arranges a 30- to 40-minute scenic seaplane transfer, which lands directly at the resort’s private jetty.

The arrival process is seamless and well-organized, and from the moment you’re met by the Soneva representative at the airport, you know you’re in good hands. The seaplane ride itself offers a stunning aerial introduction to the Maldives with beautiful aerial views of the atolls which make the Maldives so special.

Our Stay: The Spectacular 2 Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide

Let’s continue this review of Soneva Fushi with our INCREDIBLE room, or villa, or mansion!

Originally, we had booked a 1 Bedroom Water Reserve, but due to the resort being at low occupancy and our strong relationship with Soneva’s management, we were upgraded to Villa 87: a 2 Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide. And it’s safe to say, this was by far the most impressive villa we’ve ever stayed at in the Maldives, for a 2BR villa. You can see our favorite overwater villas in the Maldives here.

The villa is massive, spanning multiple levels with a 20-meter-long private pool, sunken seating areas, and endless lounging options both indoors and outdoors. There’s even a rooftop deck perfect for sunset cocktails or stargazing.

The slide that drops you straight into the ocean? It’s just as fun as it sounds, whether you’re a kid or a grown-up.

This is the ultimate villa for families or two couples traveling together, offering complete privacy with generous common spaces. Everything is built from natural materials, staying true to Soneva’s commitment to sustainability, while still delivering maximum comfort. The beds were incredibly comfortable, and the views of the Indian Ocean from the master bedroom and from every room of the villa are the kind you dream about.

Wellness: Soneva Soul & the New Spa

During our visit, the Soneva Soul Spa was under construction, but we still managed to enjoy a massage in their temporary setup. Now that the brand-new spa has officially opened, it’s become one of the top wellness destinations in the Maldives.

Our massage was excellent: superb therapists, attentive to every detail, and delivering the deep, restorative kind of treatment that Soneva is known for.

Soneva Soul goes beyond standard spa offerings. It includes longevity-focused wellness programs, holistic healing, Ayurveda, naturopathy, and even functional fitness. Whether you’re looking for a one-off treatment or a longer wellness journey, Soneva Soul is definitely one of the resort’s standout features and a compelling reason to return. It’s definitely one of the key selling points of the resort and we of course had to cover it in this in-depth review of Soneva Fushi.

The gym, on the other hand, was a bit of a disappointment. It felt outdated and in need of a refurbishment, which is surprising for a resort of this level. Hopefully, an upgrade is planned soon to match the rest of the resort’s exceptional standards.

Dining: High-Quality, With Some Highs and Lows

Food is often one of the most anticipated parts of a Maldives holiday, and Soneva Fushi delivers well, though not flawlessly.

The breakfast buffet is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s spread across several rooms, each dedicated to a specific type of food. The standout for us was the fruit room. Yes, a whole room full of fruits, where a dedicated chef slices everything fresh in front of you. It felt like a live-action version of Fruit Ninja, but with tropical papayas, dragon fruit, pineapples, and more.

Lunch and dinner were good, but not groundbreaking. The flavors were solid and ingredients fresh, but we wouldn’t place them among the best meals we’ve had in the Maldives. Still, there’s a wide variety of restaurants, and with rotating themes and international menus, there’s always something new to try.

A charming touch? The complimentary ice cream and chocolate rooms, open daily and available for all guests. It’s an experience that feels playful and generous. Kids and adults alike will love it.

Beaches & Ocean: A Natural Playground

Interestingly, Soneva Fushi doesn’t have a public pool which is something that might surprise guests accustomed to other high-end resorts. However, the beach is literally steps away and the ocean is so inviting that you likely won’t miss the pool. On top of that, almost all villas have their private pool, so you won’t ever need to be in a public pool.

The sea water is crystal clear, calm, and perfect for swimming or wading at any time of day. The island itself is lush and large, so even though there are many guests, you rarely feel crowded.

Snorkeling: A Very Pleasant Surprise

We had modest expectations when it came to snorkeling, especially knowing that much of the coral in Baa Atoll has suffered from bleaching. But the snorkeling around “Out of the Blue” was a wonderful surprise.

It was far more fish-rich than we expected, with plenty of marine life and decent visibility. While the coral formations aren’t as vibrant as some other areas in the Maldives, the sheer number of fish more than made up for it. If you’re into snorkeling, don’t skip this spot.

Family-Friendly: The Den Kids Club

We don’t travel with children, but we couldn’t help but be curious about The Den, Soneva Fushi’s famous kids club. We popped in for a quick look, and we were seriously impressed. As one of the best resorts for famililes in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi sets the bar very high.

It’s one of the largest and most imaginative kids clubs in the Maldives, with everything from a pirate ship to indoor tunnels, reading nooks, a music room, and an arts and crafts zone. Though we didn’t take photos out of respect for guests’ privacy, we can only imagine how much fun children must have here.

For families looking for a resort where kids are not only welcomed but truly catered for, Soneva Fushi is a fantastic choice.

Activities: Complimentary & Bucket-List Experiences

An other point that we had to cover in this review of Soneva Fushi are the different experiences offered at the resort.

Soneva Fushi excels at offering both complimentary activities and unforgettable bucket-list adventures. Some of the complimentary options include:

• A badminton court, tennis court, football ground, table tennis, and even Cinema Paradiso, the resort’s open-air movie experience under the stars.

• There are also non-complimentary experiences that are well worth the splurge:

• A snorkeling trip to Hanifaru Bay (seasonal), where you can swim with manta rays

• Dolphin cruises during sunset

• Private beach dinners with curated menus and wine pairings

There’s always something to do, whether you’re active and adventurous or looking for slow-paced, serene experiences.

Service: Mostly Excellent

Throughout our stay, the service was warm, friendly, and efficient, which is in line with Soneva’s reputation. Our Barefoot Guardian (butler) was available around the clock, helping us plan activities, spa appointments, and restaurant reservations.

The one area where service fell short was breakfast. On multiple occasions, we found the service to be slow and inattentive, with long waits just to place a simple coffee or eggs order. Staff seemed a bit overwhelmed, even when the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy.

That said, every other aspect of the service, from villa cleaning to dinner hosting and activity coordination, was excellent.

Final Thoughts: Review of Soneva Fushi Maldives

Soneva Fushi is a resort that does things differently, and for the most part, it does them exceptionally well. It offers an eco-luxury experience that feels deeply personal, thoughtful, and relaxed. This isn’t a resort for flashy over-the-top glamour, but for sophisticated, conscious travelers looking for space, privacy, and barefoot elegance.

Our 2 Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide was one of the most remarkable villas we’ve ever stayed in. The food was enjoyable, the snorkeling better than expected, and the new Soneva Soul wellness concept adds a major layer of appeal for wellness-minded travelers.

While we’d love to see improvements in the gym and some fine-tuning at breakfast service, Soneva Fushi still stands out as one of the most iconic and experience-rich resorts in the Maldives.

If you're looking for a resort that celebrates nature, simplicity, and soul, with just the right amount of luxury, this Soneva Fushi Maldives review should make your choice an easy one.

Feel free to contact us for more information or to book with the most competitive rates.

Soneva Fushi Resort Tour