Quick Facts

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Highlights:

★★★★★

Noonu Atoll

Seaplane
40 minutes

Very large (multi-island lagoon)

51 (split between Chapter 1 & 2)

• Barefoot luxury
• Exceptional food

• Overwater villa with slide
• Sustainability

Reviewed by Florian

About Soneva Jani

Before diving into our in-depth Soneva Jani review, let’s give you a quick introduction about this amazing 5* luxury resort.

Soneva Jani is a name that regularly appears in lists of the world’s most exclusive resorts, and for good reason. It offers a vision of the Maldives that’s laid-down, eco-conscious, and deeply luxurious, all wrapped into a slow-living, no-shoes philosophy that’s as calming as it is captivating.

Spread across a very big property in a vast turquoise lagoon, the resort feels expansive and private at the same time. The island is divided into Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, two areas with distinct villa categories and atmospheres, connected by boardwalks.

Whether you’re indulging in their legendary (complimentary) chocolate room or relaxing in your private pool, the Soneva Jani experience is filled with delightful surprises, incredible design, and service that feels effortless.

Our Villa in Chapter 1

Let’s start this review of Soneva Jani with our villa.

We stayed in a One Bedroom Water Retreat with Slide in Chapter 1, and it was quite simply one of the most spectacular villas we’ve ever stayed in. There's no wonder that it is one of the best overwater pool villas in the Maldives.

Covering around 411 square meters, this villa is larger than many city apartments and designed with a natural, organic aesthetic that reflects Soneva’s philosophy. The highlight, of course, is the private slide that leads straight from the top deck into the warm, shallow lagoon. Fun, photogenic, and surprisingly addictive.

The outdoor space is vast, with a huge private pool, loungers, catamaran nets, and even an overwater hammock. The indoor space is just as impressive, with high ceilings, driftwood furnishings, glass floor panels, and an enormous open-air bathroom with ocean views.

But the most magical feature of all? The retractable roof above the bed. With the press of a button, the ceiling opens up to reveal the night sky, allowing you to fall asleep under the stars. A truly unforgettable experience.

Every detail, from the minibar and sound system to the bicycles and natural bath products, felt thoughtful, luxurious, and in perfect harmony with the environment.

Dining at Soneva Jani

Let’s continue this in-depth review of Soneva Jani Maldives with the dining options.

The food at Soneva Jani is exceptional, both in quality and variety. It’s a resort that takes its culinary offering very seriously, with multiple gourmet restaurants, plant-based options, and indulgent snack stations available throughout the day.

Some of our favorites included:

• Down to Earth – The main restaurant with globally inspired dishes, always fresh and beautifully presented. Dinners often feature changing themes and generous buffets.

• The Crab Shack – A laid-back beachfront venue famous for its Sri Lankan mud crab curry. Rustic, fun, and incredibly delicious.

• Overseas by Mathias Dahlgren – Fine dining with a focus on seafood and modern Nordic flavors, set over the water with incredible views.

• So Wild – A garden-to-table, fully plant-based restaurant nestled in the organic garden. Innovative, healthy, and surprisingly satisfying.
  

In addition, Soneva Jani spoils guests with dedicated rooms for chocolate, ice cream, cheeses, and charcuterie—open all day, self-serve, and all included in the rate.

We were consistently amazed by how creative, fresh, and flavorful every dish was. Whether we were enjoying a relaxed lunch by the beach or an elaborate tasting menu, the resort delivered an exceptional culinary experience.

Service & Staff

One of the standout elements of our stay at Soneva Jani was the outstanding service. From the moment we landed, we were assigned a dedicated butler who took care of every detail of our trip.

Our butler was always available, yet never intrusive. They arranged spa appointments, dining reservations, special experiences, and even little surprises in our villa. The service felt personal, intuitive, and incredibly warm. A balance that very few resorts achieve so effortlessly.

Beyond our butler, every staff member we encountered, from chefs to gardeners, was friendly, professional, and seemed genuinely proud to be part of the Soneva experience.

Snorkeling & Marine Life

If there's one area where Soneva Jani doesn't quite shine, it's snorkeling. For this point, our review of Soneva Jani is not really flattering.

Because the resort is located in an enormous, shallow lagoon, there isn’t a real house reef to explore directly from your villa. While the lagoon is stunningly beautiful and perfect for paddleboarding or swimming, marine life is limited close to shore.

To enjoy proper snorkeling, guests need to take speedboat excursions to nearby coral reefs organized by the resort. These trips are well run, and we did spot turtles and reef sharks, but the lack of direct access to a vibrant reef just steps away is a bit disappointing, especially compared to smaller island resorts with excellent snorkeling off the beach. For instance, as you can read in our review of Milaidhoo or review of Anantara Kihavah, these resorts have stunning house reefs for wonderful snorkeling straight out of your villa.

For serious snorkelers, Soneva Jani might not be the ideal decision.

Experiences & Activities

Soneva Jani is not just a place to relax. It’s a playground for the curious and creative. The experiences offered go far beyond the usual luxury resort fare.

• Cinema Paradiso – An open-air, overwater movie theatre with floating daybeds and wireless headphones. One of the most unique cinema settings on earth.

• The Observatory – A fully equipped overwater observatory for stargazing and astronomy sessions.

• Wellness at Soneva Soul – An extensive wellness program with Ayurvedic treatments, modern therapies, and an overwater spa sanctuary.

• Water Sports & Excursions – Non-motorized sports, catamaran sailing, eFoils, as well as sandbank dinners, diving, and dolphin cruises.

• Creative Kids' Den – For families, the Den is a design-forward play space offering everything from zip lines to baking classes.

There’s truly something for everyone, whether you want to explore, unwind, or indulge in something unexpected.

Spa & Wellness at Soneva Jani

Before wrapping us this review of Soneva Jani, let’s talk about the spa and the gym.

The Soneva Soul Spa is a serene sanctuary that blends ancient healing traditions with modern wellness practices. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean, it offers a wide range of treatments, from Ayurvedic therapies and Thai massages to cutting-edge facials and wellness consultations.

We opted for a signature Soneva massage and were impressed by the level of expertise and the calming ambiance of the treatment room,.

For those who like to stay active, the resort gyms are outstanding. Yes! Are! You have two gyms at Soneva Jani.

Located in an open-air pavilion with panoramic views at the spa, or at The Gathering in Chatper 1, it’s equipped with state-of-the-art machines, free weights, yoga gear, and even a TRX setup. Whether you’re into strength training or gentle sunrise yoga, the environment makes working out a pleasure. Wellness at Soneva Jani is about balance, nourishing the body, calming the mind, and making you feel your best in every sense.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptionally spacious villas – some of the largest in the Maldives, all with private pools and many with water slides

• Unique villa features – retractable roof over the master bed, direct lagoon access, and a true feeling of space and freedom

• Outstanding service – highly personalized and attentive butler service makes everything effortless

• Culinary paradise – some of the best food we've had in the Maldives, with variety, quality, and creativity

• Sustainable luxury – strong eco-conscious values without compromising comfort

• Tons of activities – from stargazing at the observatory to cinema under the stars and creative dining concepts
  

Cons:

• Snorkeling is underwhelming – no proper house reef due to the vast lagoon, so good snorkeling requires a boat trip

• Quite large and spread out – requires bicycles or buggy rides, which may not suit everyone

• Very high price point – among the most expensive resorts in the Maldives

• Can feel a bit "staged" in its perfection – some guests may prefer a more raw or natural island feel

Final Thoughts: Is Soneva Jani Worth It?

Yes, absolutely! If you're looking for something truly out of the ordinary, you won’t be disappointed. Soneva Jani offers one of the most imaginative, luxurious, and beautifully executed resort experiences in the Maldives.

It’s a place where barefoot simplicity meets ultra-luxury, where every sunset feels cinematic, and where thoughtful design and service make you feel super pampered.

While snorkeling lovers may prefer islands with direct reef access, and the price point is undeniably high, Soneva Jani delivers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that justifies its reputation as one of the world’s top luxury resorts.

Whether you're planning a honeymoon, anniversary, or bucket-list escape, this is a destination that will leave a mark on your memory—and your heart.

Soneva Jani Resort Tour