Form An imaginative journey that began over two decades ago, the Soneva story continues with Soneva Jani, the brand’s newest luxury resort offering. Inspired by a word that means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of water villas and island sanctuaries set within a lagoon of crystal clear waters, fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed in lush tropical greenery.
The highlight of the islands that the resort calls home is the 5.6 kilometre private lagoon that surrounds it; an awe-inspiring azure spectacle that inspires a sense of calm.
Soneva Jani, located in the Medhufaru lagoon in the Noonu Atoll, comprises five islands, the largest of which is Medhufaru, which is 150 acres in size. The resort can be reached by a scenic 40 minute seaplane flight direct from Malé International Airport, a 60 minute speedboat ride from Soneva Fushi, or by a leisurely full day cruise from Soneva Fushi onboard Soneva in Aqua.
Guests will be treated to a unique ‘castaway’ experience within spacious villas, which feature beautifully designed interiors made from the highest quality sustainable materials.
Each Water Villa opens to its very own stretch of sparkling lagoon and is complete with a private pool. What’s more, many of the villas feature slides from the top floor straight into the lagoon and have a retractable roof to stargaze from the master bedroom.
Common Amenities
Our villas and reserves offer guests exclusive facilities to enhance the overall sentiment of intuitive and intelligent luxury, including private pools, outdoor decks and direct access to the lagoon.
All villas are equipped with:
• Mr or Ms Friday (Butler) service
• Direct lagoon access
• Spacious master bedroom with adjoining children’s sleeping area (for one child)
• Television and Bose sound system with extensive movie & music playlists
• Open air bathrooms with bathtub, showers and lagoon access
• Bicycles or tricycles for every guest
• A 13M private pool with catamaran nets
• Walk-in minibar with espresso machine and private wine fridge
• Overhead fans, air conditioning and a personal safe
• Outdoor deck and seating area with sun loungers and direct access to the lagoon
• Wifi with an on/off switch
• Three dining locations: on the sunken tables on the deck, in the living room and on the roof terrace dining sala
The culinary experiences at Soneva Jani are as diverse as they are memorable, presenting gourmet menus across a variety of cultures and cuisines, organic offerings, simple barbecues and elaborate romantic escapades.
The heart of the resort, the Gathering is a three-storey overwater structure that is home to various dining outlets, as well as the spa, library, retail area, The Den and wine cellar.
Breakfast: 07:30 – 10:30 Lunch: 12:30 – 14:30 Dinner: 19:30 – 22:30
Also housed within The Gathering are So Imaginative, The Gathering Wine Cellar, So Fresh, So Engaging, The Gathering Bar and So Cool.
Recently voted as the world’s most romantic restaurant by CNN. com, our newest restaurant serves a wide variety of global crab recipes paired with the finest selection of wines and cocktails. Relax barefoot in the beach shack and watch the sun set from the upstairs bar.
Trick your mind and taste buds with culinary chemistry within So Imaginative, Soneva’s experimental tasting room. The sommeliers create inspired wine tastings and dinners, selecting perfect pairings from the cellar.
Dinner: 19:30 – 22:30
Housed in the extraordinary wine tower within the Gathering, the Wine Cellar features a selection that includes organic and biodynamic wines.
Start each day here with an endless spread of fresh fruits, comforting classics and creative juices from our Juice Bar. The day continues with a bountiful buffet of organic garden salads and live cooking stations with our wood burning pizza oven, tandoors and grills with freshly caught and grilled-to-order fish. Sunset aperitvos lead into our mouthwatering evening menus.
Indulge in a variety of our favorite flavours ice cream, handmade chocolates prepared by the in-house chocolatiers and gourmet charcuterie, cheese and preserves, all of which are complimentary.
So Engaging is our exclusive Chef’s Table, offering a mystery menu for five very special guests.
Enjoy an exclusive dining experience in the company of the stars as you savour fresh flavours at The Observatory’s dining area. Sit at one of the four dining tables around our telescope and dine on delicious cuisine, making dinner at So Starstruck a truly out-of-this-world experience.
Dinner: 19:30
Enjoy refreshing coolers, cocktails and tapas at any time of the day as you lounge on daybeds and overwater catamaran nets suspended the sparkling waters, just the spot to take in the magnificent sunset.
Beverages: 07:00 – 24:00 or until last guest leaves
Our overwater, open-air cinema is located in a tranquil bay to the south of the island. Our new eight-table over water modern Japanese restaurant serves a set menu and a la carte.
Dinner: 19:30 to 22:30 every night except Mondays and Fridays
Tucked away on the secluded North Island, set in the lagoon close to the Water Villas is the perfect spot for swimming, snorkeling and time in the sun. Enjoy a delightful pop up dinner of local Maldivian delicacies on our private beach, prepared by the Chef using only what he can catch or pick.
Dinner: 19:30 -22:30 every Thursdays
Lunch A beautiful sandy white beach on the South side of the island where guests can enjoy lunch and indulge with a mix of Maldivian and Peruvian cuisines, while also experiencing the pit cooking method. Water sports are also available at South Beach, the perfect way to while away the time before lunch is served.
Lunch: 12:30 to 16:00 everyday except Mondays and Fridays
In-Villa Dining options are available from 07:00 until 23:00, daily Bespoke Private Dining experiences around the lagoon Castaway picnics on deserted beaches Cooking classes
The resort’s selection of experiences caters to every kind of traveller and includes everything from nature walks and spa treatments to lazy picnics. Soneva Jani offers a full range of activities including water sports, scuba diving, tennis, dolphin cruises and bicycling along the island’s many trails.
Dinner Come to the state of the art, James Bond-inspired observatory for an out-of-this-world dining experience. Sit back and enjoy great food and drink as the in-house Astronomer takes you through a journey of the night sky and beyond. Using a 16” telescope that rises from the ground, there is plenty to see, talk about and learn.
Take your desert island experience to another level, and try Sonu’s favourite – lunch on a deserted island prepared by your own personal chef. Take a dip in the crystal clear blue lagoon with our in-house snorkelling guide, while your chef prepares gourmet temptations in the most romantic of settings.
Once a month, over the lunar cycle, we craft a unique dining experience served on our private sandbank. In celebration of the full moon, we create a moon-shaped seating arrangement under the splendidly lit night sky. Please ask your Mr./Ms. Friday about the dates of the next full moon.
Get ready for one of the most fascinating experiences of your holiday; watching dozens of playful dolphins in the light of the setting sun. While you cruise into deeper the waters, you will be served a selection of canapés and a flute of Champagne.
Join us for an unforgettable astronomical adventure, where you will head out into the Indian Ocean for a unique dining experience under the stars. Enjoy dinner and wines while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean, before learning the secrets of the sky from our resident Astronomer.
Join our Astronomer for a midnight picnic on a secluded beach underneath the stars, moon and Milky Way. They will focus on cultural astronomy, which is the study of how ancient cultures used the night sky for orientation, harvesting, hunting and to teach right and wrong. Your astronomer will also point out the constellations, so bring your curiosity.
The Soleni Dive Centre’s multi-lingual PADI instructors and the small dive group sizes ensure that you get a world-class diving experience, whether it is your first or your hundredth dive. There are many dive sites rich with marine life around the resort, sure to tempt all marine enthusiasts.
Take an aquatic adventure through the waters of the Noonu Atoll and discover the diversity of Maldivian marine life, guided by our resident Marine Biologist. Our Atoll-native sea turtles and rays may make a special appearance, as you experience the magnificence of life below the waves
Inspired by the resort’s name, ‘jani’ which means wisdom in Sanskrit, we encourage guests to learn new skills and rethink their lifestyles with a focus on wellness. Our in-house experts will be on hand to offer advice to assist guests to heal, move, and ‘be’. Spa treatments are complemented by the fully-equipped gym, yoga pavilion, outdoor spa champas, as well as sauna and steam rooms.
Discover less charted and secret surf breaks in the Noonu Atoll accompanied with our experienced surf instructor/guides. All surf breaks are accessible within a 5 – 35 minute speedboat ride. Surf season is dependent on Mother Nature’s mood though it does peak from May – September. Waves range from waist to head high. All equipment is eco-friendly and made from recycled waste making us the first fully sustainable surfing program in the world.
Learn to cook your favourite dishes in the Gathering’s beautiful Open Kitchen. Our chefs will personally guide you through the ingredients and preparations, and once the cooking is finished you can take your seat and enjoy the fruits of your labour, accompanied by a glass of Champagne.
Our overwater, open-air cinema is located in a tranquil bay to the south of the island. Our new eight-table over water Peruvian restaurant serving a set menu and a la carte
A sophisticated 16-inch Meade telescope rises up through the floor of the observatory deck, offering enchanting views of the starry sky. Our resident Astronomer is available for private stargazing sessions, dinners, picnics and cruises.
Medhufaru island, the largest island at Soneva Jani, was home to a farm for 10 years before Soneva Jani was conceptualised. The extensive gardens on the isle still supply the fruits, vegetables and herbs to the resort’s kitchens.
A playground for the imagination where children can dress up, play with Lego, and participate in activities around the island, including snorkelling, gardening, and much more.
Take a piece of paradise home to remember us by. The shop includes a range of beautiful clothing, jewellery, handicrafts, books, homeware and gifts that reflect our beautiful island.
The library is located on the top deck of The Gathering and offers an inspiring and informative selection of literature on the Maldives and its magnificent underwater world. Browse the shelves and discover a different world amongst the pages. Get a preview of the amazing species you will discover on your next snorkelling or diving experience.
