Soneva Jani Chapter Two –  Luxury without limits in the Maldives

A new era has just dawned in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. Surrounded by the sparkling, turquoise waters of a private lagoon, award-winning resort Soneva Jani has launched the much-anticipated Chapter Two, setting an exceptional new standard in castaway luxury. 

Renowned for its iconic overwater villas, sustainable ethos, rare guest experiences and one-of-a-kind dining destinations, Chapter Two at Soneva Jani features new luxurious Water Reserves, innovative dining concepts, a new Soneva Wellness Centre, and Soneva Unlimited, an indulgent new way to experience everything the resort has to offer.

Overwater luxury

For the ultimate in privacy, the 27 Chapter Two Water Reserves have been positioned to maximise your sense of seclusion, while making the most of those unforgettable ocean views towards the sunrise or sunset. Among the largest and most luxurious over-water villas in the world, they range from the spacious 555 sqm One Bedroom Water Reserve, to the magnificent 1,421 sqm Four Bedroom Water Reserve with Slide. Sweeping terraces, suspended above the calm waters of the lagoon, make the most of the year-round Maldives’ sunshine – take a refreshing dip in the freshwater infinity pool, lounge on a comfortable catamaran net, cool off under a shaded sala, or plunge into the lagoon from your own waterslide. 

The chic, light-filled living interiors evoke the glorious ocean setting, with sun-bleached driftwood accents, crisp linens and playful portholes peering straight into the lagoon. Whether you’re there for a romantic retreat or a relaxing getaway with family or friends, each Water Reserve has been designed with rooms that can be closed off and children’s sleeping areas next to the master bedroom, giving you extra peace of mind while staying overwater. Every morning, you’ll wake up to post-card perfect vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows. At the end of the day, sink into the kingsize bed in the vast master suite, where the roof silently retracts at the touch of a button, and fall asleep under starlit skies. 

Every Soneva villa comes with a dedicated Barefoot Butler, available 24/7 to meet your every need and ensure your stay is truly exceptional. Every last detail is personalised to you – from the sizeable pillow menu and your favourite music and movies on the Bose entertainment system, to the well-stocked minibar and pantry that can customised to your exact requirements before you arrive. There’s also complimentary personal bicycles and tricycles on hand for you to explore the resort’s winding paths and boardwalks. 

Delightful dining

Soneva Jani is already home to a selection of acclaimed dining destinations – including Down to Earth, the So Engaging Chef’s table, the So Starstruck overwater observatory, and Crab Shack, which was named the ‘world’s most romantic restaurant’ by CNN Travel. Chapter Two introduces three innovative new dining concepts to the resort, offering unforgettable gastronomy for every appetite.

With a name inspired by its stunning setting on the lagoon, Overseas is the brainchild of the celebrated Swedish chef and restaurateur, Mathias Dahlgren. Serving lunch and dinner while the sounds of the waves gently lap against the boardwalk, the menu of sharing plates, mains and daily specials celebrate the catch of the day and produce freshly picked from the resort’s own organic kitchen gardens. 

Soneva partnered with raw food guru Diana Von Cranach for So Wild, which is set within Soneva Jani’s lush, picturesque gardens. The plant-based, mostly raw menu takes its cue from the Indonesian Spice Islands and South East Asia, with 90 percent of the ingredients grown at the resort. 

A crackling firepit provides the focal point at the heart of the beachside So Primitive. Gather around while succulent meats, freshly-caught seafood and plant-based dishes are grilled, seared and roasted to perfection over white hot, sizzling coals. 

If you want to indulge, visit the So Guilty chocolate room, where each day, the skilled patisserie chefs handcraft a mouth-watering selection of organic chocolates, truffles, macarons and sweet treats. Or try So Cool for a delicious array of ice cream and sorbets, and the finest gourmet charcuterie and cheese. With an endless supply to tempt your tastebuds, both are complimentary for all Soneva Chapter One and Chapter Two guests. 

Soneva Jani’s In-Villa Dining service brings the best of its signature dining experiences to the comfort of your own villa – where you can start the day with a floating Champagne breakfast in your private pool, enjoy a laid-back lunch on the terrace or a sumptuous family feast in the rays of the setting sun. The culinary team will also help you plan your perfect meal in a dream location through Destination Dining, whether picnics on a private island or a candlelit dinner with a secret menu by a secret chef in an ever-changing location. 

Unlimited indulgence

To mark the launch of Chapter Two, Soneva Jani has created a lavish, one-of-a-kind package for all guests staying in a new Water Reserve or Island Reserve. Soneva Unlimited enables you to fully indulge in everything the resort has to offer, included in the price of your villa. Enjoy unlimited fine dining, which includes In-Villa Dining and exclusive dinners hosted by visiting Michelin-starred chefs, as well as limitless beverages, including wines, spirits, Champagnes, juices and infusions. Relax and revitalise with unlimited spa treatments, massages and wellness therapies, yoga and fitness sessions. And expand your horizons with limitless signature experiences, including diving and surfing. 

Wellbeing is a vital part of Soneva’s SLOWLIFE philosophy, and in April 2021 Soneva Jani will launch the new Soneva Wellness Centre. This dedicated facility will complement the existing Soneva Spa, and will feature a Ayurvedic centre, cross-functional fitness suite, treatment rooms for resident and visiting practitioners, and an open-air yoga pavilion. 

A star-studded calendar

Whatever time of year, it’s always the perfect time to visit Soneva Jani or its sister resorts, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll, and Soneva Kiri on Thailand’s idyllic island of Koh Kood. Throughout the year, the Soneva Stars programme hosts an inspiring, thought-provoking calendar of exceptional activities and world-renowned visiting experts. Now in its second successful year, Soneva Stars focuses on five key periods, including the Easter holidays, August summer holidays, February and October half-terms and the festive break. The carefully curated programme welcomes an eclectic selection of well-known names, thought-leaders and eminent experts from a wide spectrum of disciplines and interests, which includes legendary sports men and women, leading wellness practitioners and motivational speakers, as well as Michelin-starred chefs, daring adventurers, best-selling authors, educators and acclaimed artists. This exceptional line up guarantees that you will always encounter unforgettable, bespoke experiences during your stay, whether intimate dinners at the chef’s table, fascinating talks and seminars, book signings or specialist one-on-one coaching sessions. 

Sporting heroes

A regular fixture on the annual Soneva Stars calendar, former French international and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre hosts a highly popular Football Camp at Soneva Fushi during the Easter, October and festive holidays. Open to children aged five to 15, young football fans take part in two hours’ training each day, focusing on technical and physical skills, as well as the psychology of the beautiful game, including confidence building, decision making and being part of a team.

On Soneva Fushi’s beautiful island courts, legendary tennis star turned pro coach Jonas Bjorkman hosts exclusive tennis camps and one-on-one coaching sessions for guests of all ages and abilities throughout the year. In 2021, the former world number 1 doubles and number 4 singles champion will be back at the resort during the Easter, August and festive holidays. Previous Soneva Stars from the world of sport and fitness have included champion freedivers Umberto Pelizzari and Ken Kiriyama, rugby legends Jason Robinson and Austin Healey, and Olympic goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc.

Wellbeing and healing

With an emphasis on holistic wellness and innovative, complementary therapies, Soneva’s visiting wellness practitioners focus on your mind, body and soul. Hosting private clinics and workshops during their residencies at the resorts, they have included: renowned sleep expert and wellness therapist Roger Moore, voted one of Tatler’s ‘Top Therapists Worth Travelling For’; highly respected Ayurvedic expert, Dr GN Lakshman; and yoga master Pawan Kumar. This year, visiting wellness experts include Hortensia Corredoira, an osteopath and experienced physiotherapist who has worked with the United Nations and Olympics Sports Federation, and acclaimed Tai Chi teacher Tathata Kobayashi. 

Michelin-starred cuisine

Soneva’s resorts have a well-deserved reputation as the ultimate gourmet getaway, and its kitchens regularly host some of the world’s most decorated chefs alongside its own talented culinary teams. With just a handful of places, the chef’s tables at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri offer you an exclusive, front row seat to the action, where Michelin-starred chefs craft a feast of exquisite flavours. This year, celebrated chefs gracing the Soneva Stars calendar include: Tom Aikens, one of Britain’s best-known culinary talents; the two-Michelin-starred Italian chef, Alberto Faccani; Thailand’s Duangporn Songvisava and Dylan Jones; and Mark Lundegaard from Copenhagen’s famed Kong Hans Kælder Restaurant.

Education with a difference

Self-enrichment and learning underline the quintessential Soneva experience, and guests of all ages are encouraged to reconnect with the world around them and reignite their curiosity. Every holiday, Soneva Stars partners with London-based mentoring firm Oppidan Education, whose experts lead a fun-packed activity programme of complimentary drop-in workshops for children and teens, as well as targeted one-on-one tutoring and mentoring sessions to support a range of curricula. New for 2021, Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi have also launched Soneva Academy, a certified education programme for children aged 12 and up, with modules on marine biology, astronomy, maritime navigation and the study of mosquitoes. With young learners able to combine their studies with staying at the resort, Soneva can provide the necessary documentation to support travel to the Maldives. 

With its pristine beaches fringed with swaying palms, magnificent, home-away-from-home villas and unique experiences, a stay at Soneva Jani inspires a lifetime of happy memories. Only a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport, which has private jet facilities and is served by a number of international carriers, it can also be reached from Soneva Fushi by a 60-minute speedboat ride or a half-day scenic cruise on the luxurious Soneva in Aqua yacht. 

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