As Soneva Fushi is awarded the title of the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel for a second year, 50 Best dives into what keeps this paradisial Maldivian plot at the top, and what’s next for the island resort
To journey to Soneva Fushi is to witness a scene that could slacken even the most set of jaws. You’re gazing out over the Maldives' isle-daubed atolls from the window of a seaplane. There’s a fleck of a fishing boat fading out of vision as the sea undulates to a twinkling sapphire, azure, then turquoise before finally revealing a flash of electric blue as deep water yields to reef.
It’s a vignette that ebbs and flows like the tide on the 40-minute flight from Malé’s international airport to Soneva Fushi, poised languidly in the northerly Baa Atoll. To see it with your own eyes doesn’t make it feel any more real; even repeat visitors recount a sense of first-time wonder at such an ethereal scene.
Soneva Fushi opened in 1995 with a pioneering 'No Shoes. No News' mantra
This is something founder Sonu Shivdasani – winner of the SevenRooms Icon Award 2023 as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels – was aware of before launching the inaugural Soneva property with wife Eva Malmström in 1995. And that feeling of awe continues the moment you step that first bare foot onto the island’s powdery sands.
Its opening marked the Maldives’ first luxury resort and, with its now-iconic ‘No Shoes. No News’ mantra, Soneva Fushi has set the benchmark for luxury travel for nearly three decades. In September, it was presented with the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel accolade for a second year.
A vanguard of barefoot luxury, the hotel’s ethos is as much about offering guests deeply personal experiences and championing new-wave sustainability methods as it is crafting a stunning environment and showcasing seemingly effortless, affable service.
The Soneva Fushi team collected its trophy on stage in London
On receiving the trophy, Shivdasani says: “This reflects the dedication and passion of our entire team, who work tirelessly to create extraordinary experiences for our guests.
“For me, it reinforces the power of mindful hospitality — where we combine sustainability, luxury, and a deep connection to nature… Luxury is not just about indulgence, but about nurturing a sense of connection – to ourselves, our environment and the communities around us.”
The Soneva greenprint
At the start, Shivdasani and Malmström laid out a greenprint for sustainability that remains the resort's foundation today. Elements of the original buildings were salvaged, shipping containers from Europe were recycled as on-island storage, and every tree felled to carve out the property was upcycled as part of the build.
There are 63 villas around the island, with many suspended directly over the water
Post-launch, plastic straws were banished as early as 1998, and in 2006 the hotel started filtering its own water rather than importing bottles. It also became one of the first mosquito-free Maldivian islands, showcasing sustainable, insecticide-free control methods.
From the hotel’s floating ‘airport’, it’s hard to make out where the 63 monolithic villas – complete with the most outrageous outdoor bathrooms – might be hiding among the verdant frondescence of palms and banyans that reveals itself. An abundance of natural wood and stone defines the two-storey spaces, which come with pools, outdoor seating areas and an upstairs open-air lounge.
Good times and good deeds
For all the seriousness of Soneva’s sentiment, a key thing to know is that it’s as much about good times as it is good deeds. There are the famous slides that snake around overwater villa pools; the zipline that whizzes guests to a treetop dining spot; retractable roofs pitched over beds for stargazing and overnight beach camping.
The omakase experience at So Hands On by Akira is one of the hotel's dining highlights
Its culinary appeal should not be under-estimated, with a host of flagship restaurants that run the gamut from low-key local fare to epic breakfast buffets that sprawl hawker-style stations across the beach and high-flying chef-led kitchens. It's all backed by an incredibly rich organic garden. Standouts include gourmet Flying Saucers, incredible omakase at So Hands On by Akira and the ever-vibrant Fresh in the Garden.
Soneva’s uniqueness lies in its sense of authenticity. It makes you feel immediately at home and most of your needs are met even before you realised you might require something – think lemongrass-scented pillow spray or buckwheat pillows to help balm post-flight aches.
“Our commitment to personalisation elevates the experience,” explains Shivdasani. “From the moment our guests arrive, barefoot guardians are on hand to ensure every stay feels bespoke. Culinary innovation is also a cornerstone of Soneva Fushi, with immersive experiences ensuring each meal becomes an adventure that respects both the environment and the palate.”
Sustainability is a core focus of the hotel, with organic gardens located on the island
Not one to rest on its laurels, Soneva is constantly evolving: “Innovation is at the heart of Soneva’s ethos. Our Soneva Stars programme brings in world-renowned leaders, culinary celebrities and experts, ensuring there’s always something new and inspiring,” adds Shivdasani.
“Our commitment to sustainability has grown stronger, as we pursue ambitious goals that not only minimise our environmental footprint but actively contribute to the regeneration of our ecosystems,” he says. This includes a coral restoration project that’s rescued 33,000-plus coral colonies alongside planting new ones.
The Soneva Soul programme has also advanced with new wellness offerings including the introduction of stem cell treatment – of which they are the only certified provider in the Indian Ocean. Last year also saw the Maker’s Place studio, which transforms waste into art, became fully carbon-neutral.
What’s next for the beachside idyll?
“We’re poised for an exciting year, culminating in the celebration of our 30th anniversary in 2025,” enthuses Shivdasani.
As Soneva Fushi approaches its 30th anniversary, it aims to continue innovating
"We aim to host the third Soul Festival in autumn with new, pioneering speakers and world-class wellness specialists. Additionally, we’ll be welcoming an even more diverse array of global talent for workshops, residencies and unique guest experiences.”
Soneva Fushi doesn’t only set the standard for Maldivian luxury, it raises the stakes for hoteliers across the globe in terms of its vibrant offerings, castaway-luxe accommodation, world-class service and superlative sustainability credentials.
So, whether you're part of the global jetset, a sun junkie, an epicurean or a spa goddess, you can rest easy in the knowledge that when it comes to the world’s finest beach hotel, it was a case of no shoes, no news and a no brainer for the winner of the 2024 title.
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