SOAK IN THE TRANQUIL MAGIC OF THE MALDIVES AT SONEVA SECRET, A JUST-OPENED OVERWATER WONDER 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING
BY ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE
Surrounded by the untamed beauty of the Maldives lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered: Soneva Secret. Tucked away on a blissfully secluded beachfront in Haa Dhaalu, a lush private enclave marked by sandy shores and lappy waves, this exclusive resort offers discerning travelers a true taste of barefoot luxury.
Officially open to guests as of this March, Soneva Secret features 14 palatial overwater villas, including Lagoon Crusoe Villas, only accessible via boat, and the Castaway, the Maldives’ first floating villa. Each private island hideaway presents a 172 INDUSTRYMAG.com | MARCH/APRIL 2024 postcard of breath-stealing panoramic views of the turquoise lagoon dancing with the blue and pink sky. Interiors are meticulously furnished to evoke a sense of serenity. Some villas include a sliding roof to reveal star-studded night skies, while most offer direct access to the sun splashed lagoon.
Dining at Soneva is a culinary treat. Each villa is assigned its own dedicated world-renowned chef to curate gastronomical delights for guests to enjoy in the Soneva Secret soneva.com privacy of their own room or under the stars on the beach. For guests in the mood to mingle and rub elbows, the resort’s island hub, the Living Room, is an expansive lounge with access to a library, boutique, ice cream spot, and charcuterie rooms (yes, you read that last one right).
Soneva’s calling card has long been to help its guests connect with nature. A menu of enriching activities is on deck, from swimming with manta rays and sunset dolphin cruises to guided snorkeling expeditions with expert marine biologists, coral planting, and stargazing with the resort’s resident astronomer.
Soneva Secret