Why A Stay At Soneva’s Resorts Is The Perfect Way To Relax, Recharge and Experience Adventure This Holiday Season
Here, Bazaar Arabia shares why Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri are our go-to destinations when celebrating the festive time of year, with each resort combining elements of warm hospitality, luxury, and style with memory-making moments suitable for the whole family
The best holidays are the ones spent abroad, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, where we properly connect with our nearest and dearest over shared experiences; after all the most cherished gifts are often the ones where memories are made with friends and family, the gifts that don’t involve elaborate décor and material items.
With the holiday season (and, of course, Christmas) right around the corner, there’s no better time to start planning out your next adventures abroad, retreating away to balmy days filled with sunshine and endless beaches of soft white sand, embracing rare experiences to reconnect with nature in the lead up to the new year.
Award-winning sustainable luxury resort collective Soneva is gearing up to unfurl a world-class holiday getaway like never before at three of its finest locations across the Maldives and Thailand: Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri.
At Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand, this year’s festive calendar is designed to delight guests of all ages, with the enchantment of this special time unfolding in the form of verdant adventures. Think Michelin-star dining by world-renowned chefs, hosted in the most breath-taking locations; New Year’s Eve galas complete with light shows and unforgettable entertainment; and expertly curated wellness plans, designed to put guests on the right path for success in 2022.
Here, Bazaar shares a taste of what to expect at the trio of resorts, each one boasting a different programme of events and activities, that are sure to make the holidays a memorable one.
Soneva Fushi, The Maldives: A Blissful Island Retreat Like No Other
Ziplining along a 200-metre trail through the lush jungle of a Maldivian private island, followed by an exceptional seasonal chef’s menu served on a treetop table with panoramic Indian ocean views, is just one of the rare experiences travellers can enjoy at Soneva Fushi to commemorate an unforgettable holiday season.
The inaugural Soneva resort, opened by founders Sonu and Eva Shivdasani in 1995, is gearing up to unfurl intimate chef dinners by Denmark’s Kamilla Seidler, the UK’s John Burton-Race and Germany’s Tim Raue, hosted at Once Upon A Table. For the holiday season guests can indulge in an extravagant gala dinner on Christmas Eve at Mihiree Mithaa, complete with live cooking stations and festive entertainment; opt for a decadent lunch with live music on Christmas Day; and ring in the new year with a Journey Around The World experience, celebrating the arrival of 2022 with mouth-watering cuisine and a dazzling lights show.
And for those guests looking to prioritise their health in the lead up to the new year, Soneva Fushi welcomes bio energy healer Yash Shekar, who will be on stay at the resort until December 25, wellness specialists Claude Simard and Jill Banwell who will be offering their signature healing therapies into the new year.
Soneva Jani, The Maldives: Over-Water Luxury At Its Finest
True holiday indulgence comes in the form of tapping into the over-water luxury lifestyle that Soneva Jani offers its guests. From endless dining options to experiencing the wonders of the universe at the resort’s over-water observatory – the only one within the Maldives – spending the festive season at this luxe Maldivian retreat, located in the tranquil Noonu Atoll, will certainly make for a truly memorable experience.
While guests will also be able to enjoy the culinary delights of chefs Kamilla Seidler, John Burton-Race and Tim Raue the delectable journey at Soneva Jani will be a little bit different when compared to Soneva Fushi offerings; hosted at the So Engaging chef’s table, the intimate setting offers panoramic views over the island’s private lagoon, allowing guests to feast their eyes on the stunning surroundings while tantalizing their taste buds with the unique dishes prepared by these world-renowned chefs.
And while Soneva Jani will host its own series of scrumptious dining options throughout the holidays (such as a delectable Christmas Eve dinner on North Beach and an indulgent Christmas Day brunch at The Gathering), it’s the lavish seven-course set menu at So Imaginative on December 25th that’s not to be missed.
But the most exciting excursion the resort has to offer? Guests will have the opportunity to take part in a free-diving course taught by Martina Amati, BAFTA-winning Italian film director, artist, and free diver who will send her students home with their very own short film of their aquatic adventures.
Known for its lavish round-the-clock butler service, Soneva Jani will also be hosting a mind, body, and soul energising sessions with leading therapist and wellness expert Roger Moore and his unique approach that combines science, medicine, Eastern wellness philosophies, psychotherapeutics and spirituality.
Soneva Kiri, Thailand: A Southeast Asian Hidden Gem
With travel restrictions for GCC nationals and residents easing, there’s no better time to visit Thailand and experience the wonders of Soneva Kiri, located on the picturesque island of Koh Kood.
Guests at the jungle-studded Soneva Kiri resort will be privy to a voyage of discovering Thailand’s hidden treasures of the island coastline, with the option to take part in blind tastings and a lavish seafood pop-up dinner, hosted on the Lunar Deck and tailored for those ready to play castaway in fine style, ushering in a new year of endless possibilities.
Christmas Day lunch will be a grand affair, hosted at the Dining Room; guests can also opt to set sail with the Seven Days, Seven Beaches voyage, experiencing the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of some of Thailand’s best beaches.
Ringing in the New Year will never be more exciting as Soneva Kiri’s Around the World New Year’s Eve Journey brings guests on a culinary voyage of discovery across the world’s continents, complete with exciting entertainment acts and music until the early hours from the resident DJ.
For more information about Soneva Resorts, visit www.soneva.com