Soneva Fushi Resort

We visited Soneva Fushi in October and it was an amazing stay: a barefoot resort surrounded by lush natural jungle, turquoise water and the warmest, most welcoming team. Our villa was beautiful, spacious and perfectly private with direct access to the beach. Everything felt thoughtfully designed, blending natural materials with calm luxury. The dining experiences were definitely unique - wether it was lunch by the ocean, dinner at Fresh in the Garden surrounded by greenery and an absolutely beautiful setting or a private dining experience at Flying Sauces. The island feels like a hidden world of its own. It is natural, peaceful and blends beautifully into its environment. You can really feel that everything is designed with purpose, comfort and a care for details.

Nothing equals this experience!! Have been to five continents and to over 50 countries and have never been this happy! Well done guys. With a special thanks to Kelly & Choco (you are a treasure ❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️)

We had an absolutely amazing experience at soneva Fushi. This island is like no other. For us it was the perfect size. Not too big but you could still bike around. We had the most amazing villa with the perfect view to the sea. It was all super clean and well put together. The atmosphere of the villa and the location was super cozy and the staff were exceptionally good at making sure of that:They had added happy birthday messages in the sand and our beds when it was our birthdays. The food was also out of this world - we had some amazing dining experiences and the lunch and breakfast was excellent with all the different things you could think of. I want to give a special thanks to Miqdad our barefoot guardian who helped make sure we had the best possible experience. He made everything super easy for us and was there when we need him. I have nothing bad to say about it and we hope to come back!!!

Unforgettable Stay Thanks to Your Amazing Staff! I just had to write a review to praise the incredible service at your hotel. Every single person we met went out of their way to make our stay perfect. The level of hospitality was through the roof! We were particularly impressed by how everyone remembered our names and little preferences. The team at the breakfast restaurant was so cheerful and attentive, and the bell staff were always ready to help with a smile. It’s clear that you have a wonderful culture of service. Thank you for making our trip so special and relaxing. We will definitely be back! Our stay was fantastic, largely due to the exceptional service from your entire team. The staff was attentive, friendly, and always went the extra mile. The attention to detail did not go unnoticed. A truly first-class experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!

I’ve been fortunate to stay at some of the world’s finest resorts globally and also in the Maldives – The Ritz, Four Seasons, One&Only, Como, Jumeirah, Six Senses – and rarely write reviews. I also hesitated with this given all the positive review but the readers should discern with all the info. Last year was a milestone birthday for us and we booked Soneva Fushi with great anticipation. This was a true “bucket list” stay. I’ve admired Sonu Shivdasani’s vision for years - since our first stay at Six Senses and expected something extraordinary. We arrived late last year 2024. The transfer flight from Malé was flawless and filled us with excitement. Unfortunately, the moment we stepped onto the island, the experience unraveled. Arrival & Welcome The welcome was among the worst we’ve ever experienced in the Maldives. The GM began greeting us, then abruptly walked away to take a phone call - which I over heard him telling off some poor staff member. Throughout our stay, his attitude was dismissive and distracted – more interested in his own dinner table than his guests. For a flagship property, this was shocking. Atmosphere & Grounds The island had a distinctly low-energy feel. “Rustic” here often crossed into “run-down.” The grounds were poorly maintained, some areas with odd smells, and the overall ambience felt tired rather than intentional. Villa We were placed in one of the new overwater villas – an enormous 4,500 sq ft space with a huge pool and slide - yes I know the pictures are wow. Impressive on paper, disappointing in reality. The pool had visible algae, furniture was worn, and the design felt more gimmicky than refined (sliding roof, awkwardly planned wardrobes, broken fittings). Even the basics – clean bedding and proper pillows – were lacking. Dining Our first dinner was one of the poorest we’ve had at any luxury property. A basic barbecue with below-average food quality, inconsistent drink service (the same cocktail arriving in different glasses), and a farmyard feel with chickens and rabbits running around the dining area. It felt chaotic, not curated. Service & Management To their credit, when we raised concerns, a couple of managers (not the GM) tried to help. But the issues were too fundamental – cleanliness, upkeep, energy of the island. None of it reflected the standard expected at this level and at the price they charge. Departure After One Night We had booked several nights but chose to leave after just one. My daughter even asked if we could go home – that’s how poor the atmosphere felt. Thankfully, our agent helped us transfer to Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, where we spent the rest of our stay and immediately felt the difference. The Four Seasons team was warm, genuine, and attentive. Not more “luxurious,” just simply better in every way that matters our trip was saved and was memorable. Final Thoughts I cannot understand how Soneva Fushi continues to win “best resort” accolades. Perhaps on reputation, but certainly not on delivery. For us, it was a profound disappointment – the lowest point in years of travelling the world’s top resorts. To the founder, if you ever read this: your legacy deserves better. The GM and management team urgently need to be rethought, the property needs investment and care, and most importantly, the guest experience must return to the heart of this resort. Until then, I would strongly caution anyone placing this on their bucket list – it is not what it’s made out to be.