If you tuned it to the last update, you would’ve been turned positively green with envy at the sheer rindonkulousness and amazingness of one of the most incredible villas EVER!
So, prepare for things to continue in much of the same vein as I take you on a virtual tour of one of the most inspired new resorts in the world…
Soneva Jani.
After a wonderful 60 minute speedboat ride from nearby sister resort Soneva Fushi, I was ready and raring for some more Soneva exploring!
All of the villas and other structures at Soneva Jani are interconnected, making it the largest overwater structure in all of the Maldives!
At the centre of this overwater behemoth is ‘The Gathering’, which is essentially the one stop shop of the resort. This is where you come to eat, drink, spa, shop and relax.
There is a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get started!
First up were a few self serve food bars like Soneva Fushi. Soneva Jani is still a very new resort and also has much less space available than Soneva Fushi, and as such, these bars were not quite as extensive as what we had experienced the previous few days, but still, the self serve chocolate area was still pretty amazing!
‘The Gathering’ is several stories high, and once on the highest level you can see the ceiling quite clearly. Seeing a ceiling might not sound very exciting, but how often do you see a ceiling made out of leaves?!
Stunning overwater hammocks are located at the lowest point of The Gathering, alongside direct access into the ocean below.
The sheer size of this structure is truly something to marvel at; this is no rustic little hideaway, this is overwater architecture on steroids.
The upper levels of The Gathering provide top notch views of the villas below, and even of the first ever overwater observatory!
Each guest is provided with a bicycle to use for the duration of their stay. Now, I am a fairly uncoordinated human, so I instead used a tricycle. I felt a bit embarrassed at first, but the trike came with a big basket on the back, which ended up being very handy for lugging around my camera equipment!
Though almost all of Soneva Jani is located above the ocean, a small portion is also based on a nearby island. True to Soneva fashion, pretty much all of this space is devoted to environmentally friendly processes, including recycling and the cultivation of plants.
Also on land is the dive centre…
…which is not located far from some absolutely gorgeous beaches.
Not far from these beaches is the entry point to one of the most incredible features of the entire resort – an overwater cinema!
After I was finished exploring the small amount of dry land, it was back to explore a few more overwater features of Soneva Jani.
All of Soneva Jani is pretty incredible, but I’ll be honest, what I was most excited about was the water slides.
Yes you read that correctly. The water slides!
As soon as the sun had started to go down and my already sunburnt skin was relatively safe from further damage, myself and my Maldives travel buddy Jo wasted no time in trying it out!
It.
Was.
AMAZING!
By this point we were already soaking wet, so we figured that we might as well stay in the water and head out to the ocean hammock.
Hot tip: do not attempt this at sunset! This is the time of high tide, and it gets pretty damn deep out there! We were able to get to it without issue, but the camera could only get this close before it got too deep to take him any further.
But Mister Olympus’ journey into the Maldivian ocean wasn’t completely in vain – on the way back to The Gathering he let me capture some pretty gorgeous shots!
Later that evening we were treated to a truly magical dinner!
A private three course meal on top of the overwater observatory, accompanied by the dedicated Soneva astronomer made for an absolutely wonderful evening! The food was unbelievable, learning about constellations was awesome and looking at other planets through this enormous telescope was absolutely unforgettable.
The next morning I made an effort to rise with the sun, get on my bike (or trike) and go exploring without anybody else around!
I spent the morning spotting baby black tip reef sharks…
…and even stingrays!
My time at Soneva Jani may have been short, but it was oh so sweet, and it was an experience that I will not be forgetting in a hurry.
I’d like to say a big thank you to Soneva for working with me two years running, and for the opportunity to experience two more absolutely magical resorts <3
THE LOWDOWN
Getting to Male: Flights arrive to Male from most major airport hubs – with most frequent flights arriving from Singapore and Colombo
Soneva Jani: Villas start at around $2950 USD/night – click here for more info
Threads: My green maxi dress and swimwear are all by Tigerlily Swimwear
Camera: Images captured with an Olympus OM-D E-M1 in conjunction with M.Zuiko 12-40mm f2/8 lens
Remember: Shade is scarce here, so pack oodles of sunscreen
I’m jealous! Such a beautiful place. ❤️🌴
Isn’t it just?! Stupidly beautiful I think 🙂
in all sense beautiful…..
Thank you <3
The artistry and craftsmanship of the structures is flabbergasting! Such precision in design to correlate with the environment – thank you for sharing your experience at this lovely locale!
It really is! Such truly innovative design. Thank you for reading 🙂
OH MY GOD is all I can say. Breathtakingly beautiful. To bad a wee bit out of my price range. I can see people on bicycles ending up in the water as they look at the views and do not pay attention. Your one lucky lady to travel like this.
Hahaha that was my concern! Apparently it hasn’t happened… yet!
Stunning! The observatory is a major plus. I would even try out the water slides!
Now if only my children would send me there as 60th birthday present. (I am getting a gathering at home with maybe two of them).
I think you should start dropping hints for the 61st? 😉
Oh you do take a joyous portrait – or selfie – Ellen. Your hair does seem to bulk up and look very frizzy after you’ve finished watersliding into the ocean.
Just one question: is that a chocolate lathe?!?
Yours would go frizzy too in such humidity haha! And yes, yes it is indeed!
This place looks out of this world! Definitely added to my bucket list!
It has to be one of the most incredible resorts in the world!
Some of the shots look like they should be rising out of the landscape to the Game of Thrones opening theme music. Spectacular.
Thank you Daddyo – maybe I should actually visit some of the GoT filming locations?
Missing the Maldives when i see this 🙂
You and me both haha!
Oh my gosh I want to go there now! Looks absolutely stunning!
Definitely worthy of adding to the bucket list 🙂
Wow wow wow wow! I could heart all your photos ten times over. I don’t normally like posts about sponsored luxury resort stays but your posts have been the exception, they’re just too stunning. Lucky lucky thing!
Thank you Misty! I must admit, as much as I am usually more of a budget backpacking girl – the entire Soneva brand is just so wonderful – I will never turn down working with them! Not only are the resorts exquisite, but the dedication to social change and sustainability is unmatched by any other company – it is an amazing brand.
Added to list. Glorious.
Awesome to hear 🙂
This place is so insane!!! How does it even exist!?!?! Wow you lucky girl!
I know right?! Just stupidly amazing to be honest haha
Your photos of this beautiful place “wherever it is” is absolutely breathtaking. Drewry is stopping by from the United States of America in the state of Delaware, originally from Flatbush Brooklyn in New York City, to give you a shout out and tell you to keep up the good work in your travel blogging. Honestly, I didn’t bother to read the blog, but viewed some of many of your beautiful photos. What island was this on by the way? And how much is a round trip ticket there? 🙂 🙂 🙂
If your blog is your side hustle, don’t quit blogging. Spreading love the Brooklyn way to you once again all the way to Australia. Keep blogging in Australia, as you’re inspiring people without knowing in the USA and abroad to take travel blogging seriously from a side hustle to a full time blogging business. You never know…someday you just might become a blogging millionaire if you’re not already aren’t. Blog, blog, and blog away! 🙂
drewrynewsnetwork.com/forum/business/entrepreneurial-upliftment/1863-sidehustle-now-s-the-time-to-start-hustling-in-entrepreneurship