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Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi
The Best of Both Worlds in The Maldives Soneva Fushi, the world's first Robinson Crusoe-style hideaway resort, which was voted World's Best Resort by readers of Conde Nast Traveller in 2000, is now complemented by an equally unique and luxurious new twin sister property, Soneva Gili. This means that visitors to the Maldives can now combine two very different holiday experiences by dividing their stay between the two Soneva resorts. Soneva Gili, which opens in October 2001, is The Maldives first
resort located entirely on water, in the beautiful turquoise blue
lagoon of Lankanfushi, one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives.
Apart from the crystal clear waters, for which the Maldives is
world renowned, the island and lagoon provide an abundance
of fish around the island, ideal for diving and snorkelling. It is If Soneva Fushi, which presents a sophisticated “luxuriously back to nature” resort experience on a large isolated island can be described as a Robin Crusoe–style hideaway, then Soneva Gili evokes visions of Kevin Costner's “Water World”. The resort is made up of rustic looking, but glamorously furnished individual water cottages built on stilts above the shallow waters of the lagoon. These are reached from the resort's public areas via large wooden walkways, except for the seven stand-alone Soneva Gili Crusoe Residences, which for the ultimate in privacy are accessible only by boat. The 44 villas and residences are spacious with wooden floors, so that like villas at Soneva Fushi they are both in harmony with their surroundings, yet still luxurious. The bathrooms have been designed with a separate shower access along an open-air walk-way, along its own private water garden. The roof snuck is a private oasis of luxury – some of the villas also have an open air Jacuzzi – and there is also a lower level snuck just above the water level. Soneva Gili sets the same standards of innovative cuisine that made Soneva Fushi famous. Open air dining at Soneva Gili is romantic, private and unique. A moonlit dinner on the sun deck of your villa, or on the floating deck moored on the sunset side of the island, breakfast in the living room of your residence, or lunch over the water in the al fresco restaurant – the settings are as memorable as the cuisine Soneva Gili shares the same philosophy as Soneva Fushi so there is naturally a tantalizing Six Senses Spa set over a turquoise blue lagoon, offering a menu of pampering and healing therapies. “Luxuriously back to nature” is the phrase that Six Senses founder Sonu Shivdasani coined to describe Soneva Fushi, which is located on the furthest atoll from the capital Male and so is reachable only after a thrilling 25-minute seaplane ride from Male International Airport. Unlike most five star resorts it does not present an ostentatiously luxurious experience, but rather an understated and more sophisticated style of luxury which allows guests to relax and be pampered without losing the natural reality of the destination. Each of the 65 private villas is designed so that only those who stay in it can actually see it. This means that every guest gets the experience almost of being a castaway on the island a “Robinson Crusoe” style experience, though with a whole army of discreetly attentive Fridays to ensure it is no kind of hardship. It also means that the trees and natural vegetation of the island
are kept in tact. So swimming pools, designer marble entrance
lobbies and motorized golf carts are banished in favour of a
more natural environment, and guests are encouraged to go
barefoot throughout the course of their stay, or ride bicycles
to get around the island, from their villa to the library, the re- So that the Robinson Crusoe experience is not spoilt by the state-
of-the-art amenities which the resort also offers, every care has
been taken to preserve the resort's harmony with the environ
ment: thus the hairdryer is hidden in the drawer of a coconut wood desk; the
minibus, safe and quadraphonic hi-fi are concealed behind rattan; and the TV and VCR are delivered in a Soneva Fushi also presents a wide variety of gourmet dining options in settings as memorable as the food itself, such as a seaside moonlit barbecue, a desert island picnic, a simple yet delicious lunch under a canopy of trees, or an intimate meal by lantern on a private beach. And many of the trappings of civilized living are still presented here, albeit in much more natural and rustic surroundings. For instance, breakfast begins with a sumptuous buffet spread
and a free flow of Soneva Fushi's own excellent sparkling wine.
Every Tuesday night, General Manager Charles Morris welcomes
guests to an exclusive cocktail party on the resort's sandbank, a
ten minute boat ride away. Champagne cocktails and canapés are
served as the day becomes evening and guests marvel at the
endless stretches of sea engulfing the tiny islands. Soneva Fushi
also has a fine wine cellar, with over 300 labels to choose from,
and tutored tasting are held by Chef Remon, who produces the
resort's superb cuisine, much of it made from produce grown
organically in Soneva Fushi's own vegetable garden. Six Senses is a Hotel and Resort Management and Development Company established in 1995 which owns the award winning Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives and manages hotels and resorts under the brand names Soneva, Evason and Pavilion. Soneva is a “beyond stars” boutique brand of luxury resorts whose “Intelligent Luxury” philosophy is to offer luxuries of the highest international standard but with a sensitivity and local feel in design, architecture and service. Evason is a five star boutique category where attention to detail is also a driving force and whose philosophy of being “Distinctly Different” results in very Innovative properties. The Pavilion brand consists of more traditional four star hotels and resorts but which none-theless have a unique selling point to differentiate them in the market. The Soneva Fushi Resort and Spa was recently voted Best
Resort and Best of the Best by readers of Conde Nast Traveller. Soneva Gili Resort & Spa P rice in US Dollar for accommodation only per unit
per night
Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa
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