Soneva Fushi

Soneva Fushi is where the concept of barefoot luxury was born. Opened in 1995 on a densely forested island in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it remains the most authentic expression of Maldivian luxury — no shoes required, no formality, no pretence. The 63 villas are among the largest in the Maldives, hidden in the jungle or perched above the lagoon, each with a private pool. The resort's sustainability programme — zero waste, solar power, coral restoration — is the most comprehensive in the Maldives. The open-air cinema, the chocolate room, and the observatory make it unlike any other resort in the world.