Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani on the private Nakaatchafushi Island in Noonu Atoll stands as one of the most extraordinary hotel achievements of the past decade. Its 5.6-kilometre private lagoon — one of the largest in the Maldives — creates a setting of almost supernatural beauty, with water that transitions through every imaginable shade of blue and teal depending on the time of day and position of the sun. The resort's 57 villas are entirely overwater, ranging from one-bedroom retreats to five-bedroom family villas of extraordinary scale. Many villas feature retractable roofs that open to reveal the night sky — a feature that enables guests to fall asleep under the Milky Way. Private water slides from villa decks plunge directly into the lagoon below, a detail that has made Soneva Jani one of the most photographed resorts in the world. Soneva's sustainability programme is industry-leading: EarthCheck Platinum certified, carbon-neutral operations, glass-blowing studio that repurposes glass waste, on-island organic garden and chocolate laboratory. The spa complex — Soneva Soul — spans an entire island dedicated to wellness, with multiple pavilions for yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and specialist beauty treatments. World's 50 Best Hotels 2023 recipient and Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star.