Soneva Jani

Soneva Jani sits inside a lagoon of five islands in Noonu Atoll, reached by seaplane from Malé. The whole lagoon belongs to the property, and most of the accommodation stands over the water within it rather than along a beach. The lagoon is large and shallow, which is what allows the villas to be spread across it at distance from one another.

Sixty villas, many with retractable roofs that open over the bed, hold the property. A waterslide runs from the upper deck of some villas into the lagoon, and the island carries an observatory, an outdoor cinema over water and the Soneva environmental practice — waste processing, its own water, a mandatory carbon levy on every stay. It is the overwater counterpart to Soneva Fushi's beach and jungle.

A roof that opens over the bed. Copied since, but Jani built it first and built it into the structure rather than as a hatch. Sleeping under the sky without a tent is the property's single strongest idea.

A lagoon rather than an island. The property's geography is water. Villas are reached by boat or by long jetties, and the sense of space comes from the lagoon's size, not the land's.

Sources

• soneva.com — Soneva Jani, Noonu Atoll, sixty villas, retractable roofs
• Villa count, lagoon island count and carbon levy terms unverified. Confirm before publication.

Booking

Private Island Resorts arranges each stay on request, quoting the rates available for the island and dates. No benefit should be assumed unless it is confirmed in writing for the individual reservation.