Soneva Jani hotel review - Medhufaru, Maldives

To say the Maldives are awash with luxury resorts is an understatement. Yet this  has not deterred hospitality group Soneva from adding to the mix with its newest opening on the island of Medhufaru.

Arranged around a meandering walkway connected to the island are 24 water villas, with a private lagoon and views of the Indian Ocean serving as a dramatic backdrop to what is actually a low-density resort. The kicker is in the small pockets of luxury, scattered throughout. Whether it’s private pools in each villa, push-button retractable roofs in bedrooms that allow guests to star gaze, or overwater basket swing seats, this is a stylish retreat where guests needn’t look too far to entertain themselves.

Inside the villas, designed by Soneva co-founder Eva Shivdasani, the presence of battered trunks (which conceal televisions) and white palette punctuated by shades of green and purple firmly distinguish Soneva Jani from the honeymoon chic aesthetic of its peers, while sustainable pine and teak lining both interiors and exteriors is true to brand’s commitment to keeping the hotel’s environmental impact as low as possible.

On-site distractions, including a spa, a silent over-water cinema (with Bluetooth audio, so as not to disturb nesting wildlife) and cheese and charcuterie rooms are as sophisticated as they come, but if it’s all sounding a little too grown up, guests are encouraged to make the ultimate splash with the water slides that shoot out from the villas into surrounding waters.