Adding yet another facet to the original barefoot luxury resort, Soneva Fushi’s new water retreats are soon to be ready to welcome guests. Guests can expect innovative designs and some new changes to the iconic Water Retreat designs that can be found at Soneva Jani.

Reached by a gently curving jetty near Dolphin Beach, at the opposite end of the island to the Out of the Blue dining destination, the eight Water Retreats have been designed to ensure the utmost privacy for guests, as well as to make the most of the picture-perfect ocean vistas.

The one-bedroom water retreats (584 sqm/6,286 sqft) and two-bedroom water retreats (857 sqm/9,224 sqft) are the largest one- and two-bedroom overwater villas in the world. The spacious interiors and exterior living spaces give guests more to love, as well as making them perfect for families. As each of the rooms in the water retreats can be sealed off, the doors out onto the deck can be locked, and the children’s room is located at the back of the master bedroom, they are child-friendly and suitable for young Soneva guests of all ages. All the water retreats have water slides and will open their doors to guests on 25 September.

“We are very proud to announce this exciting new phase for Soneva Fushi,” said Sonu Shivdasani, Soneva’s CEO and founder. “When we first launched Soneva Fushi in 1995, we redefined tourism in the Maldives with our unique vision that pioneered the concept of sustainable luxury. After 25 years at the forefront of the global luxury tourism sector and as a bucket-list destination in the Maldives, we are always striving to evolve with our guests’ ever-changing needs. While we will always remain true to the much-loved spirit and laid-back ethos of Soneva Fushi, the new villas will elevate our offering. Having overwater villas gives our guests the luxury of choice, to stay amongst the deep greens of the jungle with the beach just steps away or wake up to panoramic views of the ocean.”

Noticeably different from Soneva Jani’s iconic water retreats, these new overwater villas at Soneva Fushi are not whitewashed, so the browns of the natural and sustainable wood panels are visible through the interior finishing. Furthermore, the two-bedroom retreats have both bedrooms on the ground floor, while the pool has been moved to the front of the pool deck, where it is now suspended over the ocean. The pool deck has been extended for more space for sun loungers and daybeds, with extra overhangs that create more shade. Catamaran nets let guests sit above the waves, while curved steps lead from the pool deck to the water below.

When it comes to the interior, the colour palette consists of light blues, greens, and soft beiges, bringing to mind the colours of the ocean around Soneva Fushi and the verdant island jungle. The décor is true to the rustic castaway style that Soneva Fushi is known for, similar to the resort’s newer villas.