Soneva Secret To Open In January 2024

The operators of Soneva Fushi in Baa Atoll and Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll has announced opening of their newest property in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

Named as Soneva Secret the resort would be opened in January 2024 on the island of Dhipparufushi. The Tourism Ministry leased the island in 2018 for a period of 50 years for resort development. The island is 8.2 hectares in land size. The resort is set to welcome its first guest on 10 January 2024.

Soneva Secret is located amid a large lagoon near Makunudhoo Island in remote parts of Haa Dhaalu Atoll. Earlier this year the government announced new domestic airport development at Makunudhoo. Once in operation, it can easily transfer guests to Soneva Secret.

Makunudhoo is geographically known to be situated in its own atoll which is highly rich in biodiversity. The outer reef which is 30 miles long has plenty of space as a natural habitat for marine life.

The development of the ultra-luxury Soneva Secret is estimated to cost $40 million for the development, island acquisition cost remains undisclosed. The villas and residences will offer private experiences at the remote location. An estimated cost of $3 million or more will be spent for each residence. Nature-inspired luxury villas are likely to portray wooden textures and natural materials as they do in other Soneva properties.

Sonu Shivdasani, the co-founder of Soneva group, provided a glimpse of his secret paradise over a webinar with WGSN in which he said that each villa would have its own private butler and chef de partie. This indicates the villas will come with cooking facilities in each.

Soneva Group currently owns and operates 2 resorts in Maldives including Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll and Soneva Fushi in Baa Atoll. The latter was the first resort they opened in Maldives, it was actually the company's first business which they opened in 1995. Its founder, Sonu Shivdasani, is regarded in the tourism industry as the pioneer of ultra-luxury tourism in the Maldives.