Barefoot luxury hotel group Soneva has upgraded its secluded Maldivian island retreat, Soneva Jani.

Developed by Eva and Sonu Shivdasani, Soneva’s philosophy is SLOW LIFE – sustainable, local, organic, wellness, learning, inspiring, fun experiences.

The Shivdasanis also developed the Six Senses Resorts and Spas brand, which was sold to private equity group Pegasus in 2012 and then subsequently signed over to IHG Hotels & Resorts in 2019 for US$300m.

The award-winning Soneva Jani resort has been expanded with Soneva Jani Chapter Two, including 27 luxe overwater villas and three new dining experiences.

The update will eventually be completed in Q2 2021 with a 1,742sq m wellness centre on Soneva Jani’s picturesque South Beach.

This new facility will join an existing 471sq m Soneva Spa and set the standard in holistic wellness by combining ancient Ayurvedic techniques with cutting-edge therapies.

“As we continue to celebrate Soneva’s 25th anniversary into the middle of 2021, Chapter Two marks the start of an exciting new era for Soneva Jani,” said Sonu Shivdasani.

“At this milestone moment in our story, we’ll continue to set the standard for sustainable luxury with even more choices of exquisite accommodation, remarkable gastronomy and rare, unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

The Wellness Centre will include a dedicated Ayurvedic Clinic as well as an indoor consultation room for visiting specialists, two extra indoor therapy rooms and three open-air treatment spaces.

Guests will have access to a cross-functional fitness area, open-air yoga pavilion including facilities for aerial yoga, and a retail space selling sustainable apparel and wellness products.

The team is also in the process of updating the spa menu ahead of the wellness centre’s opening.

This refresh will introduce new treatments and product houses, alongside Soneva Jani’s existing partnership with Australian botanical spa brand, Sodashi.

As part of the update, the luxury brand has also unveiled the exclusive Soneva Unlimited package.

This allows all guests staying in the 27 new villas unlimited spa treatments, fine dining and drinks and experiences – all included in the price of the villa.

Each accommodation features vast outdoor spaces, with a private pool, extensive decks and terraces, and many with waterslides into the ocean.

All new villas have been designed to maximise a sense of seclusion, luxury and privacy, with elegant, laid-back interiors evoking the calming ocean setting, complete with large glass portholes straight into the clear waters below.

The 51-key resort’s accommodation offering is now split into Chapter Two and Chapter One – featuring Soneva Jani’s existing 24 Water Retreats.