Soneva will open a new US$40 million (£32.1 million, €37.4 million) resort in the Maldives’ secluded Haa Dhaalu atoll on 10 January 2024.

The intimate 14-key resort will be the flagship Soneva Secret property – an all-new concept for the barefoot luxury hotel and wellness brand.

Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder, shared: “Thirty years in the making, the Soneva Secret resort concept brings together our legacy of exceptional hospitality with a new standard in intuitive, personalised service.

“The debut location will be an exceptionally private resort featuring only 14 beach and overwater villas, including several accessible only by boat and the Maldives' first floating villa that can be moved to any location based on guest preferences.

“We look forward to welcoming guests to the ultra-bespoke Soneva Secret where every stay will be perfectly personalised, from dining journeys designed by private chefs to one-of-a-kind, rare experiences surrounded by nature.”

Speaking earlier this year, Shivdasani said each villa cost more than US$3 million (£2.4 million, €2.8 million) to build. Visitors will be able to choose from six different types of accommodation – each of which will be serviced by three staff; a chef, a guardian and an assistant.

Villas will also be fitted with private gyms and spa treatment rooms.

Soneva says the wellness offering at Soneva Secret will be steered by the brand’s signature Soneva Soul wellness philosophy – launched in 2022.

Wellness programming will include spa treatments, group or one-to-one yoga sessions and a roster of visiting wellness practitioners and healers from around the globe.

Learn more about Soneva Soul from Spa Business' exclusive interview with Sonu Shivdasani.

Additional experiences will include swimming with turtles and manta rays, yachting expeditions, visits to the overwater observatory and kids’ activities.

The resort will be anchored by a two-storey clubhouse, featuring a restaurant, lounge, library, games room and boutique.

Future growth plans

Earlier this year, Shivdasani revealed there are future aspirations to open a fourth Soneva Maldives property and debut in Japan with a destination in Okinawa. However, these plans have not yet received the green light.

At the time of writing, Soneva's portfolio includes three Maldives outposts – Soneva Fushi, Soneva in Aqua (the company’s chartered yacht) and Soneva Jani – as well as Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, Thailand.

More about SonevaDeveloped by husband and wife duo Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, Soneva’s philosophy is SLOW LIFE – sustainable, local, organic, wellness, learning, inspiring and fun experiences.

In addition to Soneva, the Shivdasanis 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$300 million (£241 million, €280.3 million).