MALDIVES I


can’t count the number of times I’ve read about the Maldives being a magnet for honeymooners, couples and loved-up pairs seeking a child-free utopia. Yes, it’s one of the most romantic destinations in the


world. Yes, it’s a dreamy option for a honeymoon or special anniversary. And yes, lots of resorts probably do cater more to those old enough to have a credit card or driving licence. But times are changing, and more families are switching on Ìo Ìhi >««i>l ov Ìhi >l`iÛiÃ] ÜhiVh wÀmlÞ LiliiÛi ià oni of the most kid-friendly places on the planet. When I was researching my multi-stop trip around this vast archipelago, one brand was mentioned time and time again – Soneva. Home to the largest kids’ club in the Maldives, Soneva Jani jumped to the top of my list. Perfectly paired with sister resort Soneva Fushi, both hotels somehow manage to bring out the child in everyone – as I quickly discover.


Captivating experiences Þ wÀÃÌ inVoÕnÌiÀ ÜiÌh Ìhi -oniÛ> team comes at Malé airport, where, in the brand’s private seaplane lounge, my three-year-old son is treated to an impromptu child’s massage and multiple bowls of ice cream – all while staff fawn over him as he plays in the dedicated kids’ space. I know instantly that we are in for a treat. Towards the end of our 40-minute seaplane journey to


Jani’s arrival jetty on the fringes of the Noonu Atoll, I let out a little shriek of excitement as the sprawling property unfurls before us as we come in to land. Soneva Jani is like JM Barrie’s Neverland – a place


where your imagination is encouraged to run free, and you leave your cares and shoes behind. This fun, whimsical hotel is spread across a wavy boardwalk, home to 51 out-of-this-world overwater villas and stretching out almost four miles in length across two jetties. Varying in size from one to four bedrooms, all villas have private decks and pools and some – including mine – come with


> «ÀiÛ>Ìi Ü>ÌiÀÃli`i inÌo Ìhi l>}oon° 7iÌhin wÛi minÕÌià of being in our suite, and as I unpack, I hear screeches of laughter as my husband and son whizz down the twirling slide (although clients should be aware that use is determined by water depth during their stay). The supersized, stilted villas feature chic whitewashed wooden decor, with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a high-end Maldivian hotel, plus a few unexpected }imÃ] ÃÕVh >à }l>ÃÃ-LoÌÌomi` yooÀin} Ìh>Ì liÌà ÞoÕ Ã«Þ on the underwater world from your dining table – and even your toilet. A bedside button activates a retractable roof, allowing you to stargaze whenever you wish.


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Within five minutes of being in our suite I hear screeches of laughter as my husband and son whizz down the slide


The perfect pairing At Soneva Fushi – an hour’s speedboat journey away – the majority of the accommodation is on land. The property has 72 villas (with one more being built) and only eight are on stilts. The largest villa – number 11 – has nine bedrooms and is often booked for wedding parties or family gatherings. Fushi feels more rustic than Jani, with


more sandy, dusty pathways than pristine wooden boardwalks. Despite a different vibe,


both offer exemplary service, outstanding culinary venues, world-class kids’ clubs and impressive wellness options and sustainability credentials. Barefoot Guardians (the brand’s term for butlers) are on hand to whizz us around each island’s epic eateries by buggy, but we also make use of our bikes. At Soneva Jani’s Crab Shack we feast on the largest crustaceans I have ever seen, all while our legs motion back and forth on the swing chairs that hang from the ceiling. At Director’s Cut, a restaurant with an outdoor cinema, we enjoy what almost feels like a couple’s dinner as our son sits quietly and enjoys a screening of Frozen. There’s an assortment of dining options to be enjoyed, but a highlight at Jani is the weekly food market-style dinner experience on the beach. In total, Jani has 10 dining options and Fushi has 11.


OPPOSITE: FIRST ROW: Exterior and interior of a one-bedroom Water Retreat with Slide, Soneva Fushi SECOND ROW: Cinema Paradiso, Soneva Fushi; writer Hollie-Rae Brader with husband Matt and son Theo; The Den, Soneva Jani THIRD ROW: Out of the Blue, Soneva Fushi FOURTH ROW: Four-bedroom Water Retreat with Slide, Soneva Jani; The Den, Soneva Jani PREVIOUS PAGE: Theo plays with kids’ club staff at North Beach, Soneva Jani Credits: Sandro Bruecklmeier; Stevie Mann


52 ASPIRE JANUARY 2025 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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