Soneva has planned a captivating holiday programme for February 2022 across its award-winning resorts in the Maldives and Thailand. Guests of all ages at Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Kiri can enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences, dine on delectable cuisine with Michelin-starred chefs, relax and unwind with an array of visiting Soneva Soul wellness specialists, and meet acclaimed visiting experts through the ongoing Soneva Stars calendar.
Soneva Fushi
Guests at Soneva Fushi this February can dine with not one, but five exceptional visiting chefs from around the world. Artem Estafiev is one of Moscow’s most acclaimed culinary talents – having gained two Michelin stars for his restaurant Artest in Russia’s first-ever Michelin Guide. Showcasing their shared Korean heritage, chefs Judy Joo and Esther Choi, of London’s Jinjuu and New York’s mŏkbar respectively, will be hosting a rare, ‘four hands’ dinner for Soneva guests. Denmark’s Andreas Bagh is the chef behind Copenhagen’s Esmée, one of the city’s most talked-about new dining destinations. And Jan Hartwig, Chef de Cuisine at Restaurant Atelier in Munich’s famed Hotel Bayerischer Hof, is one of just 10 chefs in Germany to have been awarded 3 Michelin stars.
Visiting artist, Conrad Shawcross will be taking up a residency at the Soneva Art & Glass Studio, the only hot glass studio of its kind in the Maldives. The British sculptor specialises in mechanical works based on philosophical and scientific ideas, and he is the youngest living member of the Royal Academy of Arts.
Guests can take a fascinating voyage across the heavens with astronomy expert Dr. Becky Smethurst at Soneva Fushi’s island observatory. With more than 17 million views and counting for her ‘Dr Becky’ YouTube channel, she will be hosting after-dinner stargazing sessions, along with fascinating talks about astronomy throughout the day.
In the world of wellness, Soneva Soul at Soneva Fushi is hosting a long-term residency by osteopathic expert Hortensia Corredoira, who uses a unique, multi-pronged approach that combines traditional osteopathy with her deep knowledge of the body’s biodynamic, skeletal, muscular and craniosacral systems. As well as indulging in Soneva Soul’s menu of intuitive treatments and therapies that combine ancient healing and modern innovation, guests can join complimentary daily sessions that include yoga and guided meditation.
Families and younger guests have so much to see and do at Soneva Fushi. The Den, the region’s largest children’s zone, has a fun-packed programme of experiences and activities that include arts and crafts, movie nights, treasure hunts and pool parties. The experts from Oppidan Education will be making a welcome return to offer one-on-one mentoring sessions to Young Sonevians, as well as fun complementary activities at The Den.
Older children and teens can also join Soneva Academy, which takes learning outside of the classroom with a selection of fascinating immersive courses, including the Marine Life of the Maldives, Mosquitoes and the Adventure of the Corbin, which follows the voyage of an ancient treasure galleon.
Click here to see the Soneva Fushi February programme.
Soneva Jani
Soneva’s exceptional line-up of visiting Soneva Stars chefs will also be making a stop at Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. Artem Estafiev, Judy Joo and Esther Choi, Andreas Bagh and Jan Hartwig will all be hosting exclusive dinners at the resort, including at So Engaging, the intimate chef’s table that seats just five guests. Other unforgettable dining experiences on the February calendar include a sunrise breakfast on the sands of North Beach, a four-course Provençal wine lunch at So Imaginative, a mouth-watering selection of themed dinners at new dining destination, Asian Kitchen, showcasing the continent’s eclectic cuisine, and a Dhivehi Jerfe dinner at South Beach, which celebrates Maldivian gastronomy alongside performances by traditional Boduberu drummers.
At Soneva Soul, two long-term visiting wellness specialists continue their residency throughout February. Claude Simard is an internationally acclaimed massage specialist and meditation teacher who combines therapeutic massage with his extensive knowledge of inner child meditation, dream work and psycho-energetic massage, his signature treatment. Jill Banwell is experienced across a holistic range of healing therapies, including Reiki, yoga, meditation, therapeutic Tarot reading and colour and crystal therapies. Guests can also join Soneva Jani’s own yoga and meditation master Kamal, for yoga and meditation sessions and guidance into yogic breathing (Pranayama).
An array of family-focused activities will keep children and teens engaged from morning to night at Soneva Jani. At the Mini Den, the daily programme throughout the holidays includes fun tubing and beach picnics, a pirate-themed treasure hunt across the island, astronomy sessions and pizza making with the Little Animated Series. Soneva Academy’s courses invite older children to connect with the world around them, from exploring the stars, to learning about sustainability and the Maldives’ marine realm.
The 5.6 kilometre private lagoon is just waiting to be explored – all non-motorised watersports are complimentary, including paddleboards and kayaks, and guests can also book swimming or snorkelling lessons with experienced instructors. There’s also lots of exhilarating motorised watersports to try, including wake boarding, e-surfing and the Seabob.
Click here to see the Soneva Jani February programme.
Soneva Kiri
February at Soneva Kiri invites guests to relax, unwind and reconnect on tranquil Koh Kood, one of Thailand’s most unspoiled, least populated islands. The resort’s dining experiences take guests on a journey of discovery across a world of flavours and culinary cultures. With soft sands and exceptional views, lunch on beautiful South Beach is seared over the hot embers of the fire pit, or guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the jungle-encircled Mushroom Hut, where every delicious course is crafted from mushrooms organically grown at the resort’s Eco Centro. A sunset cruise takes guests to the Ao Salat fishing village, where the catch of the day, sustainably caught in nearby waters, is prepared into an authentic Thai dining experience. Alongside Soneva Kiri’s world-class dining destinations, the resort will host a series of eclectic dining pop-ups throughout February, including a Middle Eastern pop-up at the Pier, Italian dining at the Lunar Deck and a four-hands menu at the Chef’s Table. For guests who want to hone their own culinary skills, Soneva Kiri’s chefs will also be hosting classes at the Cooking Hut.
Many of the most memorable experiences at Soneva Kiri this February explore the beauty of the resort’s island home. The Seven Days, Seven Beaches experience invites guests on board a traditional fishing vessel to discover some of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches and bays. Guided snorkelling trips visit the nearby sunken sculpture garden at Koh Raet, or the pristine waters of the Koh Rang marine sanctuary. And the Waterfall Adventure heads to Koh Kood’s inland ‘khlongs’, with cascading waterfalls and freshwater pools for swimming.
At Soneva Spa, guests can relax and rejuvenate, surrounded by nature. As well as an extensive menu of therapies and healing rituals, Soneva Spa is also offering a daily calendar of complimentary wellness sessions – these include Himalayan singing bowls, guided meditation, cardio workouts, Pilates, Tai Chi and coconut oil-making classes.
The Den and Eco Den teams at Soneva Kiri have compiled an enthralling February programme for younger guests. Led by experienced childminders, children can try their hand at DIY and recycling workshops, follow treasure hunts through the jungle, enjoy afternoon tea parties, and watch family-friendly movies with dinner at the open-air Cinema Paradiso. Budding young chefs can also take part in Soneva Kiri’s latest Junior MasterChef competition at the Cooking Hut, with fantastic prizes to be won.