Review: Soneva Secret Maldives – the Luxury Travel Expert

April 23, 2025

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Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

Three weeks ago, I enjoyed a phenomenal holiday in the Maldives, where I stayed at the archipelago’s newest, ultra-luxury resort: Soneva Secret. You can read my reviews here:

Today: Review of Soneva Secret Maldives

Last year, Soneva – the world-leading sustainable resorts operator – opened it highly anticipated Soneva Secret property in the Maldives. The first and only resort in the remote Makunudhoo Atoll, Soneva Secret. The ultra-luxe property features just 14 beach and overwater villas, including lagoon Crusoe Villas, accessible only by boat, and the soon-to-be-revealed Castaway, the Maldives’ first floating villa. Designed to offer the ultimate in Soneva hospitality and exemplary service standards, each villa features a dedicated team of three, which includes a Barefoot Guardian, Barefoot Assistant and dedicated chef, to ensure every stay is wholly personalised. Thirty years in the making, the Soneva Secret resort concept builds upon Soneva’s experience at the forefront of exceptional hospitality, and sets a new, unmatched standard in intuitive, personalized service, exquisite private villas and unspoiled settings, surrounded by nature. Soneva secret is an ultra-luxury home away from home and provides the Maldives’ most authentic and refined castaway experience.

Soneva Secret features in my top 10 list of the world’s most exclusive private island resorts.

Have you ever stayed at Soneva Secret Maldives? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment.

In this review (more info and photos below my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Soneva Secret enjoys a magical location in the Makunudhoo Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most remote atolls. Set in the far north of the Maldives, the Makunudhoo Atoll consists of only one local island and the island of Dhipparufushi, on which Soneva Secret is set (and which is the westernmost tip of the Maldives). Since Soneva Secret is the only resort in this remote atoll, it transcends the Maldives’ famous concept of “one island, one resort” to “one atoll, one resort”. In fact, no other island is visible from Soneva Secret’s shores, just the open ocean, so it truly feels like a pristine paradise, far from the rest of the world. This is a contrast compared to staying at one of the Maldives’ other atolls, where you may spot other (sometimes local) islands in the vicinity, with seaplanes and boats often passing by as a constant reminder of civilization. Because of its remote setting, Soneva Secret is the ultimate castaway island in the Maldives, offering a sense of tranquility and isolation that no other island resort can compete with.

Not only is Soneva Secret one of the most remotely located resorts in the Maldives, it is also one of the most beautiful islands. Small in size but representing everything that the Maldives’ stands for, the island is completely surrounded by one of the archipelago’s most expansive and bluest lagoons (home to an array of wildlife, including manta rays). The sunset side of this tiny speck in the Indian Ocean features a beautiful, soft white sand beach, which is about 750 m (1250 ft) in length. The southern end of the beach leads to a picturesque sandbank, while a yoga platform is located on the beach’s northern end. The sunset side of the island is also home to the five beach villas as well as the main public areas (e.g. the Living Room, spa, gym, So Primitive Restaurant, and the water sport center). The sunrise side of the property is home to just one structure, the overwater building Out of this World, which houses a restaurant and a rooftop terrace (for stargazing). One path crosses the entire island and gives way to a jetty on the resort’s southern tip where the five water villas are found. All guests get bikes for the duration of their stay and 24/7 buggy service is also provided.

Most journeys to Soneva Secret will start at Male (although a trip to resort can also be organized before or after a stay at Soneva Secret’s sister resorts Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani). Upon arrival at Malé International Airport and after passing immigration, guests are met by one of the Soneva hosts, who take cares of the luggage and provides assistance with the check-in at the seaplane counters so secure the boarding passes for the flights to Soneva Secret. Once checked in for the seaplane transfer, guests are transferred to the seaplane terminal, which is located on the other side of the airport’s perimeter (a 5 min drive away). Here, guests can wait for the connecting seaplane transfer to the resort at the Soneva lounge, which is found on the 3rd floor of the seaplane terminal. Styled in Soneva’s signature eco-chic design, the lounge offers plenty of seating, as well as showers (to refresh a little), a cheese & ice-cream corner, and a play room for children. At the lounge, guests are offered a refreshing drink and some snacks, while a Soneva host takes care of the check-in prices.

The (sea)plane transfers to Soneva Secret are very well-organized as Soneva operates its own fleet of exclusive seaplanes, which means that Soneva is quite flexible with regards to the operating schedule and luggage limits. This is good news for guests, as waiting time at the airport is reduced and they can take more luggage on board. For example, in my case, I only had to wait for 10 minutes at the lounge before I was being escorted to the seaplane docks for my departure to Soneva Secret. Managed and flown by Manta Air (one of the Maldives’ two seaplane operators), Soneva’s private DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplanes are custom-painted in a beautiful grey and purple color livery, matching Soneva’s unique’s branding. On the inside, the Soneva seaplanes, which normally seat 15 to 19 passengers, only feature 8 VIP seats and are fitted in Soneva’s signature design style. During the flight, passengers are provided ear plugs for their comfort, iced water, as well as iPads with information about the Soneva Resorts. You can read my review of the Soneva seaplane here.

The seaplane flight to Soneva Secret is a breathtaking sightseeing trip in itself, and probably the most beautiful seaplane flight you can take in the Maldives, as you fly over three of the country’s most spectacular atolls: the North Male Atoll, the Baa Atoll and the Raa Atoll. The journey takes around 75 minutes, although it can take a bit longer when a stop-over is often made at either Soneva Fushi or Soneva Jani to pick-up or drop-off other guests. The seaplane flies quite low over the Indian Ocean, offering an amazing view of Maldives’ tiny islands sparkling atop turquoise colored lagoons and the brilliant sapphire blue ocean. The seaplane lands at short distance from Soneva Secret as not to disturb the guests on the island, and docks at a small wooden platform, just off the island’s shores. From here, it’s just a three minute speedboat ride to the resort, with the boat landing directly onto the beach, Robinson Crusoe-style, which adds to the charm of the experience. The entire arrival experience feels grand (and a bit like the White Lotus), with a warm welcome from the hotel’s staff members equipped with umbrellas, cold towels, and a signature scented face mist.

Soneva Secret features 13 fabulous villas, making it one of the most private island resorts in the world. There are six beach villas, five water villas, and two lagoon Crusoe Villas, which are accessible only by boat. Each villa is designed in perfect harmony with the untouched natural setting, and comes with Soneva’s signature features such as retractable roofs to reveal star-strewn skies. During my holiday, I stayed in water villa number 8, which is located closest to the island’s facilities. Having stayed in water villas at the other two Soneva properties in the Maldives (Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani), I didn’t think Soneva could outdo itself – but they have. The villa was massive and featured a master bedroom with bathroom (with sunken bathtub and rain shower), a smaller room with ensuite bathroom (for children), several lounge and dining areas, an infinity pool, a kitchen (with a well stocked Smeg fridge), a private gym, and a rooftop with a private spa room, another dining area and a curved pool. The villa’s most striking feature wad its open-plan design, since it could be fully opened on three sides, offering 270° panoramic views of the lagoon.

Although guests at Soneva Secret will spend most of their time inside their villa and exploring the beach and lagoon, the property also features a communal area – called The Living Room – which is set along the southern tip of the island, on the sunset side. The two-storey Living Room is the heart of the resort, and home to a casual all-day dining restaurant. The dining venue comprises an indoor area as well as a multi-level outdoor terrace for all fresco dining. The Living Room is also home to a lounge, library, games room (on the top floor) and boutique, and is also the starting point of the zipline to Out of this World (more on that below). The Living Room also houses two treats which are uniquely found at Soneva Resorts: a cheese & meat room (with an extensive selection of gourmet cold cuts, fine cheeses and paired preserves on display) and a chocolate & ice-cream room (offering an array of chocolates, truffles, pralines and more – all handmade by artisan chocolatiers – as well as a selection of rotating flavours of homemade ice creams and sorbets). Both rooms are open 24/7 (although you’ll never get hungry at Soneva Secret since the rates are inclusive of all meals).

The underlying theme at Soneva Secret is the personalized service and the freedom of choice that guests enjoy. This is especially true when it comes to the dining options at the resort. The resort has 13 private chefs, one for each villa, which craft bespoke menus and unique culinary journeys, whether savored in the privacy and comfort of the villa or enjoyed in nature at one of the island’s most picturesque spots (it is up to the guest to choose). The chefs come from different countries, with expertise in their local cuisine, to present an indulgent, bespoke menu of Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Maldivian, Italian, Indonesian, French, South American, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Korean, Indian and Nordic flavors. Besides Soneva Secret’s signature private chef experience, the resort also offers three restaurants as well as special dining experiences:
- The Living Room is the island’s central hub and an all day casual restaurant, serving à la carte breakfast (no buffet) as well as salads, burgers, pizzas and Asian curries for lunch and dinner.
- Out of This World is a castaway dining tower, located on the island’s sunset side, serving a multi-course tasting menu which focusses on the five basic tastes (sweet, savory, sour, bitter, and umami). After dinner, the resident astronomer helps navigate the skies on the tower’s rooftop. Also home to a wine cellar, guests can choose to travel to Out of This World by zipline from the Living Room. The 80 m (260 ft) zipline is the longest zipline in the Maldives.
- A toes-in-the-sand firepit dining experience awaits at So Primitive Restaurant, which is tucked away on the northern tip of sunset beach. First, cocktails and amuse-bouches are served at So Primitive’s overwater bar, which is then followed by a multi-course dinner on the beach. So Primitive’s centerpiece is a fire pit where different cooking techniques are honoured. Think roasting, grilling, searing and cooking in a kettle, clay pots (on coals), salt-crusted baking and cooking over coals. The set menu features fresh seafood, meats, and plant-based dishes.
- On selected nights, Soneva Secrets also organizes lavish buffets on the beach, right in front of The Living Room. For example, during my stay, the resort offered an Asian street food buffet, which featured a bunch of street food stalls in a row, all serving delicious made-to-order food. These buffets are a great opportunity to meet other guests.

Soneva Secret sets a new, unmatched standard in intuitive, personalized service. Each villa comes with a dedicated team of three “butlers”, which includes a Barefoot Guardian (main butler), Barefoot Assistant (assistant butler) and a dedicated chef, to ensure every stay is wholly personalized. The Barefoot Guardian acts as the main points of contact throughout each guest’s stay and their role really transcends the butler concept that is sometimes offered at other resorts. For example, they unpack guests’ suitcase, serve all the meals (in the villa and at the dining destinations), and accompany guests on excursions. Each Barefoot Guardian is only appointed to one villa at a time, ensuring a seamless experience as they learn about the preferences of the guests in an unbelievably quick manner. For example, during my stay, Barefoot Guardian Mohamed was appointed to look after my villa and travel party, and he truly did an incredible job to make my holiday as pleasant as possible (he was always there when you needed him, albeit never in an intrusive matter).

Wellness is part of the DNA of the Soneva brand. While Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi each have their own Soneva Soul spa facility, Soneva Secret takes a different approach. Each villa comes with its own mini-spa (a spa room located on the top floor), where treatment are offered upon request of the guests. Right next to The Living Room is also a small spa facility, which comprises two pavilions, one with a sauna and steam room, and one with a serene treatment room. Whether guests choose for a private in-villa treatment or a massage in the spa’s treatment, a wide variety of curated wellness services if offered. Soneva Secret’s integrative wellness concept unites thousands of years of ancient healing wisdom with the latest in science and innovation. Guests can also start each day with a salute to the rising sun with group or one-to-one yoga and meditation sessions on the soft white sands. And those who need a work-out can do so in the public gym (located right next to The Living Room) or in the small gym that is located within each villa.

At Soneva Secret, fully bespoke rare experiences are curated for every guest, reconnecting them with the abundant nature that surrounds the island. The resort is an underwater haven – a paradise for divers and snorkelers – as there is no other resort in the atoll, to the entire marine area is untouched and full of life. The crystal-clear waters are home to colonies of majestic manta rays (which area relatively to observe as they often visit some spots close to the resort) as well as giant pods of dolphins (for example, during our stay, we encountered a pod of more than 100 dolphins who stayed with our boat for about one hour, creating unforgettable moments). Whale sharks have also been spotted in the waters around Soneva Secret, although their sighting is not guaranteed. Besides marine excursions, Soneva Secret also has a water sport center equipped with motorized and non-motorised tools. Lots of curated activities on land are also on offer; for example, a highlight is a trip to the atoll’s only local island, where guests can dive into the local culture and enjoy some traditional Maldivian lunch.

Sustainability is a pillar of each Soneva Resort: ingredients are local, plastics & beef are banned; all waste-water is collected and treated on-site; and much of the resort is solar-powered. On the most remote developed island in the Maldives, deploying a direct solar-powered cooling infrastructure capable of providing continuous comfort in every accommodation, requires smart engineering, such as heat load calculations, chiller plant design, thermal storage sizing, and an optimal cooling network design. Also, Soneva’s commitment to long-term environmental and community projects set them apart from most of their competitors. For example, roceeds from each guests’ stay are funnelled into the Soneva Foundation, which supports reforestation efforts, restores coral reefs, and funds over 500 projects in 53 countries that provide access to clean water or basic sanitation services to over 750,000 people worldwide (amongst other endeavours).

A stay at Soneva Secret can also be combined with a stay at Soneva’s two other resorts in the Maldives, Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi.
- Soneva Secret is a 40-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll. In 1995, the award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives, pairing Robinson Crusoe fantasy with intelligent luxury. Sixty-four private villas with their own stretch of beach are hidden among dense foliage within touching distance of a pristine coral reef, while 8 overwater retreats represent the largest overwater villas in the world. Highlights include the open-air Cinema Paradiso, counting Saturn’s rings in the high-tech observatory, the home-made chocolate and ice cream rooms, five hundred wines to choose from, nine fine dining venues, a treasure trove children’s Den, and a Soneva Soul spa. Read my review of Soneva Fushi here.
- Soneva Secret is a 30-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll. Located on an uninhabited five-island cluster, Soneva Jani is the Maldives’ most famous resort. The property features 51 overwater pool villas, spread along two jetties that curve into a 5.6 km (3,4 mi) magnificent lagoon of crystal clear waters. Known as the North Jetty and the South Jetty, both jetties are connected to the Maldives’ largest resort island, a tropical paradise fringed by pristine beaches and blanketed with lush tropical greenery. Highlights at Soneva Jani include the villas’ retractable roofs, private water slides, a wide range of sublime restaurants, personalized experiences & excursions, and a spectacular new spa facility, Soneva Soul. Read my review of Soneva Jani here.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Soneva Secret is a small island, much smaller for example than the islands of Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi. As a result, you’ll find fewer communal facilities and restaurants here as compared to the other two Soneva Resorts in the Maldives. But that’s exactly the purpose of Soneva Secret, where the villas are designed to be almost entirely self-contained with one spa room, one gym, and a dedicated team of three staff members (two butlers and one chef) per villa. In theory, you never need to leave your villa during your holiday. And due to its small size, Soneva Secret features only 13 villas (with a floating villa currently under construction), making it one of the lowest density resorts in the world. You can spend days without seeing other guests, so if privacy and exclusivity are what you want, then look no further than Soneva Secret.

As already mentioned, Soneva Secret is one of the most remotely located island in the Maldives, and getting there requires a 75 min seaplane flight, which is substantially longer – sometimes twice as long – as compared to some of the other resorts in the Maldives. This also has implications on international connections. For example, for guests departing from Soneva Secret, seaplane flights can only be arranged for international flights scheduled for a departure time after 10 am (and not 9 am, which is the case at most other resorts). That said, the seaplane flight is beyond stunning as you fly over the most beautiful atolls of the Maldives, resulting in incredible views. And it’s all so worth it, since the destination is one of the most remote islands in the archipelago, with a stunning beach, a turquoise lagoon full of marine life (with manta rays and dolphins frequently spotted) and no other island in view.

At first sight, Soneva Secret may lack the wow-factor and Instagrammable likeness that you typically associate with luxury resorts in the Maldives (including Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi). There are certainly resorts with more impressive spas (e.g. Soneva Soul at Soneva Jani), architecturally more stunning communal areas, and more sophisticated dining options (e.g. Soneva Fushi), but what sets Soneva Secret apart is that it champions at balancing everything just right, creating an unforgettable castaway experience in an incredible setting. And that’s excactly what Soneva Secret aims to be: a low-key, ultra-private and uber-luxurious resort – one of the world’s best kept hotel secrets – offering its guests the simple, authentic beauty of the Maldives and a sense of remoteness that re-connects to one’s inner soul.

One of Soneva Secret’s signature features is the private chef concept, which is promoted as one dedicated chef per villa. Initially, I thought that one chef was going to be assigned to my villa for the duration of my stay, but that turned out not to be the case. In reality, it was actually an even better scenario: there are 14 chefs – each one specialized in the cuisine of their home country – and guests can book one of these chefs to come to their villa and cook for them, either for lunch or dinner. All chefs will suggest a menu, but guests are free to ask whatever they want if the menu is not entirely to their liking.

With a nightly rate starting at $5,800 USD for a one bedroom villa, Soneva Secret is one of the Maldives’ most expensive resorts. However, you get more for your money than you can possibly imagine, since the room rates at Soneva Secret are inclusive of all meals as well as some activities.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: n/a
Rooms: 10/10
Food: 10/10
Breakfast: 10/10
Spa: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Wow factor: 8/10
Value for money: 9/10
Overall experience: exceptional 9.6/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save money: contact me to receive complimentary VIP perks at Soneva Secret before any booking is made. These perks include:
- Two personalized Soneva experiences per stay (complimentary) from the Soneva experience brochure (excluding Soneva In Aqua).
- An additional benefit to be disclosed by the Soneva reservations team.

Save money: read here my tips for getting the best deal at a luxury hotel like Soneva Secret (and/or receive many free perks).

Read my tips for preparing your trip in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best weather in the Maldives is between January and April, which also means high season (with low availability and very expensive room rates). The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking in June. It is worth paying higher prices and sticking to the dry season as there is nothing to do on a rainy day except drink, eat, work out or scuba dive. Especially November and Dece

HOW TO GET THERE

Soneva Secret can be reached via a scenic 75-minute seaplane flight direct from Velana International Airport in Malé, a 40-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll, or a 30-minute seaplane flight from Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll. Check the Wikipedia page of Velana International Airport in Malé for a list of airlines that offer flights to Male International Airport.

Guests can also fly directly by private jet to Maafaru International Airport, where Soneva host will meet and greet you from your flight, and assist with immigration and customs to ensure that your journey is as fast and seamless as possible. You will then board a 25-minute seaplane flight (onboard the private Soneva seaplane) to Soneva Secret.