Maldives Travel Guide: Discover Soneva with Pip Edwards

Discover Soneva with Pip Edwards

P.E Nation Co-Founder and Creative Director Pip Edwards recently visited Soneva resorts in the Maldives. Accompanied by son Justice and dear friend and Fluidform Pilates founder Kirsten King, Pip's escape proved the perfect antidote to Sydney's fast-paced urban energy. "I'm so lucky I got to relax, reset and recharge with my number one loves."

A paradise archipelago south west of Sri Lanka, centred in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives are a chain of 26 atolls - coral islands comprising a reef that surrounds a lagoon. It's a place to relax, reset and rewind, yes, but the Maldives offer an effervescent energy all its own. Every kind of escape you're looking for awaits - with luxury and eco-centred water activities and sports, first-class dining, and one-of-a-kind workshops with every kind of expert, from best-selling authors to champion athletes and the world's best chefs, on offer.

In essence, a Soneva escape is yours to design - offering bespoke experiences that allow your getaway to be exactly what you need it to be. A barefoot luxury resort set in a sustainable ecosystem of lush jungle and crystalline waters, Soneva thrives on community, working hand in hand with the environment. Operating on the belief that luxury and sustainability can be interconnected concepts, Soneva centres on community collaboration and protection of the environment. With progressive destinations such as Soneva offering luxury conscious travel around the globe, it's becoming easier to balance style, comfort and conscious travel with an out-of-this-world escape.

Relax

Soneva offers two Maldives resorts to choose from. Soneva Jani sits on the Noonu Atoll. One of the world's lowest density resorts, accommodation comprises 51 over-water and three island residences, all capturing ultimate privacy, space, breathtaking ocean views and big energy blue skies. With one to four bedrooms offered across the over-water villas, each private retreat enjoys its own private pool with waterslide into the lagoon, and retractable roof over the master bedroom to reveal starry night skies at the touch of a button.

"What a privilege it was to spend some quality own time at Soneva Fushi, experiencing and connecting with its deeply beautiful people, the magic that the island provides and the soulful energy of its inviting existence."
- Pip Edwards

At Soneva Fushi, barefoot luxury awaits. Its water retreats situated on the Baa Atoll are among the largest in the world, while on land, sunrise and sunset villas are nestled in rich green jungle on the east-and-west sides of the island. With sustainable living at the forefront for Soneva, you'll find yourself biking your way around the island's amenities, beaches, bars and world-class wellness complex. Set across two-storeys on Soneva Fushi, Soneva Soul offers an expansive list of wellness services designed for relaxation, rejuvenation and rebalancing - think flotation tanks, sound and aroma pods, cryotherapy, ayurvedic consultations and extensive spa menu.

SHOP BASE COLOUR

Recharge

If an active retreat is your speed, you won't run out of choice and 'as-per-your-wishes' experiences at Soneva - from biking around the resort at your leisure to ziplining above jungle canopy. An island tennis court is fully equipped and available to sharpen your serve or train with Grand Slam champions through the Soneva Stars program. Resident master fitness trainers and daily yoga and meditation are all available to guests - think sunrise group sessions, or one-on-one mindfulness in the privacy of your villa.

"Even though I was on holidays in the Maldives, I still found time to work out. I always take Fluidform Pilates with me everywhere."
- Pip Edwards

Off-shore, jump into the turquoise waters for some of Soneva's signature experiences. Kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and catamaran sailing are all a given, or try once-in-a-lifetime snorkelling with manta rays, eco-friendly surfing or a sunset dolphin safari. "An incredible experience, to get so up close with the most playful dolphins and run alongside them, watching them in their element. Truly magical."

SHOP NEW ARRIVALS

Reconnect
Soneva resorts around the globe operate from the belief that luxury and sustainability can be interconnected concepts. Recently celebrating 25 years of sustainability since its conception in 1995, Soneva has proved a trailblazer in promoting community focused resorts and protection of the biodiversity and habitats that surround them. Soneva Fushi is nestled in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Beyond initiatives exclusive to the resort including coral reef propogation, on-site organic gardens and farm to table practices, and solar powered facilities, Soneva's SLOWLIFE core purpose has led to the ban of single use plastics and replacing branded water with the resort bottling its own water on-site - with its savings used to support more than 500 global clean water projects and charities around the world.

"Soneva's highly evolved sustainable operations include farm to plate Michelin cuisine, a recycling and upcycling eco system, solar power and coral ree propagation among its top passions and priorities."
- Pip Edwards

In 2022, the Soneva Foundation and Coralive launched one of the world's biggest coral restoration programs to date - located right on site at the Soneva Fushi resort. "With a one hectate coral farm consisting of 432 tables with 120 coral fragments each, we aim to propagate 50,000 coral fragments each year. Cultivating 'corals of opportunity' - corals that have been broken or damaged by storms, or rescued from sites where they are about to be destroyed - we aim to regenerate the reef back to the stage in which it existed 25 years ago, covering out-planted corals across 20 hectares over the next decade."

SHOP THE SUSTAINABILITY EDIT

"It was a total honour to be welcomed into such a connected community, and enjoy the Soneva way of life. The people make the experience memorable, and this is one we will never forget. I know we will see you again, in a heartbeat."
- Pip Edwards

DISCOVER SONEVA