Kunfunadhoo Island Maldives
Renovated
2020
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Luxe Resort WellnessOutside the door
The house
SonevaBarefoot jungle hideaway
Your shoes are packed away upon arrival, replaced by personalized bicycles to navigate sandy jungle paths across the private island.
“the pioneer of the barefoot luxury vibe—now a Maldives staple—and still the place that does it best.”
What it’s good at
Exceptional
Dedicated around-the-clock Barefoot Butlers anticipate every need alongside private seaplane transfers and personalized island bicycles.
Exceptional
Overwater lagoon slides, a treetop dining zipline, an astronomical observatory, and open-air cinema screenings over the water.
Remarkable
Multi-level jungle pavilions at Soneva Soul combine Ayurvedic bodywork and yoga with cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
What they say
Three Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Four-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – The Indian Ocean
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in The 50 Discovery and AFAR.
the sixty-plus thatched-roof villas are scattered along the coastline, tucked away in the foliage along the edge of the jungle, and the private owners encourage a casual atmosphere
“the resort has been the chief purveyor of the ‘no shoes, no news’ philosophy, forcing its guests to surrender to the tranquillity and beauty of the Maldivian surrounds”
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Situated in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the private coral island sits a scenic seaplane journey north of Malé.
The rooms
Thatched beachfront villas and overwater retreats feature open-air garden bathrooms, private pools, and curved water slides that splash into the lagoon.
The water
Bring a swimsuit.
The spa
Elevated walkways link domed jungle pavilions where therapists provide sound healing baths, Marma therapy, and ozone treatments.
The gym and yoga deck
Open-air wooden decks host morning yoga in the canopy, and the glass-walled gym looks straight into the palms.
At the table
Barefoot beach tables and multi-tiered overwater pavilions host morning spreads, wood-fired cooking, and rotating guest chef dinners.
Simple yet cozy interiors embrace the castaway theme with driftwood accents and mosquito netting, while amenities that stray from the aesthetic are cleverly hidden.
How it began
Sonu and Eva Shivdasani founded the retreat in 1995, pioneering the Maldives' barefoot luxury movement on an uninhabited jungle island.
“The moment guests arrive at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, shoes are whisked away and a bicycle is handed over: This is all about slow, sustainable, barefoot luxury.”
Good to know
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The Soneva Fushi
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Maldives
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.