Hotel Spotlight: Soneva Fushi April 1, 2015
… Can I just briefly express to you how happy I am to tell you about Soneva Fushi? As you read this, I want to imagine yourself here. This is the hands down, most beautiful and sustainable hotel I have had the blessed opportunity to stay in in my entire life. A close second would be Playa Viva, located in Juluchuca, Mexico. But let’s dive straight into it. Everything, from check in to check out was perfect. The staff? Kind, generous and helpful. The villas? Whether you’re a solo traveler or traveling with a big family, they’ve literally got you covered. I was honored to stay in a double villa which encompassed three sleeping rooms and two bathrooms, plus a Bose sound system and two… two outdoor tubs. Look no more, you’ve found your perfect honeymoon vacation spot and the best one in the world, in my personal opinion. You know you’ve hit the jackpot when the dining area offers its own, homemade chocolate room. The best part? Most of the time you have it all to yourself! That’s right. Immerse yourself in the chocolate or wine and cheese room at any time of the day. Their buffet for breakfast and lunch includes everything from a sushi bar (make your own or pick from pre-made), salad bar, noodle bar, soup bar, and everything else under the sun. Fresh caught fish and…
… The BEST sunset boat ride you could imagine. Where the kind staff take you in a clean and beautiful boat for a 3 minute ride to a secluded and bank where on one side, the sun is setting and on the other, the moon is rising. Enjoy a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre made and delivered to you by the magnificent chef, and mingle with the rest of the refined individuals that choose to visit this amazing resort.
Three nights is not enough. If you’re going to visit Soneva Fushi, make a week or two out of it. From glass blowing to outdoor movie night to watching the stars from the observatory to even immersing yourself in the local culture, you haven’t “vacationed” until you’ve visited Soneva Fushi. The part I love the most? They’re nearly 100% sustainable, but we’ll save that for the review. To check out my video blog of Soneva, click here.
The overall rating that I gave Soneva Fushi was (drumroll) a 10/10.
What I loved: Could it be the ultimate privacy and relaxation? Or perhaps a tour of their gardens and energy efficiency center by their “Waste to Wealth Manager”, where they recycle all of their own waste right then and there and burn their own waste wood whereby they then collect the smoke to turn into wood vinegar to fertilize the garden and keep pests away? They actually create the stuffing for all of their pillows from refined coconut shells that they themselves break down. They use solar panels, and even harvest their own mushroom house (in addition to full fledged garden), you name it, Soneva does it. The luxury and amenities was out of this world. Whether you’re into art, local culture, relaxation or snorkeling with manta rays, Soneva Fushi has got you covered. Why would you ever want to leave?
What Set It Back: Nothing.
Overall: The best, most sustainable luxury hotel to stay in within the Maldives. Perhaps even more so than their sister hotel, Soneva Jani (also in the Maldives).
What makes a sustainable or regenerative hotel? A reverse osmosis water system, farm to table produce, supporting local dairy and meat farmers, engaging with local non-profit or community organization endeavors to address an issue within the country or community, energy efficient lighting, low pressure water systems, recycling, employing locals and offering fair and equal pay, replanting what was lost during the construction, use of biofuel (for boats), engaging guests in local cultural experiences and making them aware of environmental and cultural needs, LEED Certification, educating staff on importance of sustainability (turning off lights, observing for wasteful practices, etc.), reducing bathroom amenities waste (using bamboo toothbrushes instead, locally made/organic soap, shampoo and conditioner that help the environment), the list goes on.
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