Soneva Jani

Maldives. This was our third visit. I run a restaurant, and my wife is a novelist. Through this trip, we finally came to understand what we had been seeking on our repeated journeys to the Maldives. Thanks to Soneva Jani, our Maldives story has finally reached completion. We had always believed that a trip to the Maldives could offer something more than just rest—perhaps something that could truly change our lives. Though no trip had actually changed our lives before, we always planned each one with the hope that this time, it might. Over the course of two and a half years, we stayed a total of 22 nights at three different resorts. Including our 3 nights at Soneva Jani, that makes 25 nights in the Maldives. We kept choosing resorts with excellent underwater environments, thinking that the more we explored the sea, the more we might gain from the experience. We obtained freediving and scuba certifications in Korea, and eventually experienced current diving in the Maldives as well. It was all beautiful—undeniably so—but there was a subtle emptiness. We had seen the ocean clearly, but it didn't feel like it had changed our lives. I found myself wondering, “We’ve gone scuba diving in the Maldives together… now what?” And then, we visited Soneva Jani. We considered diving in Noonu Atoll too—but we decided to explore something else, something new. What we received in return was far beyond our expectations. 1) Landscapes That Stir the Heart Everything at Soneva Jani is visually stunning. It wasn’t just beautiful—it was breathtaking in a way I hadn’t experienced in any other place I had traveled, not even other resorts in the Maldives. The phrase “It’s just beautiful to look at” is often heard, but for me, this was the first time I truly felt it. Until now, I realized I had been sharing photos and videos of the Maldives to let people know, “Hey, I’m here.” But at Soneva Jani, I simply wanted to share the moments with people I care about. There was a kind of purity in that desire I’d never felt before. And I couldn’t stop taking photos—not for display, but because the urge to share beauty was irresistible. 2) A Culinary Revelation Good food begins with great ingredients, and Soneva sources them with care. I had the freshest salad of my life here, and every other dish radiated quality from its ingredients. We’re a couple that enjoys dining at Michelin-starred restaurants in Korea, and I also run a restaurant myself. So when I say that Crab Shack was truly exceptional, I mean it. In my view, it deserves three Michelin stars—it meets every standard of "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." Of course, inspectors may not make it out here easily, but still 😊 I would return to Soneva again just for this restaurant. Overseas was also wonderful. The Smoked Sashimi of Salmon was an absolute delight—especially to my wife, who adores French cuisine and amuse-bouches. As a couple who doesn't drink alcohol, we also loved the variety of fresh juices offered at breakfast. Sunrise Jani was our favorite. So Primitive also surprised us—especially with a grilled fruit dessert that we found both rare and delicious. We had long assumed that food at Maldivian resorts was just “okay.” Soneva Jani completely overturned that belief and gave us meals that sparked new thoughts and perspectives. 3) The Architecture of Comfort While features like the retractable roof and the spacious pool were impressive, what truly moved us was the emotional resonance of the space itself. The bed allowed us to sleep more deeply than we had in years—our insomnia melted away. The layout of the villa, from the bathroom to the kitchen to the living room, gave off a feeling I still struggle to describe—perhaps stability, hospitality, or emotional warmth. Even after returning home, I can still recall the structure vividly. Simply being in that space seemed to awaken something deep inside us. After returning from the trip, I found myself reading Gaston Bachelard’s The Poetics of Space, wanting to better understand what kind of impact Soneva had left on us. 4) People Who Left an Impression All of the staff felt like one unified team, each with their own charm but working in perfect harmony. Two staff members stood out to us: Saneem from Down to Earth, who greeted us warmly even late at night, and Novika from Overseas, who cared for us with great attention during breakfast and dinner. Their presence deeply moved us. As someone who also works in service, they reminded me of the mindset and attitude I want to embody in my own work. 🍀 In Closing... I think we were looking for something “real” through all of our Maldives trips. And at Soneva, we finally found it. My wife and I have always strived to create what is real. Soneva was truly real. It gave us a new dimension of awareness. We both feel that we have changed—almost as if we’ve become different people. My wife, as a writer, gained enormous creative energy. I, as a restaurateur, gained a completely new perspective on how to run my business. Just as Soneva changed us, we now feel inspired to create things that will change others too. Before we begin our next chapter, we will surely return.