At Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives, luxury isn’t about opulence, it’s about attention that feels effortless
In the Maldives, where private pools and overwater villas are standard, Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll stands out for a quieter kind of luxury. The 71-villa resort, a 30-minute seaplane ride from the airport, has just won the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award at The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025, making it the first Asian property to receive the honour.
The award recognises something that can’t be measured: empathy, attentiveness and the kind of timing that makes a gesture feel both spontaneous and inevitable. “Luxury here isn’t defined by gold-plated service,” says general manager Antony Paton. “It’s defined by care that feels deeply personal and naturally warm.”
Since opening in 1995, Soneva Fushi has set the template for what’s now called barefoot luxury. There’s no formal butler protocol, no rehearsed greetings. The resort’s Barefoot Guardians, as they’re known, listen and observe – then act. That might mean leaving you your favourite fruit at breakfast or arranging a dinner under the stars that feels like your idea.
The service philosophy is simple: anticipate, don’t intrude. Staff learn guests’ preferences not from digital notes but through quiet observation. “We empower our hosts to take ownership of every interaction,” Paton says. “It’s about curiosity, not choreography.”
Soneva Fushi’s whimsical details reinforce the same ethos. There’s an open-door chocolate room, an ice cream parlour stocked with rotating flavours and a “no menu” dining concept where chefs improvise dishes based on mood rather than order.
