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NEWS
Retractable roofs at Maldives resort let guests sleep beneath the stars
POSTED 17 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The Soneva Javi resort in the Maldives will have its soft opening in October Credit: Richard Waite
Guests at a new resort in the Maldives will be able to sleep under the stars, with a retractable roof built into every master bedroom.

The roofs at the Soneva Javi resort, which will have its soft opening in October, can be opened at the touch of a button.

Described by Sovena as “an evolution of the water villa experience”, the retractable feature is one of several unorthodox additions the resort operator has included in the Javi property.

Villas will also feature private saunas, pools and waterslides dropping from the top floor into the lagoon on which the resort sits.

The resort’s interiors have been designed by Eva Shivdasani, one of Soneva’s co-founders, and are made from sustainable materials to create a sense of “intelligent luxury”.

The design is an evolution of Soneva’s existing Maldives resort, Soneva Gili. It comprises 24 water villas and one island villa, with additional island villas planned at a later stage.

Leisure facilities include yoga studios, cycle trails, bars, restaurants and a spa, while visitors can also take a dolphin cruise or picnic on one of the remote surrounding islands.
Sustainable materials have been used to create the luxury resort Credit: Richard Waite
The bedroom roofs at the Soneva Javi resort can be opened at the touch of a button to reveal the night sky Credit: Richard Waite
The resort's operators want to maintain the natural beauty of the surroundings Credit: Richard Waite
The resort is suspended above a natural, clear-water lagoon Credit: Richard Waite
The concept of the design has been described as 'intelligent luxury' Credit: Richard Waite
The resort comprises 24 water villas and one island villa, with additional island villas planned at a later stage Credit: Richard Waite
The resort is conceputalised as a relaxing getaway, with health and wellness offerings a priority Credit: Richard Waite
Fish swim beneath the villa's pool terraces Credit: Richard Waite
The resort’s interiors have been designed by Eva Shivdasani, one of Soneva’s co-founders Credit: Richard Waite
RELATED STORIES
  This eco-friendly Maldives resort uses solar panels as a design feature


The developers of a luxury island resort opening this year the Maldives have claimed it will be one of the most eco-conscious ever created in South Asia – with thousands of solar panels used as a design feature.
  Retro-inspired Maldivian resort features chilled-out wellness area with thatched treatment divans


The Small Maldives Island Co has opened Finolhu, a new eclectic Maldivian resort with a retro-inspired “wellness hub” with flavours of the 60s and 70s, complete with pastel- coloured beach divans.
  Over-water Iridium Spa at upcoming St Regis Maldives to feature dramatic oceanside hydrotherapy pool


The 77-villa St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is set to open in September, complete with a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) Iridium Spa that includes one of the biggest salt water hydrotherapy pools in the Maldives.
  New secluded Maldives private island resort to include over-water, thatched-roof spa pavilions


The boutique five-star Milaidhoo Island Maldives is set to open this November on a small 300m by 180m island set in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll region of the Maldives.
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NEWS
Retractable roofs at Maldives resort let guests sleep beneath the stars
POSTED 17 Aug 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The Soneva Javi resort in the Maldives will have its soft opening in October Credit: Richard Waite
Guests at a new resort in the Maldives will be able to sleep under the stars, with a retractable roof built into every master bedroom.

The roofs at the Soneva Javi resort, which will have its soft opening in October, can be opened at the touch of a button.

Described by Sovena as “an evolution of the water villa experience”, the retractable feature is one of several unorthodox additions the resort operator has included in the Javi property.

Villas will also feature private saunas, pools and waterslides dropping from the top floor into the lagoon on which the resort sits.

The resort’s interiors have been designed by Eva Shivdasani, one of Soneva’s co-founders, and are made from sustainable materials to create a sense of “intelligent luxury”.

The design is an evolution of Soneva’s existing Maldives resort, Soneva Gili. It comprises 24 water villas and one island villa, with additional island villas planned at a later stage.

Leisure facilities include yoga studios, cycle trails, bars, restaurants and a spa, while visitors can also take a dolphin cruise or picnic on one of the remote surrounding islands.
Sustainable materials have been used to create the luxury resort Credit: Richard Waite
The bedroom roofs at the Soneva Javi resort can be opened at the touch of a button to reveal the night sky Credit: Richard Waite
The resort's operators want to maintain the natural beauty of the surroundings Credit: Richard Waite
The resort is suspended above a natural, clear-water lagoon Credit: Richard Waite
The concept of the design has been described as 'intelligent luxury' Credit: Richard Waite
The resort comprises 24 water villas and one island villa, with additional island villas planned at a later stage Credit: Richard Waite
The resort is conceputalised as a relaxing getaway, with health and wellness offerings a priority Credit: Richard Waite
Fish swim beneath the villa's pool terraces Credit: Richard Waite
The resort’s interiors have been designed by Eva Shivdasani, one of Soneva’s co-founders Credit: Richard Waite
RELATED STORIES
This eco-friendly Maldives resort uses solar panels as a design feature


The developers of a luxury island resort opening this year the Maldives have claimed it will be one of the most eco-conscious ever created in South Asia – with thousands of solar panels used as a design feature.
Retro-inspired Maldivian resort features chilled-out wellness area with thatched treatment divans


The Small Maldives Island Co has opened Finolhu, a new eclectic Maldivian resort with a retro-inspired “wellness hub” with flavours of the 60s and 70s, complete with pastel- coloured beach divans.
Over-water Iridium Spa at upcoming St Regis Maldives to feature dramatic oceanside hydrotherapy pool


The 77-villa St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is set to open in September, complete with a 2,000sq m (21,528sq ft) Iridium Spa that includes one of the biggest salt water hydrotherapy pools in the Maldives.
New secluded Maldives private island resort to include over-water, thatched-roof spa pavilions


The boutique five-star Milaidhoo Island Maldives is set to open this November on a small 300m by 180m island set in the heart of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll region of the Maldives.
MORE NEWS
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel launches destination spa with sacred Hawaiian cultural concept
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its 22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
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Meet Desert Therapy: Aromatherapy Associates' first new blend in seven years
There is a particular quality of stillness found only in the desert. [more...]

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
HPO.Tech Hyperbaric Systems

Founded in 2020 in Istanbul, HPO.Tech combines 15+ years of expertise in hyperbaric technology, divi [more...]
+ More profiles  
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+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
26-27 Jun 2026

The Longevity Show

Tobacco Docks, London, United Kingdom
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS