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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
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
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COMPANY PROFILES
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS