Lauded as the original barefoot hideaway in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi has been offering unforgettable experiences to guests since the 1990s
Soneva Fushi, located in the Maldives’ Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, has been named winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. The first of two special accolades announced ahead of the official awards ceremony on 30 October, the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award is the result of votes from the 800-plus-strong Academy, who were each asked to name the hotel where they received their single-best hospitality experience within the two-year voting period.
This award celebrates the indefinable and invaluable magic that goes towards ensuring guests feel taken care of. It is designed to reward a property and its entire staff for the hotel’s outstanding service and attention to detail, from the reception desk to housekeeping, amenities and food and beverage teams. Voters were asked to consider factors including but not limited to the ambience created in the hotel, the delivery of unique experiential elements and the overall warmth of the hospitality and environment.
The original Soneva resort property and blueprint for barefoot luxury, Soneva Fushi is built on one of the Maldives’ largest and most unspoiled islands. The resort’s 71 private villas are hidden within a verdant expanse of rich jungle or perched above sparkling waters. At Soneva Fushi, nature’s rhythm sets the pace of life. From venturing along secluded jungle pathways to being cast away on a deserted island, and from transformative wellness at Soneva Soul to experiencing the curated Soneva Stars calendar of events, guests surrender to the art of slow living.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for The World’s 50 Best Hotels, says: “This award celebrates the foundation of hospitality and honours the emotional connection that guests have with a hotel and its team. For three decades, Soneva Fushi has been delivering memorable service at the highest level that puts the guest at the heart of every interaction. A mainstay of The World’s 50 Best Hotels list since the awards’ inception, Soneva Fushi is a worthy winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award, setting a benchmark of all-encompassing excellence one stay at a time.’’
Each villa features vast indoor and outdoor space, private pools and unrivalled views over the ocean. Elevating the experience, every villa is cared for by a dedicated Barefoot Guardian, appointed to deliver personalised service and brought to life by a team who personify the Maldivian spirit of gracious hospitality.
These personalised butlers are assigned to each villa and act as a primary point of contact for guests to ensure extraordinary experiences are brought to life, in harmony with nature and island living. Available 24 hours a day, they can curate every detail of the guest’s stay; by day, guests may like to glide through the treetops on a zipline adventure, snorkel alongside graceful manta rays at Hanifaru Bay or be cast away on an island for a private picnic. By night, guests are invited to embark on a stargazing journey at the island’s observatory or dine at one of the hotel’s 14 restaurants, nestled in the treetops or poised over water. Barefoot Guardians also manage the Soneva Stars calendar, which showcases a rotating line-up of world-renowned chefs, wellness experts and sporting legends, curating once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
Antony Paton, General Manager of Soneva Fushi, says: “This award belongs to the entire team at Soneva Fushi. It is a reflection of our shared purpose to create moments of joy, connection and wonder every single day. Being recognised by The World’s 50 Best Hotels affirms that the quiet magic we strive for is not only felt by our guests, but remembered. And that, to us, is the greatest reward.”
Giancarlo Mancino, CEO of SeiBellissimi, comments: “At Soneva Fushi, hospitality is a seamless extension of a lifestyle deeply rooted in sustainability, wellness, and mindful luxury. Founded with a slow life philosophy, every experience here is a tribute to living in harmony with nature, honouring health conscious principles, and crafting each moment with genuine care. This devotion to sustainable elegance and the art of well-being is the perfect mirror of SeiBellissimi’s own values: Italian craftsmanship, conviviality, and a respect for quality that goes beyond the ordinary.”
The World’s 50 Best Hotels ceremony will take place in London, UK, on Thursday 30 October at Old Billingsgate, where Soneva Fushi will be formally awarded as winner of the SeiBellissimi Art of Hospitality Award 2025.