Soneva Jani opens new overwater villa category with private pools

Soneva Jani has opened twelve new water villas under a category it calls Chapter Two, completing the second phase of a multi-year expansion at its Noonu Atoll property. Each residence in the new wing features a private infinity pool cantilevered over the lagoon, a slide direct into the water, and — the detail attracting most attention from the industry — a fully retractable roof above the master bedroom, exposing guests to the night sky without leaving the villa.

The retractable roof is not a Soneva invention; the original Chapter One villas pioneered it. But extending the feature across twelve new larger residences at a time when competitors are largely building conventional overwater structures confirms the brand's philosophy of doubling down on differentiation rather than chasing floor-area records.

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The retractable roof concept — now offered on every villa in the new wing — moves Soneva Jani from aspirational to genuinely difficult to replicate.

Rates for Chapter Two villas begin at $4,800 per night including the Soneva inclusive supplement, which covers dining, non-motorised water sports, house wine, and a nightly astronomy session at the resort's ISTA Observatory. The property's 51 total villas are now split roughly evenly between the original wing and the new Chapter Two residences.

MT Index scoring for Soneva Jani is currently under review to reflect the expanded inventory and updated guest experience benchmarks. An updated score will be published within the next fortnight.