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Soneva Fushi Opens the ‘World’s largest’ Overwater Villas

overwater villas at soneva fushi
The one- and two-bedroom overwater villas at luxury Soneva Fushi has been officially opened yesterday, 25th September 2020.

The world’s largest overwater villas at Soneva Fushi, Maldives are now open! The one- and two-bedroom overwater villas officially opened yesterday, 25th September 2020.

Size? The 1 Bedroom Water Retreats go 584 sqm./6,286 sqft. Meanwhile, the 2 Bedroom Water Retreats at 857 sqm./9,224 sqft. The spacious interiors and exterior living spaces give guests more to love. Thus, making them perfect for families as well. Moreover, each of the rooms in the Water Retreats can be sealed off. And the doors out onto the deck can be locked as well. In addition to that, the children’s room located at the back of the master bedroom is child-friendly and suitable for young Soneva guests of all ages.

As for the price, the starting price for the new Water Retreats at Soneva Fushi is USD 2,626 +++ per night for the 1 Bedroom Water Retreat with Slide. And USD 5,232 +++ per night for the 2 Bedroom Water Retreat with Slide.

Different from the iconic Water Retreats at Soneva Jani, these new overwater villas at Soneva Fushi are not whitewashed. Hence, the browns of the natural and sustainable wood panels are visible through the interior finishing. Furthermore, the 2 Bedroom Water Retreats have both bedrooms on the ground floor. Meanwhile, the pool moves to the front of the pool deck, now remaining suspended over the ocean.

Also read: Soneva to Bring Back All its Traditions this Festive Season

Soneva is a pioneering family of hospitality properties. The resort operator offers holistic encounters in luxurious and inspiring environments. The award-winning luxury resort Soneva Fushi set the standard for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways in the Maldives in 1995. Located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi pairs the castaway fantasy with intelligent luxury. Soneva believes If the experiences are magical, the philosophy is simple; No news, no shoes. And no pretensions either.

Feature image by Sandro Bruecklmeier / Soneva
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Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

Marriott International Celebrates Second Wave of Graduates in Maldives Apprenticeship Program

On April 19, 2025, Marriott International celebrated the success of 31 apprentices who graduated from the second batch of its Maldives Apprenticeship Program. The special ceremony took place at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and featured key dignitaries, including Hon. Ibrahim Waheed, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, along with other officials from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and the Maldives Institute of Technology (MIT). Additionally, Mark Fletcher, Marriott’s Area Director of Human Resources for Singapore and the Maldives, also attended to acknowledge the graduates’ achievements.

Hon. Ibrahim Waheed highlighted the program’s role in empowering the youth of the Maldives, commenting, “Today, we celebrate 31 apprenticeship graduates. These are 31 futures redefined—each a testament to what happens when opportunity meets action. To our apprentices, you step forward as ambassadors of possibility. And to Marriott International, thank you for not just supporting this program, but for championing it—your commitment to mentorship and local capacity building is truly admirable.”

A Collaborative Effort in Hospitality Training

The Marriott Apprenticeship Program is a collaborative effort between Marriott International, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment, and MIT. This 10-month program provides participants with a well-rounded education that includes theoretical lessons at MIT and hands-on experience at various Marriott resorts across the Maldives. Specifically, the apprentices received training in several key hospitality sectors, including front office operations, culinary arts, food and beverage service, and housekeeping.

By partnering with the Maldivian government, Marriott became the first international hospitality brand to support such an apprenticeship initiative in the country, reinforcing its dedication to developing local talent. In this way, the program supports Marriott’s broader mission to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the fast-growing Maldivian tourism industry.

Practical Experience Across Marriott’s Maldives Resorts

The apprentices completed their theoretical training at MIT before gaining practical experience at Marriott’s luxurious properties in the Maldives, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort; JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa; W Maldives; Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa; Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa; and The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort.

True to the company’s guiding principle of “We Put People First,” Marriott focuses on helping young professionals grow and succeed. As a result of their hard work, all the graduates received Level-3 certification, officially recognized by the Maldives Qualification Authority (MQA). This certification acknowledges their successful completion of both the academic and practical components of the program, preparing them for careers in the hospitality industry.

Looking Ahead to a Bright Future

Mark Fletcher reflected on the program’s origins, noting, “When we launched this program in 2023, it was envisioned as a pilot, a leap of faith, grounded in belief. A belief in crafting talents of Maldivian youth, belief in the strength and collaboration, and belief in Marriott’s commitment to “take care” – not just our people but the communities where we serve. What began as an initiative is now a movement, and Marriott International is proud to be the first international hospitality brand to officially launch such apprenticeship program in the Maldives”

Ultimately, this graduation marks a key milestone in Marriott’s efforts to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Maldives’ tourism industry by fostering a talented and skilled local workforce. Marriott looks forward to watching its graduates embark on successful careers and continue playing an essential role in the growth of the country’s hospitality sector.

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