Three Soneva resorts in the Maldives have secured placed on Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Edge List, adding another international recognition for the country’s luxury tourism sector.
Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret were all selected for this year’s list, which highlights luxury travel experiences that encourage guests to explore destinations beyond conventional itineraries.
Now in its second year, the Edge List carries the theme “Curated Journeys” for 2026. Forbes Travel Guide said this year’s selection focuses on hotels and cruises that create distinctive journeys around the culture, natural environment and character of their destinations.
Soneva Fushi, located in the UNESCO-designated Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, was among the three Maldivian properties recognized. The resort pioneered Soneva’s barefoot luxury concept in the Maldives three decades ago and continues to place environmental conservation at the center of its operations and guest experiences.
Meanwhile, Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll combines luxury accommodation with wellness, recreation and nature-based experiences. Spread across five kilometers, the resort is known for its overwater villas with retractable roofs, alongside activities ranging from stargazing and tennis to Ayurvedic treatments.
Soneva Secret, the brand’s smallest and most secluded Maldives property, also made the list. Located in the remote Makunudhoo Atoll at the western edge of the country, the resort has just 13 villas and focuses on privacy, personalized stays and access to largely untouched marine surroundings.
Soneva CEO Neil Gallagher said the company aims to create experiences that leave a lasting impression on guests while connecting them with the destinations they visit.
“The places we remember are those that changed how we feel,” Gallagher said, adding that the recognition reflects Soneva’s focus on innovation, environmental stewardship and meaningful exploration.
Forbes Travel Guide evaluates the Edge List around four areas represented by the EDGE acronym: Exceptional Access, Daring Innovation, Global Stewardship and Elevated Experience. These criteria consider access to remarkable destinations, innovative experiences, conservation and community responsibility, and the quality of hospitality offered in remote locations.
Forbes Travel Guide CEO Hermann Elger said luxury travel increasingly depends on how carefully operators design the overall journey rather than simply the destination itself.
He said the 2026 list recognizes properties that turn travel into a more meaningful experience, whether by connecting guests with several destinations or allowing them to explore different aspects of a single location.
The inclusion of all three Soneva properties gives the Maldives further exposure in the international high-end travel market, where resorts increasingly compete on personalized experiences, sustainability and destination-led tourism alongside traditional luxury offerings.