A cave bar, zip line and cinema are just a few of the many features at The Den, a newly-opened family space at Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. Taking two years to complete, the 1,500 square metre, two-storied structure is remarkable feat of engineering and is inspired by childhood wonder.
While The Den is designed for kids and teens, parents will get a kick out it too and can create lasting memories with their kids. Or they can choose to drop them off there to be watched over by the resort’s experienced childminders as they relax elsewhere at the resort.
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So, what’s inside The Den? Well, along with the aforementioned cave bar, zip line and cinema, it’s also home to a 155 square metre pool with two waterfalls, a waterslide and a grotto pool bar serving mocktails; a dance floor with a DJ booth; a skate ramp; a bowling area; a LEGO and craft area; and a library. In the lobby, kids can step on oversized piano keys embedded in the wooden floors that will play a song, or they can create their own.
Also inside The Den is a kitchen area hosting cooking lessons and the resort’s regular Junior MasterChef competition, as well as a bioluminescent floor area where a plankton-blue light effect is activated by footsteps.
On the roof deck is a space for teens, called The Hangout. There, teens can play in a music room, look out at the stars on a telescope deck or play pool, foosball, pinball or ping pong.
Older kids and teens can also join the Soneva Academy, which has immersive modular courses with topics including the Night Sky in the Maldives, Become a Birdwatcher and Zero Waste and Plastic Pollution in the Maldives.
Set on a 5.6km lagoon in the Maldives, Soneva Jani has 11 dining spots, an open-air cinema showing classic movies, coral planting sessions with a resident marine biologist and daily sunset cruises where you’re almost guaranteed to see a dolphin.