Soneva Jani Unveils The Den Children’s Club in the Maldives

Soneva launched its latest offering for family travelers at Soneva Jani in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. Two years of design, engineering and construction went into the creation of The Den, a space comprising more than 16,000 square feet where kids can let their imaginations run wild.

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The resort requires all phones and tablets to be left in the villas before entering The Den in order to encourage guests to learn, play and discover nature. The pool alone includes a waterslide, catamaran nets, a 105-foot zipline taking guests across the pool and through a waterfall, and shallow areas for toddlers. Spanning 1,668 square feet, the pool also features waterfalls, one of which leads into a grotto that transforms into a teen-friendly Cave Bar in the evenings.

The Cave Bar boasts a DJ booth, dance floor and pool bar serving mocktails. The Cave Bar isn’t the only space dedicated to teens; upstairs, The Hangout is a rooftop space featuring a telescope deck, music room, pool and foosball tables, pinball machines, table tennis set above a reflecting pond, and a dry slide.

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Guests enter The Den and hear the melodic sounds of the sea thanks to piano-inspired keys embedded in the wooden floors that trigger four underwater-themed compositions. Guests can switch between compositions and even create their own by stepping on a different key on the floor.

Inside The Den lies a LEGO and craft area, bowling alley, dress-up room, library and cinema. The kitchen area hosts cooking lessons and Soneva’s regular Junior MasterChef competition. The Den even includes an area dedicated to sensory play for toddlers.

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Bioluminescent flooring delights kids fascinated by science, in which a plankton blue-light effect occurs when activated by footsteps. Kids are also invited to discover the jellyfish alcove and partake in UV discovery exercises to reveal hidden infographics on the walls. Kids can also explore ocean themes in a 4-D perspective and identify the fish that matches their height using the fish ruler.

The Den hosts weekly rosters for both young children and teens, each filled with engaging and educational opportunities for parents and their children. The Den is open daily, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.