From stargazing with astronauts to training alongside sports champions, Soneva’s year-end event programme features eminent guests from various fields, inviting guests to engage in intimate exchanges and interactions.

Luxury resort group Soneva has unveiled the latest Soneva Stars event calendar. Featuring a rich array of activities spanning space exploration, sports, gastronomy, craftsmanship and wellness, it infuses year-end moments with inspiration and delight. At Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, guests get the chance to engage closely with accomplished luminaries from diverse fields, creating unforgettable moments through conversation, learning and immersive experiences.

As one of the most anticipated resident guests of the year, Tim Peake, the British astronaut who became the first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut to visit the International Space Station, will be in residence at Soneva Fushi from 19 to 29 December. He will deliver keynote talks, host interactive sessions and lead stargazing experiences, sharing unforgettable stories and unique insights from his space career with guests beneath the boundless Maldivian night sky.

The sports segment of the programme is equally compelling, featuring a lineup of internationally renowned athletes. Andy Cole, former Manchester United forward and the all-time top goalscorer in the Premier League, will lead football training sessions from 25 October to 1 November. Former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis (25 October – 5 November) and active ATP star Karen Khachanov (12 – 22 November) will host tennis clinics and offer professional coaching, allowing guests to play alongside world-class players. In September, Olympic medallist and decathlon world champion Leo Neugebauer will be in residence at Soneva Fushi, guiding guests through specialised workout sessions at the resort’s outdoor gym.

In the wellness sphere, Sarah Chapman, a highly revered facialist in the beauty industry, will take up residency at Soneva Secret from 27 October to 5 November. She will personally deliver exclusive luxury treatments, offering guests access to coveted skincare experiences rarely available elsewhere.

The culinary programme brings together a roster of acclaimed chefs, including Chantelle Nicholson (22 October – 6 November), celebrated for her cooking philosophy of honouring ingredients’ natural flavours and unwavering commitment to sustainable gastronomy, Niclas Jönsson (22 October – 6 November), who specialises in refined Nordic dining experiences, and Jamie Lee, head chef of Fiskebar (14 – 26 December). These three chefs will craft a series of distinctive gourmet experiences for resort guests over the year-end period.

Soneva Stars has much more to offer. The participation of astronomers Dr James Gilbert and Dr Lars Lindberg Christensen will further expand and elevate the resort’s stargazing experiences. Glass artists Adam Holtzinger and Susan Špiranović will take up residency for creative work at the glass studio in Soneva Fushi. To enrich the wellness offering, guests can engage and receive expert guidance from osteopath Hortensia Corredoira, East Asian healing specialist Alexander Scrimgeour, performance coach JP Liendi, Bodyism expert Nathalie Shyllert and wellness authority Richie Norton through a series of resident programmes running until year-end. In addition, freestyle football maestro Marcel Gurk will deliver captivating experiences.

Neil Gallagher, CEO of Soneva Group, commented: “The most unforgettable moments often stem from the power of genuine human connection. Through the Soneva Stars programme, our guests can train with Andy Cole, sit down and converse with Tim Peake to hear his firsthand experiences of being in the vast cosmos, and savour exquisite seafood creations by Jamie Lee. These extraordinary experiences not only inspire wonderful conversations but also forge precious memories that endure long after guests leave Soneva.”

Each season of Soneva Stars is one-of-a-kind. Every residency experience brings the brand ethos of “Just What Matters” to life — fostering connection through genuine human bonds, exploring the unknown from fresh perspectives, and creating unforgettable moments rooted in authentic, unspoiled wonder and discovery.