The founder and chief executive of Soneva, Sonu Shivdasani has been selected as a member of the 2021 Condé Nast Traveler advisory board.
The brand, Soneva, was established in 1995 by Sonu Shivdasani and his wife, Eva Malmstrom Shivdasani, leasing a resort in the Maldives, with their hearts set on making their dreams come true, which ensued in the creation of the exclusive, sustainable luxury resort, Soneva Fushi. When Eva and Sonu Shivdasani built Soneva Fushi as well as their home on the deserted island of Kunfunadhoo in the Maldives in 1995 they had no idea that their intensely personal vision of a locally crafted villa and environmentally responsible lifestyle would form the basis of a successful collection of world-class hotels, resorts, and spas. But that’s exactly what happened. Soneva Fushi was the first ‘castaway’ resort in the Maldives, pioneering a trend for back-to-nature luxury holidays.
Soneva Fushi, the original resort, sits within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. The resort is quite known for its No News, No Shoes moral for all barefoot desert island hideaways. The resort’s pure connection with nature inspires the imagination with 62 one to nine bedroom beachfront villas.
One of the many fine qualities of Soneva has been its relentless strive to maintain sustainability throughout its many years of grandeur. The efforts and hard work have certainly paid off, as the resort is known for its infusion of luxury and sustainability today.
Soneva brand established a blueprint for a highly acclaimed international business, followed by the many additions like Soneva Kiri on the unspoilt Thai island of Koh Kood in 2009 and Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll, Maldives, in 2016. The success of the Soneva brand also paved the way for Six Senses Resorts and Spas with award-winning properties in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Under Eva’s and Sonu’s direction, the Six Senses brand gained a global following before being sold in 2012.
Today Soneva has many imitators, but no equals. Each Soneva and yachting experience, Soneva in Aqua– impresses on a wide range of levels. Breathtaking ‘remote but accessible’ natural locations, effortlessly chic accommodation, incredible food, truly memorable activities, an inspiring ethos of sustainability and service that is uncannily intuitive.
Photo Credit: Soneva
