The Ultimate Global Travel Contest: Win a 1-Year Holiday at Kandima Maldives

What could be so amazing to be the ‘Koolest’ Prize on the planet? Kandima Maldives in association with Condé Nast Traveller (India & Middle East) is offering one lucky person to win a 1-year holiday at the resort! And YOU can enter this simple competition to win the holiday of a lifetime to vacation in the Maldives for 365 days (as many times as you like!).

The lucky winner gets to live their dream life in the Maldives for a year! And it all starts by just uploading a photo. This grand prize is a part of Kandima’s uplifting ‘Lifestyle Reimagined’ campaign. Moreover, this long dream vacation is worth $150,000+.

We are delighted to announce the experience redefining ‘365 Days in Paradise’ contest. For us at Kandima, it’s part of the spirit that not only ties back to our brand promise, but also emphasizes our goals to offer a spectrum of thoughtfully reimagined experiences to our guests. We are sure that with this once in a lifetime opportunity we will create a global marketing campaign to remember.
Neeraj Seth, Director of Marketing Communication & Public Relations at Kandima Maldives said.

How to Enter the Competition

Participants simply submit an original, kool photo that shows Kandima how they will bring one of the key ingredients that make Kandima Maldives such an awesome must-go destination into their life. The submissions are open until 8th October 2020. Furthermore, the resort’s five key ingredients are Nature, Sport & Wellness, Food, Adventure, and FUN!

In addition to that, they have to follow @cntravellerindia, @cntravellerme, and @kandima_maldives. Moreover, participants have to tag the person they want to spend 365 days in paradise with. Participants can also increase their chances to win by getting friends to vote & like kool videos. Afterward, the resort will shortlist 15 Finalists and they will be asked to send a short one-minute video telling the world why they should be the lucky one to win the holiday.

Step-by-Step Details to enter the Competition:

Follow @cntravellerindia, @cntravellerme, and @kandima_maldives on Instagram
Submit an original photo under one of the contest categories through the portal on the contest website
The contest categories (Ingredients) are published on the contest website.
Tag on social media a person you would bring along to Kandima Maldives.
Share the submission on social media and ask friends and followers to share the submission on social media.
Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the final stage of the contest

For further information and to enter the competition click HERE.

The Koolest Prize

The winner of the competition gets 365 days in the Maldives paradise, Kandima Maldives. In addition to that, the winner can also bring one additional guest and two kids under 12 years. The prize winner and the winner’s guest(s) can choose to stay at Kandima Maldives during the entire 365 day period. However, they can also visit Kandima Maldives as many times as they want during the 365-day period. In addition to that winner gets:

Accommodation: full board stay(s) in a Sky Studio at Kandima Maldives for a 365-day period valid from 15th November 2020 to 14th November 2021 (the ‘365-day period’)
Domestic Flights and Transfers: complimentary domestic flights and transfers to and from Kandima Maldives
Vouchers: the very first stay will include 1 voucher per person of US$ 50.00 value, which can be used for spa, water activities, signature Food & Beverage dining, as well as other seasonal activities
10% discount on spa & food & beverage: throughout the stay(s). However, the minibar and home delivery are not included
2 Complimentary Bikes: throughout the stay(s)

About Kandima Maldives

Kandima Maldives is a playground for the kids and BIG kids. The resort is for everyone looking for speed, excitement, marine beauty, watersports, diving, or just a piece of private paradise. In Addition to that, the resort is home to the longest outdoor pool in the Maldives. Furthermore, Kandima is also an ‘Aquaholics’ dream thanks to the watersports and diving school at the resort.

Kandima Maldives’ K’ App provides digital check-in and pre-arrival registration. Likewise, guests can enjoy contactless dining at all F&B outlets thanks to QR coded menus at the resort. Kandima can easily facilitate quick and hassle-free COVID-19 PCR tests as per the guests’ requirements as well.

Seeking relaxation? Or aquatic and island adventures? wellbeing, fitness or just family time? What’s guaranteed is that this 266-room beach resort has something for everybody!

Feature image by Kandima Maldives

Few figures have shaped the world of luxury travel quite like Sonu Shivdasani. As the co-founder of both Soneva and Six Senses, he defined what sustainable, experiential luxury looks like not just in the Maldives but on a global scale. Over more than three decades of passion-driven leadership, he transformed remote islands into globally celebrated eco-conscious sanctuaries.

Since opening Soneva Fushi in 1995, Sonu Shivdasani has pioneered a back-to-nature luxury experience that redefined the Maldives as a premier high-end destination. Under his leadership, Soneva introduced many hospitality innovations that have become industry standards, including private pools, open-air bathrooms, and curated experiences with marine biologists and artists. His approach seamlessly fused luxury with environmental responsibility by embedding sustainability into every facet of the business.

Now, following a significant change in Soneva’s ownership structure, Shivdasani embarks on a new chapter guided by creativity, exploration, and long-awaited personal pursuits.

Stepping Back, Not Stepping Away

In May 2025, KSL Capital Partners converted their preference shares into ordinary shares, taking majority control of the Soneva Group. Despite this shift, Sonu and his wife Eva remain significant minority shareholders but have stepped back from the company’s day-to-day operations.

Sonu Shidvasani told Hotel Investment Today,

“It is very important to us that Soneva thrives. However, I have agreed with them that they will run the business and Eva and I will not be involved.”

This marks the close of an era of active leadership while maintaining lasting influence. Their continued stake reflects deep-rooted confidence in the brand’s values and future.

A Legacy of Innovation in Sustainable Hospitality

To fully appreciate this transition, it is essential to reflect on Sonu and Eva’s remarkable journey, which has been a deeply personal and enduring commitment. Over more than 30 years, they built two globally respected hospitality brands that set new benchmarks for sustainability, wellness, and authentic guest experiences. They launched Six Senses in 2004, growing it to 26 resorts and 41 spas worldwide, before deciding to focus exclusively on Sovnea’s “One Wonder, One Operator, One Philosophy” model. This model champions intimate, purpose-driven luxury.

Beyond pioneering resorts, Sonu spearheaded transformative environmental and social initiatives through the Soneva Foundation, founded in 2010. Under his guidance, the foundation rolled out impactful programs, such as eliminating branded bottled water in favor of purified onsite water. This initiative funded clean water access for over 800,000 people across 50 countries. Additionally, the voluntary carbon levy on guest stays supports projects including planting half a million trees in Thailand, installing a windmill in India, and distributing energy-efficient cookstoves that have benefited nearly 300,000 people in Myanmar and Darfur.

He also led the Myanmar Stoves Campaign, which generated $14 million in social value over four years by reducing deforestation, improving public health, and increasing incomes for 140,000 people. In the Maldives, his groundbreaking Soneva Namoona waste management program led the regional and national phase-out of single-use plastic.

From Personal Challenges to Global Recognition

In 2017, Sonu faced a serious health challenge when diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After a courageous battle, he emerged with a renewed holistic wellness philosophy that integrated both conventional and alternative therapies. This vision led to the launch of the Soneva Soul, a wellness brand in 2021, broadening the group’s commitment to well-being.

Therefore, his extensive contributions to tourism, sustainability, and philanthropy earned him recognition in 2023 when he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). That same year, he received the SevenRooms Icon Award at the World’s 50 Best Hotels. A unique individual honor celebrating his transformative impact on global luxury hospitality.

Today, Soneva’s portfolio includes:

Soneva Fushi
Soneva Jani
Soneva Secret
Soneva in Aqua (luxury yacht experience)

Each property embodies the brand’s core philosophy, “SLOW LIFE.” Which focuses on Sustainability, Locality, Wellness, Learning, and Inspiring experiences. These principles have defined Shivdasani’s legacy and continue to shape the future of luxury travel.

Looking Forward: A New Chapter of Creativity

Despite stepping back, Sonu Shivdasani is far from slowing down. While many might see this as a step toward retirement, he views it as a welcome pause and a chance to breathe and pursue projects long deferred.

“I feel fortunate to have a little bit of a break to catch my breath and do many things that I have always wanted to, but have never had the time.. At 58, I have another lifetime of creativity ahead of me.”

With day-to-day operations now entrusted to KSL. He plans to revisit hospitality concepts he once envisioned to develop but had kept aside. His broad experience and deepening focus on wellness and longevity continue to inform his evolving perspective on hospitality.

What’s Next for Soneva Under KSL?

With its increased stake, KSL Capital Partners now guides Soneva’s next phase. Armed with a strong background in luxury travel and leisure, the firm intends to expand operations and invest in existing properties while preserving the founding values that define Soneva.

To lead this evolution, KSL appointed Neil Gallagher as Soneva’s new CEO.

The Legacy Continues

Though Sonu Shivdasani no longer leads Soneva’s daily operations, his legacy remains deeply woven into the Maldives hospitality sector and resonates across global luxury travel. His vision endures in every villa, every tranquil moment, and every barefoot step taken on the Maldivian sands.