Upcoming Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands Maldives Makes Key Appointments

Upcoming luxury property in the Maldives, Ritz-Carlton, Fari Islands Maldives has made key appointments to the resort’s team. The Marriott International‘s flagship luxury brand appointed Lamya Sebti as Director of Marketing, Aminath Raushaa Haadhee as Marketing Manager, Wendy Christ as director of Revenue Management, and Meeran Mohidhin as Director of Finance.

Lamya Sebti – Director of Marketing

Lamya is a Moroccan native with over 15 years of extensive marketing experience, leading marketing and communications in the world’s renowned global hospitality brands including The Ritz-Carlton by Marriott International and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts by AccorHotels.

No stranger to the Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, Lamya joined The Ritz-Carlton Maldives pre-opening team on 1st August, 2020 from her most recent post as Director of Marketing and Communications at The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain. She previously held the post of Multi-Property Director of Marketing and Communications at The Ritz Carlton, Rabat Dar Es Salam and The Ritz-Carlton Tamuda Bay, Morocco; and prior to that she served as Group Director of Marketing for MMC Catering, Groupe Lenôtre at Kuwait.

Lamya initially joined The Ritz-Carlton brand in 2013 as Marketing and Communication Consultant for The Ritz Carlton Residences, Jnan Amar Polo Club & Jnan Amar Polo Academy Morocco. She also served as Director of Marketing & Communication for Palmeraie Hotels & Resorts Morocco and Director of Marketing for Movenpick Tower & Suites Qatar prior to joining the Ritz-Carlton. Lamya holds a Master’s Degree in International Business and a Certificate in hospitality marketing from KEDGE Business School, Marseille, France.

Working alongside the Director of Sales & Marketing – Mafalda, Lamya will be focusing on driving and developing the marketing and communications strategies to reinforce the positioning of The Ritz Carlton brand in the Maldives.

Aminath Raushaa Haadhee (Aimy) – Marketing Manager

Aimy, a Maldivian national, began her new assignment with The Ritz-Carlton Maldives on 1st August 2020. She brings to her role over 10 years of experience in the hospitality arena, having worked with international hotel chains in the Maldives.

Most recently, Aimy served as the Public Relations Manager for LUX* North Male’ Atoll Maldives, where she oversaw the entire communications related activities of the resort including Public Relations, Marketing, Photography, and Collaterals. She initially joined LUX* North Male’ as Sales and Marketing Executive for the first three months, and was subsequently promoted to Public Relations Manager.

Prior to this role with LUX* North Male Atoll, Aimy was the Sales & Marketing Coordinator at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. She additionally held roles in reservations and front office departments at luxury resorts in the Maldives including Cheval Blanc Randheli, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, and Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.

Wendy Christ – Director of Revenue Management

Hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, Wendy is currently working in revenue management function with Marriott International. His current role as Market Revenue Manager includes heading the revenue management function for JW Marriott, Mayflower Executive Apartments, and The Ritz-Carlton Mega Kunigan in Jakarta Indonesia. He began his new assignment with The Ritz-Carlton Maldives on 1st August 2020.

Wendy’s first gained exposure in sales in 2009 as Reservations Agent at Harris Hotel Tebet Jakarta before joining Aston Hotel & Conventions Gading Serpong as Reservation & Ecommerce Supervisor and building a highly successful career with TAUZIA Hotel Management, where he held his first leadership role as Assistant Revenue and Distribution Manager in 2012 and subsequently promoted to Cluster Revenue & Distribution Manager – Bandung Area.

Wendy left TAUZIA Hotel Management in 2017 and joined Marriott International as Revenue Manager at Four Points Thamrin by Sheraton, followed by Market Revenue Manager at JW Marriott, Mayflower Executive Apartments and The Ritz-Carlton Mega Kunigan.

With over 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Wendy is an expert in Revenue Management. Possessing exceptional qualities of positive thinking and experience working at Marriott and Ritz-Carlton he will be a great addition to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives team.

Meeran Mohidhin – Director of Finance

Meeran brings over 20 years of professional and international experience in financial and management accounting to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives team Meeran has a strong track record of proven success in leading teams to deliver financial success and has a solid knowledge of hotel operations as he previously oversaw operations as the Executive Assistant Manager in charge of operations at Radisson Blu Hotel in Beijing China.

Previously. Meeran spent nearly 17 years as Director of Finance / Financial Controller for a number of leading international hotel chains in UAE, Thailand, Canada China. Bahrain and islands of Seychelles and Maldives. These included the Velaa Private Island, which is one of the top luxury resorts in the Maldives, The H Hotel & Office Tower (Dubai), Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel (Bangkok & China), Westmont Hospitality Group Arc The Hotel (Ottawa), Westin Bristol Place Hotel (Toronto), Banyan Tree Desert Spa & Resort (Bahrain) and 3 properties of Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts (Seychelles).

He has come a long way since the late 1990’s when he started his career in hospitality as Front Office Receptionist, subsequently moved to different roles of increasing responsibility and complexity as Director of Finance.

Meeran is a Canadian citizen but originally from India. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Commerce specializing in Financial Management, Auditing & IT Systems from the University of Bombay.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives has now completed the recruitment process of its Guidance Team following the recent appointments. Nestled in the North Male Atoll, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is accessible by 50 minutes via speedboat or 10 minutes by seaplane.

Marriott International’s flagship brand property is a part of the four-island Rah Falhu Huraa Lagoon development project. The luxury resort will feature 100 land and overwater villas alongside 5 F&B outlets.

In the Maldives, the Marriott operates The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, W Maldives, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa. The hospitality giant is also preparing to launch the Le Méridien brand in the 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.