This month, the world-leading luxury resort operator Soneva will be celebrating its 25 years anniversary. Founded in 1995, today the brand is synonymous with ‘intelligent luxury’. Soneva stands renowned for crafting rare and authentic experiences for guests while pioneering sustainability across every level of its operations.

From October 2020 through to 2021, Soneva’s resorts will be hosting a calendar of events and celebrations. The events will recognize many of the ground-breaking achievements and industry firsts the brand has made during its 25-year journey. Soneva is the brainchild of the husband and wife team, Sonu Shivdasani and Eva Malmström Shivdasani. After falling in love with the Maldives while on holiday, the couple discovered Kunfunadhoo, an unspoiled and uninhabited island in the enchantingly beautiful Baa Atoll, opening Soneva Fushi in 1995, the Maldives’ first-ever luxury hideaway.

Over the last 25 years, we have created a new benchmark for luxury and experiential travel. As a business, we understand the importance of crafting enriching, exceptional experiences for our guests and will continue to evolve with their needs in order to surpass their expectations while remaining true to our sustainable ethos and intelligent luxury.

Soneva Founder and CEO, Sonu Shivdasani said.

With its unique ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy, the resort set a new standard in barefoot luxury. The standards not only transformed the Maldivian tourism industry but also continues to inform Soneva’s role as a leader, trend-setter, and innovator in the world of hospitality. Meanwhile, over the last quarter of a century, the Soneva portfolio has expanded to become a collection of luxurious resorts. Likewise, with each unique destination boasting breath-taking locations, tastefully appointed villas, one-of-a-kind experiences, and a personalized, intuitive service, tailored to guests’ every need.

Soneva Fushi was followed by the launch of Soneva Kiri on Thailand’s fourth-largest island, Koh Kood, in 2009. Soneva in Aqua, a 23-metre ultra-luxury yacht concept, set sail in the Maldives for the first time in 2015. The yacht combines Soneva’s inimitable resort experience with the freedom of a private charter. Most recently, Soneva Jani, located in the Maldives’ idyllic Noonu Atoll and surrounded by a sparkling private lagoon, opened its doors to guests in 2016.

The three Soneva resorts continue to garner a raft of prestigious international awards. In 2020, Soneva Jani was included in the Gold List of Conde Nast Traveler’s Best Hotels and Resorts in the world. In 2019 Soneva Fushi was included on the same list, while Bilanz’s ‘best hotel in the world’ award went to Soneva Jani, and Soneva Kiri was named the ‘number one resort in Asia/Thailand’ in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. 

To view Soneva’s full 25th-anniversary campaign including a curated collection of videos by Bruno Aveillan, and Soneva’s gallery of old photos since 1995, please visit: www.soneva.com/25-years-of-soneva

Feature image by Soneva