Splendid Asia – All The Travel Help Provided Under One Roof

If you are the kind of person who loves planning vacations to Maldives and hits the Internet for all the information, Splendid Asia is one name you may have frequently came across. For those of you, who don’t know much about them; Splendid Asia is a well-established tour-operator based in the Maldives. Started in 2006, this organization has been dedicated to offering cutting-edge travel services to their clients based in different nooks of the world. They have garnered several applauses when it comes to staying updated with the newest travel trends and providing solutions.

They make it a point to offer customized travel packages and services to their clients. Be it about exotic sandy beaches, eccentric sceneries, or adventure activities, the experts at Splendid Asia will fish out the best deals in no time.

Talking about their booking process, in this era of technology, they have created a striking balance. Though they have an automated booking system, their agents lead the entire process of selecting and crafting a package. Splendid Asia understands that tour operators are more than just binary codes and wireless networks, which is why they offer services with unmatched passion and dedication.

Let us walk you through 10 simple reasons that make Splendid Asia one of the most prominent among the all tour operators in Maldives:

1. Knowledge and Personal Experience:

The agents at Splendid Asia have been in the travel industry for several years. They have closely studied the art of putting together a perfect holiday. With their experience and knowledge, they put forth the best in delivering a tailored travel package before you. They are known for analyzing the personal choices and preferences before offering a solution to the clients.

2. Competence:

They are competent in the way they have established their ties with the clients and big travel companies, resorts etc. This approach helps them cater to all the needs of their clients. An example would be them being able to make that ‘sold out’ room or adjoining rooms available for your family trip.

3. Situation Containment:

The team at Splendid Asia have many tricks up their sleeve; including ‘the fixer’ if at any point your vacation is disrupted. They know how to take advantage of the constant transactions between them and the proprietors. So, that makes them capable to fix unpleasant, if any, faced by the tourists.

4. The Best Deals:

Acclaimed tour operators such as Splendid Asia have access to perks that can add up to saving a lot of money. They can fish out the best deals for you in terms of free room upgrades, beneficial spa treatments, food, and beverage credits.

5. Time Saving:

Most individuals, who go seeking on the Internet to find options for their vacations, usually go in blindly. As a result, they end up on the web for hours or even days running through their options and wasting precious time. By choosing Splendid Asia, they will be assigned an agent, who ask them about the personal interests and use would use his vast spectrum of knowledge to come up with the perfect holiday plan in the shortest amount of time.

6. Always a Guaranteed Security:

Splendid Asia works hard to try and avoid this all together, but if there were ever a situation where something should go wrong in your trip, you can rely on them to assist you. Their team would suggest and help arrange alternative preparations to not let your trip be annihilated.

7. Keeping up with Travel Trends:

As the travel industry is their trade, Splendid Asia is always up-to-date and aware of the current trends in tourism. They know what new resorts have opened up, the activities that guests enjoy during a particular season, where to get the best food and more.

8. No Extra Cost:

Most resorts and hotels have a uniformly set price, whether the booking is done by the guests themselves or through an agent. Meaning that even if you decided to book your trip yourself or go through an agent, it is invariable. The advantage you get with Splendid Asia is that you don’t have to do any of the work. They’ll manage everything for you at no extra cost.

9. Precise Pairing:

Splendid Asia travel agents put in those extra efforts to make sure the personal needs of the client are fulfilled. They will go through all the options that are available and choose the ones that fit your taste and budget.

10. A Great Agent is Forever:

When you find that the excellent planning owed to your Splendid Asia travel agent has enhanced your holiday. You find reason to call them back for the next trip! You will never want to give up their services. Travel costs could certainly be your biggest elective spend in a given year, you would want to make sure the large sum you spend on it is worthwhile. Splendid Asia aims to have as many clients as such.

As a leading tour operator in the Maldives. Splendid Asia offers many advantages such as best rates, 100% secure online payments, real-time booking confirmations and technology-friendly services. With more than 10 years of experience, Splendid Asia offers a wide range of sartorial packages from customers seeking budget travelling to luxury. They offer 24-hour airport services and their agents are always available, on standby. Their representative office and branches are globally accessible. Splendid Asia employs a multilingual team in order to cater to clients from different nationalities.

Think no more and plan you next Asian escapade with Splendid Asia to experience the most splendid side of Asia.

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.