Travel
Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, the visionary hoteliers who transformed the Maldives into a global luxury destination through the creation of Six Senses and Soneva, have announced plans to launch a new hospitality brand, Sosei. The development was revealed in an exclusive interview with Ron Gluckman for Travel + Leisure Asia.
The Shivdasanis, who earlier this year sold a majority stake in Soneva—stepping back from operational involvement—will now turn their focus to Sosei. The new brand, meaning “rebirth” in Japanese, will draw on Japanese traditions of wellness and hospitality while embracing international opportunities in destinations ranging from Japan and the Arctic Circle to the European mountains, South Africa and across Asia.
Shaping the Maldives’ Luxury Landscape
The Maldives has been at the heart of the Shivdasanis’ story. When they opened Soneva Fushi in 1995 on Kunfunadhoo Island in Baa Atoll, they redefined what luxury meant in the archipelago. At a time when most resorts catered to European package tours, the Shivdasanis introduced the concept of barefoot luxury under the now-famous motto “no shoes, no news.”
As Sonu recalled to Travel + Leisure Asia, the couple overcame the challenge of remote access by chartering helicopters from Eastern Europe in the 1990s and later spearheaded seaplane transfers—developments that would reshape connectivity across the Maldives. Their model of open-air bathrooms, locally grown produce, plastic-free operations and on-site water bottling set new sustainability standards that have since become hallmarks of the country’s hospitality sector.
Soneva’s approach not only elevated the Maldives on the global luxury map but also inspired the wave of ultra-luxury resorts that followed, cementing the islands as one of the world’s most desirable high-end travel destinations.
A Global Rebirth with Sosei
According to the Travel + Leisure Asia interview, Sosei will continue this spirit of innovation but expand beyond the island model to include boutique urban properties. This marks a departure from the couple’s earlier ventures and reflects their ambition to bring sustainability, wellness and personalised luxury to a wider range of settings.
Sonu, who was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2023 for his contributions to tourism, sustainability and charity, believes their work has already challenged long-held perceptions in the industry.
“You know, people would say: If it’s sustainable, it can’t be luxurious. Or if it’s luxurious, it can’t be good for you. We proved that you can do all of that,” he told Travel + Leisure Asia.
The move comes after a period of personal challenge for Sonu, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in early 2024. Having undergone successful treatment and continuing with immunotherapy, he describes Sosei as both a professional and personal “rebirth.”
For the Maldives, the Shivdasanis’ new venture may signal another era of innovation in luxury tourism, as the couple continues to influence global hospitality trends from their original base in the Indian Ocean. While Sosei is positioned as an international brand, the legacy of Soneva and the Maldivian islands’ transformation remains central to their story.
As they embark on this new chapter, the Shivdasanis’ blend of sustainability, wellness and creativity—first pioneered in the Maldives—appears set to once again reshape expectations of luxury travel worldwide.
