The Soneva Group to focus on resorts with private residences
The Soneva Group, the new company formed following the divestment of the Six Senses and Evason brands, has announced it is to focus on developing resorts with private residences.
The move will see the Soneva Group relinquish management of Soneva Gili, which is being sold by majority shareholders Capital Holdings and HBOS, to a new owner.
The Soneva Group will focus on developing the private residence portfolio at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Kiri as well as opening new privately owned resorts in the future.
Soneva Gili was the only Soneva resort that does not contain private residences.
A deal to sell the management contracts of the majority of Six Senses and Evason branded resorts and spas has already been announced and is scheduled to close within the next few weeks.
Sonu Shivdasani, the Chairman and CEO of The Soneva Group, said: "This is in keeping with our decision to focus on developing private residences at Soneva branded resorts. Soneva Gili did not offer that potential. We will also focus on developing further Soneva resorts that will include a significant number of residential options.
The Soneva Group is looking at other remote but accessible islands to re-create an additional resort in the Maldives with the potential to sell overwater private residences in keeping with the new strategy.
The ideal location for a new Soneva will be in an atoll with less traffic and greater potential for developing private residences in tranquil surroundings.
About The Soneva Group
The Soneva Group is a world leading sustainable luxury resort operator. It is made up of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Kiri in Thailand. The company also holds a majority stake in Six Senses Laamu and Six Senses Hua Hin properties. Further Soneva resorts are planned in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Greece. Soneva in Aqua, a new yacht experience, will be launched in the Maldives in 2013.
The company is committed to leading the fight against climate change within the tourism sector with Soneva Fushi decarbonising by the end of 2013 and the other resorts to follow.
The Soneva Group came into being following the decision by Sonu Shivdasani, the founder of Six Senses Resorts & Spas, to sell the Six Senses and Evason brands in February 2012. Mr Shivdasani retains the role of Chairman and major shareholder in the Soneva Group.
About Six Senses
With 27 open hotels and 38 in the pipeline, Six Senses has a distinct proposition with a strong heritage, and provides an instant entry to some of the world’s most sought-after locations including important urban markets. Our competitive edge goes back to our locations, our design, our people, and our committed platforms of sustainability and wellness. We deliver on the promise of our name and reawaken the senses of guests with wellness offerings and experiences that are out of the ordinary. Each Six Senses property commits to guest rejuvenation and reconnection, with an expert focus on wellness and sustainability and creating places where people can reconnect, in harmony with the local environment.