Soneva, one of the world’s leading luxury resort developers and operators, announced that an affiliate of KSL Capital Partners, LLC has taken a significant minority stake in the company. Soneva operates a collection of luxury resorts in the Maldives and Thailand. The partnership with KSL underscores the attractiveness of the Soneva brand and will support the company’s short- and long-term development goals.
As part of KSL’s investment, Sailing Capital, which had invested in Soneva in 2014, redeemed its investment in Soneva. With the support of Sailing Capital, Soneva was able to expand its portfolio in the Maldives. This includes the 2016 opening of the award-winning Soneva Jani Resort, which firmly re-established Soneva as a leader in the overwater villa market with its stunning design and architecture. Late last year Soneva unveiled two breath-taking new additions to its portfolio of villas and private hideaways at Soneva Fushi, the world-leading resort in the idyllic Baa Atoll in the Maldives. The six-bedroom Villa 43 Sunset Reserve and four-bedroom Villa 38 will set a new standard of desert island luxury. Just steps away from the beach and hidden amongst lush tropical forest, both residences have been designed to exist in perfect harmony with the unspoiled setting and Soneva’s one-of-a-kind ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy. Also last year, Soneva announced the launch of Soneva Fushi’s overwater villas. Perched above the turquoise depths of the Indian Ocean, the eight new one- and two-bedroom Water Retreats are scheduled to open by April this year, marking the start of a remarkable new chapter for this iconic Maldivian resort. Designed to exist in complete harmony with the Baa Atoll’s idyllic island setting, the new Water Retreats adhere to Soneva’s pioneering sustainability ethos, as well as its renowned ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy of barefoot luxury. “We are very proud to announce this exciting new phase for Soneva Fushi,” says Sonu Shivdasani, founder and CEO of Soneva. “When we first launched Soneva Fushi back in 1995, we redefined tourism in the Maldives with our unique vision that pioneered the concept of sustainable luxury. After more than two decades at the forefront of the global luxury tourism sector and as a bucket list destination in the Maldives, we strive to evolve with our guests’ ever-changing needs. While we will always remain true to the much-loved spirit and laidback ethos of Soneva Fushi, the new Water Retreats will elevate our offering, ensuring that our guests’ experience is more memorable and special than ever before.”