In 1995, Eva and Sonu Shivdasani opened their first property – Soneva Fushi, in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi was the first luxury resort in what was formerly a mass market destination. In 2000, Soneva Fushi was awarded the Best of the Best by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller UK.
Each Soneva resort remains true to Sonu and Eva’s original vision of five star luxury accommodation but with a commitment to protecting the environment and respecting the local culture and fragile host eco system which is to remain undisturbed by the opening of any new resort. As creative director, Eva puts into practice her intensely personal vision of locally crafted and environmentally responsible villas. Each Soneva resort uses only natural and sustainable building materials. Eva is renowned within the hospitality industry for innovative and unconventional ideas and an overall daring approach that ensures a different ‘feel’ for each project. Her attention to detail is legendary amongst her colleagues.
Alongside the Soneva Group, Sonu and Eva have established The Soneva Foundation (formerly The SLOW LIFE Foundation), a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the development and operation of projects and campaigns that have a positive environmental, social and economic impact.
During the 70s and the 80s Eva was a top fashion model appearing on the covers of more than 100 high-end magazines world-wide. Eva also had a successful clothing company: L’EVA in Paris.
The Soneva Sustainability Report 2014-15 publishes the results of Soneva’s first Total Impact Assessment. [caption id="attachment_3317" align="alignleft" width="780"] Photo: Cat Vinton[/caption] In an effort to measure the total impact the company has on the natural world and on the…... more
Soneva was announced as the winner of the prestigious Word Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Award 2015 in the Environment category at the WTTC…... more
Participants at the 2014 SLOW LIFE Symposium. Successful initiatives such as WHOLE WORLD Water and Learn to Swim were born out of the SLOW LIFE Symposium. Following…... more
