In 1995, Sonu and his wife Eva opened their first property – Soneva Fushi, in the Maldives, creating a high end market in what was formerly a mass market destination. In 2000 and 2008, Soneva Fushi was awarded the Best of the Best by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller UK. Sonu’s concept was Intelligent Luxury and was the forerunner and inspiration for a host of imitators who saw the potential in going green.
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. Each Soneva resort uses only natural and sustainable building materials, plastic is banned and as much produce as possible is grown or caught locally to support the group’s constant drive to lower its carbon footprint and to realise Sonu’s vision for the group to be totally ‘decarbonised’ by 2015.
Alongside the Soneva Group, Sonu and Eva have established 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. The SLOW LIFE Foundation is the co-founder of WHOLE WORLD Water, an initiative to encourage the whole hospitality and restaurant industry to serve water produced onsite and invest savings in clean water projects around the world.
A descendant of Indian parents, Sonu was born and studied in England, with some periods of his education being in Nigeria and Switzerland. He is an alumnus of Eton College and a graduate of Oxford University, where he received an MA in English Literature.
www.slowlifefoundation.org
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