Soneva was founded in 1995 by Sonu and Eva Shivdasani, visionaries who pioneered the concept of barefoot luxury and sustainable tourism in the Maldives. Their first resort, Soneva Fushi, set a new standard for luxury hospitality. It blended environmental responsibility with high-end experiences. The brand’s name itself is a portmanteau of the founders’ first names to symbolise their personal commitment and philosophy. The article explores the Soneva logo and other details about the company.
The Genesis of the Soneva Logo (1995 – Present)
The Soneva logo displays the sun emblem at the top and the brand name in a minimalist aesthetic. The design is intended to evoke a sense of tranquillity, exclusivity, and connection to the natural world. Designed using earthy tones, the sun emblem is followed by the brand name in a handwritten, stylish, and playful bespoke typeface below. A small arc in the same earthy tone is displayed at the bottom to underscore the brand name.
The Elements of the Soneva Logo
Font
The Soneva logo employs a clean and elegant serif font to convey sophistication without ostentation.
Colour
The Soneva logo displays an earthy colour palette, which evokes the feel of the sand, sea, and lush greenery of its locations.
The History of Soneva
Soneva is a luxury resort brand founded in 1995 by Sonu Shivdasani and his wife, Eva Malmström Shivdasani. Their vision shaped sustainable, barefoot luxury hospitality in the Maldives and beyond. Their story begins with a deep personal connection to the Maldives, where they sought to create a resort that honoured the environment and offered a new kind of luxury experience.
Sonu Shivdasani, who is a British-Indian entrepreneur educated at Eton College and Oxford University, met Eva, a former fashion model from Sweden, during his studies. Captivated by the pristine natural beauty of the Maldives, the couple leased Kunfunadhoo Island in the Baa Atoll in 1990. After several years of planning and development, they opened Soneva Fushi in 1995, which became the first eco-luxury resort in the Maldives and is widely regarded as the country’s premier island destination. The resort introduced the concept of barefoot luxury, which blends environmental responsibility with high-end comfort.
After the success of Soneva Fushi, Sonu and Eva expanded their hospitality ventures. In 1997, they launched the Evason hotel group, and in 2004, they founded Six Senses Resorts & Spas. These grew into a globally recognised luxury spa and resort chain with 26 resorts and 41 spas by 2011. In 2001, Soneva Gili opened as the first fully overwater resort in the Maldives, which further innovated the luxury experience. In 2009, they expanded to Thailand with Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood Island.
Soneva has always placed sustainability at its core. In 2007, Soneva Fushi opened Eco Centro, the first integrated waste management centre in Maldives. The brand introduced a 2% carbon levy in 2008 to offset emissions and banned branded bottled water to reduce plastic waste. In 2008, Soneva also debuted the first astronomy observatory in the Maldives to enhance guest experiences with a connection to nature and science. The Soneva Foundation, which was established in 2010, advanced the brand’s commitment to conservation, education, and sustainable development.
In 2012, Sonu and Eva sold the management contracts and intellectual property of Six Senses and Evason to Pegasus Capital Advisors. They also sold Soneva Gili (now Gili Lankanfushi) to focus exclusively on the Soneva brand under the “One Owner, One Operator, One Philosophy, One Brand” strategy. This move allowed them to concentrate on resorts with private residences, a new concept in the Maldives following a change in local law in 2010 that permitted foreign leasehold ownership. Soneva Fushi became the first resort to offer such residences in 2011.
Soneva continued to innovate with the opening of Soneva Jani in 2016. It featured overwater and beachfront villas with residences available for purchase. In 2020, Soneva Jani expanded with Chapter 2 and introduced an all-inclusive product. The brand also launched the AquaTerra conservation, education, and science facility at Soneva Fushi in 2023. In 2025, Soneva installed renewable energy systems at its resorts to supply half of their electricity needs. It led to the reduction of diesel consumption and carbon emissions.
The leadership of Sonu Shivdasani has been recognised internationally. For instance, he was awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to tourism, sustainability, and charity. He is also a founder of the Soneva Foundation, which supports environmental and social initiatives aligned with the brand’s values.
The history of Soneva is marked by a commitment to redefining luxury through sustainability, innovation, and a deep respect for nature. The brand’s “slow life” philosophy encourages guests to reconnect with the environment and themselves. It helps create rare and beautiful destinations that resonate emotionally. Today, Soneva has grown into a globally respected leader in sustainable luxury hospitality and continues to push the boundaries of what responsible tourism can achieve.
Interesting Facts About Soneva
- Soneva popularised the “No News, No Shoes” philosophy. According to this, guests are encouraged to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature. Here, shoes are optional, and phones are discouraged in public spaces.
- Soneva is one of the most environmentally conscious luxury hospitality brands:
- It introduced a 2% environmental levy on stays, which funds global carbon mitigation projects.
- Soneva resorts run on 100% solar power (with backup) and recycle over 90% of their waste.
- At Soneva, drinking water is filtered on-site to eliminate plastic bottles completely.
- Soneva was founded by Sonu Shivdasani and his wife, Eva Malmström Shivdasani. They combined their names to create “Soneva” and opened the first luxury resort in the Maldives — Soneva Fushi — in 1995.
- Soneva’s resorts often feature fully equipped observatories and even host resident astronomers. These allow guests to stargaze in luxury. At Soneva Jani, the stargazing experience includes telescopes and even dining under the stars.
- Soneva introduced the world’s first outdoor cinema on the beach — called Cinema Paradiso. It had wireless headphones to avoid disturbing local wildlife.
- Soneva also operates a private luxury yacht that blends overwater villa comfort with sailing adventure. Guests can charter it for bespoke trips across the Maldives.
- Soneva offers immersive wellness experiences with Ayurvedic doctors, wellness specialists, raw food chefs, and visiting practitioners from around the world.
- Some villas at Soneva Jani feature private water slides that go straight from your room into the lagoon — a favourite for both kids and playful adults.
Finally
The Soneva logo is more than a visual mark—it is a reflection of the brand’s philosophy, history, and ongoing commitment to luxury with a conscience. It tells the story of a brand that has remained true to its roots while continually innovating and adapting to the changing landscape of luxury hospitality.