Sosei; the visionaries Behind the World’s Most Transformative Wellness Resorts Are Building Their Next Chapter
Sosie is the brainchild of two of the most respected names in global wellenss resorts. Few names have reshaped the landscape of sustainable luxury travel and wellness resorts more profoundly than Sonu and Eva Shivdasani. As the creative force behind Soneva and Six Senses, the husband‑and‑wife duo set a new global standard for how wellbeing, sustainability, and sophistication can coexist.
Now, after decades of pioneering change, they are unveiling their next venture: Sosei, a wellness resort brand that promises to redefine luxury hospitality once again — this time through a lens of minimalist elegance, urban accessibility, and Japanese‑inspired wellness philosophy.
The word Sosei means “rebirth” in Japanese, a fitting reflection of where the Shivdasanis stand today: returning to the essence of mindful luxury and evolving it for a new world of travellers.
The Legacy of Soneva and Six Senses
The story of Sonu and Eva Shivdasani is interwoven with the origin of the entire eco‑luxury travel movement. When they founded Soneva Fushi in the Maldives during the 1990s, they were not just opening a resort — they were introducing a philosophy: that sustainability could sit at the heart of ultra‑luxury experiences.
Long before “eco‑friendly travel” became a buzzword, the couple’s “No News, No Shoes” concept championed barefoot living, low-impact architecture, and environmental stewardship without compromising comfort or style.
From Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani to the spectacular Soneva Kiri in Thailand, every property was conceived as an intelligent sanctuary — glamorous yet grounded, indulgent yet regenerative. That belief soon evolved into their next global pursuit: Six Senses.
When the Shivdasanis founded Six Senses, they transformed hospitality wellness into an emotional experience rooted in community and culture. The brand was later acquired by IHG Hotels & Resorts, yet its ethos — blending luxury with sustainability and spiritual wellbeing — remains synonymous with the Shivdasani heritage.
Six Senses became a cornerstone of IHG’s expanding luxury and lifestyle portfolio, a category now home to icons like Regent, Kimpton, and InterContinental. The brand’s ongoing evolution reflects the seeds Sonu and Eva planted years ago: integration of nature, culture, and purpose as the essence of travel.
The Birth of Sosei: A New Direction
Now, the couple is once again reimagining the spirit of hospitality. Sosei, their newest brand, draws deeply from Japanese culture — emphasizing rebirth, purity, and mindfulness.
Unlike their earlier island‑focused projects, Sosei will encompass intimate boutique properties not only in far‑flung destinations but also in key international cities. The shift marks an exciting evolution: from secluded sanctuaries to sophisticated urban oases that deliver the same serenity and sustainability Soneva guests have long cherished.
Described by hospitality media including TTG Asia and Luxury Travel Advisor as a blend of “Japanese simplicity and organic design,” Sosei will prioritize texture, silence, and human connection — a conscious antidote to modern excess.
According to early previews, guests can expect wellness‑embedded architecture, immersive regenerative dining, and tailored mindfulness programs, all guided by the brand’s “rebirth through stillness” philosophy.
The Shivdasanis have hinted that each hotel will act as a portal for reflection, creativity, and reconnection — whether in Kyoto, London, or Singapore.
Japanese Inspiration and Global Intent
The inspiration behind Sosei’s design language is unmistakably Japanese. In a recent interview, Sonu Shivdasani cited Japan’s balance of minimalism and precision as a foundation for the new brand.
Sosei’s creative direction reportedly integrates concepts like omotenashi (authentic hospitality), ikigai (purpose and joy in living), and wabi‑sabi (beauty in imperfection). Each property will seek to create harmony between nature and city, intimacy and innovation — an aesthetic evolution of what Soneva once did for island escapes.
By weaving these design philosophies with wellness and sustainability, Sosei aims to speak to a new generation of mindful travelers — guests who crave balance between global adventure and personal growth. The urban setting reflects that commitment: luxury as experience, not excess.
Partnership and Purpose
The Shivdasanis’ next chapter builds on the foundation they laid with Six Senses’ success under the IHG umbrella, but this new hotel brand Sosei, founded by Sonu and Eva Shivdasani—the creators of Soneva and Six Senses—does not have any direct ownership or operational connection with IHG Hotels & Resorts.
IHG’s luxury wellness leadership continues to grow, fueled by consumer demand for meaningful travel across its brands — from InterContinental’s cultural storytelling to Six Senses’ holistic programming.
For IHG, the Shivdasani legacy is both symbolic and strategic. Six Senses remains a major differentiator in an increasingly competitive market that prizes authenticity and environmental integrity. The rise of Sosei demonstrates how the couple’s influence continues to shape the broader industry conversation on conscious luxury.
Their focus now, according to statements shared in Hospitality Design and Travel + Leisure, is on “reviving the essence of simplicity.” That mission feels particularly resonant in 2025, as travelers seek centered, minimalist experiences — not more accumulation, but more meaning.
Luxury Reborn: What to Expect from Sosei
While project details remain closely held, several outlets have noted that the brand’s inaugural property — rumored to debut in Japan — will feature zen‑inspired suites, artisanal craftsmanship, forest bathing wellness circuits, and holistic dining concepts sourcing seasonal local cuisine.
Unlike traditional wellness retreats, Sosei aims to translate tranquility into everyday life, appealing to seasoned wellness travelers, entrepreneurs, and urban explorers alike.
Each Sosei property will maintain an ultra‑low carbon footprint, following in the footsteps of Soneva’s pioneering “intelligent luxury” model. Natural materials, renewable energy, and circular design practices will all be core to the guest experience.
From a hospitality design perspective, Sosei is expected to carry Eva Shivdasani’s celebrated sensibility for décor and emotion: structures breathing with silence, interiors infused with sensory calm, and spaces that feel as alive as they are restorative.
The Shivdasani Influence
Across three decades, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani have built more than resorts — they’ve built philosophies. Their influence shaped what the world now recognizes as regen‑luxury hospitality — experiences that restore both planet and person.
Their projects have inspired countless brands, including Six Senses under IHG’s stewardship, Aman’s wellness portfolio, and boutique eco properties from Costa Rica to the Seychelles. As Sosei emerges, it promises to continue that lineage: blending cultural authenticity, design sophistication, and emotional intelligence.
Why Sosei Matters Now
The timing for Sosei could not be more relevant. As luxury travelers seek depth, serenity, and emotional clarity, the industry is pivoting toward experiences that deliver inner value. Wellness is no longer an amenity — it’s the essence of travel.
By returning to simplicity and connecting Japanese wellness with international dynamism, Sonu and Eva Shivdasani once again capture the zeitgeist of global luxury hospitality: mindful, elegant, and timeless.
For the luxury travel world, their upcoming venture shows that true innovation means returning to purpose. And for guests, Sosei’s arrival signals the dawn of a new hospitality era — one that feels less like escape, and more like awakening.
