Bangkok, 14 March 2005: Soneva Gili Resort & Six Senses Spa in the Maldives,
received the top honours as Hideaway of the Year 2004, from the prestigious
Hideaways magazine, at a gala ceremony held in Berlin on Saturday 12th March. The
occasion also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the publication.

The award, which was the result of a survey of more than four thousand discerning
travellers, was received by Six Senses founder and Chairman, Sonu Shivdasani, on
behalf of the resort, which opened less than three years ago.
Of Sonu, Hideaways wrote: “The man behind this year’s winning hideaway is one of the
hotel industry’s most successful visionaries. Together with his wife Eva, a top
Swedish model who has graced the front covers of more than one hundred top
international magazines such as Vogue and Marie Claire and who today is responsible
for designing all the interiors in her role as Creative Director, he has managed to
create with Six Senses, one of the most successful hotel groups in just a few
years”.

“Criteria for the poll included assessment of features such as location,
architecture, interior design, standard of comfort in the rooms and suites, cuisine
and obviously the service”.

Ironically, the Hideaway of the Year is currently undergoing refurbishment following
the Indian Ocean tsunami. Although not seriously damaged, nor experiencing any loss
of life or injury from the event, the decision was taken to close the resort until
repairs are completed. During this time, Soneva Gili is adding the world’s largest
all-over-water presidential-style suite: The Private Reserve at Soneva Gili, which
will be unveiled together with the resort’s re-opening on May 1st

Soneva Gili Resort and Six Senses Spa salutes the first and second runners up -
Raffles Singapore and The Oriental Bangkok, respectively. Soneva Gili’s sister
resort, Soneva Fushi - also in the Maldives - was awarded a position in the world’s
top 25 Hideaways.
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