Six Senses Resorts & Spas will be sold to US private equity fund, Pegasus Capital Advisors.
The deal will see the Six Senses and Evason brands, as well as resort and spa contract and related intellectual property rights, acquired by Pegasus and its affiliates. The US firm said it intends to set up a new company to manage the 11 Six Senses and Evason resorts.
The sale will not include the company’s Soneva brand however, which will continue to be led by Six Senses founder Sonu Shivdasani, who now becomes Chairman & CEO of The Soneva Group. The Soneva brand currently consists of three hotels; two in the Maldives and one in Thailand.
“This transaction will allow me to focus solely on the development of the Soneva portfolio of resorts and real estate assets, and allow the Soneva and Six Senses brands to flourish independently of each other,” said Shivdasani. “For myself and Eva, my wife, this means we can devote all our energies to our first love – the development of the Sonevas. Soneva will continue to operate its philanthropic arm, The Slow Life Trust, and remain dedicated to achieving environmental goals and a corporate commitment to sustainability.”
Bernhard Bohnenberger, currently President of Six Senses, will be continuing in that role at Six Senses’ Bangkok office.
“Six Senses is known around the world for providing a unique and innovative guest experience,” commented Craig Cogut, founder of Pegasus Capital Advisors. “The brand has a great heritage, and we believe it is strongly positioned to grow. Going forward, the new Six Senses will be a debt-free company with committed capital for expansion into new and within existing international markets. We are confident that our president Bernhard Bohnenberger and our strong management team will continue to build on its legacy as a recognized leader in luxury hospitality.”
The value of the deal was not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close within the next three months.
Established in 1995, Six Senses currently employs almost 3,700 staff.
