Sunil Shah revealed that his desire to create a lasting legacy and build something majestic, drove him to buy, Round Island, once a barren island in the middle of the Indian Ocean in Seychelles, and transform it into a luxury resort.
You may have heard tons of stories about people buying dilapidated buildings, failed businesses, renovating them and turning them into successful hotels and other business ventures, but have you ever heard of someone purchasing an entire island and turning it into a massive luxury resort?.
Well, this is exactly what Sunil Shah, an Indian-origin businessman in Seychelles. While billionaires buying islands for their own recreational use is not unheard of, there are rarely any cases where someone bought an Island and turned it into a resort.
Who is Sunil Shah?
Sunil Shah was born into a Gujarati family which, over a century ago, had moved to Seychelles, a small island nation across the Indian Ocean, from their native Mandvi in Gujarat’s Kutch area. Sunil, whose father Anant-Jivan Shah ran a thriving business in Seychelles, had initially studied to be a Chartered Accountant (CA), but later decided to join the family business.
Ten years ago, Sunil, a self-professed nature-lover with a passion for art and architecture, decided to venture in to something unique and unheard of — he bought an entire island.
“As a child, I was fascinated by art and natural landscapes. I wanted to create spaces that people could enjoy while also leaving a lasting legacy,” Sunil Shah told Condé Nast Traveller in an interview.
‘Wanted to build something majestic’
Sunil Shah revealed that his desire to create a lasting legacy and build something majestic, drove him to buy, Round Island, once a barren island in the middle of the Indian Ocean in Seychelles, and transform it into a luxury resort.
The businessman, who runs AJ Shah & Associates, a top accounting firm in Seychelles with headquarters in Victoria, the Island nation’s capital, turned Round Island, once a barren isle, into the Enchanted Island Resort.
Shah’s island resort, part of Seychelles’ picturesque 150-island archipelago, is located in the mesmerizing Sainte Anne Marine National Park, a 10-minute boat rode away from the Mahe town, and now features eight luxurious villas and other luxurious amenities for high-paying guests who pay big money for an exclusive getaway.
Round Island resort
The Round Island resort was developed over a span of over five years with an investment of nearly $9 million. The luxury resort is managed by a Dubai-based operator, and has become a popular getaway destination for business leaders and high-end clients who often shell out big money for a trip to the island haven.
A night stay in one of the Round Island’s villas costs from Rs 45,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh per person, while a private island experience for 24 people can run up to Rs 8.5 lakh per night, making it an truly costly getaway experience which only a few can afford.
Being an art connoisseur himself, Sunil Shah has decorated Round Island with several unique and valuable pieces of art from Spain and France, adding to the appeal of the island oasis which often attracts high-profile individuals, including celebrities and business leaders from Europe, Russia, Middle East, and other parts of the world.
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