For a Maldivian-born brand with five resorts in the famous island archipelago, many customers may wonder what sets Sun Siyam apart from the dozens of other resorts in the country. Which Sun Siyam resort is right for different types of travelers? Families may prefer one property while honeymooning couples may prefer one of the smaller resorts.
A common thread among them is that guests can choose between various dining packages. Most travelers opt for one of the all-inclusive packages that cover all food and beverages (a great way to save money in a pricey destination). A premium all-inclusive package includes extras like watersport and spa activities.
These are the main features that set apart each of the five Sun Siyam resorts in the Maldives. There is also a resort in Sri Lanka for those that want to complete their resort collection with the brand.
Siyam World
The newest and largest resort in the collection is a dramatic, and almost quirky, paradise that spans a full island with activities. This is perhaps the most all-encompassing resort in the Sun Siyam portfolio. It will appeal to those that like dozens of activities, restaurants and even types of accommodations. There are 18 different room types here, for starters.
One of the most popular (and fun) reasons to stay here is that all overwater villas have private plunge pools and slides that twist and turn from the private patio directly into the ocean. Slides are nothing new in the Maldives, but this is the only resort to offer them in every overwater villa (not just the top suites).
So popular are the slides that according to Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the Maldivian entrepreneur that launched this hospitality brand, going forward, all new resorts will include slides in every overwater villa.
Because the island is so large, and the dining and accommodation places are in different areas, there never seems to be larger crowds here. Dining options abound here including everything from Indian to Maldivian plus entertaining venues like Japanese teppanyaki and beach barbecues. Romantic beach dinners are another popular experience.
This is the kind of resort for someone that cannot sit still. Families, adventurous couples and friends traveling together will find this to be the ideal spot to find constant entertainment. The largest floating water park in the Maldives is perhaps the biggest draw with its water slides, trampolines, obstacle courses and climbing wall.
Siyam World is also home to the country’s first underwater Cuda Jet. It propels you out of the water and zooming around the sea for a thrilling ride.
The resort’s horse ranch is another first for Maldivian resorts where guests can ride horses or simply come and visit them at the animal farm. World Sports Arena is one of the biggest sports complexes in the country. It features tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball, futsal and padel courts, a FIFA-sized soccer field, beach volleyball and the first go-cart track in the Maldives. Families love the soccer clinics where well-known athletes from around the world train budding players.
There are also two dozen multi-bedroom villas (the largest have six bedrooms) with bar carts, private pools, living areas, kitchens and bathrooms with outdoor showers and plunges.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Much smaller, this resort island is best for couples that want to be in an easy-to-navigate island with plenty of watersport activities. Its 125 villas, both beach and overwater, each come with private plunge pools looking toward the sea.
Six bars and restaurants draw guests for meals, but unlike other properties, everyone can enjoy a small buffet and afternoon tea each afternoon in the main lounge. An Italian restaurant is perched over the ocean for epic views and breezes while Grouper Grill serves freshly caught seafood on the beach. Weekly beach and themed parties take place here, and guests can reserve private cocktail-making classes and tastings on the beach.
Weekly pool parties entertain guests, and those that want some pampering can head to the overwater spa. But, one of the most romantic getaways here is to do one of the romantic getaways to a castaway sandbank for a picnic or photo shoot.
There’s a wine-tasting academy, movies under the stars and watersport activities from diving to canoeing. The truly brave can take fly boarding jet pack lessons to soar above the blue water.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
This is another of the popular couples-focused, romantic resorts that stretches across 52 island acres. But, that doesn’t mean that families won’t find plenty of entertainment here from watersport activities to a separate pool for families complete with waterfall and splash zones. Adults have their own sunset-facing pool for their own bar-fueled retreat.
Sun Siyam has built a spa partnership with French brand Thalgo, and the spa here has more than 140 treatment options, many of which can be customized for perfection. This resort benefits from two spa complexes and two watersport centers with everything from kite surfing to snorkeling tours with manta rays, dolphins and nurse sharks.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Especially popular with honeymooners, this romantic resort is known for its house reef that attracts divers eager to explore the colorful underwater sea life. This is one of the smaller properties in the portfolio (about a fifth of the size of Sun Siyam World). Its grill and beachfront restaurant with wine cellar are the main dining option although the resort is known to set up romantic beach dinners for two. Another restaurant serves a blend of rustic Italian and Indian fare, a duo rarely explored on the same menu.
The largest accommodations here are two-bedroom overwater villas with private pool and direct access to the sea. There is no shortage of activities here from underwater safaris to visits to neighboring islands. Guests can go big game fishing, cruising at sunset to spot dolphins, jet skiing and a variety of other water sports.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli
This property is a favorite of divers because of the more than 50 dive sites surrounding the resort. It includes a former shipwreck, and the numerous surf breaks and coral reefs nearby are ideal for snorkelers. A separate section for only adults means this resort, which spreads across three islands, is able to balance family travel and romance seekers at the same time.
There are three main swimming pools and two pools for families. The resort has two spas with overwater treatment pavilions, a watersports center and kids club. Diners can choose from multiple restaurants including Indian and Thai menus, a seafood venue and beachfront pizzeria.
Those that do not want to pay for an expensive sea plane ride will appreciate that this is the closest of the Sun Siyam properties to the international airport. On South Male Atoll, it is only 45 minutes by speedboat, which makes it great for short weekend trips.
