Picture the Maldives and you can’t help but conjure up stretches of white sand, gently swaying palm trees and sparkling, aquamarine water. You may assume this is an unattainable paradise – but you’d be wrong.
Thanks to the unique Maldivian-owned hotel group Sun Siyam Resorts, this tropical idyll is a surprisingly affordable, yet luxury, destination brimming with experiences you might not expect from a group of islands famed for sun loungers and laid-back vibes. From the original, alluring Sun Siyam Vilu Reef (so entrancing it’s seen one couple return more than 40 times!) to the recently refurbished Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka (the only resort outside the Maldives), here’s why you should visit one of its private-island resorts this summer...
1. Divine dining options
If sampling incredible food and drink is more important to you than topping up your tan, make sure you check in to Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, which boasts a whopping 15 restaurants and bars. Choose cuisine from all over the world, such as French fine dining at Flavours, Asian delicacies at Bamboo or fresh seafood, served Maldivian-style, at the Islander’s Grill. Enjoy a sundowner at adults-only poolside bar Reflections or remind yourself you’re in the Indian Ocean by seeking out authentic curries, dahls and breads at A Taste of India.
2. Unrivalled reefs
It may not be headline news that the Maldives offers fantastic marine life, but diving enthusiasts will be utterly spoilt at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef thanks to its uniquely preserved house reef. Offering some of the best diving and snorkelling in the archipelago, it’s situated just a few steps from the white-sand shoreline and is home to turtles and huge schools of spectacular coloured fish. Special courses created especially for children mean the whole family can dive together – and even better, each resort has a dedicated coral restoration project, helping to make sure these fragile ecosystems continue to flourish for future generations to enjoy and explore.
3. World-class wellness
The perfect place to come and be pampered, The Spa by Thalgo France at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi will have you feeling blissful as soon as you stroll through the lush forest to reach your individual pamper room. 160 treatments are on offer, including several which are Maldivian-inspired, so you can truly feel as if you’re connecting with the island. The spa practitioners combine timeless wisdom with a contemporary approach, and specialise in traditional massage, as well as world-renowned wellness practices. You can also avail yourself of hydrotherapy rooms, steam rooms and saunas, with bespoke consultations on offer, in addition to personalised wellness experiences such as one-to-one yoga sessions with guided meditation, or a meeting with the spa’s resident Ayurvedic doctor.
4. The best of both worlds
If you can’t make up your mind between a beach-based holiday or something more adventurous, Sun Siyam Resorts offers the perfect solution: a split-destination trip between one of its Maldives resorts and its newly refurbished Sun Siyam Pasikudah on Sri Lanka’s east coast. Boasting 34 luxurious pavilions, it’s a perfect base to explore some of the island’s incredible wildlife, plantations and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Spot wild elephants and monkeys at Minneriya National Park, where you might even spy endangered species such as the Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bear; visit the royal ancient city of Polonnaruwa, or take a trip to the golden bay on Pasikudah Beach and snorkel above coral formations and schools of reef fish.
5. Authentic island life
The downside of many five-star hotels is that you could be anywhere. Not at Sun Siyam Resorts though, as each one offers a truly authentic Maldivian welcome, albeit with a unique vibe and different experiences. Vilu Reef, where it all began, boasts stunning overwater villas, a secluded beach and fabulous house reef. Iru Fushi offers a personalised butler service, perfect for honeymooners and families (up to two children under 15 can stay and eat for free!). Sun Siyam Olhuveli suits an adventurous crowd, thanks to an itinerary including shark encounters and shipwreck snorkelling, while Sun Siyam Iru Veli appeals to those looking for laid-back luxury.
Finally, new Siyam World attracts groups of friends and multi-generation families on one of the Maldives’ largest islands. Best of all, you can holiday with a clear conscience knowing that the group has a bedrock of sustainability programmes to ensure it takes less and gives back. What more could you want?
Take advantage of summer-special offers and book your Sun Siyam Resorts holiday today
