Soaking Up

In Sun Siyam

When these beautiful islands in the sun beckon, you dive right in. So we did, visiting three varied Sun Siyam properties in sun-kissed Maldives 

Text & Photographs: Rozina Gaziyani

On a recent trip to The Maldives, I got acquainted with Sun Siyam, an indigenous hospitality group, which owns five properties in The Maldives and one in Sri Lanka. It was founded by Mr Ahmed Siyam Mohamed in 1988, the first property being Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.  I am told this group is quite popular with Indians, 20% of Indian travellers to The Maldives last year opted for a Sun Siyam property. I am not surprised by this, as the chain has something for everyone.

The resorts in The Maldives are split into three categories: Luxury Collection, which has Sun Siyam Iru Fushi; this is the highest level of island indulgence, offering premium, exclusive experiences for the discerning traveller. Lifestyle Collection has Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, both resorts are vibrant, energetic and brimming with entertainment and recreation, perfect for families, friends and couples alike. Privie Collection boasts of intimate barefoot hideaways where privacy and comforts come first. Sun Siyam Iru Veli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef fall in this category. I had the opportunity to check out three of them, each very different from the other.

Let’s start with Siyam World. On arriving at the new swanky airport, the trip started with a quick breakfast at the Sun Siyam lounge, before settling into a 40-minute scenic seaplane flight to the resort. It doesn’t matter how often one has taken the seaplane; the views below never fail to overwhelm, they are breathtaking, awe-inspiring.

Siyam World is the group’s largest resort, spread over 54 hectares, with the widest range of accommodation types, a total of 469 staying options, single bedrooms to 6-bedroom, ocean and beach villas, the second largest of the group in terms of keys. It has close to 20 dining options covering a whole lot of cuisines to satisfy every taste bud, and activities galore to keep you fully occupied all day long, Maldives’ largest floating waterpark, water sports, jet car ride, a go-karting track and lots more. Moving around the island is convenient, with a bus service operating from early in the morning until late at night. You walk out of your villa, go to the nearest bus stop and get into the oncoming bus. The stops are creatively named after world capitals, and each one is unique, showcasing the respective country’s culture. Yes, there is a stop named Delhi. The ocean villas are situated on five bridges shooting out of the main island, mine was on the Golden Gate Bridge, the others being Sydney Harbour Bridge, Alcantara Bridge, Rialto Bridge and Tower Bridge. The most defining feature of this resort is the blue, slipping slides from the ocean villas into the water below. The Siyam group was the first to introduce these slides.

This resort also has a horse ranch, the only one in the Maldives, a bird sanctuary, The House of GOATS, a shelter made for goats to ensure their well-being, a herb garden, growing multitude of veggies, herbs, etc., which caters to the needs of the resort, ensuring fresh produce all the time. It also has a massive water filtration plant. The island is overall quite self-sufficient.

Exotic species at the Bird Sanctuary	A bat's view of the world	The House of G.O.A.T.s at Siyam World

The second night I was there, the team had arranged an open-air movie night, Cinema By Moonlight, which is how it is positioned and is something you can enjoy in a couple of other properties too, but this one is special. I was given the option of selecting the movie I wanted to watch and my choice of beverage. I expected a screen put up on the beach, but what followed took me by absolute surprise. I was taken on a traditional Maldivian dhoni, fully furnished with state-of-the-art projection, plush seating and extra cosy bean bags, that sailed a distance and stopped in the middle of the ocean under a starry sky. There was freshly-popped popcorn and an assortment of beverages, including champagne. OMG, what a magical experience. I will never forget it, it certainly was the highlight of my stay in Siyam World. I am told this is quite a hit with groups, be it friends or families, and I can understand why.

Cinema by Moonlight

The other big thing for me were the two snorkelling sessions. The instructor, a cute French guy, was very helpful, he patiently guided me and held my hand when required. Each nook and crevice of the coral reef is inhabited by the most magical sea creatures, including 100-year-old sea turtles, calamari, baby sharks and speckled rays. It was surreal.

Snorkling with the cute French instructor

After the hectic, activity-packed stay in Siyam World, the quiet and understated luxury of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is just what the doctor ordered. A 20-minute boat ride from Siyam World, Iru Fushi is a different world altogether. To begin with, you get a dedicated butler to yourself, just a call away. He will be there with your own private buggy to take you to any of the 14 dining destinations, or to the spa or to any other activity zone you wish to go to. The award-winning spa (The Spa by Thalgo France) is reason enough to visit Iru Fushi. It is located deep in the ‘jungle’, well, the resort has dense plantations everywhere; banyan trees, coconut palms, hibiscus shrubs and flowering bushes of pink bougainvillaea make up the lush interiors of this 52-acre island. The spa offers over 100 treatments, including traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda, and even a Maldivian ritual involving a coconut milk bath followed by a coconut oil massage.

Trio, the Italian restaurant	The Secret Sundowner

My first lunch at Iru Fushi was at Reflections, it was a salmon open toastie, the best I have ever had. This set the bar for me as far as food was concerned. I must admit I was not disappointed thereafter. Every meal was a gourmet experience, whether it was French fine-dining at Flavours, Italian at Trio, Asian at Bamboo, or Maldivian seafood at Islander’s Grill. The lamb biryani at Taste of India was good, too.

Black Tea Eggs at Bamboo	Salmon Open Toastie at Refrections	French fine-dining at Flavours	Thali at Taste of India

But Iru Fushi was all about slowing down. I enjoyed my lazy naps under swaying palms, long walks through the island, leisurely meals, the sound of a bike bell to guide me to a tricycle serving up iced treats on the wheel, nicely called Ice-Blocks on the Go, the end-of-the-day Secret Sundowner, a creatively styled pop-up bar, across ever-changing, clandestine locations on the island, serving Prosecco one evening to Aperol Spritz the next, and of course, snorkelling. I was not going to miss this opportunity to check out the marine life here.

Ice blocks on-the-go	Tea at the spa by Thalgo France	Go Karting fun at the resort

Like all its other properties, Iru Fushi is serious about preserving nature, specifically the corals around. Their team goes around gathering the corals thrown out by the waves, planting them again and dropping them back in the ocean. I had an interesting session, as I joined their marine biologists in planting some myself.

Replanting corals, preserving nature	Children learn the importance of marine life

A trip to The Maldives is incomplete without a dolphin cruise, right? You can take one at Iru Fushi, and be sure to spot them, playing in the waters, goofing around. Besides, the 2-hour cruise itself is yet another way to relax here. As I said, this is one resort for a complete R&R experience.

A 50-minute flight in the seaplane brought me to Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Unlike any other resort in The Maldives, Olhuveli is actually spread across three islands, connected by wooden jetties suspended over deep blue lagoons. Aptly named Main, Dream and Romance, they have 481 rooms spread over the three islands. Main Island has maximum beach villas, and a community feel, ideal for families with kids. It has the largest pool in The Maldives, 210 mtrs. long and a smaller (comparatively) one, which is 135 mtrs. long. And lots of sports and activities to keep the kids busy.

Olhuveli has individual pods to relax in

Then there is Dream Island, where I had a beach villa, a first for me, having stayed in ocean villas in the past. The island also has ocean villas, but I was happy with my accommodation. It is a nice feeling to get out of your room, go past your private pool and there you are on the beach, a much more private beach though.  If you like a morning walk on the beach, then this one is for you, as it was for me. Dream Island is a lot more private than Main Island, with fewer rooms, well-spaced out, quieter, with interesting dining options, and a lot more greenery.

Romance Island is for adults only. Yes, no kids allowed. Not surprisingly, it is a favourite with honeymooners and with older couples. This is a 5-star property, managed by Tui Blue. If you cherish peace and luxury, then opt for Romance. No noisy chatter at the breakfast buffet, no kids running around, no toddlers crying. Pure peaceful bliss.

While there are many dining options, the one standout meal for me was the dinner at Teppanyaki restaurant. It’s located on Romance Island, hence not open for all, and not available on demand; you need to make a prior booking. The table can take a maximum of eight diners, and there is only one setting each evening. I would strongly recommend you book your table in advance; it is worth it. The quality of ingredients, the sublime taste, the dexterity of the chef, and the entire teppanyaki drama, all of this makes it one memorable evening.

Then there was a cinema night again. This was a huge screen put up on the beach, with bean bags and yes, popcorn and other titbits to pass along, and your choice of beverage. Different from the experience at Siyam World, but fun.

The one thing I noticed at all three resorts is their focus on vegetarian and plant-based cuisine. Every restaurant, every buffet had a separate section offering this, which is great news for non-meat eaters.

And, there is a fun offering for today’s social media-driven world, at all the Sun Siyam resorts, which they call an Insta Villa. A luxurious villa, with top-shelf interiors. You could book by the hour for your envy-inducing Instagram moments, why not, me asks.

Beach villas at Sun Siyam Olhuveli	The grand circular beds in the rooms	The chef at work	Lobster Teppanyaki