‘Maldivian Blue’ deserves to be a shade of its own, an impossible blend of turquoise, cobalt, teal, and aquamarine that represents the colour of island escapes, barefoot days, and the simple luxury of having time on your hands. Bring on the Pina Colada, sink into that sun lounger, and let the ocean waves take over as I revisit my Sun Siyam journey across three of its standout resorts, spanning its luxury and lifestyle brands.
Just four hours from Delhi, the Maldives remains one of the easiest international escapes for Indian travellers. The sparkling new Male airport’s interiors mirror the many shades of blue outside, hinting that my island escape is tantalisingly close. After a quick check-in for the onward seaplane journey with Trans Maldivian Airways, we settle into the spacious Sun Siyam Lounge overlooking the seaplane jetty, complete with ocean views, tasty bites, and complimentary massages for tired shoulders. The 40-minute seaplane flight to the first resort on the list is iconic. The tiny 15-seater aircraft skims over blue lagoons and scattered islands, as the pilots casually fly in flip-flops.
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi: Elevated Indulgence
The moment I arrive on the island, the disconnect from the real world becomes absolute. Suddenly, city stress feels unfamiliar. Time slows down, shoes disappear, phones become a source of annoyance, and you ease into a new version of yourself, wonderfully calm and carefree.
The Signature WOW Welcome
The arrival ceremony catches me completely off guard! Loud cheers of ‘Welcome Home,’ traditional drums, flowers tucked into our hair, and smiling faces waiting at the jetty instantly dissolve whatever little remnant of city stress had crept along. Welcome drinks in hand, we are introduced to Jawad and Julia, our island hosts.
My Sunset Horizon Water Villa has understated elegance, complete with a private pool, an overwater hammock, and a glass floor panel offering glimpses of the Maldivian blues below. It is thoughtfully fitted out with every little indulgence you did not even know you needed, from a fully stocked minibar as part of the premium all-inclusive to discreetly placed mosquito bands. There is a sense of luxury here, never loud or excessive, just quietly intuitive. Neeshaad, the designated butler, is warm, gracious, and always just a message away. Part island guide, part problem solver, and part holiday maker, he ferries me around the resort in buggy rides while patiently indulging every whim and request, all with the singular aim of making sure my time on the island is perfect.
Of Sunsets and Beach Nights
As the sun begins to dip into the horizon, we wander barefoot around the island with a deep sigh of contentment. The resort reveals itself slowly in the golden hour, designed to blend into nature so seamlessly that even the street lamps lining the sandy buggy paths feel unobtrusive. There is a wonderful feeling of being marooned on a remote island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, drifting from one idyllic corner to another, completely looked after, yet deliciously free. Safe, relaxed, and lulled by the sheer beauty of nature around me, it becomes easier to understand why travellers return to the Maldives again and again.
Drinks at the beach club are accompanied by a glamorous sunset, followed by a lavish buffet spread at Islander’s Grill, offering everything from the freshest seafood to completely vegan plant-based options. The traditional Bodu Beru performance by the resort staff, who transform into fantastic dancers and drummers on stage, is beautiful. Soon enough, all of us are onstage, laughing our way through the dance steps, coached by the graceful dancers.
The immersive ‘Maldivian Roots’ experience brings the history, traditions, and daily life of the islands alive through stories, music, crafts, and artefacts. It adds a meaningful layer to the holiday, reminding me that beyond the turquoise waters and luxury villas lies a rich and fascinating heritage.
Dinner at Trio provides the perfect food-coma-inducing experience. The beautifully crafted French and Italian menu feels delightfully unexpected on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean as Julia and the ‘barefoot chef’ keep us entertained with stories while ensuring our plates are never empty. Quite simply, Magnifique!
A Sense of Calm
As if Iru Fushi were not done pampering us yet, I find myself at the award-winning Spa by Thalgo. A sense of calm envelops me the moment the wooden doors open. Trickling fountains, birdsong, and rustic spa huts designed like peaceful little sanctuaries make it impossible not to relax. I choose the traditional Maldivian massage with hot oil poultices, and somewhere between the warm oils and the weighted sand-filled eye mask, I drift off to sleep!
Perhaps it is this sense of feeling relaxed that makes leaving even harder. As we wave reluctant goodbyes to Julia, Fawad, and Neeshaad, our new friends see us off with sweet ‘We Will Miss You’ placards, and we board the speedboat to our next island adventure.
Siyam World: Let the Fun Times Begin!
Welcomed once again by cheers of ‘Welcome Home’ at the Siyam World jetty, we are greeted by Ausy Waseem, Resort Manager, Siyam World and a young, energetic team that instantly signals a completely different vibe from our previous island stay. The signature WOW welcome continues at the beachside Good Vibrations bar over playful island-inspired drinks, as Ausy tells us to get ready for a fun ride ahead. I do not quite believe him, still expecting the same calming relaxation of Iru Fushi. Boy, am I wrong!
Never Boring
As part of the brand’s lifestyle collection, their tagline says, ‘The Maldives, boring? Siyam World proves otherwise.’ It really does; the waterpark near the lagoon jetty should have given me the hint!
The island spans 54 hectares, and transport is provided by little bus buggies and rentable, brightly coloured Moke jeeps named after rock bands. With over 20 dining and drinking spots on the island, guests are spoiled for choice, especially with the 24/7 WOW inclusive offering unfettered access. The resort features 16 villa categories, ranging from overwater villas with private pools and direct sea slides to beachside villas and expansive residences, for larger groups.
High Octane Signature Experiences
At Siyam World, even sunset comes with a soundtrack. A banger of a sundowner at Mint has a talented rock band belt out nostalgic 90s hits as the sun melts into the horizon. The sky shifts through dramatic shades of red, orange, and gold, and the music plays on, turning this experience into one of those moments that quietly fuel our bucket lists, not just the destination itself, but the moment lived that stays with us long after.
A Maldivian cooking class, go-karting, and failed attempts to conquer the water park keep us busy through the days. Meanwhile, heavy rain sweeps across the island and washes away plans for the resort’s signature Cinema on the Sea experience. Bummer? Absolutely. But boring? No way! A mysterious karaoke evening pops up, where the Siyam World team completely outshone us with their perfect renditions of Hindi blockbusters, even as we completely lose the battle.
Siyam World delivers yet another unforgettable experience: a horseback-riding photoshoot on the beach! Home to the Maldives’ first in-resort horse ranch, the resort houses stunning Marwari horses from Rajasthan. As we trot nervously along the shoreline, my horse Princess senses my utter fear and casually starts chewing my left foot as if to reassure me. Completely surreal and absolutely worth it!
Walking the Sustainability Talk
One of the most meaningful experiences of the trip is planting coral to help restore the island’s reef. Did you know? Corals are not plants; they are living animals, as alive and vital as any creature on land or sea. Guided by the incredibly skilled in-house dive team, we carefully measure and zip-tie live coral fragments onto iron scaffolds that will eventually help regenerate the island’s house reef. As they grow, fish return, the water clears, and the entire underwater ecosystem begins to thrive again.
A visit to Benjo’s Garden reveals a thriving hydroponic glasshouse growing Maldivian chilies, herbs, and microgreens for the resort’s restaurants. What began with a few little pots in a small room has grown into a remarkable sustainability initiative, along with their in-house plastic crate recycling and water bottling unit.
The Dream Team
Dinner at Arigato, hosted by the charming couple, Ausy and the stunning Sara Siyam, Director of Marketing, Sun Siyam Resorts, quickly turns into one of those unforgettable evenings filled with laughter, easy banter, and shared stories. Young, driven, and full of ideas, the couple embodies the spirit that defines Siyam World.
What stands out most is their rapport with the team and the way they encourage everyone to think beyond their fixed roles. There is an infectious energy here, almost like a group of friends on a mission to prove that the Maldives is anything but boring. Conversations with staff reveal how working at the resort has transformed not just their own lives, but those of their families back home.
There is clearly something special about the Sun Siyam philosophy. The hospitality never feels transactional; it feels like visiting old friends. As we bid farewell to Sara, Ausy, and the team, they remind us that in the Maldives, it is never goodbye, only ‘see you soon.’ Somehow, I have a feeling that the return trip may happen sooner rather than later.
Sun Siyam Olhuvelli – The Charming Three-Island Oasis
The journey to Sun Siyam Olhuveli takes us back to Male by seaplane and onwards again by speedboat. By now, we are accustomed to the signature WOW welcome experience, and honestly, it has completely ruined every future hotel arrival for me. I already know nothing will match this level of warmth again.
Mellow Charm
At Olhuveli, we are greeted by Florente, who is kind and gracious and apologises for rain-related changes to the itinerary. The vibe is joyfully mellow, and I am looking forward to just sitting by the beach and listening to the rain fall on the ocean.
Spread across three islands connected by windy bridges stretching over little turquoise lagoons, the Main Island and Dream Island welcome families, while Romance Island is adults-only, interconnected by windy bridges.
The Beach Villas and Water Villas offer excellent value, while the beautiful entry-level rooms are a favourite with MICE groups, with access to the longest pool in the Maldives. For those chasing the perfect Maldives shot, the resort’s dreamy Instagram Villa can be booked by the hour. The luxurious overwater spa, with a glass floor, offers an uninterrupted view of the ocean.
Manta is the Star
As evening descends, the manta ray sign lights up, and everyone rushes to the dive centre on the reef. We brave the choppy waves that leave us thoroughly drenched as we cross the narrow plank walkway. But the star performer is completely worth it. The giant manta ray plays to the audience like a real star as it repeatedly circles gracefully beneath us with its mouth wide open, feeding on plankton.
The select cuisine offers delicious choices from 20 dining spots across 3 islands: Italian at Milano, Maldivian at Malaafaiy, Thai at Siyam Orchid, drinks at Lagoon Bar and Dhoni Bar, and Indian fare at Namaste restaurant, to name a few. As we wind down, we are watching the rain, chatting with the resort staff, and listening to beautiful songs by a very talented singer duo, who have us singing along to all our favourite numbers before suddenly handing us the mic to our alarm! Their surprise Hindi song instantly won us over.
From the understated luxury of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi to the peppy, playful energy of Siyam World, the laid-back charm of Sun Siyam Olhuveli proved to be the perfect way to slow down and savour the final moments of island bliss before heading home. As I bid farewell, I leave with much more than beautiful photographs; I carry home unforgettable experiences, new friendships, and perfect memories!
