Maldives: Sun Siyam Resorts
Exotic five-star paradises
to be enjoyed all winter
From Anna Maria Catano
Coconut and mangroves, talcum powder beaches, crystal clear waters with a thousand shades: difficult to imagine something more beautiful. There was a time when the price of the land of the 1192 islands of the Indian archipelago of the Maldives – for the ancients the Kingdom of the Thousand Islands – was calculated based on the number of coconut palms, the national tree. It is said that it was the tears of God, stupid in front of the beauty of the world, that transformed into atolls; that the Almighty had created the Maldives with those joyful drops that fell into the ocean.
Sun Siyam Resorts, Maldivian hotel group founded in 1990 boasts five structures in the Indian archipelago: Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi and Siyam World, to which must be added another hotel, Sun Siyam Pasikudah, recently reopened in neighboring Sri Lanka. Refined five-star resorts, built on atolls that can be reached either by seaplane from Malè – the capital which hosts the only international airport – or directly by boat.
Do you want to contribute to the well-being of the planet? At Sun Siyam Resorts it’s easy. Planting a coconut palm that will then bear your name is an experience that will make you feel in harmony with everything around you.
Each island is a botanical garden in its own right, of impressive beauty. You walk barefoot or on comfortable buggies immersed in the lush tropical vegetation among banana trees, mangroves, brightly colored flowers, trees and shrubs entwined with each other as if wanting to take possession of what little land is available.
And then the ocean…. as far as the eye can see. Vast, infinite.
And the inimitable colors of the Maldives sea which continuously change shades ranging from green to blue to aquamarine. A view that can be enjoyed from every corner of any atoll but also directly from your room (but calling it a room is really belittling it!). Because even the cheapest solutions offer villas with direct and exclusive access to the beach, or stilt houses on the water with private swimming pool.
Accompanied by marine biologists, guests, young and old, can participate in the restoration of the Maldivian coral reef, indisputably among the most beautiful seabeds on the planet: a reef that is slowly dying due to climate change. So in groups or individually tourists collect damaged pieces of coral. And they knot them on metal frames where they learn that they will regrow in a few months after being returned to the seabed.
In fact, corals are not plants – as many believe – but colonies of small organisms, tiny polyps capable of regenerating which have a crucial function in the marine ecosystem and represent an essential part of the biodiversity of the seas.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, dedicated to those who love a romantic barefoot holiday, it is, among other things, a certified partner of Manta Trust, the global leader in the conservation of manta rays. An award that rewards the entire group’s commitment to the protection of the environment and marine ecosystems of the Maldives.
Four of the five Sun Siyam Resorts structures have been awarded the prestigious Travelife Gold certification program which evaluates tourism sustainability: to obtain it it is necessary to satisfy 163 different criteria including the reduction of waste and energy consumption, support for local communities, the protection of fauna.
Each resort is different from the others and unique in its kind, designed and organized to meet different needs and types of customers. For romantic couples on their honeymoon or for those seeking fun and relaxation. But above all for sports and marine life enthusiasts. The coral reef is a few meters from the beach and all the villas or apartments. And each resort organizes excursions to the most beautiful points of the archipelago. Even for the most adventurous, new Robinson Crusoe, picnics and dinners are set up on some uninhabited strip of sand.
And then the catering is excellent, with many proposals, all of high quality. There is the possibility of taking a food and wine tour of the world because the menus range from Indian to French, from Japanese to Thai, to Italian.
Doing the lion’s share, and how could it be otherwise? however, it is delicious Maldivian cuisine. The “Kaage” restaurant, in Divehi language for “dining room”, has just opened at Siyam World, offering exotic and spicy, light and tasty cuisine. And it offers a menu that pays homage to the ancient recipes handed down from generation to generation by the Siyam family and revisited by chef Mohamed Rasheed heads the Kaage brigade. A rich range of flavours, that of the traditional cuisine of the Maldivian archipelago, based on fish, fruit, vegetables, spices and aromatic plants. And obviously you can enjoy coconut in all possible ways: from fresh or dried pulp, to oil, to leaves. The atmosphere is magical and the design of the venue helps to make the evening unforgettable, between the lapping of the waves and the lights of the tropical night.
Siyam World, the latest addition to the hotel group, is also the largest island: it offers a complete, inclusive and fun holiday proposal for the whole family or groups of friends. Without a doubt, an ideal destination for sportsmen not only for the water activities but also for the land-based facilities available.
You can go horseback riding along the beach – here is the only ranch in the Maldives, with rare Indian Marwari breed stallions and ponies for the children – or kick a ball on a FIFA regulation field. And, again, play tennis or paddle.
Always expect some surprises!
How to applaud Sara Errani who dribbles on the court with Jasmine Paolini. Best friends in life too. Sara, for several years the most famous tennis player in the world, in 2024 together with Jasmine reached the Roland Garros final and then won the first Olympic gold medal in the history of Italian tennis in Paris, completing the Career Golden Slam.
The two athletes mingle among the guests and sign autographs: the island continuously hosts VIPs and famous jerseys. For the little ones there are football camps where they can learn the tricks of the champions. And padel, beach volleyball, basketball and cricket courts are available.
In addition to snorkeling and diving – and every possible marine activity – windsurfing, parasailing, canoeing, jet skiing, stand up paddle – there are some of the latest innovative proposals that are impossible to find on other atolls. Water World is, in fact, the largest water park in South East Asia with slides and platforms to play on and jump into the water from. Also available are e-bikes on the water, the flyboard, the cudajet, a backpack with a propulsion system to move underwater and the seabreacher, a semi-submersible vehicle for two people.
Another absolute novelty is the Siyam World go-kart track, fifty-four hectares of lush nature. A full-throttle experience that however respects the landscape of this lush island in the Noonu Atoll. The Speed Racers Circuit is equipped with eighteen colorful electric go-karts and a reserved off-road course. For the most daring drivers there are heart-pounding corners but… the maximum speed is 35 kilometers per hour. There are four racing packages for different distances, suitable for all levels from 12 years upwards. Tournaments between friends and family include qualifying rounds, heats and finals, timing and prizes.
Sun Siyam Romance, on the other hand, is an “adults only” resort, a five-star hotel exclusively dedicated to adult customers, in particular couples, honeymooners and those wishing to renew vows or celebrate anniversaries. The bed is king size with a round shape and there is the possibility of organizing a surprise wedding ceremony on site too, with an exchange of rings on the beach and the musical background of the waves. Or a private picnic on a deserted island, like true lovers, but with the comfort of a deckchair, umbrella and obviously a bottle of champagne and various delicacies upon request. You can also request breakfast in the private pool of your room, with floating trays and delicacies to enjoy
For more information: www.sunsiyam.com