Article mis à jour le 15 Jan 2024
Travel to the Maldives : my experience with Sun Siyam Resort
First of all, you’ll find all the information you need for this trip in my article on how to travel to the Maldives cheaply. As well as a low-cost solution, I’ll guide you through your plane tickets, excursions and telephone package.
I was lucky enough to live my travel to the Maldives to the full by discovering two resorts belonging to the Sun Siyam Group, which is one of the only groups of Maldivian origin. Created in 1990, this hotel complex now has 5 resorts in the Maldives, all located on private islands.
My main attraction with Sun Siyam is that they employ almost exclusively locals and I prefer hotels that promote the local economy. The resorts also take significant steps to reduce their impact on the environment (by eliminating the use of plastic, for example), which reflects the group’s commitment to preserving the lush nature that surrounds them.
It was a real change of scene for me, as I wasn’t expecting to discover such magnificent and relaxing places, with top-of-the-range services.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Located on the South Malé atoll, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is accessible by a short boat ride (around 40 mins) from Malé International Airport. There is a dedicated Sun Siyam desk at the airport (section B) but I was met by a member of staff to take me to the boat.
From four nights booked all inclusive at any hotel in the Sun Siyam group, boat/plane transfers are taken care of. You will also have the right to early check-in or late check-out to guarantee you maximum comfort depending on your arrival or departure times.
The first thing that struck me was the colour of the turquoise blue water and the white sand : it really feels like paradise ! Sun Siyam Olhuveli is quite large, with 327 villas spread over two islands, with several restaurants and bars, as well as two spas and a gym. A bus runs throughout the day to take you to the various places of interest in the resort. There are stops everywhere, but especially one at the entrance to the villas on stilts, one at the main restaurant and one at reception.
For these first three nights, I was lucky enough to stay in a watervilla with pool, and the room is truly sublime. You can enjoy your stay with a direct view of the lagoon, and maybe you’ll be as lucky as I was to spot stingrays or sharks !
There are plenty of activities on offer, including water sports (jet skiing, paddle boarding, etc) as well as tennis, badminton and yoga classes. Sun Siyam also offers a number of snorkelling excursions for enthusiasts, and I particularly recommend the ‘3 points’ trip. It includes a stop on the coral reef, a stop to see turtles and a stop to swim with nurse sharks. And don’t worry, the sharks are harmless. Olhuveli offers many other outings, and three excursions are included in the all-inclusive package.
I think my greatest experience at Sun Siyam Olhuveli will always be the dinner on the water ! If your budget allows ($599), I recommend you book this unique moment when you can dine in the middle of the lagoon, alone on a floating platform, in an incredibly romantic setting. Menus are chosen in advance and then brought by boat by your waiter. The food was excellent and the setting truly magical.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli
After my few days in Olhuveli, it was off to Sun Siyam Iru Veli in Nilandhe Atoll. I had to return to Malé where a Sun Siyam driver picked me up to take me to the seaplane-specific airfield. This was my 1ʳᵉ seaplane experience and I was not disappointed ! Arriving at the airport, I was taken to a specific Sun Siyam lounge where I could eat for free and where I was even entitled to a free 10 min back massage ! The advantage of these services is that you don’t have to worry about a thing : you’re taken to the lounge and then to the boarding gate, and your luggage is managed entirely by the staff. After a 45-minute flight (be careful, it’s quite noisy, but they give you a pair of earplugs), I finally arrived at the Sun Siyam Iru Veli ‘airport’, which is a platform from which a boat picks me up.
The Sun Siyam Iru Veli is much smaller than the Sun Siyam Olhuveli (only 125 villas) but just as magnificent. I felt like I was in an oasis of luxury, surrounded by the island’s calm and lush vegetation. For this stay, I was able to try out not one, but two different villas. In fact, I felt so comfortable there that I decided to extend my stay.
The Beach Villa is truly magnificent, surrounded by nature, with direct access to the beach and an ocean view from the pool. I really liked the intimate atmosphere, as if I were cut off from the rest of the world. I loved the outdoor bathroom, which gave it a luxurious, relaxing feel.
I also tried out the Dolphin Villa, which was sublime, with a pool facing the lagoon and a bath overlooking the ocean. It’s hard to tell you which one I preferred, as they are two completely different atmospheres. The advantage of this type of room is that you have access to the coral reef in just a few fathoms, and there’s no overlooking.
The resort has two beach bars (one is adult only), a wine bar with a wine list from around the world, which are included in the all-inclusive package, and three themed restaurants. The Sun Siyam Iru Veli also has a water sports centre where I enjoyed jet skiing and canoeing in the turquoise blue waters of the lagoon, a gym, yoga and Tai Chi classes.
Don’t miss the incredible spa. You can have a massage while watching the fish, or if you’re lucky, the stingrays or sharks. I even thought I was in a dream when I spotted dolphins a few dozen metres away.
I had two very nice experiences during my stay : a floating breakfast ($80, also available in the other Sun Siyams at more or less similar prices) where you can choose from several menus; and a picnic on a sandbank, cut off from the world ! It was a truly magical and rejuvenating moment.
I realised that the excursions and services on offer were fairly similar from one Sun Siyam to another, such as massages, whale shark or manta ray excursions, etc. But depending on the hotel, you may find unique services, like the famous picnic on the sandbank, which I loved. But depending on the hotel, you may find some unique services, like the famous picnic on the sandbank, which I loved.
In conclusion, the Sun Siyam embodies for me the essence and authenticity of the Maldives, offering a luxurious experience in a breathtaking setting. I was struck by the beauty of the natural surroundings and the friendliness of the staff, and I can’t wait to return. Whether it’s a honeymoon or a family holiday, the Sun Siyam will give you an unforgettable experience in one of the most enchanting places on the planet.
That’s the end of this article about my travel to the Maldives. Even though I was collaborating on some content on Instagram, I’m giving you my true feelings here, without any intervention from the hotel group. I hope you find this article useful and I hope you enjoy your trip to this exceptional country !
For more travel inspiration, check out our 10-day guide and itinerary for Sri Lanka (perfect for combining with the Maldives, as it’s only a 1 hour 20 minute flight away) or Thailand.
This article contains affiliate links. If we’ve helped you organise your trip or if you’d just like to support us, remember to book your activities and hotels in the Maldives by clicking on our links. We’ll earn a small commission and the price stays the same for you, of course. Come and tell me on Instagram which hotel you’ve chosen to make me dream 🤍.
Je suis Aurélie, co-créatrice du blog et de l’Instagram Amoureux du Monde. Depuis 2016, j’ai eu la chance de visiter de nombreuses destinations et de me former à la photographie via ces expériences. Ce que je recherche en voyage, c’est l’apaisement devant un magnifique paysage, l’émerveillement devant la beauté de la nature et l’émotion devant un coucher de soleil.
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