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Sun Siyam offers a collection of five private island resorts in The Maldives and in September this year celebrated 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. As part of a bold brand transformation, all properties now fall under The House of Siyam, grouped into three distinct collections.

The Luxury Collection, led by Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, The Lifestyle Collection, including Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World, ideal for families and groups and The Prive Collection, featuring Pasikudah in Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Iru Veli, providing intimate, barefoot escapes focused on privacy and soulful luxury.   

Iru veli, my home for three nights, is your quintessential private island paradise, located in the South Nilandhe Atoll and accessible via a 45-minute seaplane ride from Male’s Velana International Airport. Arriving by sea lane, eyes glued to  the view from the window, all turquoise lagoons and scattered islands was the ultimate way to start a holiday 

Who For 

Each Sun Siyam resort offers a distinct vibe with Iru Veli aimed at those looking for romance and seclusion, ideal for honeymooners and those looking for affordable luxury.

Accommodation 

Ocean villa with pool

I stayed in a classic 124 sqm overwater villa with an infinity plunge pool and gorgeous sundeck with steps leading down to the sea.  Iru Veli has a collection of 125 beach and overwater villas each with a private pool. The bedroom came with a King-size bed while the bathroom had both a standalone bathtub and rain shower. 

There’s also a fully stocked mini-bar, replenished daily for those on an all-inclusive package, flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making facilities, day bed and best of all sweeping sea and sunset views. I was fortunate to have a west-facing villa whilst the Dolphin Ocean Villa offers a front row seat for dolphin sightings. 

Food and Drink  

It’s all about R and R, lazing by the infinity pool, swimming in the turquoise ocean or sampling fine food and wine, eating with your toes in the sand.

AquaRestaurant

Aqua Orange named after the turquoise waters and fiery sunsets, is an all-day buffet restaurant, with the curries being a particular favourite. Roma serves classic Mediterranean comfort food, whilst Grouper Grill is a surf and turf beach kitchen featuring fresh seafood and prime cuts grilled in an open kitchen and served at beachside tables. 

Teppanyaki

Grilled lobster is one not to miss and also for an immersive, theatrical and highly amusing experience, think flaming tricks, precise knife skills and culinary artistry, The Teppanyaki restaurant serving Japanese cuisine was both joyous and delicious.   Located within Roma, the Wine Cellar hosts tastings, pairings and curated wine experiences, something to enjoy if on occasion rain stops play.

Facilities

While Iru Veli would make a dream honeymoon destination, families are warmly welcomed too.  Facilities include Turtle Kidz Club, a main swimming pool and no shortage of water sports and snorkelling opportunities.  The Maldives is after all 99.9% water.   

Adults only pool

There’s also an adult’s only pool. My only gripe with the latter was that as an avid swimmer, it was not possible to swim lengths, due to a gentle slope at one end but it’s still possible to keep up your fitness levels in the gym or on the tennis court. 

Wellness-wise, the unique overwater spa pavilion (you can watch fish swim by from your massage table) offers a holistic approach to relaxation and rejuvenation.  Treatments incorporate exotic ingredients such as coffee, honey, pineapple and papaya.  There’s even a lulur scrub, an age-old beauty secret from the Javanese royalty, that combines herbs and spices.  As part of their brand transformation, Sun Siyam Resorts have reimagined the island escape with a series of 10 new signature experiences including secret sundowners – pop up bars at changing island locations serving creative cocktails and Insta Villa. 

Floating breakfast at Insta villa

Guests can experience premium villas for a few hours or a sunset moment for Instagram-worthy shots accompanied by a menu of add ons, in our case a floating breakfast. Eating breakfast (pastries, fruit and juices) from a floating tray in a plunge pool was certainly unique. Not one of the signature experiences but perhaps the undoubted highlight of my stay was an opportunity to go night snorkelling and witness marine life not typically visible during the day including one to impress the folks back home, a nurse shark.    Although harmless, witnessing such a normally menacing creature up close and in the dark was the ultimate thrill.

What’s Nearby  

With the common model in The Maldives being each resort occupying its own private island and with so much on offer, there’s a danger of being tied to the resort and not experiencing any of the local culture.   

I’d therefore definitely recommend a local island visit to experience Maldivian life beyond the resort. The resort will manage the logistics (a speed boat ride), a guide and ensure a respectful visit.   We explored nearby Ban’didhoo, visiting a school, mosque, village shop, boat building yard, an outdoor gym funded by Sun Siyam and finishing with an opportunity to buy some souvenirs to take home.   

A dolphin sunset cruise, guided snorkelling safari and a local island discovery tour are all included within an all-inclusive package.   Also nearby, the “Cast Away” sandbank experience is a private, secluded island escape where you’re dropped off on a tiny sandbank with a picnic (in our case a delicious bento box) and snorkelling gear for a Robinson Crusoe style experience.  

How Much

Rooms from $985 per night

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Verdict:

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