A Visit to Three Luxury Resorts

I take a deep breath, hold my hand to my mask and take a giant step from the dock. Instantly, I’m plunged into the clear, blue Maldivian sea.

My friend Laura bobs beside me, the air in our BCD dive vests keeping us both afloat. Our dive master, a young Maldivian woman named Masha, joins us. When she gives the okay, we deflate our vests and descend.

It’s been a while since I’ve been diving, and at first, my breathing is rushed. Masha notices and signals for me to take long, slow breaths. I do just that – in, out, in, out – and then look around as we descend.

A school of tiny orange fish flits beside me, and colorful coral covers the seabed below. My heartbeat slows down and the tension leaves my body. I’m in a whole other world.

This is just one of the reasons why I fell in love with the Maldives and had to return.

Where Are the Maldives?

The Maldives, a string of 1,200 tiny islands strung across the Indian Ocean like a pearl necklace, is a top diving destination. Its crystal blue seas are rich with sea life.

When I first visited the islands eight years ago, I was drawn to the island nation for its many beautiful resorts – staying in an overwater villa on a remote private island is a bucket-list experience – but then I ventured into the seas.

That first trip was so relaxing that my (now) husband and I eloped to the Maldives a year later. Since then, I’ve returned as often as I can.

Now, I’m on a 10-day trip with some friends. We plan to visit three islands, each home to a different Sun Siyam luxury resort.

Sun Siyam Resorts in the Maldives

I was drawn to Sun Siyam Resorts because of their authentic Maldivian character. The story behind these resorts is as remarkable as the islands themselves.

In the early 1990s, when the Maldives was just beginning to attract luxury travelers, Ahmed Siyam Mohamed started a modest travel agency in Male. Today, his company has blossomed into a collection of five private island resorts across the Maldives’ atolls and a beachfront property in Sri Lanka.

Unlike international luxury chains that could be anywhere in the world, these islands pulse with local character. You see it in the traditional architectural details, taste it in the authentic Maldivian dishes served alongside international cuisine, and experience it through the staff – many of whom grew up in nearby atolls and have worked with the company for decades.

The company even operates its own farms, supplying fresh produce to the islands, and maintains specialized construction teams that understand the unique challenges of building in this marine environment. This integration of luxury tourism with practical island life gives Sun Siyam properties their distinctive character.

First Stop: Sun Siyam Olhuveli

My friends and I plan to visit three different Sun Siyam resorts during our stay in the Maldives. Our first stop is Sun Siyam Olhuveli, where I’ve just completed my dive.

The journey to Sun Siyam Olhuveli was seamless. It was just a short boat ride from Male’s International Airport.

All-Inclusive Luxury in the Maldives

While exploring the island, I notice a wide mix of travelers, from families with little ones to honeymooners. The all-inclusive resort sprawls across three islands connected by wooden walkways, offering both privacy and plenty to explore.

My spacious water villa becomes my personal sanctuary. It is very comfortable and has a huge bathroom with a soaking tub, a separate shower, and dual sinks.  

The private pool on the back deck seems to merge with the horizon, and the steps leading directly into the sea become my favorite feature. Each morning, I wake to the gentle lapping of waves beneath the villa and watch schools of fish cavort behind my deck.

Dining at Olhuveli is a journey through global cuisines, but the Siyam Orchid is a favorite. I see the excellent care that has gone into preparing the dishes, and that continues at every place we dine. One evening, we have a candlelit dinner on the beach, a memorable experience.

There are two spa complexes at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. I discover pure bliss at the Ocean Spa. During my massage, I notice something unique – a window in the floor beneath my massage table. As expert hands work away my tension, I watch colorful fish dart through the crystal-clear waters below. It’s a surreal experience that perfectly captures the magic of the Maldives.

The days end at Dhoni Bar, where the sunsets paint the sky in impossible shades of pink and orange. We sip craft cocktails while watching the sun sink slowly into the Maldivian sea.

Siyam World

Our next adventure begins with a seaplane journey to Siyam World, and the flight itself is a highlight. From my window seat, I see tiny islands dotting the vast blue expanse below, each one a perfect circle of white sand embraced by coral reefs.

Siyam World redefines the luxury resort concept with its “world of possibilities” approach. It’s the largest of the Sun Siyam properties, and its size allows for unprecedented offerings like a go-cart track. The resort boasts the Maldives’ largest floating water park, and yes, I have to try it – resulting in equal parts laughter and graceless splashing.

My villa here has an unexpected twist—a water slide that curves from my deck directly into the lagoon. I lose count of how many times I ride it, each plunge accompanied by childlike giggles. The private pool becomes my favorite spot for stargazing, and the Maldivian sky puts on a show.

What truly sets Siyam World apart is its commitment to wildlife conservation. The resort houses an animal rescue and the only large animal veterinary hospital in the Maldives. During our visit to their animal rescue center, I find myself holding a baby goat.

Diving at Siyam World

A morning dive takes us to a vibrant reef where we encounter a curious hawksbill turtle, schools of jackfish, and much more.

Later, a sunset dolphin cruise proves to be another highlight. Sitting atop the boat, my friends and I enjoy a glass of champagne as we watch the sun’s last rays dip into the sea.

The culinary experiences at Siyam World are equally memorable. One morning, we indulge in a floating breakfast in our private pool – a lavish spread of tropical fruits, fresh pastries, and made-to-order eggs served on a floating tray. The main buffet at the resort is equally impressive, offering everything from Maldivian curry to fresh sushi, spread across multiple themed rooms.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Our final destination, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, welcomes us with the sound of traditional boduberu drums as our speedboat docks at the jetty. This five-star resort perfectly balances sophisticated luxury with authentic Maldivian character.

A private butler attends each guest at Iru Fushi, and I’m greeted by my personal butler for the stay, who proves invaluable in curating the perfect island experience. From transporting me by golf cart throughout the island to making dining reservations, his thoughtful attention transforms an already luxurious stay into something truly extraordinary.

My beach villa has a private pool and covered cabana, leading to a quiet stretch of beach. On the other side is an outdoor jacuzzi, showers, and a covered daybed swing. The resort also has large overwater villas with steps leading straight into the Indian Ocean. It’s a peaceful place to spend my last three days in the Maldives.

Diving at Iru Fushi

The diving so far has been amazing, and I’m excited to dive here at Iru Fushi. My friend Laura and I join dive master, Dani, for a two-tank dive. Dani is an enthusiastic dive master who knows these reefs like her own backyard.

As I follow Dani along the reef, a curious batfish about the size of a dinner plate begins to follow us. I hold still and the playful fish comes face to face with me. I’m thrilled and find it’s hard to laugh when you’re underwater.

That next day, we get to help the resort’s marine biologist on a reef restoration project at Iru Fushi. The coral reefs in the Maldives suffered from coral bleaching in 2017 and again last year. Although the reef looks much better today, they are working to help restore some areas of the reef.

He shows us how to carefully attach small broken pieces of coral to a metal frame. The coral grows and attaches, and the frames are returned to the sea as a base for new coral growth.

The Spa at Thalgo France

Spas are a huge part of any Sun Siyam Resort experience. On our last full day, I head to The Spa by Thalgo France. The therapist combines French skincare expertise with traditional Maldivian healing techniques, and I emerge feeling completely renewed.

Dinner that night at the Islander’s Grill proves to be the perfect finale to our Maldivian adventure. We dine with our feet in the sand, torches flickering in the sea breeze as the chef prepares the day’s catch. The lobster, caught just hours before, is the sweetest I’ve ever tasted.

Paradise comes in many forms. For me, the islands in the Maldives come close.  As I board the seaplane to begin the journey home, I’m already planning my next visit, knowing that these islands still hold countless more secrets to discover.

How to Get There

To reach the Maldives, you’ll fly to Malé International Airport (MLE), the main airport in the Maldives. Most travelers reach it via a connecting flight through Dubai, Doha or Istanbul with airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Turkish Airlines from major cities around the world.

Bio: Janna Graber is a travel journalist and editor at Go World Travel Magazine. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @jannatravels

Janna Graber is an award-winning American travel journalist who has written for national magazines, newspapers and websites. She is the managing editor of Go World Travel Magazine, and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. Since studying abroad in Austria, she’s been in love with world travel, and has covered travel in more than 60 countries. She’s the author of three travel anthology books, including “A Pink Suitcase: 22 Tales of Women’s Travel” and “Adventures of a Lifetime”.

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