There are worse ideas than swapping the summer scrum of Europe’s five-star hotels for a private island in the Maldives. Particularly when the latter can deliver more space, more sea, more service and, increasingly, rather better value.
Sun Siyam has five private-island resorts across three Maldivian atolls, plus a boutique resort on Sri Lanka’s east coast. The mood ranges from intimate island hideaway to full-scale family playground – but the essentials remain pleasingly consistent: white sand, warm water, generous all-inclusive packages and the sort of views that make your phone camera feel underqualified.
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, part of The Luxury Collection, the Maldives comes with a sense of theatre. Set in Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé, it is big enough to offer proper choice without losing the barefoot ease that makes the destination so seductive.
It works just as well for couples as it does for families, helped by the fact that children under 15 stay and eat for free. The newly redesigned overwater villas bring a sharper, more contemporary feel to the island, with private decks, suspended hammocks and enough lounging space to turn doing very little into a legitimate daily itinerary.
There is plenty here for those who prefer their paradise with a bit of purpose. Guests can join tree-planting sessions, head out on conservation snorkels with the resident marine biologist, or try cooking and mixology classes. Food is a major part of the experience, with 15 bars and restaurants ranging from Italian over the water to Asian dishes on the beach. There is even an ice-cream parlour, which feels less like an amenity and more like a moral necessity in this climate.
The spa is no afterthought, either. The Spa by Thalgo sits in a tropical garden threaded with waterways, offering a sprawling menu of treatments. Younger guests get their own Sweet Pea Spa, where treatments can end with a chocolate milkshake – a policy many adults may feel should be extended immediately.
A short hop away, Sun Siyam Iru Veli takes a more intimate approach. This is the brand’s Privé Collection: boutique in scale, polished in feel and unusually generous in what it includes. Every villa comes with a private pool, which is a strong opening argument before you have even unpacked.
The all-inclusive package stretches well beyond the usual buffet-and-bar formula. Three excursions are included, from a sunset dolphin cruise to a local island visit and snorkelling trip, along with three dives a week or spa credit for non-divers. Meals and drinks are covered, with produce sourced from nearby Maldivian islands and restaurants ranging from lobster nights at Grouper Grill to long dinners at Roma and wine pairings in the cellar.
There is tennis, a weekly pool party, and the chance to learn traditional skills such as making coconut oil. In other words, enough to keep you occupied – but not so much that you forget the point of being here.
Summer in the Maldives? Suddenly, it makes rather a lot of sense.
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For more information and package prices, check out sunsiyam.com
