Is The Maldives on Your Bucket List?

Let’s face it, we all have a bucket list. It might not be written down, but it will be there in your mind. Full of amazing destinations you have dreamt about visiting for years.

We’re betting The Maldives sits somewhere firmly at the top, it certainly did on ours. It’s the preferred destination for a large number of British holidaymakers during autumn and winter months, and the trend for All-Inclusive is definitely on the rise, so is the appeal of a longer, luxurious holiday, one where you can say that you have truly experienced paradise. Sun Siyam Olhuveli tick all the boxes on our bucket list.

We were fortunate to stay at not one, not two, but three superb Sun Siyam resorts on our recent trip. This enabled us to experience each of the resorts, both 4 star and 5 star.

Our first Sun Siyam resort was 4 star Sun Siyam Olhuveli, which we reached by speedboat from Malé. Let me tell you more…

Seaplanes and Speedboats:

This was not only our first trip to the Maldives, it was also our first time on a seaplane, an experience we enjoyed many times during this trip, as a seaplane or speedboat are the only means by which you can reach your resort from Malé. The Maldives was full of ‘firsts’ for us!

Seaplane tip: make sure you wear earplugs, which are always offered by the crew. It’s a fabulous way to travel, looking down on the hundreds of atolls in the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, and flights take on average 40 minutes. But it’s loud so wear the earplugs! That said, you will love it, and tick off one more thing from that bucket list.

All international flights arrive at Malé, the capital of the Maldives, from there you pick up your seaplane or speedboat and in no time at all you arrive in heaven. Whatever your idea of paradise is, times that by 1,000! You are just not ready for the ultimate screen saver fantasy that greets you.

The Maldives is arguably one of the most beautiful places in the world. It offers great snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, and other water activities. There is an abundance of aquatic life to see, the beaches are breathtaking,  the water is crystal clear, and the resorts offer unique accommodations, such as overwater bungalows and beachfront villas with plenty of privacy and amenities.

Speedboat tip: be ready for an invigorating 45 minute ride and hold on tight!

What to expect on arrival at Sun Siyam Olhuveli:

On arrival, we were greeted by one of the advisors, Clovie, who had lovely cool drinks and cold, damp cloths ready for us to refresh ourselves, while she gave us her WhatsApp number (so we could stay in touch in case we needed anything), and the Wi-Fi password (essential for us as we need to work from wherever we are in the world!).

We then had a golf buggy tour of the resort, before being taken to our beautiful Grand Water Villa with Pool.

Our accommodation at Sun Siyam Olhuveli:

This a real ‘wow moment’. Being driven down the jetty to our Grand Water Villa with Pool was just the beginning. The personalised welcome message crafted from Palm leaves on the bed is a real work of art, and it’s just the tip of the iceberg where personal touches and excellent service are concerned. Trust me, you may never again experience the level of care and service you receive in the Maldives.

Our super king bed faced the ocean, a sight we couldn’t wait to see each morning as we woke up in paradise. As we opened the glass doors, we had our own private sun deck perched over the crystal clear blue lagoon, complete with sun loungers, a pool and steps straight into the lagoon. And this is 4 Star! Another tick on the bucket list.

Food and drink at Sun Siyam Olhuveli:

There are so many options for food at this resort. We really enjoyed breakfast and lunch in the Sunrise restaurant which is a buffet style, very casual place to eat, with lots of choice and delicious fresh fruits, salads and desserts, alongside a good selection of hot food.

However, you could also choose any of the other restaurants to eat at and there are plenty of options to choose from; Thai, Indian and Italian pizza. This is where being All-Inclusive is a real bonus.

We dined at Island Pizza one lunchtime, an outdoor poolside bar/restaurant that serves the most delicious pizza, deli style sandwiches, burgers and light bites. We loved everything about Island Pizza, especially the pizza!

For dinner one evening we ate at Siyam Orchid. We had a superb Thai meal in a beautiful, authentic setting.  Siyam Orchid serves classic Asian dishes alongside house specialities, here, the chefs have perfected the art of Japanese, Indian and Thai cuisine, then added a dash of Maldivian flavour to the mix. You absolutely must visit this restaurant.

bucket list Sun Siyam Olhuveli the Maldives

The pièce de resistance of our dining experiences at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, was our private Floating Platform Dinner. This was an experience we had been looking forward to very much. However…on the day, we had stronger winds than usual and as evening drew in, it started to rain. Oh no!

Little did we know they have a Plan B for just such an occasion! Of course they do!

Instead of the floating platform, we were guided to a stunning private beach cabana. We threw off our flipflops to dig our toes in that wonderful sand, sipped on our Champagne, and indulged in an award worthy dinner with fine wines, served by our excellent waiter for the evening.

It turned into a night to remember for all the right reasons. Memories made.

What to do at Sun Siyam Olhuveli:

Watch Manta Rays – we did this on our first evening. Just behind the dive centre is the Manta Ray point where they visit every evening. They are HUGE, yet beautifully elegant, gliding through the water. Watching them was actually hypnotic and we could have stayed for hours.

Shipwreck Snorkelling Experience – unfortunately the ocean was too rough on the day we had planned to do this trip, but fear not…another Plan B came into play. Snorkelling with Turtles and sharks. What an experience that was. The sharks are pretty big, but totally harmless, so dive in for the experience of a lifetime.

bucket list Sun Siyam Olhuveli the Maldives

Top Tip: wearing a life jacket is advisable, even for strong swimmers. The current is deceptively strong outside of the House Reef.

Dolphin Sunset Cruise – this is a must. We did this on one of the other Sun Siyam resorts we visited and it’s excellent. Make sure you book this trip – you won’t be disappointed.

Snorkelling, Water Sports  and Pools – there’s a great choice of water sports to choose from and some good places to snorkel at the Dive Centre. Or you can enjoy one of the pools, we especially loved the infinity pool – and of course the privacy of our own villa pool.

Resort Entertainment – from laid back cocktail bars and lounges to intimate evenings around the infinity pool watching a magical sunset. Live music, beach parties, there’s a lot to choose from and children are very well catered for. It’s the perfect resort for families.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli Most Suited To – it is fantastic for families as there is so much to do to keep the whole family entertained, with activities for all ages. The dining arrangements are really relaxed and flexible and it is completely safe for your little ones in this tropical paradise.

Adults can enjoy the spa, adults-only pool bar, or romantic beachside dining, while the kids can splash in the swimming pools, enjoy some water sports or spend time at the popular Kid’s Club.

This resort’s diving centre offers easy access to the stunning house reef, making scuba diving a must-do while you’re here. The private lagoon is also great for kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing. 

Things you need to know:

No shoes required. Take only flipflops and sandals.

Book All Inclusive.

This will be your holiday of a lifetime!

How Much Does It Cost – here are example Low Season Rates at Sun Siyam Olhuveli:

  • Deluxe beach villa from £250 on bed and breakfast. Price based on up to two adults and two children under 15 sharing. Up to two kids stay and eat for free when sharing with two adults.
  • Deluxe beach villa on all-inclusive £440. Price based on up to two adults and two children under 15 sharing.  Up to two kids stay and eat for free when sharing with two adults.

Low Season – May to November

www.sunsiyam.com

Review and images by Angela Riches

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Some images supplied.

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