Like a cluster of fairytale mushrooms rising from the water, glistening with ocean dew; that sparkling sea, so clear that you can see the shadows of fish shifting around on the bottom, it's almost hard to believe that the Sun Siyam resort actually exists. After ten hours in the air, leaving gray, drizzly London in the dark and arriving to the sight of overwater villas peeking out of gin-clear lagoons, landing in the Maldives feels something of a spectacle.
The festivities started at Heathrow, where I drank champagne and ordered an afternoon tea basket at my table in the Clubhouse Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 3. And there was good reason to celebrate: this trip marked one of the first flights of Virgin Atlantic from London to the Maldivian capital Malé - currently flying from London Heathrow three times a week until March 29, with a daily service from October 27 - and it seemed even the staff on board were in a jubilant mood: "Well, the only all I can say is WOW. This is a special place!" Amanda, the lead cabin crew member, announced excitedly as we descended.
I was lucky enough to try the Upper Class cabin for the first time on this trip, which meant I could lie on a flatbed (unabashedly smug, especially as this was an overnight flight), with pajamas, daybeds, a three-course dinner and a limp -up full English breakfast.
In retrospect, this was just the beginning of the A-list treatment I would encounter as a guest of Virgin Atlantic Holidays. As we plunged through the water after a thrilling 45 minute seaplane journey to Medhafushi Island, it unexpectedly felt like a scene from Downton Abbey, the staff of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi all lined up to greet us as we felt like spilled milk on a crescent-shaped beach. I tried to hug them all, although I settled for the outstretched hands. We drank fresh coconut water and were taken to our new home.
Iru Fushi
The island is spectacular in every way. Surrounded by miles of sandy peaks that gently slope into living coral gardens full of tiny rainbow-colored fish, fringed by lush tropical vegetation. The resort features 221 villas, 81 of which are overwater and feature outdoor hot tubs or pools.
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The beach villas feel like mini residences, nestled among towering banyan trees and swaying palms full of chattering terns, as the beach stretches out before them. In the Deluxe Beach Villas, the courtyard-style bathrooms are gigantic, with enormous freestanding baths and swing seats. Private terraces and pools overlook the cabana, completely draped in linen, with captivating views of the ocean.
One of the big pluses of the resort is the staff. Wherever you go, whatever you do, without you even realizing it, someone is silently keeping a helpful eye on you. They appear magically, like a fairy god person; a mix of driver, waiter and guide. As I casually walked to breakfast, my butler Thahseen suddenly arrived just as I finished asking if I had slept well and needed a better pillow (there's a whole menu to choose from). One day he showed up with about seven variations of lotions and creams for my bug bites. Another day my broken sunglasses appeared, scattered on my terrace, fully repaired by our cheerful housekeeper, Saddam. All you have to do is lick your lips and look thoughtfully and one of the twinkling staff will appear with your favorite glass of crisp, pale rosé. e.
Despite being one of the largest of the five resorts in the Maldives, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi feels intimate and never crowded. The private island retreat in the Maldives also has a newly opened boutique resort in Sri Lanka, owned and founded by Maldivian entrepreneur Ahmed Siyam Mohamed.
Although there were many couples in love and honeymooners around, there were also groups of families, with lots of fun for children and teenagers, including the Nemo Garden underwater park in the lagoon, where there are swimming pools for children, adults and families. as well as the brilliantly equipped Koamas Kidz Club. There is also a separate area for families in the main restaurant, where a children's buffet for dinner and a children's playground are offered.
The days pass by in a breeze here. You can snorkel with Caitlin, the resort's in-house marine biologist, go scuba diving and kayaking, take a private cooking class on the beach or sail to a desert island for a picnic lunch. Whatever you do, don't miss the sunset dolphin cruise, which takes you in a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, under a cotton candy sky, to the secret spots in the ocean where you are most likely to see wild pods floating through the water.
Between all the lounging around on your super-sized lounger, it's worth heading to the spa, the largest in the Maldives. Here, the 20 treatment rooms are named and scented with a flower, with more than 140 soothing treatments to choose from, from the 90-minute Maldivian Spa Experience, which starts with a creamy coconut milk bath and ends with a coconut oil massage, to the Ayurveda massage where my small but mighty Balinese masseur Odi somehow relieved every knot in my body without causing the fist-in-mouth pain I've had at other spas.
Everything happens outdoors, so you'll be kissed by the sea breeze as you enjoy Maldivian fish curry at the toes-in-the-sand Islander's Grill, or stone-baked pizzas at Italian restaurant The Trio. There are a whopping 14 eateries and bars, ranging from Asian to French, and most are part of the all-inclusive deal, so there's zero chance you'll ever go hungry.
Siyam world
After five nights in the relaxing Iru Fushi, we zoom seven minutes across the water to Siyam World, the sister hotel of Iru Fushi and also part of the Sun Siyam Resort group.
As I stepped off the boat, someone darted across the lagoon and into the air, attached to what looked like a giant snake, while girls' laughter echoed from the nearby banana ride against the backdrop of a floating obstacle course. . It didn't take long before one thing became deeply clear; your life will never be more fun than at Siyam World. This is the Maldives on acid, where my overwater villa combined the fantasy of the honeymoon with the thrill of the pluses of a ski-on-ski-out chalet - just drop that kayak in and slide out. Yes, those slides plunge you straight into the sea from your terrace.
This is the Maldives on acid, where my overwater villa combined the fantasy of the honeymoon with the thrill of a ski-on-ski-out chalet
And that's just the beginning. You will also find a horse ranch here, yes: real horses in the Maldives. Siyam World happens to be the only resort in the Maldives that has one, so you can live out all your galloping, wind-in-the-salty-sea hair fantasies. There's also a fleet of every type of high-tech water toy you can imagine; Hydrofoil e-bikes, two-seater Seabreacher jets that can jump, dive and ride through the waves and Cudajet underwater jetpacks that make you feel like you're flying underwater.
This resort is much larger than Iru Fushi, with 472 villas (300 overwater), all with private pools and between one and six rooms, making it a great option for families and groups of friends. In addition to the water villas with slides, you will definitely also want to get one of the villas from the Beach House Collection. They have cocktail trolleys to whip up an ice cold G&T just the way you like it, an upstairs bedroom so you wake up to views of the sunrise over the ocean and each with their own little garden, with direct access to the beach . You'll also get your own vibrant retro-custom Mini Moke, so you can explore the island on four wheels.
If you're here to flop, there are sunset yoga and meditation sessions on the beach as the sea swirls around you, as well as the expansive and tranquil Veyo Spa, hidden among the jungle part of the island, where traditional healing, massages and massages from the Maldives are given. moon rituals are washed away to the soundtrack of birdsong echoing through the trees.
One morning we met Mariyam Thuhufa, the Maldives-born marine biologist from Siyam World, to get involved in their coral planting restoration project, which involved attaching pieces of coral that had been naturally broken off the reef by waves to a metal structure that was then returned to the house. reef to regenerate.
On another day we left the resort and went to the nearby local island of Kudafari, home to 900 residents and the birthplace of Sun Siyam's founder, and learned about some of the projects funded by Siyam Cares' sustainability program, including the construction of a new mosque and school, as well as the work they are doing to protect some of the island's traditional industries.
Just like Iru Fushi, Siyam World runs like a well-oiled machine, with the dashing resort manager Ausy Waseem at the helm, who never misses a moment. The staff is ready to assist you. Fancy six breakfasts, in flavor style: kale, pineapple and ginger shots; fresh mango with local honey and yogurt, omelettes to order, sushi, donuts, champagne? No problem.
There is no end to the food. Fancy a feast on your own piece of beach? Just let them know. There are no fewer than ten restaurants and seven bars - from the gourmet Asian waterfront Takrai to Andalusia, the traditional Spanish restaurant, with its own secret wine cellar. Since almost all restaurants and bars are under the all-inclusive plan and the feeling of time is forgotten, leaving is the only low point.
