Share this...

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Linkedin

8 Days in Paradise: My Sun Siyam Resorts Maldives Experience Across Two Luxury Resorts

In the past, I’ve not normally been a guy for resorts, or for ‘relaxing’ holidays. But perhaps I judged too early. In fact I inow I did. Especially after an absolutely wonderful 8 days in the Maldives with my baby and my wife. We spent 8 days, 4 days each at 2 different resorts, both under the umbrella of the Sun Siyam Resorts group (they have 4 in Maldives, and others elsewhere). And it was magical. And healing. And relaxing. And luxurious. And and and! I could go on. But I want to share some ideas about how best to experience the Maldives, especially with a young family.

For me, on a personal level, after all the crazy expeditions to the Poles, or Everest, or wild trips with tribes in Africa or Papua New Guinea, recovering in a luxury resort is exactly what the doctor ordered. And for the first time in my life, I was dreading the day we had to leave the resorts! Can’t we just stay for another week!? We were so sad to return from this trip, and we’re already planning our next Maldives escape.

My blog post will cover:

• Our experience in the Maldives
• Traveling to the Maldives with a young family
• How to choose the best resorts in the maldives
• Maldives Budget
• How to get there (from Thailand) for cheap!

Why We Chose The Maldives Again

When I did my journey to every country, I did most of it solo. So when I island hopped around most of the 12 Pacific Island countries, and 13 the Caribbean countries, I was in all these paradise destinations with no-one to share it with. Often staying in decent hotels and resorts, but being lonely (first world problems, I know!). That combined with my ego of what I believed it meant ‘to travel’ had me thinking that resorts, and luxury escapes, weren’t for me. Older, and wiser, I know that was nonsense. The folly of youth eh?

My love for an actual break being to show when I proposed to Jaa in Bora Bora, we had such a fantastic time. But I thought maybe it was just the whole buzz of getting engaged. Then we had some short breaks in some amazing places in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and some luxury glamping in Jordan and Thailand, I slowly finding myself longing for some lazy days with an open schedule. And for more than just a day or 2.

Then Aidan came along! We had our first baby, and everything was put on hold. But, it was his 1st birthday coming up. My wife was working like crazy to keep on top of our new family. We were stressed, exhausted. Let’s finally do this luxury break thing. Guilt Free. Indulge and enjoy.

We live in Chiang Mai, in the mountains of Northern Thailand, so the Maldives isn’t so far from us. So it was decided. Now, there are a million different places to stay in the Maldives, how on earth do we go about choosing the best one for us. Young family. budget-conscious but willing to spend a bit.

Choosing a Maldives Resort

I once stayed at Niyama, during my every country in the world quest. And it was lovely. But I wanted something that ticked more boxes. Luxury, so we can feel we earned a break. But with stuff to do, because I’m a nightmare ADHD guy who gets bored all the time. Family friendly, because we have a 1 year old.

I was researching like crazy. And first came across Siyam World. reputedly the biggest ‘resort’ in the Maldives. It famous for being that, yet still keeping the luxury, secluded vibe of a Maldives escape. Perfect, I thought. Then I looked into the Sun Siyam website more, and saw that the brand of hotels actually have multiple resorts in the Maldives, some of which are just 5 minutes away from each other. The brand itself is called ‘Sun Siyam’ and that brand then owns:

• Siyam World (the biggest resort in Maldives)
• Sun Siyam Iru Fushi (their most luxury resort)
• Sun Siyam Iru Veli
• Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
• Sun Siyam Olhuveli

So I put together something which would suit me, and anyone who gets bored quickly, a little better.

I’ll come for 8 nights. 4 nights in 2 different resorts. The first 4 nights in Siyam World (the resort with the most to do) and the next 4 nights in Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, their most luxury stop. And they’re just a 5 minute boat ride apart. PERFECT!

TOP-TIP: Maldives from Thailand

Maldives is, of course, a luxury destination. With over water bungalows starting at $500+ per night. But that doesn’t mean you need to waste money getting there! A top-tip for anyone coming to Maldives, is to combo that trip with either Sri Lanka ($150, 1 hour flight away), or with Thailand. We flew Air Asia from Bangkok to the Maldives, 3 of us, for about $950 total with Air Asia. Amazing. Air Asia is of course not so comfortable. But 3.5 hours, with the luxury of the Maldives awaiting, it was perfect!

Arriving In The Maldives

When you fly to the Maldives, you land in the super conservative Capital city of Male. Here, you normally liase with your resort and immediately connect to your hotel. Either by Sea Plane, or by speed boat, depending on how far the resort is from the capital city. The sea plane transfers are contracted out to a third party, and normally cost $500 return per person. Ouch. But often you can avoid that cost, read on to see how!

• DID YOU KNOW? Most resorts actually have their own entire island in the Maldives.

Traveling To The Resort With A Baby

Siyam World, my first stop, was a seaplane ride away. The beauty of Siyam World, and their other properties, is that they often have free seaplane transfer offers. For stays of 4 nights minimum for 1, and 7 nights minimum for 2. That saves you $1000USD right there! We had an 8 day stay, so our transfer was free. And we had Aidan on our laps fro the seaplane journey.

As for the flight with Air Asia from Bangkok to Maldives, the biggest tip I’d give here is to pay the $20 or whatever it is to get the ‘hotseat’ with Air Asia. Normally people book Air Asia to save money, so noone pays for these better seats (actually the same seats, but right at the front). So if you pay the fee, despite the plane being full behind you, you’ll probably have multople rows to yourself at the front. We had exactly that both ways!

Our Stay At Siyam World Maldives

So first up was Siyam World, we had 4 glorious nights. Most people staying at Siyam World opt for the ‘Wow’ all inclusive option, and we did the same. Dangerous with the absoluteyl delicious wines and cocktails they have EVERYWHERE! Dangerous territory considering the quality of the cocktails, wine, and food available literally everywhere across the island.

DID YOU KNOW? Siyam World has 11 restaurants, and 7 bars!!

First Impressions

We landed in Malé around 11am, and honestly the experience started immediately. Sun Siyam actually has its own private airport lounge, complete with food, drinks, comfortable seating, and even a dedicated kids play area. Traveling with Aidan, that made such a difference after a long journey.

From there, we boarded the seaplane to the resort itself. Flying over the Maldives is already surreal enough, tiny islands surrounded by impossible shades of blue, but arriving into Siyam World was another level entirely.

As soon as we landed, we were greeted with music and smiles before walking out onto this beautiful wooden jetty overlooking the whole island. That was probably the first moment it really hit me that we were in the Maldives.

Then came the villa.

You’ve probably already seen Siyam World online because it’s the resort famous for the overwater villas with slides directly into the ocean. Ours was one of those, and it genuinely felt ridiculous in the best possible way. The villa itself was absolutely massive. More like a luxury apartment sitting above the Indian Ocean than a hotel room. Huge bed, lounge area with sofa, enormous bathroom with bathtub and outdoor shower, and then outside was this huge private deck complete with dining space, loungers, private plunge pool, and of course the waterslide disappearing straight into the turquoise sea below.

Safe to say Aidan was impressed.

One thing that struck me immediately about the Maldives was the sense of space. Siyam World is actually one of the largest resorts in the Maldives, but somehow it still felt peaceful and uncrowded. You constantly feel like you have entire beaches and stretches of ocean completely to yourself.

That first afternoon, while Aidan took a nap, Jaa and I sat on the deck drinking champagne while staring out at the ocean. Not a bad way to start.

Dining, Cocktails And Sunset Views

That evening we walked around the island before heading for dinner at Shipwrecked, which transforms into Delmare in the evenings.

I’d never really done a luxury all inclusive resort properly before, and honestly, I finally understood the appeal. Being able to order whatever you want without constantly calculating prices in your head completely changes the atmosphere of the holiday.

Cocktails by the pool? Included. Wine with dinner? Included. Random afternoon drinks because the sunset looked too good not to? Included.

And not cheap quality either. The wines were excellent, the cocktails were genuinely good, and the food across the island massively exceeded my expectations.

The sunsets every evening became part of the routine. We’d move between the lagoon pool, beach bars, and restaurants watching the sky change colours while Aidan happily worked through the kids menu like a tiny professional food critic.

The next morning we woke up to perfect blue skies and headed straight for the beach behind our villa for a swim before breakfast.

Breakfast itself was enormous. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, juices, coffees, Asian dishes, western dishes, and even a dedicated plant based section called Plant Based Bliss, which I absolutely loved as a vegetarian. And despite the scale of the resort, it never once felt crowded.

The Best Things We Did At Siyam World

One thing that really separates Siyam World from many other Maldives resorts is just how much there is to do.

• Sunset dolphin cruises
• Snorkeling directly from your villa
• Scuba diving
• Gokarting
• Massive Together Pool parties
• Largest Floating water park in the Maldives
• Jetskiing and watersports
• All inclusive dining across 11 restaurants
• Spa treatments and massages
• Visiting the island farm
• Kids club for families
• Quality Gym
• Private beach dinners
• Foam parties
• Marine biologist experiences
• Paddleboarding and kayaking
• Cycling around the island
• Seaplane arrival experience
• Indian fine dining at Kaage
• Beach clubs and live music
• Coffee and beers at Friends Café
• Watching sunsets from your villa deck
• Exploring one of the largest islands in the Maldives

For us, on our second day we spent most of the morning swimming between the beach, the infinity pool, and the ocean directly outside our villa before eventually dragging ourselves away for activities. First up was gokarting, which still sounds ridiculous to say while talking about the Maldives, but somehow it completely works here.

After that, Aidan spent time in the kids club while I headed to the gym, which was genuinely one of the best hotel gyms I’ve used anywhere in the world. Jaa relaxed around Jungali while I pretended I was balancing fitness and unlimited cocktails responsibly. Lunch that day was at Jungali, followed by sunset drinks and dinner at Wahoo Grill.

The following morning we visited the island farm with Aidan, which he absolutely loved. It was actually really cool seeing another side of how the resort operates beyond just luxury villas and pools.

Later we spent time at the massive Together Pool, probably the social heart of the island, before heading out on a sunset cruise that turned out to be one of the highlights of the whole stay. Watching dolphins jumping through the waves while the sun disappeared over the Indian Ocean honestly felt almost too cinematic to be real.

By day four we’d fully slipped into Maldives life. Beach in the morning, gym session, then beers and coffees at the Friends coffee shop afterwards while hanging out with Jaa and Aidan.

That afternoon was spent mostly around our private pool with family nap time before our final dinner at what was genuinely one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever eaten at anywhere in the world.

Our final morning at Siyam World was breakfast, cocktails and lunch at Good Vibrations, before transferring by boat just five minutes away to our next resort experience with Sun Siyam.

Moving To Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

One of the coolest parts of this trip was that moving between resorts was ridiculously easy. After lunch and cocktails at Good Vibrations at Siyam World, we jumped on a speedboat for literally five minutes across the water to Sun Siyam Iru Fushi.

And immediately the atmosphere changed.

Siyam World felt energetic, modern, social, and activity focused. Iru Fushi felt calmer, more refined, and more traditionally “Maldives luxury.” It honestly felt like we got two completely different holidays in one trip.

And while I absolutely loved Siyam World, I genuinely think our beach villa at Iru Fushi may have been even better. Instead of staying overwater this time, we stayed directly on the beach in this enormous private villa hidden among palm trees with direct beach access straight onto powder white sand. It felt more secluded, more peaceful, and somehow even more luxurious.

Walking out of your room directly onto your own private stretch of Maldives beach every morning is hard to beat.

A More Traditional Maldives Luxury Experience

Iru Fushi is smaller than Siyam World, but in a really good way.

The whole island feels quieter and more intimate while still having everything you actually want from a luxury Maldives resort. Amazing restaurants, beautiful pools, a full gym, kids club, spa, beaches, watersports, and all inclusive options without feeling overwhelming. The pace here naturally slowed down for us.

Instead of rushing around trying activities all day, we slipped into this really easy routine of beach walks, gym sessions, long lunches, spa recovery, sunset cocktails, and family time with Aidan.

The beach itself was probably the standout feature for me. At Siyam World we spent loads of time in the water from the villa deck, but at Iru Fushi we found ourselves constantly drawn to the sand and lagoon directly outside our villa.

It was the kind of place where you could genuinely spend hours doing absolutely nothing and somehow still feel like you were having the perfect day.

What We Loved Most About Iru Fushi

Our first afternoon after arriving was spent settling in, exploring the island, and heading to the gym before dinner.

That evening we had this unbelievable private beach dinner experience right on the sand under the stars. Honestly one of those Maldives moments you imagine before you arrive.

The next morning started with breakfast before we joined a tree planting activity with Aidan, which was actually such a nice family experience and something a little different from the usual luxury resort activities.

Lunch was at the Pool Club before another gym session and what quickly became our favorite daily routine at Iru Fushi: sauna, hot bath, and ice bath recovery sessions every afternoon. I’m not exaggerating when I say this became one of the highlights of the whole trip for me. Training in the gym, jumping into the ice bath overlooking paradise, then relaxing in the sauna before sunset cocktails felt like peak luxury wellness travel.

Day three followed a similar rhythm. Breakfast, kids club for Aidan, gym for me, then more recovery sessions before spending most of the afternoon on our private beach outside the villa.

That night we had Indian food again, because apparently Maldives resorts somehow secretly compete to make some of the best Indian food on earth. By day four we were fully in holiday mode. Floating breakfast in the villa pool in the morning, gym session after, then another sauna and ice bath before heading out on a dolphin sunset cruise in the evening.

Honestly, that combination of wellness, luxury, beach life, and family time is what made Iru Fushi so memorable for us. And then suddenly it was over.

On the final morning we packed up, took the transfer back to Malé, and flew AirAsia back to Bangkok feeling genuinely sad to leave. After visiting almost every country in the world, very few places still feel genuinely special to me. The Maldives still does.

Traveling The Maldives As A Family

Before having Aidan, I honestly thought of the Maldives purely as a honeymoon destination. Romantic dinners, couples massages, and overwater villas. But traveling here as a family completely changed my perspective. Both resorts were incredibly welcoming towards children, from kids clubs and family pools to staff constantly making a fuss over Aidan everywhere we went. The slower pace of Maldives life actually works perfectly with a baby too. Beach walks, afternoon naps, swimming, early dinners, and relaxed evenings watching sunsets together. It never once felt stressful. Instead, it felt like one of the easiest luxury family trips we’ve ever done.

Is The Maldives Good With A Baby?

YOU NEED TO CHOSE THE RIGT RESORT! And Sun Siyam accommodates kids AMAZINGLY.

So, Honestly, yes. Much easier than we expected. The resorts had high chairs, kids menus, baby friendly staff, and loads of space for Aidan to play safely. Because everything is contained within the island resorts, it also felt relaxing rather than chaotic, which makes a huge difference when traveling with a baby.

They also always had cots, kids clubs, activities, you could even hire baby sitters by the hour on each resort. Unreal.

Siyam World Vs Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

Honestly, they’re both incredible, but they offer very different Maldives experiences.

Siyam World feels bigger, more energetic, and more modern. There’s always something happening, whether that’s watersports, gokarting, beach clubs, sunset cruises, foam parties, or huge social pool areas.

Iru Fushi feels calmer, more refined, and more traditionally luxurious. Slower pace, quieter beaches, more intimate atmosphere, and overall probably the more romantic of the two.

If I was to go back?! God even that is tough!! If I could only go to one, with a family, I guess I’d have to choose Siyam World. For the sheer options of food, drinks and activities. Even if I probably preferred Iru Fuhis?! It’s the difference between a 9.9/10 and a 10/10! But if you want the iconic, private experince, then Iru Fushi is best.

Which Resort Is Better For Families?

I’d probably give the edge to Siyam World.

The sheer amount of activities makes it incredibly easy with kids. The island is huge, there’s loads to explore, the kids club was excellent, and the atmosphere feels relaxed rather than overly formal. Having family friendly restaurants, massive pools, and even things like the waterslides from the villas makes it genuinely fun for both adults and children.

That said, Iru Fushi was also fantastic with Aidan. It just felt more peaceful and slower paced.

Which Resort Is Better For Couples?

For couples, especially honeymoon style trips, I’d probably choose Iru Fushi.

The beach villas feel incredibly private, the atmosphere is quieter, and the whole island naturally encourages slowing down. Long beach walks, sunset cocktails, spa sessions, and dinners under the stars just fit perfectly there.

Siyam World still works brilliantly for couples too, especially if you want a more social and active trip, but Iru Fushi felt more classically “Maldives romantic” to me.

What Makes Sun Siyam Resorts Different?

They intentional set out with a new idea for the Maldives. After staying across both Siyam World and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, the biggest thing that stood out to me was that neither resort felt corporate or overly manufactured.

Luxury resorts can sometimes feel interchangeable. Same villas, same restaurants, same polished but slightly soulless experience. Sun Siyam didn’t feel like that at all.

Both resorts had completely different personalities while still feeling distinctly Maldivian. The staff were warm without being robotic, the atmosphere was relaxed rather than pretentious, and there was a genuine sense that families, couples, and groups could all enjoy the resorts in different ways.

I also loved how they balance luxury with fun. One minute you’re having champagne in your private pool watching the sunset, the next you’re gokarting around a tropical island or heading to a foam party in the middle of the Indian Ocean. That mix of world class luxury without taking itself too seriously is surprisingly rare.

Final Thoughts On Our Maldives Experience

Honestly, I’m not even really a beach person. I get bored lying on beaches pretty quickly, which is probably why I normally prefer adventure travel over luxury trips. But I absolutely loved this trip.

After 197 countries, it takes a lot for somewhere to feel genuinely special now, but the Maldives still does. The water, the sunsets, the villas, the pace of life, it’s just ridiculously beautiful and relaxing. Doing it with Jaa and Aidan made it even better too.

And yeah, I’d definitely go back to Sun Siyam Resorts. I loved how different both resorts felt from each other, and now I actually want to try the other properties too and see how they compare.