ADVERTORIAL • August 2023
The Maldives – but not as you know it
This Indian Ocean paradise offers much more than just gin-clear seas and powder-soft sandbanks – though there are plenty of those, too. Whether you’re a glowing newlywed looking for a great-value escape (it’s possible), or simply craving some downtime with the family, Sun Siyam Resorts in the Maldives could be the answer…
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Best for: the whole gang
If you’re saddling up for an epic getaway with the babes in tow, this is the place. With child-centred spa treatments, craft classes and sunset fishing on the menu, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi knows what it takes to make a stress-free family trip, where activities are in heady supply, and space is, too. Here, family villas sprawl at 140sqm – each with their own pool and outdoor Jacuzzi – all within easy reach of the resort’s brilliant Koamas Kidz Club, which puts on a fresh spread of activities daily. There’s lots to keep teens happy, too, with a mini golf course, giant chess, tennis and badminton courts, plus a protected lagoon designed especially for family snorkelling.
The Club’s top tip: Iru Fushi is offering an absolute steal of a deal for families with two children under 15 invited to stay and eat on the house, plus complimentary kids’ club access for under-12s.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Best for: epic experiences
Just a 45-minute speedboat away from Malé airport, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is all about awe-inspiring experiences both in and on the water, whether it’s gliding through mind-bending, ocean worlds, paddling alongside manta rays, or trying your hand at kitesurfing. Set across three islands, Olhuveli’s house reef is a marvel for snorkellers and divers alike, being home to kaleidoscopic coral and submarine caves where rays coast and nurse sharks doze. If you’re after more of an adrenaline kick, few things are more invigorating than skipping across frothing waves on a wind surf, before heading back to base for a piping-hot bath and a knot-blasting massage.
The Club’s top tip: Kick back at Lagoon Bar, where Instagrammable cocktails are enlivened every evening by live performances.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef
Best for: new romantics
This five-star haven serves up an array of activities designed for sparking connection with your beloved. Prepare for peak romance with a private dinner on the beach lit by starlight and the glow of lanterns, or a lively afternoon in the house cellar tasting some of the world’s finest wines. For a delightful daytrip, set sail on a traditional dhoni to the resort’s island farm just 20 minutes away, where local growers will explain how ingredients are cultivated, before chefs dish up a farm-to-fork lunch with the pickings you’ve just gathered. For the perfect early evening tipple, head to the The Nautilus for appetite-whetting sundowners overlooking lapping waves and vermillion skies.
The Club’s top tip: Vilu Reef’s Cinema Under the Stars experience is a treat for film buffs – recline on the beach with toes in the sand and your all-time favourite blockbuster.
Sun Siyam Iru Veli
Best for: blow-out bedlam
Think all-inclusives aren’t luxurious? Think again. While dress codes here are happily abandoned, Sun Siyam Iru Veli still has plenty of frills, with private pools in all suites and four restaurants serving a mix of elegant à la carte dishes and eye-popping buffets. Each week, DJs spin vibey mixes at the hotel’s frequent pool parties, where mixologists and baristas are on hand to prepare any libation that takes your fancy. If you’re after a bit of seclusion, plump for the resort’s Cast Away experience, where a speedboat will carry you to one of the island’s nearby sandbanks for private snorkelling, games and a feast on the beach.
The Club’s top tip: Premium perks are in no short supply here – guests are treated to US$100 spa credit or three dives for certified divers, three excursions per week, a jet ski credit, plus a windsurfing lesson with every stay.
All British Airways Holiday packages are ATOL protected, include 23kg of baggage per person, and come with a 24 hour holiday helpline.
This article has been tagged Advertorial, Hotels
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