Best of the Maldives: Raised Beach Dining Cabana – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - raised beach dining 2

Two of the most distinctive aspects to the Maldives is the intimacy of the islands with the surrounding ocean, and the mesmerizing vistas of dappled blues. One of the most memorable ways to enjoy both is the iconic beach dining. Many resorts now set tables on the sand by the water or construct special cabanas for dining to provide a bit of shelter from the ocean breeze and occasional shower. Sun Siyam Olhuveli has taken the latter to literally the next level with an elevated cabana so you sea view is all the more dramatic.

Olhuveli - raised beach dining 1

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Best of the Maldives: Sheltered Snorkeling Lagoon – Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - islands

Lots of tropical destinations have islands with dappled blue water surrounding them, but one of the qualities that distinguish the Maldives is the mill pond tranquillity of these waters. The ringed atolls encircle a semi-protected region in the middle of the Indian Ocean which dampens the larger sea currents and swells of the open ocean. Especially, the shallow lagoons whose limited depth further mutes the volatility of the water.

This calmness not only contributes to the destination’s renown for languid relaxation, but also makes for some distinctively easier water enjoyment, especially snorkelling. The problem with snorkelling is that the lagoons are so sheltered that they don’t get the nutrient flow that current normally deliver and in recent years, they have gotten particularly warm both conditions of which impede the growth of coral.

But sometimes coral croppings do emerge which make for excellent beginner snorkeling. Sun Siyam Olhuveli has a sweet spot combination of no just one bur 2 sheltered lagoons with low-depth snorkeling. They are both on par with Kuda Huraa and Canareef that similarly impressed us years ago with their lagoon coral gardens, but Olhuveli has two, they are more sheltered and the one by the arrival jetty does have a drop-off at the end. We had one of our most memorable snorkels ever here on our previous visit with an octopus playing hide-and-seek with us.


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Siyam (r)evolution

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Siyam launch event 2

One of the great joys of working on Maldives Complete is the escapism to paradise that it provides me while hunkering down in the grey days of England. And as the days are growing shorter and the winds colder, Sun Siyam brought an evening of Maldivian sunshine to London to announce its brand revamp on the occasion of its 35 year anniversary:

  • “More than a visual refresh, the brand (r)evolution introduces a bold new brand statement anchored in The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, reinforcing the group’s position as one of the Maldives’ most culturally authentic resort operators. The transformation elevates guest journeys with new Signature Experiences introduced across all six resorts and strengthens direct relationships with customers through Siyam Rewards. A single identity now unites the group’s five Maldivian resorts and its Sri Lankan retreat under The House of Siyam. To help guests and partners navigate the portfolio, each property is now grouped under three distinct collections: Luxury, Privé and Lifestyle.”

The positioning makes a lot of sense for a successful player in the Maldives market. If you grow with your success, you have to add new islands as the diminutive land masses contain what you can add to existing properties. If you add new islands, then you risk having your properties competing with each other. So you have to have some differentiation so people can choose your brand for its brand values and reputation (eg. the signature experiences), but choose specific variations based on more targeted price points or vibe.

The London event featured more than just the sunny warmth of Maldivian festivity, but a few special guests. First was Dolores Semeraro, serving as vibrant emcee for the evening, who was one of the first people we met in the Maldives when she was running marketing for LUX South Ari Atoll in 2012. She and her husband, Dominik Ruhl, are part of the early pioneers in the Maldives travel sector and are now leading experts on the sector who have helped me with Maldives Complete on many occasions.

Also, gracing the stage was Aston Merrygold, of the band JLS and “Strictly Come Dancing” fame. A real class act, he and his family are fans of the Siyam resorts. He did more than a token set, but played multiple sets and spend time in between talking with the guests (who took many selfies), and even performed his signature backflip on stage.

Siyam launch event 3

Siyam launch event

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Best of the Maldives: Swim Up Jacuzzi – Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - jacuzzi bar

Swim-up bars and jacuzzis both give pools an extra boost of relaxing in the water. But how about a swim-up bar in a jacuzzi? Well that is just another pool innovation introduced by Sun Siyam Oluveli. So they are not just the proud home of the largest pool in the Maldives, but also (from what I have seen), the largest (and most extravagant) jacuzzi there!

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Best of the Maldives: (Latest) Longest Pool – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - longest pool 4

Pools are one of the top features of a tropical resort. The very roots of the Maldives Complete website was me researching which Maldives resorts had pools in the 1990s. Back then, I had to go through countless paper brochures and catalogues from travel agents and collate the information into a spreadsheet (which formed the foundation to what become the resort database). Yes, I know the Maldives is surrounded by water in very swimmable lagoons. But we found that our kids could only take so much seawater before salt, salt and coral shards started to aggravate them. While we started every day of our holiday there with a morning snorkel, we also tended to hang out at the pool all afternoon so the youngsters could continue their aquatic cavorting while Lori and I rested on the loungers.

Sun Siyam Oluveli has eclipsed the previously title holder of “Longest Pool in the Maldives” by 10 metres with its 210m behemoth. Provide not just a pool, but a pool adventure. It is 1 metre deep except at either end there are segregated sections for small children that are just 0.45 metres.

One of my favourite parts of this feature is its proximity to the entry level duplex rooms, Beach Pavillions. Usually, having a pool right outside your door is a luxury feature for the high-end villas, but this the closest-to-villa economy villa pools in the Maldives. And a big one at that…

Olhuveli - longest pool 3

Olhuveli - longest pool 1

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Tour 2025–Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Olhuveli tour 1

Having trouble even choosing what type of Maldives resort go to? Consider Sun Siyam Olhuveli which kind of offers the best-of-both across a number of criteria:

  • Large and Small – By linking 3 different islands you can have the experience of strolling around the perimeter of your own smaller island before cocktails, but also have access to an expansive array of activity, amenities and restaurants available across all three (in fact, the property features 23 dining outlets).
  • Family and Adults-only – The main island of Olhuveli remains a very family-focused property (with a large kids club that has different activities every hour of every day), but the Romance island is adults-only for those who prefer more mature solace.
  • Lagoon and House Reef – The main island and Dream Island form a very protected lagoon for those who prefer the sheltered shallow calm of ocean swimming, but the main entry side features a very accessible house reef in one direction and another lagoon packed with coral croppings for easy and sight-packed snorkeling. You are also a 15 minute boat ride from the South Male Atoll’s best dive site, Kandoom Thila, where we happened upon a group of 27 (!) eagle ray (and the group the day before saw over a dozen grey sharks)
  • Chill and Vibrant – Similarly, Olhuveli is very active and vibrant, Dream island has few things going on, and Romance is completely chill for those who like to dial up their own particular level of energy. The Romance Bar offers an idyllically peaceful adults-only bar and infinity pool with an expansive view of the turquoise-dappled waters.
  • Budget and Luxury – The resort offers duplex villas distinctively situated next to the Maldives’ longest swimming pool under $400/night with an attractive AI plan, but also features premium restaurants with such gourmet delights as lobster sushi. We enjoyed a lovely wine tasting featuring a range of interesting wines (the Level 3 sommelier Sathish informed us that he favours floral wines at the resort because they tend to be enjoyable in the heat.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli has long been a top choice for a quality value-for-money option, and with the addition of Dream Island and Romance Island, the options and value have expanded even further so you can have your cake and eat it to.

Olhuveli tour 2

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Best of the Maldives: Rocket Car – Sun Siyam World / Ohuveli

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Sun Siyam - rocket car 2

None of the Maldives resort islands have cars primarily because there is no room for roads. But what does have room is the expansive ocean surrounding them all. Sun Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli have made that their own speedway for the latest watersport thrill ride in the Maldives:

  • “Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli are excited to unveil a thrilling new adventure designed for those seeking an unforgettable, high-speed experience on the water: the Jet Car. Available at the water sports centers on both islands, these powerful, stylish vehicles are perfect for thrill-seekers looking to add an exhilarating twist to their Maldivian getaway. With their sleek, retro-inspired design and equipped with a powerful Yamaha engine, the Jet Cars are built for excitement…Plus, the built-in Bluetooth speakers allow guests to customize their experience with their own music, adding a personalized soundtrack to their adrenaline-filled ride.”

Sun Siyam - rocket car 1

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How Much is a Pool in the Maldives?

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Maldives pool

One of the very first motivations to start Maldives Complete was to get a comprehensive list of resorts with pools (which our kids loved to frolic in). Now the pervasive 5-star luxury properties nearly all have pools with every room. But, they come at a price. That is, a price uplift versus equivalent rooms without the pools. Similar to my previous, “How Much Does a Sunset Cost?”, I thought I would tap into Maldives Complete’s database of over 1200 room categories to analyse this pool premium.

I compared all room types where the resort had definitively matching room descriptors of a room type with and without a pool (eg. “Beach Villa” and “Beach Villa with Pool”):

Disclaimer: Not all pools the same. Also, a number of “with Pool” room categories have larger room footprints so the room type is really more than just an added pool, but rather the pool is the signature addition that also signifies and includes other enhancements.

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Best of the Maldives: COVID Quarantine Contingency – Olhuveli/Iru Veli

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Sun Soyam - quarantine proection

While yesterday’s long awaiting press conference by the British government on the COVID lockdown roadmap didn’t provide a clear reassurance that foreign travel will resume in May, the overall gist was extremely positive. The Prime Minister said he remained “hopeful” about sticking to the roadmap, but also admonished everyone to not “underestimate the challenges”. A further update is expected next week and much speculation exists around a return to the “traffic light” system of different protocols for different countries. Fortunately, the Maldives is one of the destinations that meet the criteria for the “green” travel corridor with its high penetration of vaccination and low/declining incidence of COVID.

If you want to play it extra safe for fear of the rules changing mid-holiday or some other eventuality hitting which might frustrate your timely return, then Sun Siyam has introduced a quarantine guarantee at its Olhuveli and Iru Veli resorts. Maldives Insider resports:

  • “Sun Siyam Resorts, the luxury Maldivian hotel and resort brand, has introduced a first-of-its-kind offer at two of its resorts: free quarantine for Indians staying at Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Sun Siyam Iru Veli. The offer, available for stays in March and April, will enable Indian travellers to visit the two resorts without having to worry about extra costs involved in mandatory quarantine if they test positive for Covid-19. Most airlines and destinations require a negative PCR test result, so tourists have to undergo testing before their departure from the Maldives. If they test positive, they have to quarantine for 14 days. In cases where guests test positive for Covid-19 during their stay at Sun Siyam Olhuveli or Sun Siyam Iru Veli, they don’t have to worry about paying for their quarantine; the resort will cover accommodation and other necessary expenses for the entire duration of government-mandated quarantine.”

   

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Best of the Maldives: Largest Restaurant – Olhuveli

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Olhuveli - largest restaurant

For the biggest banquet under one roof (and even out from the roof) Olhuveli’s main restaurant seats a glutinous 600 guests. The island only has 164 rooms (so approximately 350 guests at any time), but some staff eat there and the extra capacity gives diners more choices about where they want to eat. For example, they might want to enjoy the extensive outdoor deck seating on a lovely evening or afternoon. But if the squalls are passing through, they might prefer the cover of inside area. Plenty of choice on seating and an equally expansive range of buffet options and stations.

Olhuveli - largest restaurant 2

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