Lest I dream… a pipedream or fantasy. Powder white sand, fluttering palm trees and water of a hundred turquoise shades kissing the sky on the horizon as it extends to who knows where. A fantasy it is not. Dream island is real and exists at the Sun Siyam Olhuveli in the Maldives.
The suite
And I’m staying on Dream Island in a Grand Beach Suite with Pool which opened in late 2019. It’s one of the new designs and gorgeous with it. At the back, it’s a garden with an outdoor and indoor shower and a bathtub begging to be used. The interior is stylishly designed and spacious with an alcove with seating, lacy furnishings giving additional dimension, crystal shadow lighting create a relaxing environment while the front area offers extra living space for families. In the front, there’s a private pool and then the eye leads you to the sea, passing sun loungers on the way to white strips of powdery sand. Protected into the hidden cove of your own garden area, there is no one in sight. Contemporary, sophisticated and chic in shades of white.
The resort
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is unique in having three distinct islands, Romance, which is adult only, Dream and the Main Island. They each have different facilities such as restaurants, bars, spas and activities. Romance follows the theme with a heart-shaped bar and benefits from the location of the exclusive Teppanyaki restaurant. The Main Island has the main sports & dive centre, reception and arrival pier. In total there are 481 villas and suites on three islands connected by bridges and 15 categories of accommodation including over-water villas. Silent carts and bus trollies transport guests around.
Dining
Maldivian cuisine, (otherwise known as Dhivehi cuisine), has influences of South Asian flavours especially Indian and Sri Lankan. And as an island, there is a strong emphasis on fresh fish and seafood and local sources such as coconut, fish, particularly tuna, rice and yam. So, it’s no surprise to find Kandu Maha, a tuna curry on the buffet. However, with 21 bars and restaurants the choice of cuisine is wide open across the islands’ restaurants, many with sandy floors to give that local feel and each with a character ambience. Siyam Orchid for example is ablaze with parasols hanging from the rafts serving Thai dishes of delicate Pan Asian flavours. Conservatory style dining in individual huts or on the beach shape the signature of Namaste while enjoying authentic Indian dishes from its open kitchen. Teppanyaki Restaurant is the exclusive dining place on Romance Island (adult only) and popular so booking is essential. With fish swimming under bridges, Maghrib grill restaurant on Dream Island is set on the beach, partnered with a saxophonist player in the background. Close by is the elegant wine cellar which caters for bookable wine tastings to sample global vintages from around the world or enjoy a private dinner with wine pairing for up to eight guests – an elegant space worth experiencing. For the more casual taste, Crust and Flame will prepare nachos and calamari while Island Pizza, slices that overflow the plate. All served with smiles.
Spa
A number of bars are adult only and with one open all hours while the main Lagoon Bar is the entertainment hub for all and the stage for the Maldivian cultural show.
From traditional design to contemporary, there are spas on each island. Ocean Spa on Dream Island has treatment rooms over water. Look down to watch fish serenely passing underneath while having an aromatherapy massage – bliss. There are hydrotherapy pools steam and saunas.
It’s more than the ocean
The activities on the water are plentiful. There’s jet and car skiing, diving and snorkelling safaris as well as boat excursions which range from sunset fishing trips to try your luck at line fishing, stargazing cruises to dolphin watching out at sea. The local island walking tour excursion takes half an hour in the company’s 55-foot speedboat to travel from luxury living to rural life and is popular with guests. With a population of 2,000, Guraidhoo Island is quiet and genteel, with a few low-key guesthouses, a diving and water sports centre, bank, magistrates court, government offices and three mosques, football pitch and a school. Small houses line narrow alleyways which are draped with guava and rose apple trees while souvenir shops have shelves full with coral and silver jewellery on Middle Street. A centre for special needs is located on this island, supported by the Government and has been helped by various sponsorship activities by the Sun Siyam Olhiveli Resort which has been supported by the resort to help raise funds. Here there is a strict dress code for tourists visiting.
But there’s more on offer on the islands. Start the day with sunrise yoga or Pilates or book an art class which proves very satisfying. Painting with acrylics in the studio with tuition will keep the memories and beauty of the holiday in permanent vibrant colours on canvas in an immersive experience with your own masterpiece to take home. And get into training, this resort boasts the largest pool in the Maldives at 210m long pool, running parallel to the beach and featuring a sunken pool bar.
It’s a dream for children too, with Maakanaa Kidz who look after the little ones until 10pm as well as offering babysitting services. They have a ‘whale’ of a time with timetabled activities from Bingo, kite flying to a mini disco.
Lined with corridors of entwined branches, and tunnels of gardens with rustling foliage, fragrant and peaceful, this wasn’t a dream. I touched the sand, so white, like powder, I stared out to sea, indeed, a thousand shades of turquoise. I was, of course, on Dream Island, at the Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
Located on the Kaafu Atoll, South Male, 45 minutes away by speedboat from the airport, this resort offers affordable luxury with meal plans from B&B half, full board to All-Inclusive. A beach pavilion at Sun Siyam Olhuveli starts from £250 per night which sleeps up to two adults and one child under 15 on Bed & Breakfast or from £438 per pavilion per night on all-inclusive. To unlock exclusive offers including free transfers go to www.sunsiyam.com. Sun Siyam Resorts have five resorts in the Maldives and one on the east coast of Sri Lanka
How to get there
The Maldives is a popular twin destination with Sri Lanka with regular flights with Sri Lankan Airlines between Colombo and Male and daily flights between Colombo and London Heathrow.
SriLankan Airlines operates daily direct flights to Colombo from London Heathrow and several connections daily to the main airport in the Maldives known as Velana International Airport (also known as Malé-Velana International Airport which is located on Hulhule Island in the southern Malé Atoll.
The service was efficient and friendly with a good entertainment system. Business class offered comfortable flat-beds, (very soft blankets) and a good choice of menu which featured cheese tortellini and poached prawns drizzled with mornay sauce with grilled asparagus, zucchini, black olives and fried spinach, grilled beef fillet steak, on bed of herb mashed potato with granny cut vegetables assorted mushrooms and mustard demi-glace sauce and a vegetarian choice of cumin rice with tempered mixed vegetables, cashew and green pea curry potato dry chilli fry and vegetable cutlet. From the Sky Bar, Joseph Perrier Champagne and Arrack Old Reserve were listed amongst other beverages, and of course, Ceylon Tea.
SriLankan Airlines is the National Airline of Sri Lanka. Its hub is located at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, providing convenient connections to its global route network of 117 destinations in 59 countries (including codeshare operations) in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, North America, Australia and Africa.SriLankan Airlines is a member of the oneworld airline alliance. SriLankan operates an all-Airbus fleet consisting wide-bodied A330 aircraft, A321 aircraft and mid-range A320s. Through its website the airline provides Online Booking, Ticketing and Check-in facilities at
www.srilankan.com
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