News
Rebranded and refurbished The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi opens its doors
Maldives.net.mv – The re-launch of The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi takes place today (21st February 2014) – in the presence of His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – as the first and flagship branded property of the NEW Sun Siyam Resorts.
The brainchild of leading local entrepreneur, Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi re-launch marks the rebirth and elevation of Mr. Siyam’s tourism ventures from Maldivian Travel Company to international luxury brand. The new-look Iru Fushi is the first ‘The Sun Siyam’ property, the premier brand of Sun Siyam Resorts that also includes the boutique ‘Beach House Collection’ and the cool, quirky ‘Sun Ray’ brands together with five further luxury resort openings planned, across three countries, in the next few years – all seeking to offer something exceptional that challenges current perceptions of luxury in the travel industry.
A paradise beach resort located in the Noonu Atoll Maldives, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi features 221 luxury ocean-front villas, including 70 over-water bungalows, 11 bar and restaurant choices, a 20-room tropical spa, and range of activities and local explorations. The resort is committed to offering boutique service on a grand scale, balancing exceptional facilities and heartfelt service with a wider dedicated focus on the surrounding community.
All ‘Villa’ guests can now personally tailor their accommodation with the introduction of pillow and fragrance menus for a home-away-from-home feel; while ‘Retreat’ accommodation guests receive the added benefit of a foot massage on arrival and services of a 24-hour butler. The Spa has enhanced its offering to include traditional Chinese medicine and Maldivian treatments; opened a Spa Café serving healthy cuisine and designed a foot reflexology path. For the discerning traveller looking for villa privacy, the resort has launched 22 new Deluxe Beach Villas with private pools (total compliment now 44). The food and beverage menus have seen the introduction of new dining experiences that include an ice-cream parlour and ‘destination dining’ options. The resort is also now home to a dedicated family dining area.
The Sun Siyam Community
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Maldives is also a symbolic property for Mr. Siyam, given its location in the Noonu Atoll, his childhood home. Celebrating and honouring his roots, the resort is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of Maldivians. In addition to contributing a portion of net revenue to local preschools, the resort’s GIVE philosophy (Get Involved, Visionary Experiences) enables guests to explore the local community and experience its intrinsic relationship to the resort: from visiting a local fruit farm to hearing first-hand the origins of a local village grandmother’s recipe used in the restaurants’ kitchens.
Alongside an inspiring selection of local projects, the resorts ‘Exploration and Discovery’ activities take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty and rich culture, ensuring guests come away feeling like they have had a true Maldivian experience: from kids’ club cooking classes focused on regional dishes to a plethora of sustainable water-based activities.
The Sun Siyam Journey
From humble beginnings to becoming the Maldives’ leading entrepreneur, Mr Siyam began his career working his way up the ranks in hotels around the country. His first solo venture was the launch of a now very successful tour operating business, Sun Travels. Today, alongside managing an award-winning portfolio of tourism products, Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort, Vilu Reef Beach & Spa, Beach House Iruveli and Beach House Pasikudah opening in Sri Lanka in 2014, under the new Sun Siyam brand, he is also an Executive Board Member of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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