Review of Siyam World Maldives

Siyam World, Maldives is located on the Dhigurah Noonu Atoll, which is around a 45-minute seaplane transfer from Malé International Airport or a 15-minute speedboat trip from Maafaru Airport. 

The island is 54 hectares in total with the accommodation situated around the island and on five separate jetties, orientated for both privacy and for different experiences. The island’s house reef stretches for six kilometres and is vibrant with marine life, perfect for discovery. The resort is encircled by four kilometres of pristine white sandy beach, edged with swaying palm trees and dense tropical vegetation.

This all-inclusive resort offers something for everyone – couples, romantics, families and groups of friends with 21 accommodation categories and all offering private pools. There are villas, rooms, pavilions and residences - spanning from 89 to 3,000 square metres - both on land and over water. Of these, 181 are located on the beach and 291 are over water accessible via five separate jetties. 152 of the over water villas enjoy water slides with 24 allocated to the premium accommodation segment known as The Beach House Collection. Style-wise, the décor is pared back and contemporary with a neutral colour scheme enlivened by bright pops of colour. All have individual pools, open- air showers, an outdoor terrace and minibars. 

On land, the entry level Pool Beach Villa offers around 190 square metres of space with a private pool and outdoor shower and if you upgrade to the Sunset Pool Beach Villa, you have a little more space and that prized sunset view. Moving on up, there is the Beach Suite with Pool at 280 square metres and for larger groups, the Two- or Three-Bedroom Pool Beach Villa or the Two Bedroom Family Pool Beach Villa.  The upper six beach accommodation categories are elevated to The Beach House Collection with premium guests enjoying a range of privileges and benefits from butler service, to floating breakfasts, private seaplane transfers, spa treatments and more. Size wise, this premier product offers from 510 square metres of space for the Beach House, 850 square metres for the Grand Beach House, 1,500 – 1,600 square metres for the Three- and Four-Bedroom Beach Residences right up to 3,000 square metres for The Palace. 

For the Grand Beach House and upwards, it is really all about the extra space as well as upgraded facilities such as Emperor Sized Beds rather than mere King Size, separate living areas, a personal Ambassador to grant every whim and access to members’ club benefits. The residences meanwhile have open air bathrooms, indoor living rooms and a kitchen to whip up a culinary masterpiece. The Palace is of course the ultimate way to experience Siyam World with a massive private pool and garden, large living and dining spaces and a second pool. 

Over water, there are nine categories in total starting with the Water Villa with Pool at 89 square metres of space. As you go up the categories, both the rate and the size increases with the Lagoon Villa with Pool and Slide and the Water Villa with Pool and Slide both at 98 square metres, the Ocean Villa with Pool and Slide and the Reef Villa with Pool and Slide at 110 square metres of space and the Water Pavilion with slide at 185 square metres, the latter category part of The Beach House Collection as is the Grand Water Pavilion and Slide at 350 square metres of space. The two other categories are the Two- and Three-Bedroom Lagoon Villa with Pool and Slide at 210 and 352 square metres of space respectively.

Facilities abound with six kilometres of white, sandy beach and a wide range of water activities including three swimming pools (one adults only), the Siyam Water World and a variety of water sports – windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling and free trial diving. 

The SS1 certified Dive Centre at Siyam World offers a range of activities for beginners to the experienced diver. The Centre arranges several excursions and dive trips in and around Noonu Atoll for both group and private guided tours with a marine biologist on hand to talk about the underwater world. Other amenities include football and futsal, tennis courts, badminton courts, a fully equipped fitness centre, beach volleyball, beach cricket and basketball. 

For those in search of excursions and expeditions, there are sailing trips to nearby islands, snorkelling trips, romantic sunset cruises, either deep sea fishing trips or trying out a traditional skill with local fishermen – whatever is planned, there are knowledgeable guides on hand to talk about exotic wildlife, plants and flowers.

Try riding along the beach at sunrise or sunset at the Siyam World Horse Ranch, one of many private or group experiences available at the resort. Other experiences include dining on a private sandbank, having a Blaze-muster Beach BBQ or running on the beach as the sun rises.  For fitness, there are group yoga and pilates classes, aqua aerobics, beach boot camp, power walking and sunset meditation. 

For pampering in the heart of the jungle, there is the Veyo Spa and wellness area set with 18 treatment rooms located in a circle with double massage tables, open-air rain showers and flower baths. This peaceful tropical garden sanctuary includes a hydrotherapy area which includes chill pools, steam baths and saunas plus mani-pedi stations, a salon and a spa boutique. For healthy snacks and drinks, there is the self-service Himeyn Bageecha. 

For Little Explorers, there is Kidz World Kids Club for those aged between four to eleven years of age with weekly activities including craft making classes, pizza making, storytelling, kid’s yoga and Zumbini classes for kiddies and teens. Not for Kidz is an adult free hang out zone for teens aged between twelve to seventeen. 

For entertainment, there is live music, DJs, local dance classes, karaoke nights, dance shows and pool, beach and foam parties.

Siyam Water World, Maldives features a large sign spelling out its name which can be seen from the air as seaplanes come in to land and that crystallises their unapologetic and proud attitude to resort living. This is a light-hearted approach, a large resort which is in fact an island community, dedicated to having fun and living life to the full. 

There are so many activities here to enjoy, it will keep you busy every day of your stay – whether it is one of the many land-based opportunities or those over water. A similar approach goes for the restaurants too with a dine around policy which is guaranteed to offer something for everyone, even for the pickiest of eaters. 

As the majority of facilities are included within the all-inclusive rate, it is also an unrestricted holiday which you can enjoy to the full, safe in the knowledge that for the most part, there will be no nasty additions when you come to pay the bill.

There are 14 restaurants and bars available at Siyam World Maldives for a dine around choice with diverse menus ranging from international buffet favourites to Thai, Indian, Maldivian, Spanish and Japanese cuisine with two allocated for the premium accommodation dwellers only (The Orchid infinity pool bar and Arigato, the Japanese restaurant) and an underground fine dining wine cellar which is not included within the rate. It is true to say, you will never be spoilt for choice here. 

Tempo, located east of the island, offers all day casual dining on a beachside setting with international favourites served in buffet style with live cooking stations. Baraabaru meanwhile offers a similar menu with views overlooking the lagoon, open for breakfast, lunches and dinners on Friday only. For a touch of Spain, head to Andalucia for Iberian fine dining favourites with a beachside location. Takri meanwhile serves gourmet Thai cuisine, noodles, rice plates, curries, stir fries and salads, customised to guest preferences. 

With some of the best views on the island, Kurry Leaf serves Tamarind Indian cuisine with all the classic Indian dishes served here with succulent meats grilled in the open-air kitchen. The Wahoo Grill serves grilled fresh fish, meats and seafood with the catch of the day brought in that morning from a fisherman’s boat. 

Arigato, the Japanese restaurant, is exclusively for The Beach House Collection guests and serves sushi, sashimi and a range of other dishes, paired with a recommended wine by the Wine Diva. Barrique is an intimate dining space located in the underground wine cellar for just a handful of guests for dinner. Gourmet tasting menus are paired with wine flights by the restaurant’s sommelier. 

Turning to the six bars, kickback at Mint, located poolside with amazing infinity views, serving crafty cocktails and social sundowners. Also offering a range of mocktails and fresh tropical juices, Mint offers a tempting light bites menu. Together is at the heart of the resort and is a bustling, bar and snack stop whilst Jungali offers a jungle pool bar with cocktails enjoyed to a backdrop of birdsong. For sports fans, Kulhivaru is a must with live sports coverage, beers and bar bites whilst Shipwrecked is located close to Siyam Water World. The final venue, The Orchid Bar, is reserved exclusively for The Beach House Collection guests. 

One particularly nice touch is Gaadiya – carts located at various points around the island filled with local food delicacies and sweet and savoury snacks – just in case you get peckish between meals.

Siyam World opened in October 2021 and was built with all modern sustainability methods in mind. Expect much recycling, little wastage and ecofriendly practices. The Veyo Spa for instance uses products from Up Circle Beauty. It makes sustainable skincare products from ingredients that would otherwise be wasted. Each of its vegan, natural & handmade products contains at least one repurposed ingredient, and all are housed in recyclable and reusable packaging. Up Circle rescue and reuse more than 10 by-products from various industries: coffee grounds from cafes in London; date seeds from farmers in Israel (providing an extra source of income); even chamomile stems from the tea industry aren’t safe from the Up Circle magic. Up Circle claims that its products have saved literally hundreds of tons of skin-loving ingredients from ending up in landfill. 

It also uses Atoll Coco – a Maldivian brand that promotes self-care, self-love and healing through a range of organic local products. The treatment oils are formulated with naturally driven ingredients to give the organic love guests bodies deserve.