The Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

eef swimming, paragliding, and options to
learn to dive in the resorts PADI and DDI
Diamond certified diving school.
If the term barefoot luxury is banded about
too much, it’s very much found its true
definition here - this is a place of relaxation,
aided by that extra oomph that only an
all-inclusive stay can offer. In all there are
15 venues for drinking and dining - offering
a mixture of worldwide cuisines. Where the
food really shines is in the bevy of freshly
grilled reef fish and Maldivian curries - there
are fine dining options available, but it was
the Bamboo restaurant with its tables in the
sand and menus of fresh salads and Pan-
Asian cuisine which really hit the right notes
in the afternoon heat.
Knowing as they do that tourism in these
areas have hugely adverse effects on the
local environment, Sun Siyam as a group
continually look for ways to reduce their
footprint. Being an archipelagic state, the
Maldives does rely on a significant array
of food imports, but the group has its
own farm island which grows a variety of
produce, limiting the carbon impact. Guests
to the resort can visit too, for a unique farm
to plate experience.
I suppose the other big question for
everyone tentatively dipping their toes
back into international travel, is, is it safe?
The major advantage of the Maldives is
the sheer space between the islands,
meaning that they can isolate cases as and
when they occur. How this landscape will
change as more vaccines are rolled out
across the globe is still unknown, but its
clear that each resort is doing their part. As
it currently stands, to change resorts you
are still required to take a PCR test - whilst
some might consider this an unnecessary
expense, I think it’s a sensible and safe
practice to make sure you can enjoy your
stay fully.
Now, if there is a spa to be found in a
resort, you will generally find me ensconced
inside it. Within a humble-looking
bungalow off one of the jungle tracks,
lies Iru Fushi’s - a world-leading spa by
French brand Thalgo - don’t be fooled
by initial appearances though - knock
on the heavy black-lacquered doors and
you’ll be whisked into an exotic oasis,
where pebble-lined paths snake through
bubbling koi ponds. Massages here are on
the expensive side, but hey, you’re in the
Maldives - lean in to the luxury and enjoy
your slice of paradise, it really is worth it.
I suppose the thing that really sets the
tone for any trip, and indeed the make or
break, are the staff within the resort, and
Sun Siyam really do have a spectacularly
good team. Throughout the stay, nothing
was too much trouble. Want a pinchme
romantic dinner on your own stretch
of beach, surrounded by the twinkle of
candles? You’ve got it. In our little quintet
of ladies holidaying together, we mentioned
we would like to have a meditation session
on the beach - what we got was a heart