Where to Stay in Maldives: Choosing a Resort

The Maldives has quickly become one of the most popular beach destinations in the world. Its pristine white-sand beaches, world-famous coral atolls, and turquoise waters are home to a wide variety of land and marine life. 

Of course, you need a home base during your visit. Choosing places to stay in the Maldives in this paradise involves selecting from many luxurious options scattered across various atolls. From the vibrant capital city of Malé to secluded atolls with exclusive resorts, each destination in the Maldives offers a unique blend of tranquility and indulgence. 

Whether you seek romantic overwater bungalows, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, or a serene escape from the bustling world, the Maldives caters to diverse preferences, promising an unforgettable tropical retreat. Naturally, the ocean takes center stage during a trip to the Maldives, offering visitors diverse activities, including fishing excursions and romantic getaways to private islands. 

Whatever you’re searching for in a vacation, there’s a good chance that the Maldives has it.

How to Choose a Maldives Resort

Choosing a resort in the Maldives can seem daunting, especially considering the vast number of islands and resorts you can potentially stay at. To ensure you have the vacation experience you’re looking for, you must understand what you’re looking for in a resort.

First and foremost, you must identify your priorities—is it essential to have an intimate and romantic getaway, a family-friendly environment, or a diving enthusiast's dream destination? Or maybe you want a little mix of each of these elements.

Each Maldives resort has unique offerings, from overwater villas with direct lagoon access to comprehensive water sports facilities. Make a list of each resort's amenities and activities, and match them with your vacation preferences.

One of the most significant things to consider is the resort's location within the Maldives. For example, some islands in the archipelago are conveniently located close to the capital city of Male. This means shorter transit times, which feels especially good after a long flight from another part of the world.

Location in the Maldives is also vital because of its significant influence on what type of activities you want to get into. Some resort locations are better for viewing marine life, making snorkeling and diving trips more exciting, while other parts of the Maldives are better for their secluded and untouched beaches. By aligning your preferences with the unique offerings of each resort and atoll, you can ensure that your stay in the Maldives is perfectly tailored to your needs.

Sun Siyam Resorts aims to be one of the best places to stay in the Maldives. A big reason for that is our wonderful resorts. In the rest of this article, we’ll review the details of each of our Sun Siyam Resorts locations, helping you pick out the best resort for your trip to the islands.

Siyam World

Siyam World is the latest addition to Sun Siyam Resorts group, and for good reason. As the largest Sun Siyam Resort, it sports the highest number of restaurants, activities, and types of lodging. Because of this, Siyam World grants resort guests the ability to craft a vacation balanced between relaxation and adventure as they taste all the flavors of life on the islands.

Located on one of the largest islands in the Maldives, Siyam World offers the full experience for every one of our guests. With 18 different accommodation categories, such as one- to six-bedroom villas and pavilions, you can relax into a world of luxury during your trip. Siyam World offers the best activities for the whole family, including Siyam Water World, the Maldives’ largest floating water park.

Plus, there are 18 bars and restaurants at Siyam World, allowing you to choose fine dining and casual cuisine during your trip. And when it’s time to relax, we’ve got 4 kilometers of white sandy beaches for you to lay out on. Siyam World is your ticket to a world of ocean fun.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi

You should visit Sun Siyam Iru Fushi for a little slice of heaven on earth. Like many of our other resorts, its variety makes it one of the best places to stay in the Maldives. With many state-of-the-art villas and bungalows, there are endless opportunities to relax amongst the splendor of the islands. Many of the accommodations at Iru Fushi feature private pools, jacuzzis, and luxurious day beds you can lounge on.

Iru Fushi also doesn’t skimp on the dining experience, featuring 15 bars and restaurants. From the unorthodox French Cuisine of our restaurant, Flavors, to the Maldivian-style seafood of Islander’s Grill, there’s plenty to pick from at the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort.

Relaxation is the name of the game at this expansive resort, especially when it features an award-winning spa that will redefine what relaxation means to you. Take a load off during a half-day spa experience, after which you’ll feel like a whole new person.

Sun Siyam Iru Veli

Travelers should also consider Sun Siyam Iru Veli, a Sun Siyam resort that offers guests a front-row seat to our beautiful lagoon. One taste of a Sun Siyam Iru Veli sunset will make you feel right at home, especially when you experience dolphins gliding through the distant waters.

Sun Siyam Iru Veli might be the best resort to embrace the barefoot life. With villas perched over the water and private pools galore, you’ll constantly commune with the water at Sun Siyam Iru Veli. Whether you sign up for a diving trip or relax at one of our weekly pool parties, you might find a sense of wonder and play increasingly defining your trip to the Maldives.

Sun SIyam Vilu Reef

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef might make you reconsider the definition of “boutique beauty.” After all, it’s called Vilu Reef due to its proximity to some of the most beautiful reefs in the Maldives, populated by a diverse array of ocean species, from fish and turtles to pods of dolphins. You and your significant other can take a relaxing snorkeling trip and float above the reef or even take a diving trip with one of our experienced guides for an up-close and personal experience.

For honeymooners, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef has become one of the best places to stay in the Maldives. Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is one of our most romantic resorts, offering an ideal blend of seclusion and fun during your trip. For example, our island-hopping day trips are perfect for couples, especially our sailing trip that whisks you to an organic farm lunch on Llohi Island. There, you can meet our farmers and learn more about where we source our organic produce.

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

The grandeur of Sun Siyam's Olhuveli resort is only a 45-minute speedboat ride away and is one of the best places to stay in the Maldives. Spanning three beautiful islands, Sun Siyam Olhuveli offers world-class experiences on every front. From shipwreck diving trips with the whole family to watersports in and out of the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean, we have plenty of activities for you to participate in.

Several gorgeous pools at the Sun Siyam Olhuveli resort allow you to relax in style. Perched right on the beach's edge, you can order from the mixology bar and sip on a Mai Tai as you gaze out on another beautiful sunset with the people you love. Afterward, head to a floating platform dinner, where you can enjoy classic dishes such as king prawns thermidor and pan-seared tuna, all while gently floating under the stars.

Sun Siyam Pasikudah

Sun Siyam Pasikudah is our only resort on the Sri Lankan mainland. Located on Sri Lanka’s scenic east coast, Pasikudah offers the perfect balance of affordability and unparalleled luxury. Stay here for some of the best Sri Lankan food you’ll find while taking time for a quick snorkel to the reef or a hearty beach dinner by the bonfire.

One of the biggest advantages to staying at Pasikudah is your proximity to the wonders of Sri Lanka. You can easily access various UNESCO sites during your trip through lush national parks and traditional villages. During these excursions, you can learn more about Sri Lankan history or deeply dive into the local Buddhist culture.

Find Your Escape in the Maldives

Whatever Sun Siyam Resort you choose, you’ll be at one of the best places to stay in the Maldives, and we’re confident it will feel like your second home. Once you’ve tasted our cuisine, swam in our cerulean blue waters, and spent a day relaxing on our white-sand beaches, we guarantee you’ll plan your next trip to the islands before you get on the plane back home. All that means is that you can choose another resort next time you’re back and see a whole new side to our magical islands.