The ‘wow-inclusive’ Maldives resort with jungle race-tracks, idyllic beaches and Rio Ferdinand football classes
FLOATING in my overwater villa’s private infinity pool, I watch a pair of stingrays glide serenely through the turquoise sea below.
So far, so idyllic.
It’s just how you’d imagine a dream holiday to the Maldives to be.
But Siyam World island resort on the Noonu atoll is so much more.
Fancy jumping into a go-kart for a scream around their jungle racetrack?
Or how about challenging Rio Ferdinand to a kickabout on the full-size football pitch — he’s there this October half term.
Why not splash about on the largest floating water park in the Indian Ocean or saddle up one of the magnificent horses at the island’s ranch?
You can take to the calm, clear waters for a snorkelling safari or a sunset cruise to spot dolphins.
Jump into a canoe or laser boat to cut through the waves or catch the breeze windsurfing or paddleboarding.
And that’s before we’ve even talked about the entertainment, vast spa complex or the four swish pools.
It was my first time on a Maldivian island and the 5* Siyam World blew all my pre-conceptions out of the water.
I’d always been slightly worried by the thought of simply lounging about on white sand beaches and swimming in those stunning seas.
Would I get bored?
The answer is absolutely not.
Siyam World says it offers WOW-inclusive holidays and I can’t disagree.
The island — a thrilling 40-minute sea-plane ride from Male’s international airport — is one of the largest in the Maldives archipelago.
It’s even easier to reach now with Virgin Atlantic’s new daily direct flights from Heathrow.
And at Siyam World, so much is included in your stay you’d struggle to do it all in a month.
Of course, the island’s idyllic beaches — all 2.5 powder-soft miles of them — are the perfect place to top up the tan.
Its 6km house coral reef just off shore promises snorkellers and scuba divers astonishing marine life.
And while the Maldives has always appealed to couples and honeymooners, this resort is also very family-friendly.
Tucked away among the lush foliage, its kids’ club is built around the vast trunk of a banyan tree, its branches shading a splash pool with inflatables.
There’s kids’ yoga and zumbini fitness classes for kids and teens and a huge array of activities to keep them happy.
That doesn’t distract from grown-up fun though.
The adults-only Mint infinity pool was perfect for those Instagram selfies and the sheer choice of bars and restaurants — all included in the price — was dizzying.
There’s no doubt this is a luxury resort but for a special anniversary, birthday or blow the budget multi-generational trip the prices hands-down beat comparable high-end European resorts.
And what you can’t recreate elsewhere is the relaxed Maldivian welcome.
Every single member of staff greeted us with a warm smile and couldn’t do enough to make us feel instantly at home.
No more so than at the island’s nine restaurants and seven bars.
All included, you can take your pick from the bountiful buffet or dine around the world with Maldivian, Indian, Italian, Thai and Spanish options to name a few.
Highlight of my first night was not just the authentic flavours of the Takrai Thai restaurant on its own little pier — but the vast shoals of fish and baby reef sharks swimming in the waters.
‘CLASSY COCKTAILS’
Another favourite was the Kaag, the Maldivian restaurant with the freshest seafood and creamy, spicy curries.
There’s live music and dancing into the night with all the bars serving premium spirits and classy cocktails as well as an impressive range of wines.
Favourites for me included beachside Shipwrecked and Together for breathtaking sunset views.
And nothing can beat the experience of watching the sun rise from your very own patio or terrace.
There are 16 different types of villas on the island sleeping two to 12, ranging from those with direct beach access and private pools to overwater villas complete with helter-skelter slides.
We combined the thrills of Siyam World with a more relaxed, laidback luxury experience at the nearby sister resort of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, just a short speedboat ride away.
Here we’re greeted yet again by smiling, dancing staff who whizz us to our overwater villas in colourful electric buggies.
But there’s barely time to take in the views from our spacious terraces and beamed bedrooms before we’re heading back out into the ocean.
Climbing aboard a traditional Maldivian fishing boat, we’re handed glasses of champagne and set off in search of dolphins.
Within minutes we’re watching as hundreds leap from the water around us.
Sailing back to Iru Fushi as the sun sets we’re rewarded with a sky vividly streaked with reds and oranges on the endless horizon.
Like Siyam World, Iru Fushi features a host of included bars and restaurants, all serving up sophisticated grub in super-relaxed, rustic settings.
Siyam has transformed my view of the Maldives — and I can’t wait to get back and explore more.
GO: MALDIVES
GETTING / STAYING THERE: A seven-night twin-centre all-inclusive stay at Siyam World Maldives and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is from £2,526pp.
Includes three nights in a deluxe beach villa with pool at Iru Fushi and four nights in a beach suite with pool at Siyam World as well as seaplane transfers and direct flights from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic on December 5.
Based on two adults and two children sharing.
A seven-night trip for two adults, including water villa with pool at Siyam World and beach villa at Iru Fushi is from £3,358pp, based on the same departure date.
See virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.
MORE INFO: See sunsiyam.com.