A $400 Million Gamble Created The Maldives' Wildest Resort

Forbes

a day ago

Speeding around the island in a jet car is one of many experiences available to guests at Siyam World.
Sun Siyam
Maldivian islands are known for quiet luxury: spa treatments, perhaps a snorkel or two and barefoot candlelight dinners on the beach. A formula that has worked for couples and those seeking pure relaxation.
But one Maldivian entrepreneur sensed a shift in what tourists coming to his country wanted.
Ahmed Siyam Mohamed began his career 35 years ago as a local tour guide. Over the past decades, he built a six-resort empire. Along the way he noticed many travelers wanting more than silence and a long list of spa treatments: They all craved things to do.
So he took a big financial gamble to build Siyam World. An initial $350 million investment constructed the resort, followed by at least another $50 million for upgrades and to add more experiences since its opening four years ago.
The resort now redefines what luxury in the Maldives means.
'Luxury in our resort means freedom. Freedom of movement, of experience and of joy," says Sara Siyam, marketing director at Siyam World and the entrepreneur's daughter.
"There is no rule that luxury has to be quiet."
Siyam World opened exactly as the new experience-based travel trend started to emerge. Tourists now look for destinations with engaging activities and individual experiences.
This is the demand that Sara's father had anticipated.
Like kids on recess—adults aren't leaving the fun to the youngest anymore at Siyam World's water park.
Siyam World
Industry analysts see the global marketplace for travel experiences offering a more than $1 trillion opportunity, with half of Gen Z indicating they prefer to invest in experiences. They'd rather cut costs on flights or accommodations and spend it on diving trips, cooking classes or sports camps at their destination. To compare: only a third of boomers say the same.
This shift goes even deeper than demographics. TripAdvisor's latest Trendcast industry report analyzed billions of reviews and booking data to discover that yes, adults still want relaxation, but now they also crave an element of surprise and joy.
They're not willing to leave the fun to the kids anymore.
James Bond cruised around in a Moke, now guests at Siyam World can do the same in an electric version.
Siyam World
"At our core we want to give our guests the experiences they want on their holiday. And we deliver that, plus more, at the highest possible level," says Sara.
It's a philosophy that's noticeable everywhere on the island, in lavish, one-of-a-kind activities.
As Sara says, "Boredom simply isn't an option here."
Guests can rent retro-styled electric mini Mokes to cruise around the 54-hectare island.
Sara and her husband, resort manager Ausy Waseem, came up with this idea while watching "Live and Let Die", where James Bond zips around a fictional Caribbean island in a similar Moke.
The $25,000 price tag per vehicle meant it took a bit of convincing, but, as Sara says, 'Thankfully my father was on board when he saw just how cool they look in that movie scene."
Siyam World claims several other ambitious firsts for the Maldives. It's the only island where guests can horseback ride—and not on just any horses, but Marwaris from Rajasthan, a rare breed known for its distinctive curved ears and exceptional loyalty to humans.
Caring for them required building an on-island veterinary hospital, which made adding a petting zoo with goats, rabbits, sheep and many different kinds of exotic parrots a natural next step.
Siyam World's electric go-kart track draws kids and adults alike.
Siyam World
Many Maldivian islands have stray cats left behind by previous inhabitants. While most resorts choose to remove them, Siyam World decided to turn this challenge into a unique experience for guests.
"Our vet provided the necessary treatments, and now we see how much our guests, especially childreapeciate their presence," says Sara.
In fact, a cat café is in the works, where cappuccinos and cake will come with a side of cuddly cat.
Siyam World's water park is the largest in the Maldives.
Siyam World
The water sports at Siyam World feature toys most guests would otherwise never encounter—and most hotel owners would probably balk at: too costly, too risky, and with questionable ROI.
There's the CudaJet, an underwater backpack with jets that lets freedivers fly through the water. Then the Seabreacher, a one-man submarine that dives and leaps over waves. And Jet Cars—speedboats styled to look like sports cars, perfect for anyone who's dreamed of driving a Ferrari across the Indian Ocean.
This no-expenses-spared philosophy extends beyond water toys to other activities, particularly sports like soccer. Local legend Anwar Abdul Gani runs daily training sessions on regulation-sized fields. Youth camps? Hosted by Premier League stars like Rio Ferdinand and Francesco Totti, flown in specifically for the occasion.
Accommodations follow suit with every overwater villa sporting a private water slide and pool—luxuries typically reserved for the top-tier rooms.
Ausy Waseem and Sara Siyam are in charge of experiences at Siyam World. The pink eMoke was their idea.
Sun Siyam
"We decided to give all guests the Maldivian holiday experience they've seen on social media, regardless of budget," explains Sara.
With 16 distinct pricing categories and nearly 500 rooms, Siyam World caters to a broad range of tourists, from solo travelers to honeymooners, groups, and multi-generational families.
Their entry-level overwater villas start at $700 per night, while four-bedroom beach residences (the highest category) begin at $4,000.
Guests have been rewarding this vision with their praise and loyalty.
Siyam World just got tenth place in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards. It is the only Maldivian resort to make the list.
It also claimed No. 2 on the Best All-Inclusive Hotel list globally and No. 1 in Asia, placing it in the top 1% of current TripAdvisor listings worldwide.
'Siyam World was an entirely new concept in the Maldives—one that had never been tried before,' says Sara. 'But the massive investment paid off.'
While most resorts are still grappling with how experience-driven travel is reshaping the industry, Siyam World has delivered on all fronts. A success of the resort may signal that the future of travel is wilder, more unexpected and fun than we ever imagined.
As Ian Schrager, founder of the legendary nightclub Studio 54, once told me: 'We all like to have fun when we can. It's been like that for 5,000 years, and I don't think it will ever change.'
Guests can book horse riding lessons on beautiful Marwari horses.
Siyam World
Getting There: How To Get To The Maldives
There are direct flights to Malé from major hubs such as Doha, Dubai, or Singapore. From Malé International Airport, Siyam World is a 40-minute seaplane ride away ($475 per adult; included in stays seven nights or longer).
Best Time To Visit The Maldives
The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season from November to April. During this time there is little precipitation and temperatures range from the high 70s to the mid-80s.