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Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
A $400 Million Gamble Created The Maldives' Wildest Resort
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.
Syyaha
13-05-2025
- Syyaha
SIYAM WORLD MALDIVES SOARS TO STARDOM WITH MULTIPLE WINS IN TRIPADVISOR'S 2025 TRAVELERS' CHOICE AWARDS
The Only Maldivian Resort to Crack the Global Top 10 – and That's Just the Beginning Making headlines, breaking records, and rewriting the rules of island luxury, Siyam World Maldives has officially arrived on the global stage – and it brought a trophy cabinet with it. The resort has been crowned one of the Top 10 Hotels in the World in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice® Best of the Best Awards 2025. This accolade makes it the only resort in the Maldives to enter the world's top 10 this year — a historic moment not just for the property, but for the destination as a whole. And the celebration doesn't stop there. Siyam World racked up an incredible string of wins, positioning itself as a true heavyweight in the global travel scene: #10 Best Hotel in the World #4 Top Hotel in Asia #2 Best All-Inclusive Hotel in the World #1 Top All-Inclusive Hotel in the Maldives #1 Top All-Inclusive Hotel in Asia These accolades place Siyam World not just in the top 1% of Tripadvisor's listings worldwide, but in an elite league of experience-led resorts shaking up the luxury travel playbook. As the world's largest travel guidance platform, TripAdvisor has unparalleled authority with travelers and diners. This award is based on genuine feedback from anyone in the community who has visited and left an authentic, first-hand review on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period, making it a valuable and trustworthy designation of travelers' favorites. A Word From Brand: Sara Siyam, Director of Marketing at Sun Siyam Resorts, shared: 'We're beyond honored and thrilled to be ranked #10 in TripAdvisor's Top 25 Hotels in the World! From day one, our dedicated team has gone above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences, always striving to give our guests every reason to return. Constant innovation, authentically Maldivian hospitality and service, and an unwavering commitment to delivering unforgettable moments and experiences have been at the heart of our journey. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible team for their passion and perseverance, and to our amazing guests whose support and votes brought us this global recognition. You've helped put us on the world map, and we're just getting started.' Teamwork behind the Magic: This landmark success is a tribute to the brilliant minds and passionate hearts behind Siyam World and reflects the drive, dedication, and relentless creativity of the whole team. Ausy Waseem, Resort Manager at Siyam World said: ' This means a lot to us. We didn't set out to create the flashiest or most luxurious resort, that's not who we are. We wanted Siyam World to feel real, to give guests a true taste of the Maldives, but also something they've never seen before. It was about experiences and memories, not just fancy things. We dared to do things differently, and seeing the world embrace that is really special. A big thank you to Mr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed for his vision and for believing in us, without his faith and passion, none of this would have been possible. Our VP of Operations at Sun Siyam, Abdulla Thamheed, played a significant role in Siyam Worlds win as well. This is a proud moment for the whole team and for everyone who believed in this game changer in the Maldives.' Tripadvisor's Stamp of Approval: Earning a spot among the top percentage of businesses globally signals that Siyam World has left an exceptional impression on its guests, so much so, that many took the time to share glowing reviews online. TripAdvisor's Best of the Best lists are trusted worldwide, helping travelers discover the most remarkable places to stay, dine, and explore. This prestigious recognition is expected to further elevate Siyam World's visibility and success throughout 2025 and beyond. From Newcomer & Disruptor to Global Icon & Countless Firsts: Opened in late 2021, Siyam World has flipped the script on what it means to holiday in the Maldives. Set across a natural 54-hectare island in Noonu Atoll, this wildly imaginative, all-inclusive resort is anything but traditional. With its never-been-done and unique-to-the-Maldives experiences, its diverse dining and accommodation offerings, or its WOW! All-Inclusive concept, Siyam World lets guests forget limitations and dive head-first into a world of wonder. We're talking: The Maldives' largest floating water park The Maldives' first-ever horse ranch The first electric go-kart track in the on an island resort Seabreacher rides, jet cars, Cudajets, and other underwater adventures that stand out Legendary football camps with icons like Christian Vieri, Alessandro del Piero, Francesco Totti, Michael Owen or Rio Ferdinand An epic range of 16 accommodation categories, from playful overwater villas with slides to 3,000 sqm beach residences up to four x bedrooms All this, combined with over a 18 dining and drinking outlets and unbeatable WOW! 24 hrs All Inclusive meal plan, health & wellness programs, curated kids' activities, and sensational events and buyout options, makes Siyam World an unstoppable force in the attainable luxury travel space. A world of 'never-seen-before' experiences and no-holds-barred fun, Siyam World is a five-star island resort that redefines what it means to escape. Quirky, bold, and endlessly entertaining, the resort is tailor-made for travelers who crave more than just a pretty beach—though we have plenty of those, too. For more information, visit Siyam World or follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or TikTok. Book Your Stay at Siyam World and check out these offers below: or email stay@
