It began as a dream on an island of white sand and restless wind. When Ahmed Siyam Mohamed founded what would later become Sun Siyam Resorts in 1990, the Maldives was still defining its place in the world of hospitality. There were few resorts, fewer paved runways, and almost no local names shaping their own narrative. Yet Siyam imagined a future where Maldivian warmth, generosity, and character could define luxury on their own terms.
Three and a half decades later, that vision continues to grow. As Sun Siyam celebrates its 35th anniversary, the company has undergone a transformation that feels both bold and deeply personal. The reimagined identity, expressed through the phrase The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, reflects a renewed commitment to authenticity. It speaks to an understanding that true hospitality lies not only in design or service but in the way people make others feel, that quiet, unmistakable sense of belonging.
The brand’s evolution has gathered all its properties under one name, The House of Siyam, a unifying structure that gives clarity to a growing portfolio. Within it, three collections now define the experience: Luxury, Privé, and Lifestyle. Each tells a different story. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi anchors the Luxury Collection, where indulgence takes a graceful, understated form. The Privé Collection includes Iru Veli, Vilu Reef, and Pasikudah in Sri Lanka, which celebrate intimacy and reflection. Meanwhile, Olhuveli and Siyam World represent the energy and colour of the Lifestyle Collection, where adventure and connection meet. Together they form a living narrative of Maldivian hospitality in all its dimensions.
Behind the visual changes lies an introspective process that began within the company itself. To understand what “Maldivian spirit” truly means, Sun Siyam looked inward, to the rhythm of island life, to the sound of Bodu Beru, to the ease with which strangers become family. The result is a brand philosophy shaped not by market trends, but by genuine emotion and heritage.
That guiding sentiment continues to shape the brand even as it embraces new forms of expression. The reimagined design language captures the natural colours of the islands, the curve of the shoreline, and the ease of island life. The newly launched Siyam Rewards loyalty programme strengthens the relationship between guest and host, while a refreshed website and digital presence bring that same sense of belonging online.
To realise this transformation, Sun Siyam partnered with JHAGGER&CO as lead brand advisors, London-based StudioSixty7 for creative direction, and hospitality pioneer Dominik Ruhl to refine operations and service standards. The result is a cohesive identity that feels distinctly Maldivian yet forward-looking. Every detail, from interior accents to digital design, carries the same quiet confidence.
The 35-year milestone marks more than endurance. It reflects a maturity that comes from staying close to one’s roots while adapting to the world’s changing rhythm. Sun Siyam’s evolution is both an act of reflection and a statement of intent, a promise that the soul of the Maldives will continue to inspire every stay, every smile, and every story that begins on its shores.
