Planning a trip to the Maldives with kids? Here’s my honest, no-fluff review of our recent stay at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi with our two daughters (ages 3 and 7).
Spoiler alert: I wish we had stayed somewhere else.
Stepping onto island time…Excited for a picturesque week at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, soaking in turquoise waters, sandy toes, and all the Maldivian magic. The journey was long (planes + seaplane), but the view? 100% worth it.
First Impressions
Transfers & Special Inclusions
Our first time staying in an overwater villa… and this sunset horizon didn’t disappoint. Even though the villas at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi showed a little age, the view was pure Maldivian magic.
There’s something unforgettable about watching the sun dip below the water from your deck. Spacious bathroom, tight toilet space… but can’t argue with these views! Nothing like freshening up with a little slice of paradise right outside your window.
The Villa
While spacious, the villa felt tired. Wood railings gave me splinters, nails stuck out along outdoor pathways, and the bathroom—like all bathrooms on the island—had no air conditioning. Sweating through bathroom breaks isn’t my idea of luxury.
Daily ant visitors on the bathroom counters and leaking sinks didn’t help. For a 5-star resort, this felt far from polished.
Plenty of seating, zero wait time, and some of the friendliest service at Iru Restaurant. Great place to eat something quick and enjoy variety. Be sure to go to No Mistake Bar to grab some drinks and watch the sunset.
Food + Restaurants
The all-inclusive dining was a saving grace. Highlights included:
- Iru Restaurant: Fantastic breakfast buffet with eggs made to order, Indian dishes, and fresh juices.
- Bamboo: Delicious Asian flavors for lunch or dinner.
- Fluid: Poolside casual eats while the kids played.
- Trio: Lovely dinners—but reservations are a must!
Downsides? Dinner starts at 6:30pm, tough for jet-lagged little ones. Room service costs extra (even on all-inclusive), and snack options at Water’s Edge were limited. Flies were a recurring issue at the buffet—a letdown at this level of resort.
That said, service at the restaurants was friendly, and bartenders, especially Bernad at Water’s Edge, were standout.
Service & Butler Experience
Every guest gets a dedicated butler, which sounds luxe—but the experience fell flat. Scheduling spa treatments and activities felt like a chore. Often, it was easier to walk over and handle things ourselves. Our butler was polite but provided the bare minimum—not the attentive service you’d expect from a 5-star stay.
The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Kids Club was conveniently situated next to the gym, recreation center and a few minutes from Water’s Edge.
Kids Club
A mixed experience. The outdoor-focused space lacked shade and A/C, leaving our kids sweaty and overheated every time we picked them up.
The small pool onsite was a nice touch, and the staff were kind and engaging. Daily ice cream outings (sometimes twice) were fun but felt a bit excessive by the end. Overall, the kids enjoyed themselves, but the setup could be more comfortable for the heat.
We visited the Thalgo Spa at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi almost every day during our stay. The relaxing treatments and exceptional service made it one of the highlights of our trip. If you are visiting, take full advantage of the spa offerings for a truly rejuvenating experience.
Spa Services
Thalgo Spa was a peaceful escape, offering facials, massages, and a hydrotherapy session (one free hour included per stay, kids welcome!). We had a positive experience with all the staff there, especially Anna and Edwin.
Looking for adventure at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi? This is the spot to head for both non-motorized and motorized water sports. From kayaking and paddleboarding to jet skiing and banana boat rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the island’s beautiful waters.
Activities
The resort offered a mix of activities—some hits, some misses:
- Treasure Hunt: A daily challenge that quickly turned competitive. On one of the days, we spent over 2.5 hours trying to find just the first clue—and never did. Only one winner was allowed per day, and no solutions were shared afterward, which felt frustrating and not very family-friendly. We weren’t the only ones feeling this way—several other families also voiced concerns about how much time was wasted searching in the heat. It would have been nice if the resort offered multiple prizes or made the treasure hunt a bit more relaxed and kid-friendly, especially given the weather conditions.
- Non-motorized water sports: Included, but choppy waters kept us off the paddleboards and kayaks most days.
- Recreation Room: Sparse—two pool tables, darts, and one video game setup. Open-air except for two side rooms with A/C (video games and mini library).
- Gym: Small, slightly cramped, but with the best A/C on the island! Fully equipped for basic workouts and conveniently next to the kids club.
Sunset fishing at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi was one of the highlights of our Maldives trip. We learned how to fish the Maldivian way with just wire hook and fish bait and caught so many different types of fish. It was a fun and memorable experience for the whole family and a unique way to enjoy the beauty of the Maldivian waters.
Excursions: Sunset Fishing
A bright spot in our stay! The sunset fishing trip was easily one of the most memorable experiences for our family. The staff were fantastic—they handled baiting the hooks for us (which, honestly, I was grateful for!) and then took the time to patiently teach us how to reel in the fish. They made sure everyone, especially the kids, felt comfortable and involved.
Everyone on the boat caught fish—and not just one or two! We were constantly reeling in different varieties, which kept the excitement going the entire time. It felt like someone had a fish on the line every few minutes, making it such a fun, interactive experience for the kids.
The highlight? One guest even caught a small shark, which the staff safely released back into the water. Add in the stunning Maldivian sunset and the clear turquoise waters, and it easily became a core memory from our trip.
Final Thoughts
Our overall stay at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi was good—but just that. It offered beautiful scenery, a spacious villa, and moments we truly enjoyed (like the fishing excursion and generous all-inclusive dining). But when you book a 5-star resort in the Maldives, you expect something more: modern facilities, thoughtful touches, and consistently excellent service.
Instead, what we got felt mid-level—aging accommodations, underwhelming butler service, and family activities that didn’t quite meet the mark (especially in the heat). I went in expecting newer, updated amenities and more family-friendly experiences, and left feeling that other Maldivian resorts might offer a better blend of luxury and kid-friendly comfort.
That said, if you’re seeking mid-tier accommodations with all-inclusive dining and a gorgeous beach, this might still be a good fit for you. But if modern luxury and top-tier service are what you’re after, I’d suggest looking elsewhere.
