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I refuse to save special moments for a future date. Recently I spent time at two Sun Siyam properties in Sri Lanka and the Maldives to test a point: these islands are as suited to girlfriends, families or solo travellers as they are to honeymooners. The trip confirms that paradise doesn’t need a wedding certificate.
Sri Lanka: Pasikudah’s quieter charm
Sri Lanka, about the size of Ireland, remains one of my favourite places. The island’s mix of warm hospitality, layered culture and vibrant flavours makes it easy to fall for.
On the east coast I stayed at Sun Siyam Pasikudah, a small resort tucked behind palms and a vast shallow lagoon. With just 34 rooms it can feel intimate and romantic, yet my group of friends found it perfectly lively. We drank cocktails at sunset on a floating pontoon, had beach dinners under the stars and indulged in spa treatments.
Life on the island is unpredictably delightful. On the road from Colombo we passed free-roaming elephants; during one day trip to Trincomalee we missed whales but were entertained by playful dolphins instead. Encounters like that are part of the island’s appeal.
Food is a highlight. Daal, coconut roti, kottu and hoppers are not just dishes but reasons to linger. I joined the resort chef at a local market to pick ingredients for a beach cooking lesson — a hands-on way to learn the local palate.
We also explored locally: a breezy Tuk‑Tuk ride around Pasikudah offered relief from the 37°C heat, and a visit to the Sri Munai Murukan Kovil temple included a blessing and a conversation about the 2004 tsunami and the long rebuilding effort that followed.
A pottery studio run by Chandra and Kalyani provided another memorable moment. We tried the wheel, bought handmade keepsakes and left with objects that carry the story of the place.
Maldives: overwater villas and marine life
After five days in Sri Lanka we flew an hour to Male and then took a seaplane to the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi resort in the Noonu atoll. The short flight delivers breathtaking aerial views that are impossible to capture fully in a photo.
From the moment we stepped on to the island the Maldivian welcome was unmistakable: music, smiles and a coconut cocktail. I stayed in a refurbished water villa with a private pool, an overwater hammock and direct access to the ocean — a long-standing box ticked from my travel list.
If you enjoy the sea, the Maldives keeps you busy. Simple snorkelling around the villas revealed black‑tipped reef sharks, nurse sharks, stingrays and turtles. Watching a shark glide past is oddly bonding when you’re travelling with friends.
We joined a conservation snorkel led by Shah, the resort’s marine biologist. He explained how to assess coral colour and recognise signs of bleaching. The session added purpose to the outing; it felt like contributing small knowledge rather than just admiring fish.
There was time for the expected luxuries too. We ordered the signature floating breakfast — complete with coconuts and champagne — and staged a slightly ridiculous but joyful photo session on our private sundeck. The spa schedule included traditional Maldivian treatments, a coconut milk bath and a Shirodhara session that many of us found deeply relaxing.
Dining at Iru Fushi ranged from playful ice‑cream carts to a Maldivian cooking class, and our final night featured a sunset wine tasting as the sky turned vivid. It was an evening that underlined the trip’s central lesson: there is no reason to postpone experiences like this.
Practical details
Tara Povey was invited on this trip for the purpose of review; all accommodation, meals, flights and activities were provided.
Other resorts in the region include:
- Lux South Ari Atoll, Maldives
- The Residence, Maldives
- Anantaya, Pasikuda, Sri Lanka
- Jetwing Blue, Negombo, Sri Lanka
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
* Always drink responsibly
