By Twinkle Aswani

The Maldives can take on very different personlities depending on where the journey leads. Iru Fushi and Sun Siyam World offer two distinct interpretations of island living, one shaped by slower beach days, dining and wellness, and the other by discovery, activity and an almost endless choice of experiences. Together, the two properties create a combination that demonstrates how differently luxury, relaxation and adventure can exist within the same destination.

At Iru Fushi, the experience begins with the setting itself. The water villas offer an incredibly scenic perspective of the island, with private infinity pools seemingly flowing directly into the ocean. It is the kind of setting that makes the familiar picture of the Maldives feel remarkably real — stepping outside in the morning to an uninterrupted view of the water.

The property’s dining experiences add another dimension. An extensive breakfast spread and a wide variety of dinner options provide plenty of choice, while the Maldivian chicken curry deserves particular mention. It is the kind of local dish that can easily become one of the most memorable parts of a stay.

Wellness brings a slower rhythm to the experience. The traditional Maldivian Bondithaan Kurun massage offers a restorative pause after a day of exploring, while Flavours creates one of those distinctive Maldives dining moments, with reef sharks swimming below as guests enjoy their meal. There is something particularly memorable about watching marine life move through the waters below while dining above it. Reflection Pool Bar adds another visual dimension, with a setting and atmosphere that feel particularly suited to the island surroundings.

Hospitality remains central to the experience. At Iru Fushi, ambassador Jinaan brings an attentive and genuinely welcoming presence, with the kind of care that makes guests feel looked after rather than simply accommodated.

If Iru Fushi embraces a more relaxed interpretation of island life, Siyam World introduces an entirely different rhythm. There is a sense of movement and discovery across the resort, where another beach, activity, restaurant, pool or quiet corner can become the next part of the day.

For visitors with a list of experiences they have always wanted to try, the resort offers plenty of opportunity to work through it. Horse riding along the beach, go-karting, time spent between pools and beaches, exploring different restaurants or simply finding a quiet spot to do absolutely nothing all become part of the experience. It is a combination that can create a different kind of attachment to the island — the sort that can make saying goodbye feel slightly premature.

The dining and social spaces continue that sense of variety. Mint Beach Bar combines atmosphere with a beautiful setting, while Jungali Pool brings a lush, vibrant energy. Together Beach Bar offers a more relaxed place to enjoy a drink and the island atmosphere, while Wahoo Grill, Andalucia and Arigato each provide a distinctly different dining experience.

Among the experiences, Cinema by Moonlight stands out as one of the resort’s most memorable concepts. Watching a film beside the ocean with mulled wine, surrounded by the shores and night sky, turns a familiar activity into something considerably more memorable. It is the kind of detail that makes an experience feel carefully considered rather than simply added to an itinerary.

Yet beyond the activities and amenities, it is the people and culture that add another layer to Siyam World. The Maldivian welcome is reflected in the warmth of the team, with Ausy, Sara, Affan, Sony and others creating an atmosphere where guests can feel less like visitors and more like they have arrived somewhere familiar — almost like being welcomed home by friends.

Ausy, in particular, goes beyond simply arranging an itinerary. His attention to detail allows guests to experience different sides of the resort, from activities and dining to a spa session, with every part of the itinerary thoughtfully balanced to make room for both discovery and relaxation. Benish, the resort ambassador, similarly plays an important role in helping guests make the most of their time, planning the itinerary and ensuring they are looked after throughout the stay.

A behind-the-scenes tour with Ausy reveals yet another side of Sun Siyam World — one that exists beyond the guest experience. Seeing these elements up close offers a different perspective on what goes into creating the resort experience, from its care for staff to its sustainability initiatives.

The Herbitory is particularly revealing. Under the guidance of Dr. Dee Dee, the resort organically grows herbs and fruits including lemongrass, watermelon, different varieties of mustard seeds, chilli, aloe vera, basil and dragon fruit. A closer look at the Herbitory reveals just how much exists beyond the visible resort experience, with working projects and systems that quietly contribute to what guests eventually experience on the surface. Even the local scroopan fruit ice cream offers a small taste of the island’s produce and the property’s connection to its surroundings.

The experience extends into Maldivian culture through food as well. The Maldivian cooking class is more than a lesson in preparing dishes; it offers a window into local food, traditions and culture. Chef Prashanth and his team, Hammal and Rajesh, bring warmth, passion and patience to the experience, turning the class into something that feels as much about connection as it is about cooking.

After days filled with activities and exploration, Thalgo Spa provides another form of balance. Its massage and hydrotherapy offer a restorative pause, the kind of reset that feels particularly welcome after a day spent discovering the island.

At the heart of both properties is a different understanding of what a Maldivian escape can be. Iru Fushi offers the slower rhythm of beach life, dining and wellness, while Siyam World brings together activity, discovery, culture and an expansive variety of experiences.

The two properties are distinctly different in their vibe, sense of luxury and overall concept, and that difference is precisely what makes them work so well together. Rather than offering the same interpretation of the Maldives, Iru Fushi and Siyam World allow guests to experience two sides of the destination, from the quiet beauty of an island escape to the feeling that there is always something more to discover, and perhaps a little more time worth staying for.

Taking place on 23 August and 30 August from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Splendour Fields and Crave Bakehouse are bringing two hands-on baking workshops to JLT for children aged 4-12. The first session will be dedicated to cookie baking, followed by a cake decorating class on 30 August. Children will get to mix, bake, decorate, and take their creations home at the end of the afternoon.

Priced at AED 200 per child, tickets can be purchased online [HERE]. The two-hour workshop includes all ingredients, equipment, and guidance throughout the session. Each child will also receive a complimentary kids’ meal and drink, while one accompanying parent will receive a complimentary coffee. With only 10 children per session, the workshops offer a small and interactive setting where every little baker can get involved from start to finish.

As the holidays come to an end, the workshops offer one more chance for kids to have fun, get creative, and make the most of their final days before school starts again. Whether they’re making their first batch of cookies or decorating their very own cake, children will have the freedom to get creative and make something they can proudly take home. It’s hands-on, a little messy, and designed to let kids have fun while learning something new.

Located in JLT, Splendour Fields is a neighbourhood café and deli where families can come together over good food and coffee. The workshops bring that same spirit into the kitchen, giving parents and children a reason to spend an afternoon together while escaping the summer heat.

With limited spaces available, parents can book their little bakers in for one session, or join both for two sweet afternoons of baking, creating, and getting a little messy.

Introducing Only on Sundaes, a new family experience in DIFC that’s every parent’s dream

Launching on 23 August, The Guild introduces Only on Sundaes, a new family experience designed to give parents something they rarely get: a chance to enjoy a proper meal while the kids are happily entertained. Transforming The Aviary into a Nitro Sundae Bar and dedicated space for play, creativity, and discovery, the experience runs every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with free entry for children booked either for breakfast or Sunday roast. Guests only pay for any additional food and beverage consumed during their visit.

For parents, it is about having a little more time to themselves. Sit down for breakfast, enjoy a coffee, catch up with friends, or take your time over the Sunday Roast while the kids explore, play, and make new friends nearby. For children, it is a full Sunday of things to discover, with dedicated spaces designed around different ages and interests. It is an easy way to make the most of the final weeks of the school holidays before the routine starts again.

For younger children aged 1–5, the Little Explorers area offers a safe and supervised space filled with soft play equipment, building blocks, face painting, a ball pool, a play kitchen, and sensory activities. Older children and teens have their own dedicated zone, The Arcade Club, with arcade games, air hockey, PlayStation stations and board games. There is plenty to keep them busy, whether they want to play, get creative, or simply hang out.

From 12pm onwards, children can also enjoy an interactive nitrogen ice cream activation, adding a playful twist to a classic favourite. It is one more reason for kids to look forward to Sundays, while parents can enjoy a little extra time to relax.

With the new school year just around the corner, Only on Sundaes is made for that last stretch of summer. At The Guild, Sundays are becoming a time for everyone to enjoy, just in very different ways.