Vilu Reef Resort rebranded as Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, upgraded to five-star hotel

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort has been rebranded as Sun Aqua Vilu Reef and upgraded to a five-star hotel.

The guest of honour at the rebranding ceremony, held at Sun Aqua Vilu Reef on Wednesday, was Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, chairman and managing director of Sun Siyam Group.

Speaking at the ceremony, Siyam said that Vilu Reef Beach and Spa Resort was his first resort, and it was completed within eight months and opened in 1998.

He noted that the resort won the Best Occupancy Resort award for several consecutive years following its inauguration.

Siyam announced that more Sun Siyam Group properties would be rebranded as Sun Aqua in the near future.

“This includes Olhuveli Beach and Spa Resort, located near Malé,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of philanthropic utilisation of profit earned through tourism, Siyam said that it was his pleasure to spend the earnings from his businesses on national development and social welfare.

“At the same time, we encourage tourists to visit inhabited islands, experience island life, and meet islanders. I think this is important, in many ways,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mohamed Hilmy, general manager of Sun Aqua Vilu Reef, said that standards have been improved and services have been expanded alongside the rebranding.

This includes renovation of all villas, establishment of swimming pools in the villas, and establishment of a kids’ club in the resort, Hilmy said.

He added that the most prominent improvement, however, is the establishment of a new holistic spa.

Sun Aqua Vilu Reef is the second property to be introduced under the Sun Aqua brand - the first being Sun Aqua Pasikudah in Sri Lanka.

At last night’s ceremony, Siyam thanked all staff involved in the upgrading of Sun Aqua Vilu Reef to a five-star hotel. He also thanked the marketing team for organising the event and promoting the new brand.