Sun Siyam Olhuveli has strengthened the lifestyle appeal of its Dream Island with the introduction of three new dining and social venues – Milano, Olive Bar, and Crust & Flame, all conceptualised by award-winning design studio Studio Sixty7. Together, the venues introduce a fresh coastal European sensibility to the resort, where considered design, relaxed island living and a strong sense of community are brought together on one of the Maldives’ most accessible escapes in South Malé Atoll, just a short 45-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport.
Part of a distinctive three-island configuration comprising the Main Island, Dream Island and TUI BLUE Olhuveli Romance, Sun Siyam Olhuveli is known for its generous choice of accommodation, experiences and dining options. Guests can choose between palm-fringed beach pavilions and sleek overwater villas that open directly onto turquoise lagoons, with each island expressing a slightly different mood from family-friendly energy to adults-only tranquillity. Dream Island, home to the new venues, is designed as a relaxed lifestyle hub with a broad beachfront, inviting pools, and easy access to water sports, making it a natural focal point for guests who enjoy social, activity-rich stays.
Milano anchors the culinary line-up with a dining experience that reflects the warmth and generosity of Italian cuisine. The restaurant revolves around an open kitchen that brings guests close to the action, where chefs knead and cut fresh pasta, stir slow-cooked sauces and tend to wood-fired specialities throughout the day. The atmosphere is intentionally intimate and engaging, allowing diners to feel the rhythm of the kitchen as part of the overall experience. The design language leans into a soft coastal aesthetic: an olive-green palette flows across arched architectural details, textured off-white plastered walls and sculpted timber furnishings, while linen drapery adds movement and softness. Deep green crittall-style glazing introduces a refined architectural note, and patterned floors give the room a gentle visual cadence. As evening descends, woven pendant lights cast a mellow glow that makes Milano equally suited to leisurely lunches and romantic dinners, balancing Italian flair with the calm of Maldivian island life.
Olive Bar serves as the social heart of Dream Island and has been envisioned as the new entertainment pulse of Sun Siyam Olhuveli. By day, it offers an easygoing lounge environment where guests can linger between poolside swims, enjoy refreshments with ocean views and spend unhurried time with family and friends. As night falls, the venue shifts into an animated social hub, hosting an evolving line-up of entertainment that ranges from acoustic performances and cultural shows to upbeat DJ sets. The bar’s architecture favours openness, with timber shutters, flexible lounge seating and an abundance of greenery that together create a breezy, informal setting. Natural textures and gentle ambient lighting reflect Studio Sixty7’s craftsmanship-driven approach, giving Olive Bar the feel of a relaxed coastal living room where guests can talk, laugh and connect late into the evening.
Crust & Flame completes the trio with a casual beachside dining concept centred on comfort-driven favourites. The venue’s signature feature is a striking emerald-and-sage terrazzo pizza oven that forms the visual centre of the space, subtly illuminated by natural light as chefs craft brick-oven pizzas and light contemporary dishes throughout the day. The interiors continue the coastal narrative with muted olive and white tiles, moss-toned upholstery and dark timber seating that collectively echo a modern trattoria, while still allowing the natural beauty of the beach to take the lead. Guests can enjoy toes-in-the-sand dining, with the ocean breeze drifting through the space and a menu designed for relaxed sharing, ideal for families, couples or groups seeking unfussy yet well-executed food between activities.
Speaking about the creative direction behind the new venues, Studio Sixty7 Co-founder Lee McNichol explained that the intention was to shape environments that feel like a gentle exhale – warm, textured and softly lit, with subtle references to European coastal landscapes rather than literal recreations. Fellow Co-founder Jose Rivero added that the design vision centred on creating places that feel lived-in and soulful from the outset, encouraging guests to naturally settle into their surroundings, whether they are lingering over a long meal or listening to a live performance. Their combined perspective translates into spaces that prioritise comfort, tactility and an intuitive flow between indoor and outdoor areas, in harmony with the island’s tropical setting.
Hassan Adil, General Manager of Sun Siyam Olhuveli, noted that the development of Dream Island has been guided by a clear vision for guest experience. He highlighted that the goal was to craft an environment where visitors immediately sense the rhythm of island life, relaxed yet social, with a consistently positive energy. Milano, Olive Bar and Crust & Flame each contribute a distinct character, yet together they form a cohesive lifestyle narrative that encourages connection and enjoyment. The trio expresses Olhuveli at its most effortless and playful, complementing the resort’s broader offering of pools, water-sports, marine encounters and wellness experiences that cater to both active travellers and those seeking quieter moments by the sea.
With the debut of these three venues, Dream Island strengthens its role as a dynamic culinary and social destination within Sun Siyam Olhuveli, where design, flavour and ambience align to create memorable moments from day to night. The opening also underscores the resort’s ongoing shift toward contemporary lifestyle hospitality, while remaining firmly rooted in the warmth and authenticity of Maldivian service culture. Across its three islands, Sun Siyam Olhuveli now features more than twenty restaurants and bars, offering guests an increasingly diverse dining landscape shaped by creativity, global influences and the enduring joy of island living
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