Maldivian hotelier Sun Siyam has launched a newly-branded property in Sri Lanka to create more options for tourists visiting the popular destination.

Founded by entrepreneur Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the original Sun Siyam brand was launched earlier this year – reflagging its 221-bedroom Iru Fushi property. The new brand, Sun Aqua, is designed to be ‘unpretentious and laid back’.

The hotel in Sri Lanka using this brand is called Sun Aqua Pasikuda. It features 32 suites and two villas, designed by architect Khatoon A Rasheed, on the east coast of the island.

“There has been a lot of noise about luxury hotels opening in the country in recent years, but we want to make sure there is a mix of good quality options and not just top end,” said general manager of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Abdhulla Thamheed.

The Sun Aqua Pasikudah includes a Sun Aqua Spa with four treatment rooms: one couples’ suite, a room for scrubs and wraps, an Ayurvedic treatment suite and an aromatherapy room. There will also be a sauna and steamroom, two pools – one of which is heated – and a flower bath, while the products on offer are produced by Kemara.

A spokesperson for the spa commented: “Our spa products are carefully blended especially for the Sun Aqua Spa. Potent herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine have been incorporated in the preparation of our skin, body and hair care products. We are therefore using 100 per cent natural ingredients in our products.”

Founder Siyam Mohammed also owns Sun Travels and Tours, plus the Vilu Reef and Olhuveli resorts in the Maldives – both of which will rebrand and upgrade to the Sun Aqua brand.

The 121-bedroom Vilu Reef resort will become a Sun Aqua hotel from March 2015 and the 165-key Olhuveli property will be rebranded by November 2015.

Sun Siyam is hoping to play a bigger role in the local communities in which the Maldivian resorts operate. Siyam Mohammed, who is also responsible for the Sun Foundation – an institution that has created 70 pre-schools across the country – commented: “It is very important to integrate the life of islanders and our guests more.”

The group has further expansion planned in Sri Lanka under the Sun Siyam brand, including the 68-key Sun Siyam Kalpitiya, which is set to feature over-water villas when it opens in 2017.

Another company, The Small Maldives Island Company, recently said it is seizing an opportunity in the Maldives that has not been exploited yet, by providing affordable holiday options. Its two new affordable island resorts are set to offer daily spa treatments for every guest and complimentary water sports.