GILI LANKANFUSHI
Gili Lankanfushi is the ultimate Robinson Crusoe luxury island experience. Offering high end luxury with a natural and rustic twist, you’ll instantly feel you have escaped to an island paradise in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Located in a stunning aqua lagoon, this beautiful island offers exceptional service with a completely unique guest experience. On arrival, every guest is introduced to their Mr/Ms Friday, who will take care of your every need.
LOCATION: North Male Atoll
TRANSFER: 20 minute speedboat
This boutique resort has only 45 villas and is located an easy 20 minute speed boat transfer from Male. Gili Lankanfushi is all about creating the most perfect guest experience, the 'Gili experience'. The essence of Gili Lankanfushi is their 'No news, no shoes' way of life. This natural island escape is about soaking up the incredible beauty of the Maldives, relaxing in a hammock, re-energizing at the Spa, dining at remote locations, all while keeping within their theme of barefoot luxury. The island is large enough to have bikes and has plenty of areas to explore. The villas are all over-water and they are the some of the largest in the Maldives.
Gili has multiple dining options and a stunning over-water sunset bar. The resort has a very relaxed feel and even if it is at full occupancy, you will wonder where everyone is. We put it down to the fact that the villas are so palatial, in a Robinson Crusoe way, that guests don't want to leave their villa! In the main area of the island, there is a cluster of beautiful white washed villas with thatched roofing, housing a couple of shops and other facilities such as the marine centre. The house reef is located between what the locals call One Palm Island and Three Palm Island. It’s a few hundred metres from shore but don't worry, in true Gili style, they will take you there in one of their pontoon boats or better yet, if you want to swim, they have built a floating pontoon half-way for you to relax on!
VILLAS
The villas are completely unique in design so when your Mr Friday shows you around the Villa for the first time, you think that you must have been mistakenly upgraded. Designed with a Robinson Crusoe feel, yet palatial with all the luxury you require. Bedrooms are air-conditioned and so spacious they’re the size of other resort's entire over-water villas. White netting drapes overhead luxurious bedding, a large flat screen TV tastefully hidden, and floor to ceiling windows surround creating an open air feel if you prefer.
The living area has two daybeds in bright yellows and oranges, a dining table and steps that lead to a stunning sundeck that is only a few steps down to the lagoon. A unique feature of the Gili Villas is that they are closer to the water, other resorts' water-villas are higher up. On the other side of the Villa you have an expansive bathroom with glass bottom floor, dressing area and a rustic wooden bridge that connects you to the over-water outdoor shower. A set of spiral stairs leads you to your private upper deck area, complete with gorgeous daybed. Let your Mr Friday set up the daybed to sleep under the stars or as a dining table for a beautiful starlit dinner.
The luxury Residence villas have an enclosed, air-conditioned living area, creating a fantastic two-bedroom incredibly spacious option for families.
DINING
This island is all about creating the perfect 'Gili experience' for every guest and this includes dining. Extraordinary Escapes together with your Mr/Ms Friday will create this for you. Imagine having a private Arabian style dinner on One Palm Island, with lanterns surrounding. Or dinner elevated at a table built to the height of the palm trees, with 360-degree views out over the lagoon. Sunken tables cut into the sand, dining on the upper deck of your villa, or cocktails on the floating pontoon. Here, anything is possible with the extensive range of dining experiences.
Gili Lankanfushi has multiple dining options and a stunning overwater sunset bar. The main restaurant, Kashiveli is themed beautifully with the white stucco walls and sand bottom floor. The under-ground wine cellar housing more the 400 wines, forms part of this area, set down a flight of polished concrete stairs and a huge drift wood trunk table.
The Overwater Bar has been built on stilts over the beautiful turquoise lagoon, with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean stretching far into the horizon. It’s a magical spot to wine and dine. By the Sea is a stunning Japanese fine dining restaurant, unique in menu as well as design. Walk the path lined with fire burning lanterns, then climb a set of winding wooden stairs to the second storey surrounded by a canopy of the palm trees facing towards the lagoon. Fini Foni (cold sweet in Dhivehi) the best place for a cold treat by the pool, offering delicious homemade flavoured ice-creams.
ACTIVITIES
At Gili doing absolutely nothing can be the perfect day. Take in the stunning surrounds, swim in the lagoon after a leisurely breakfast, enjoy an afternoon spa treatment, watch the sunset and finish with delicious dinner. That said, it’s easy to up the activity level, simply let your Mr/Ms Friday create any experience you wish.
The house reef is located between what the locals call One Palm Island and Three Palm Island. It’s a few hundred metres from shore but don't worry, they will take you there in one of their pontoon boats or if you want to swim, they have a floating pontoon half-way for you to relax on!
Gili Lankanfushi is perfect for families looking for a holiday together. Without a traditional Kids Club, your Mr/Ms Friday will look after everything you need including for the kids. We can arrange it all from a family pizza making class at the resort's outdoor wood fired pizza cafe or a family sushi making class at the stunning By the Sea. A ‘Must Do’ is the amazing jungle cinema located in a private area surrounded by palm trees and vegetation. The Bose surround sound speakers placed throughout the trees and cushioned deck chairs make this an experience not to miss. The Organic Garden produces many of the fresh ingredients and is open for guests to explore or to enjoy a private lunch or dinner at a table set up on a platform with a shaded roof.
Diving, Snorkelling, Gili Veshi Marine Biology Shack
Watersports, Surfing, Excursions: Sunset Dolphin Cruise, Sunrise/Sunset Fishing Trips, Big Game Fishing
Gili Goes Voyaging - Rivera Yacht (14 metre), Cooking Classes, Organic Garden
Gifts and Jewellery Shop, Library, Lagoon Champa – Wedding Pavillion
Pool Table, The Fitness Centre, Tennis Court, Yoga Champa
Poolside, Jungle Cinema, Meera Spa
SPA
The Meera Spa is focussed on rejuvenating and recharging guests with an entirely holistic approach to wellbeing. There are six over-water treatment rooms all with glass bottom floors and private change facilities with your own steam room and sauna. A very unique feature of the Meera Spa is the Wellness Programs they formulate with the visiting holistic physicians from around the world. These physicians and therapists are highly skilled in traditional healing therapies such as acupuncture, meditation, yoga, crystal chakra balancing and even the ancient art of the Tibetan Singing Bowls used for relaxation.