Extraordinary Escapes is lucky enough to have been guests of Gili Lankanfushi Resort for 18 years now and I have spent the last 18 years trying to articulate what it is that makes Gili so special.  More importantly how do I explain this to my clients without it sounding like a cliche. 

I used to think to myself, is Gili this remarkable resort because of its’ luxurious Robinson Crusoe over-water villas that literally resemble two-storey homes, or is it because of Gili’s numerous restaurants with world-class chefs? Or maybe it’s because of Gili’s unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism or is it Gili’s stunning white sand beaches and iridescent aqua lagoon?  All contributing factors, yes, but what I am talking about is not tangible.

After our most recent visit to Gili this May 2021, I finally have the words. The ‘Magic’ of Gili is created by the Gili Team, some who have been there since it opened and who honestly and dearly remember my fully grown 19 year old son as an 8 month old baby on our first visit.  It is these ‘Gili Moments’ that their Team strive to create for all guests, every day, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.

Gili Lankanfushi believes that luxury is deeply personal to each individual and that ultimately, luxury is the freedom to make your own choice. So then how does this relate back to what makes Gili so special?  It is Gili’s recognition that luxury is so different for every person, and it is their attention to this detail that sets them apart from all other resorts. Here are some examples to show you what I mean about this attention to detail.

On your arrival, you will be met by your Mr Friday.  Who is this you ask?  It is none other than your personal guest experience host, the name Mr Friday derived from Robinson Crusoe’s loyal assistant and dear friend.  I must say that we find this a very appropriate name indeed.  The Gili Lankanfushi Mr Friday Team are absolutely second to none. We arrived at Gili to be met by our Mr Friday, Mifzal. 

Mifzal, while wearing a mask, we could see was smiling from ear to ear and he immediately bonded with the entire Extraordinary Escapes Family.  Mifzal took us to our Family Residence and while showing us around this incredible over-water home, he joked that it may not be large enough for us.  Mifzal asked us if he could collect snorkelling equipment for us and deliver it to our Residence guessing our sizes accurately. He then presented us with an Itinerary consisting of a Sunset Dolphin Excursion, a Surf trip to a local break, a guided House reef snorkel with the Marine Biologist and a Private Jungle Cinema evening. 

Being a mother travelling with kids, each morning at breakfast Mifzal would stop by our table to see if we needed anything, which inevitably we would.  I always left something in the Villa. Nothing was too difficult for Mifzal and he was always there with a smile, under his mask, and his hand on his heart. If I even thought about needing help from Mifzal, he would appear!  I am not exaggerating when I say that we would get out from snorkelling the house reef and Mifzal would be there to meet us with towels.

One of my fondest memories of Gili Lankanfushi was when my four children were younger, around 10, 8, 6 and 4 years old, and I decided to take them snorkelling on the house reef. Shifaz was our Mr Friday at the time and at breakfast, Shifaz greeted us and learnt of my plans. Concerned that taking the four children by myself would be too difficult, Shifaz excused himself and a short time later, returned to the table with another Mr Friday colleague, both out of their Mr Friday uniforms and instead dressed in rash guards, board shorts and snorkel gear in hand.

Off we went snorkelling and very valuable were my Mr Friday friends indeed! I think this really says it all.  A Gili Lankanfushi Holiday is a series of ‘Magic Moments’ created by this incredible Gili Team who continuously strive to exceed your expectations based on what your version of ‘luxury’ may be. Thank you Gili for these magical moments. Until next time Gili Friends.