Built entirely from natural materials, with charming luxury villas on stilts, the five-star Gili Lankanfushi awaits travelers in an idyllic setting.
Soft fragrance and soothing music surround us as we lie comfortably on the massage table. Beneath the glass floor, colorful marine life drifts by, and as we surrender to the indulgent massage experience at the elegant Meera Spa, we completely forget the stress of city life and finally arrive in spirit at our winter getaway. We’re in the Maldives, more precisely on the private island of Lankanfushi, at the Gili Lankanfushi luxury resort.
By speedboat to the canoe-shaped island
If we grow tired of the winter gloom burdened by the coronavirus, a flight of just over ten hours can take us to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. This Indian Ocean paradise, made up of 1,192 islands—none larger than 13 square kilometers—stretches for 800 kilometers north to south near the equator, not far from the southern tip of India.
Nearly a hundred of the coral reef’s islands are home to resorts built exclusively to serve the luxurious needs of tourists. Gili Lankanfushi is located in the North Malé Atoll, at an ideal distance from the capital—just twenty minutes by the resort’s speedboat. At the airport, we’re greeted with a personalized sign, and not long after, we’re already sipping an ice-cold mint refreshment on the boat’s deck. Our shoes are symbolically placed in a canvas bag, as we won’t be needing them at all during our stay on the island.
The five-star Gili Lankanfushi recently completed a full renovation of all 45 of its villas, with many of them being upgraded to include their own private pools to provide even greater comfort for guests. Those longing to escape the European winter for dry, tropical sunshine are greeted with white sandy beaches, stunning natural beauty, impeccable gastronomy, and unparalleled tranquility.
Perfect for families with children as well as honeymooners
The lush, white-sand, magically beautiful, luxurious Lankanfushi Island is shaped like a boat. The villas, built on stilts, can be reached by walking along comfortable wooden walkways, which, when viewed from above, extend from the "boat" like oars.
The smallest oceanfront luxury villa is 210 square meters. It’s ideal for honeymooners, but also for those traveling with children. This two-story villa, covered with palm leaves, offers ocean views from every room. It features a living room opening to the outdoors, a sun terrace with a few steps leading down to the warm, crystal-clear sea, a rooftop terrace with a sofa, as well as a spacious bedroom and bathroom (including an outdoor shower). The villa’s entertainment system allows us to listen to our own music selection with adjustable volume in each room, and it also includes a television, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, minibar, and coffee maker for our comfort.
Each Gili Lagoon Villa also includes a private hammock set up in the sea, where we can enjoy the sound of the waves up close or watch the fish swimming beneath us. The family villa spans 350 square meters, with two bedrooms, a living room, and its own sauna and jacuzzi.
For those seeking even more space, the incredible 1,700 square meter exclusive Private Reserve complex can be booked. It is the largest overwater villa in the world, featuring its own pool, waterslide, gym, spa, and a butler available to us throughout the day, all while offering perfect privacy, situated at a distance from the island and other guests.
The villas are stylishly designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment. We learn from the locals that the overwater buildings were constructed using eco-friendly materials such as teak, palm wood, bamboo, and palm leaves. Some of the larger beams were once telephone poles, and the recycling of materials was a key focus during construction. In every room, organic toiletries are placed in refillable clay containers to minimize plastic use. The locals are proud that the island has its own desalination plant, eliminating the need to transport bottled drinking water from afar. Their large composting system processes almost all of the resort's organic waste, and the compost is used in the well-maintained herb garden located in the center of the island. The herbs grown in the garden supply the kitchen with fresh ingredients. In short, luxury here goes hand in hand with sustainability, the intention to preserve the enchanting natural environment, and the protection of the fragile marine ecosystem.
The large coral conservation program
A prime example of this is the unique Coral Line Project, which takes place on the island, specifically under the coastal seawater. Small coral fragments broken off from the reef are secured to ropes, which are then suspended on frames five meters below the ocean surface. Over time, tiny marine organisms settle on these limestone fragments, eventually growing into larger colonies. Once they reach a sufficient size—about a year later—they are carefully "replanted" back into their natural habitat, the reef. The corals are continuously monitored, and although not all of them survive the process, most show significant growth, doubling in size every year.
We can study the coral reefs and the ocean’s incredibly rich marine life ourselves through diving or snorkeling, as this is the part of the world where we can not only observe but almost swim alongside the sea creatures. The locals quickly reveal to us the best spot on the island to immerse ourselves for an aquarium-like, breathtaking view. For snorkeling, all we need is fins, a mask, and a snorkel, and by dipping our heads just beneath the water, a whole new world unfolds before us. Near the vibrant corals, we can watch reef sharks and nurse sharks swim right in front of us, along with smaller and medium-sized camouflaged fish, and with a bit of luck, we might even get a close-up view of the massive stingrays. There’s no need to fear them; they peacefully glide past us, above or below, while we can admire their beauty undisturbed.
Of course, diving opportunities are also available, from beginner to professional levels. The best dive sites are just a short boat ride away, where we may encounter whale sharks, turtles, and manta rays in the depths. These mystical creatures, sometimes called devil rays, can have a wingspan of up to five meters! Observing them in their natural habitat is, without a doubt, an unforgettable experience.
Gastronomy by the seaside, among the trees, and underground
The breakfasts, lunches, and dinners enjoyed at one of the island's restaurants offer a unique experience, partly because of the special flavors and partly due to the surroundings. We can dine near the beach in the open air, under palm trees, at wooden tables by the pool, or even on the pier, with the ocean surrounding us. We can also order our meals at any time of day to be served in our villa, so we can enjoy the delicacies on the terrace.
Tropical fruit juices are an essential part of the perfect start to the day, just like the traditional Maldivian breakfast, mas huni. This dish is made of tuna mixed with onions, grated coconut, and seasoned with chili. It is served with freshly baked chapati, or flatbread. At lunch and dinner, we can taste the unforgettable seafood: octopus, squid, shrimp, and a variety of fish species. They can be prepared in different ways, and if we prefer, quite spicy. One of Gili Lankanfushi's unmissable gastronomic adventures is the By the Sea Japanese restaurant, which offers iconic dishes from the Far East: sushi, sashimi, and delicacies prepared on a teppanyaki grill, paired with the finest quality sake, Japan's ancient alcoholic drink.
After dinner, we can visit the cave-like underground wine cellar, where over five hundred varieties of wine from all over the world await us. The cellar also serves as a venue for special private wine dinners, where a menu tailored to our wishes is paired with wine suggestions from the sommelier. In the tropical heat, escaping to the cool underground restaurant for this memorable experience is truly unforgettable.
And if we’re impressed by the local cuisine, during the day we can enroll in a cooking class, where we’ll learn which types of fish are used and how the locals prepare them, along with the spices they use.
Booking restaurant reservations and other activities will be no trouble at all, as from the moment we arrive, our personal assistant will take care of all the practical details. Our host, Mr. (or Ms.) Friday, is available around the clock. They’ll organize everything for us, from the arrival check-in and unpacking our luggage to daytime activities and evening cocktails. They are named after Robinson Crusoe's loyal companion, from Daniel Defoe's famous novel. Mr. (or Ms.) Friday will help ensure we feel at home from the very first moment, easily navigate the many options available, and have a truly carefree and unforgettable time on the island—where, unlike Robinson, we’ll never feel lonely, and we’ll never be bored.
