GIli Lankanfushi, Maldives

If you’re in a hurry to slow down then Gili Lankanfushi is the place for you, with just a short speedboat journey separating you from the airport and your hammock. On arrival you’ll be wowed by the super-sized overwater villas, dazzled by the picture-perfect views and thoroughly spoiled by your dedicated villa host, your very own Mr (or Ms) Friday. 

Airport Transfer

20 minute speedboat transfer. 

Location

On a private island in the North Malé Atoll, just a short 20-minute speedboat transfer from Malé international airport.

Accommodation

All 45 villas sit above the water on stilts, and range in size from ‘extremely large’ to ‘jaw-droppingly enormous’. Several have their own pool, and all have a private deck with direct access to the turquoise waters of the lagoon. The colour palette of warm, neutral tones is offset by vibrant turquoise Maldivian fabrics, and every piece of furniture has been custom-made by skilled artisans using upcycled materials. In-villa facilities include satellite TV with movies on-demand, Bose entertainment system, WiFi, Nespresso machine, mini bar, in-room safe, air conditioning and bamboo bicycles to get around the resort. The Family Villa has access to its own private island, while the Crusoe Residences are accessible only by boat, which you can either pilot yourself or have your dedicated villa host attend to. The Private Reserve is the largest overwater villa in the world at over 1,700 square metres, and consists of five buildings linked by open-air walkways, with everything from your own open-air cinema to a waterslide that drops you straight into the lagoon!

Restaurants And Bars

Lankanfushi’s organic garden produces salad leaves, herbs, fruit and vegetables for the freshest of locally-sourced recipes across the resort, and the culinary offering is impressive for such a boutique retreat. Kashiveli is right on the beach, showcasing flavours from destinations as diverse as Sardinia, Turkey and Indonesia, while By The Sea specialises in sushi, sashimi and teppanyaki dishes. Enjoy sundowners and canapés while reef sharks and rays swim beneath your feet at the Overwater Bar, or escape the heat for a wine, cheese or chocolate tasting session in the cool stone cellar. Your ‘Friday’ can organise a special lantern-lit dinner or a private sunset cruise with Champagne on ice, and in-villa dining is also available.

Meal Plans

Bed & Breakfast 
Half Board 
Full Board 

Facilities

As with almost everything else, the Meera Spa is suspended above the water, and the treatment rooms even have glass floor panels so that you can see the fish swimming below as you succumb to a soothing massage. The spa includes a steam room, sauna and spacious relaxation terraces, and you can enjoy daily complimentary sunrise yoga classes, reiki, meditation and crystal healing. There is also a beachfront infinity pool, tennis courts, a surf shack offering private lessons for all ability levels, a dive centre, jungle cinema and dedicated marine biology lab.