Gili Lankanfushi

I finally understand what all the hype is about and why this resort is so famous ! The rooms are gorgeous and the lagoon is full of life. Service is really excellent and the food is great. Probably the best breakfast we have had in Maldives . The resort is even more beautiful than in the photos. We stayed in a two bedroom family villa with pool on Jetty 3 and it was perfect. Yes its close to the airport and you could see Hulhumale and hear the constant plane engine and seaplane noise and see cargo ships ans boats constantly and there is another resort facing Gili which sometimes has music at night on one side and on another side a local inhabited island so the area is quite busy and there is a lot of light pollution at night but its a trade off- you dont have the sense of quiet or remoteness but you are super close to the airport in a beautiful setting with excellent service and food so we still loved it. They anticipated that the kids would be hungry when we arrived and amazingly prepared some food for them in the villa and giant soft toys which they loved Raaya was great and helped us with everything we requested very efficiently The only issue that i didn’t enjoy which is out of the resort’s control is the visible burning of waste from one of the islands near the airport which ruined our dolphin watching trip as the fumes reached the area where the dolphins were and we had to cut the trip short out of concern for the kids breathing in the fumes. Maybe this issue could be addressed with the tourism ministry as it a really harmful to burn waste in such close proximity to inhabited islands and resorts. So next time I would skip any boating trips and just stay on the island and enjoy the beautiful beaches and lagoon. Also they need to insist on kids wearing life jackets on the boat at all times on the dolphin watching trip for safety as somehow that was missed for our trip. One suggestion would be to make the ice cream free for both adults and kids like other resorts do (soneva, six senses) and at this price offer more complimentary snacks and inclusions and inform the guest early on of these inclusions as well as book the restaurants for them in advance so guests staying for a few days dont get told everything is booked up already. They did this at six senses and we got the chance to try all their restaurants during our stay as well as take full advantage of villa complimentary inclusions such as private BBQ and in villa sunset cocktails. A special thanks to Rayaa, Ahmed from housekeeping, the in villa dining team, the breakfast team and the management (Florian, Rodrigo) for their visible efforts and hospitality We will hopefully be back soon !

This was my husband and I's 3rd visit to Gili Lankanfushi. We tagged on a few nights here after staying in another resort before flying back to UK. On this trip we celebrated our 10 Year wedding anniversary which our incredible Ms Friday Raaya pulled all the stops out for. She was our Ms Friday on our last visit and we were so delighted when we were told we would be having her again. Location: A lot is mentioned about the location of Gili, about its proximity to Male and other local islands. I can honestly say this didn't bother us in the slightest. Yes you can see other islands around however when its just a 20min boat ride from Male its actually really handy especially when your flight is delayed like ours was. We got to enjoy a few more bonus hours rather than being stuck in the airport! The service, rooms and general island vibes make this place paradise in its own right. Room: We stayed in a Villa Suite on this visit which was kept spotlessly clean by Ali. We had a bottle of champagne on arrival and the facilities here are extensive. Ali also decorated our room on our anniversary which was a delight to return to after dinner. Food: The food here is one of the reasons we return. We have been lucky to travel extensivly to some of the best restaurants but the food here is out of this world. My personal favourite....butter chicken pizza! Each night is a different theme and you also have access to By The Sea which is the Japanese restaurant thats well worth the visit. On this trip we had a private dinner on the beach that was beautifully set up. We went for the Gili BBQ menu and you get a lot of food included! We were absolutely stuffed. Here you never go hungry and you are never thirsty. Staff: A lot should be said for the staff that work here. They carry themselves with such grace and dignity at all times even with a more demanding guest. We would like to mention Gayan and Gothan from the somelier team who are always a delight. Hassan our regular waiter who must be the happiest person in the world. Everyone deserves a mention because we love them all. It was also great to see senior management always present and always down for a conversation, whether its current affairs or our stay on the island. We can't wait to return here again in the future and we would not hesitate to recommend staying here! Thank you Gili!

beautiful location- literally paradise Such Such a nice atmosphere rooms were stunning 10/10 service saw so much sea life like sharks and stingrays

My first visit was almost 18 years ago, and my previous stay was in 2014. Returning once again, I’m happy to see that Gili Lankanfushi has preserved its unique soul. True barefoot luxury, genuine hospitality, timeless elegance, and the unforgettable Robinson Crusoe feeling are all still here. Thank you to Rodrigo and the entire team for staying true to your philosophy. That’s what makes Gili one of the world’s truly iconic resorts.

This was our very first trip to the Maldives, and Gili Lankanfushi was our first stop. It’s incredibly convenient—just a 15-minute transfer from the airport. While this proximity does take away a bit of that "castaway" feeling, there’s no doubt about the privacy you get here. With only 45 villas, the spacing between them is generous. During the summer low season, aside from meal times, you’d barely see another guest. Yet, every staff member and maintenance crew greets you with such warmth that it truly feels like home. The resort delivers everything that a first-time-visitor expects from Maldives: stunning lagoon view, powdery white sand, blazing sunshine, and exotic cuisine. A previous Lonely Planet guide gave this island low marks only for social life and family activities, but we actually made a few friends here! Our 8-year-old spent most of her time splashing in the water (you can jump right in from the villa at any time) and became completely obsessed with a ring-toss game, having an absolute blast. Honestly, a 4 or 5-nights stay here is the sweet spot for just about anyone. A seasoned Maldives veteran we met mentioned they always save this island for their final relaxation before flying home. I think beyond the airport proximity, it’s the effortlessly laid-back vibe that draws them back. If I were planning a long Maldivian holiday, this would be my perfect bookend—both the opening and closing chapter. Our Mr.Friday looked after us considerately, hitting to the spot just right. Our villa attendant HaFeez kept our villa spotless. There were so many other staff members whose names escaped me, but I could tell they were either highly experienced or exceptionally well-trained. They read the room perfectly: if you’re up for a chat, they’re happy to keep you company; if they sense you’d rather enjoy a quiet meal undisturbed, they gracefully give you space. Since it was our first visit, we weren’t close with anyone, yet that comfortable, unobtrusive level of service felt absolutely perfect. The resort has been operating for quite long, but thanks to its nature-inspired design, the villas don’t feel dated at all. Instead, they have a unique charm and character. It makes for a very affordable getaway—or rather, incredible value for money. There aren’t many restaurants, but the quality of the fresh ingredients and the breakfast are absolutely top-notch. The main restaurant offers a different culinary theme for dinner each night. The head chef seems to be from India, and I’d say his Indian dishes were the highlight! As our plane took off, I caught a clear view of Gili Lankanfushi from the right window, and a little wave of emotion washed over me. Whether or not I ever return to the Maldives, this place will remain etched in my memory, just like that view from the sky.