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Imagine hiding away on a tiny coral island resort in a sparkling lagoon in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Then imagine a retreat even more exclusive: your own 5-room sanctuary reached only by boat at this member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. You have just envisioned the Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives in the Maldives. Designed in harmony with the natural surroundings, this stunning hideaway boasts two master suites, a natural coral pool and a private spa pavilion. From personal butlers to a customized wine cellar, no indulgence has been overlooked.
Gili Lankanfushi
Lankanfushi Island
North Male' Atoll, Maldives
Nearest Airport: MLE
All is perfect, location, staff, food. The island is beautiful, location is perfect, only 20 minutes speed boat from Male.
Luis M - Sesimbra, Portugal
Our stay at Gili Lankanfushi was truly exceptional. The staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and professional. They paid attention to every detail and fulfilled all our requests with genuine care and expertise. Our Mr. Friday, Tesla, was outstanding. He was always available, extremely helpful, and did everything possible to make our vacation perfect. His dedication and warmth made our stay even more special. The resort itself is absolutely stunning, and we are certain we would love to return. It is very convenient that the island is easily reachable by boat from the airport. The variety and quality of the food were excellent, and the beautiful white sandy beaches surrounding the island are simply breathtaking. We can wholeheartedly recommend Gili Lankanfushi to anyone looking for a truly luxurious and unforgettable holiday.
Dorina T
Our honeymoon at Gili Lankanfushi was absolutely magical. We loved the island’s barefoot luxury—it was the perfect balance of relaxed, natural beauty and exceptional service. What truly made our stay unforgettable was the staff. We loved being shown the behind-the-scenes side of the island, including visiting Chef Hari’s garden and learning about the island’s water engineering with Rohan—such unique and thoughtful experiences. Our Mr. Friday, Tesla (Thasleem), was exceptional. He took care of every detail and recommended and booked activities that made our honeymoon truly memorable. We thoroughly enjoyed sunrise yoga with Komal, as well as her wonderful spa treatments. The Ayurvedic massages with Anu were outstanding, and we really appreciated the knowledge she shared with us. Brendan and Georgia from TopicSurf gave us fantastic surf lessons as complete beginners, and the snorkelling experiences with the marine biologists were incredible—their passion really stood out. A huge thank you to Ibrahim, Monica, Chef Ratul, Alisha, Chef Deena, Moti, Armin, and the entire team for going above and beyond with our meals and care. As a vegan and someone with a nut allergy, we felt completely safe and genuinely looked after throughout our stay. We loved every moment at Gili Lankanfushi and hope we can return one day. Highly recommended for a truly special and unforgettable trip.
Simran S
A truly magical and unforgettable escape Gili Lankanfushi is an extraordinary place — peaceful, soulful and utterly beautiful. From the moment you arrive, you feel a sense of calm that stays with you throughout your stay. One of the things we loved most was how easy and comfortable the transfer was — the resort is only around 15 minutes from Malé by speedboat, making arrival and departure completely seamless and stress-free, especially when travelling with a child. The overwater villas are stunning, offering total privacy, breathtaking ocean views and a real sense of being immersed in nature. Everything feels thoughtfully designed, understated and incredibly luxurious without ever being showy. It’s the kind of place where time genuinely slows down. One of the most incredible parts of our stay was the lagoon itself. We swam daily with sharks and stingrays, which was completely unforgettable, and the water was so calm, clear and safe that we felt totally comfortable swimming every day — even with our three-year-old. It was magical to experience marine life so close up in such a gentle, protected environment. My husband also went out on scuba dives, and the dive team were absolutely incredible — highly professional, exceptionally knowledgeable and clearly passionate about what they do. It added another unforgettable layer to the experience. We stayed over Christmas, and the festive atmosphere was magical — intimate, elegant and beautifully done, perfectly in keeping with the island’s serene vibe. It made an already special stay feel even more memorable. While there isn’t a dedicated kids club, the resort did offer a few lovely children’s activities, which were thoughtful and appreciated. That said, we would say Gili Lankanfushi is better suited to couples or honeymooners, thanks to its quiet, romantic atmosphere and focus on privacy and connection. We did have a small issue at the very beginning of our stay, but the way it was handled deserves real praise. The team were incredibly attentive, proactive and genuinely caring in resolving it, which immediately put us at ease and set the tone for the rest of the holiday. A very special mention must go to Tesla, our Friday, who was absolutely incredible. Nothing was ever too much trouble — every request was met with warmth, efficiency and genuine care. His attention made our stay feel effortless and truly special. The food, service and overall experience were exceptional, but what really sets Gili Lankanfushi apart is its atmosphere — tranquil, romantic and deeply restorative. It’s a place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. Gili Lankanfushi isn’t just a resort, it’s an experience — one that feels personal, meaningful and incredibly special. We left feeling relaxed, grateful and already dreaming of a return. ✨ Pure magic. Perfect for couples and honeymooners. ✨
TheAugers
A glorious, huge step up from other so-called five-star resorts in the area. From the moment we arrived, it was clear this is in a different league altogether—spacious villas, effortless service, and a level of thoughtfulness that most luxury resorts only claim to have. Everything felt calm, generous, and genuinely world-class rather than performative. Our family absolutely did not want to leave, which says everything. Once you’ve experienced Gili, it’s very hard to take the “five-star” label elsewhere seriously.
t m - Chicago, IL
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Our holiday at Soneva Gili was the most wonderful we ever had. We spent an unforgettable time there. Thanks a lot to everybody. We hope we will come back soon.
-Christian & Carmen