Gili Lankanfushi

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. ✨

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.

Every little detail about Gili is luxurious, but in the classiest, most understated way. You feel the immense effort that goes into every detail, and yet they manage to wow us every year in the most subtle manner. Everything is down to earth. Everyone is down to earth. It is a place where the world’s richest holiday, without any need to show off. The entire experience is humbling, perhaps it is the no-shoes philosophy that grounds everyone so beautifully. We were there over the Christmas holidays, and almost 90% of the guests, if not more, were repeat visitors. By repeaters, I mean anything from 10 visits to 20, 50, or more. It almost feels as though there is an unofficial, unannounced, exclusive club of global elites who meet at Gili every year. The service is second to none. They remember every detail about us since our very first visit back in 2016. The staff radiate positive energy, creating an incredibly warm and homely atmosphere. The food is mind-blowing! It genuinely speaks to your soul. Chef Hari and his team are geniuses. They go far beyond expectations to create outstanding plant-based dishes for us, ensuring variety and creativity for two straight weeks, without a hint of repetition. The villas are exceptionally spacious, offering rustic luxury and a true island vibe. The island itself is simply stunning. I would also like to mention some of the management and staff who made our stay even more special this year, of course, in addition to our beloved Mr Friday, Thasleem: Rodrigo, Florian, Shawwaf, Hari, Francis, Charito, Alisha, Naxid, Lolzy, Kuchey, Monica, Muffin, Niyaf, Raman, Rifaq, Rohan, Siyam, Santo, Wahhab, Wahid, Hassan, Amanee, Shaiju, Shifaz, Husham, Deepak, Kalam, Muzna, Rupesh, Abbas, Shazu, Bobbo Shani, Makif, Miffy, Raya, Zubba.

Occasionally an experience is so special it’s difficult to find words that will do it justice. Gili is one of those places. It was our 3rd time seeing our “Gili family” & it was honestly as good - if not better- than the first! My husband and I talk about “the rocking chair test”, where you experience moments you will take with you to the very end, & Gili is most definitely one of those special memories for us. From the minute you arrive at the airport you are greeted by the familiar and friendly faces of their staff. The service is like nothing I have ever experienced - it is quite simply phenomenal. Nothing is too much & they think of what you need even before you think of it yourself! Our amazing butler Bobo made so much effort to make every day special - including some amazing surprises for our 20th wedding anniversary (a complimentary bottle of our favourite wine & cheese plate brought to our villa as a surprise one lunchtime, and taking us to the private beach where they laid on our favourite cocktail & had beautiful art in the sand to celebrate our anniversary. ) thank you to Rodrigo and the staff for our surprise private transfer back to the airport in the amazing speedboat too! If you are reading this & considering the Maldives pls look at Gili - you won’t regret it! Until next year our Gili friends! I am counting down the months 💙

We went to Gili for the second time, our first time was for our honeymoon and our second time was in Decemeber 2025 to celebrate our ten-year Wedding Anniversary! Gili feels like a home away from home, the perfect destination for couples looking to create memories that last a lifetime. The island is Sublime, our Lagoon over the water was just as beautiful as our first time around, if not more special even the second time there! The service is impeccable, the entire team is so friendly, but most special of all was our Mrs Friday Shaany who made sure that all our needs were taken care of. She went beyond her way to create a memorable experience for us that we will never forget. Shaany, You are already missed and we can't wait to visit Gili Lankanfushi Again just to see you! Thank You <3