Gili Lankanfushi Maldives

This was our third visit to Gili Lankanfushi, and somehow, it just keeps getting better. As seasoned visitors to the Maldives (this was our tenth trip), we fell in love with Gili two years ago, and it’s now our go-to island. The moment we step into our villa, just an hour after landing in Malé, we feel a sense of peace, connection, and anticipation for what always turns out to be a magical stay. There’s something incredibly refined yet soulful about Gili. The barefoot luxury, the deep-rooted sustainability, the beauty of the island – it all blends effortlessly with a level of hospitality that is personal, heartfelt, and utterly genuine. The staff are exceptional – not just because they provide flawless service, but because they care. Over the course of our twelve-night stay, we felt like we were with old friends, and yet somehow, they still managed to surprise us. There were so many thoughtful touches that made this trip stand out: a romantic beach dinner organised as a surprise, beautiful room decorations, and opportunities to immerse ourselves more in Maldivian culture – from learning how to make a traditional Maldivian breakfast (which we now adore and ate daily) to being invited to join a local volleyball match (I was useless, but it was brilliant fun!). The chef team prepared exquisite Maldivian curries just for us, and each day felt like a curated experience, not just a holiday. As always, the food was outstanding – simple, honest, high quality, and constantly rotating through different cuisines with your feet in the sand and stars overhead. The spa remains the best we’ve visited anywhere in the world. The wine and cheese tasting, and the Japanese sake flight are absolute musts. New touches like the management cocktail evenings in different areas of the island gave a lovely opportunity to meet other guests and explore. This year, we wanted to try more excursions and were blown away by the Water Sports team. Snorkelling with stingrays (initially with caution!) and nurse sharks was extraordinary – an absolute must. The dhoni trips were pure magic. A huge thank you to the exceptional team that makes all of this happen. Rodrigo, the new GM, is a class act and has already elevated the experience – his presence is felt in all the right ways. Florian, the new operations manager, was so kind and meticulous – we really enjoyed getting to know him. And then there’s the dream team: Riyaz, still leading with such warmth; the ever-cool Siyan and Haadhif; Monica (she’s truly special); Alecia and Amko in F&B; the amazing Ibrahim who always goes above and beyond; Amen, who made us laugh with his dad jokes; Hari and Francis – your food is next level; Ibrahim, our wonderful villa attendant; Miffy, our Mr Friday who is like family now; and Wabbe, who has looked after us each time – you’re the heartbeat of our stays. Gili is high-end, yes. But its true luxury lies in how it makes you feel. As a couple, it gives us the space to reconnect with each other and disconnect from everything else. There’s a magic here that’s hard to describe and impossible to replace. We’ll be back, again and again.