If you’re keen to escape the city, catch some sunshine, and enjoy some much-needed R&R, Gili Lakanfushi is an ideal vacation choice. Rightly famous for being one of the Maldives’ most luxurious resorts, this multi-award-winning tropical paradise offers the perfect combination of pristine white sand beaches, world class cuisine, eco initiatives and exceptional villas…some of which can only be reached by boat.
Unlike many Maldives resorts which are only accessible by a domestic or weather-dependant sea plane journey, Malé International Airport is just a 20 min speedboat sail away from the Gili. This makes it perfectly positioned for those who want to reach their luxury resort as soon as possible after their long international flight.
From the moment you arrive on this tiny, private coral island resort, you’ll feel the pressures of everyday life slip away. We were met by our very own Mr Friday, our butler for the duration of our stay, who offered us a cooling spritz of peppermint spray and ferried us by boat to our large, luxury Crusoe Residence, complete with over-water sundeck and rooftop terrace. We spent lazy days basking on our spacious multi-tiered sundeck, dipping in to the crystal clear lagoon or retreating to the air conditioned large living room and bedroom whenever we wanted to escape the heat. These villas are exceptional – and among the largest you’ll find in the Maldives and so much thought has been given to their design. Entirely private too – being only accessible by boat, and peaceful, with just the calls of very cute white terns and gentle slosh of the sea to disturb your peace.
When you can tear yourself away from your fabulous villa, you simply call your Mr Friday, who will come to collect you by boat, and in to the island you head to enjoy its many delights.
At breakfast, we feasted on French toast and freshly-squeezed tropical smoothies, chose light lunches of island-grown salads and locally caught fresh fish and seafood, and treated ourselves in the evening dining across the range of excellent dining options – including our favourite, the excellent Japanese fusion restaurant, By the Sea.
If you’d prefer some privacy, you can also dine in your own villa — but we didn’t get the opportunity as we were too busy exploring the chilled underground wine cellar, where you slip a hot water bottle under your feet as sommeliers guide you through food and wine pairings, followed by the subterranean chocolate and cheese rooms, where you can sample handmade chocolates and artisanal cheeses.
It’s impossible to resist the allure of the clear turquoise waters, so we took advantage of the breathtaking scenery and went snorkelling among black-tipped sharks and turtles. You can also go scuba diving,windsurfing, or learn to surf — the biggest break in the Maldives is just 15 minutes from the resort. If you’d rather go island hopping, board a yacht to take a cruise through remote atolls, or get a taste of authentic Maldivian life when you visit local islands.
There are plenty of other unique experiences on offer, so it’s easy to make your holiday dreams come true. Whether you want to find inner peace in the overwater Meera Spa, where you can try the four-handed massage or experience a Tibetan singing bowl session, or do your bit to protect the environment when you sign up for a data-collecting science dive, you’ll find it’s easy to switch off and enjoy a truly luxurious retreat.
Gili Lakanfushi is such a wonderful antidote to the stresses and strains of corporate life. For jaw-dropping incredible natural beauty, super-luxurious accommodation, gourmet cuisine, peace and tranquility we can’t think of anywhere more perfect to relax and recharge. We guarantee you’ll want to return, again… and again…. As their website says it’s all about ‘Luxury your own way, and your own pace’. They believe when it comes to luxury, there’s no such thing as one size fits all and that’s why they give their guests the freedom to design their dream getaway, whether they seek quality time with loved ones, an escape from reality, or a thrilling range of aquatic adventures. From experience, we can testify, they really do go above and beyond to exceed expectations and personalise every encounter, allowing every guest to make the most of their precious time here. A very special resort.
