For many years, the Maldives have been a dream destination, and since I set foot on this paradise a couple of weeks ago, I can only confirm this. When you go for the first time to the Maldives, you’ll be amazed by the range of top resorts. So which one do you choose? For two consecutive years, Gili Lankanfushi was ranked in the reviews on TripAdvisor as the best resort in the world!
With the speedboat on our way to Gili Lankanfushi!
As a travel blogger, I wanted to experience myself what the secret of Gili Lankanfushi is. The dream trip to the Robinson Crusoe island in the middle of the Indian Ocean begins at the airport in Male. A private speed boat will pick you up at the pier. The captain himself is waiting for you together with the crew. First, you get a refreshing drink and after that, you have to hand in your flip flops that you’ll get back when you leave again. The ultimate island feeling can begin.
Arrival pier Gili Lankanfushi
Welcome to Gili Lankanfushi
On Gili Lankanfushi each villa has a butler at its disposal. They are also called Mr. Friday, named after one of the main characters of the famous book Robinson Crusoe. The name of our Mr. Friday was Mamdhooh and thanks to him we had the most fantastic time. Gili Lankanfushi has only over water villas with the advantage that the core of the island has remained untouched and looks like a deep mangrove jungle.
We were staying in a Villa Suite. Modest in size compared to the rest of the over water villas, but that’s an understatement. This villa is just over 200 square meters! The Villa Suite is like all the other over water villas made entirely of wood and finished with the most durable materials. When you enter, you walk into the open living room and lounge with access to the sun terrace. The first surprise is already waiting for you: champagne and delicious snacks!
Fabulous welcome on Gili Lankanfushi!
Our Villa Suite on Gili Lankanfushi (so big that it doesn’t even fit into the picture)
Why do guests choose for Gili Lankanfushi?
In addition to the nomination – two years in a row – for best resort in the world, Gili Lankanfushi belongs to the top 5-star resorts in the Maldives. They have a very high percentage of returning guests who at least once a year come back to this special place. Mr. Friday is one of the primary reasons for that. Nowhere you get such a personal welcome and completely care-free stay as here on Gili Lankanfushi.
Many returning guests have their beautiful memories of this “Robinson Crusoe” island. There is a couple that spent their first holiday here when they were just engaged. The following year, they came back for their honeymoon and a year later they came again, this time the bride was pregnant. And they have already indicated that they will return next year with the little one! Each guest has its special memory, and many guests have become friends with the staff. On Gili Lankanfushi counts the concepts “Home away from Home” and I have experienced that firsthand.
Spa Gili Lankanfushi
Picture made by our drone above the open water restaurant
Relax, enjoy, unwind or get active
On Gili Lankanfushi you can do it all! The island itself has something healing, and as you are almost forced to walk barefoot, you feel the energy entering your body. I noticed that I found it very pleasant to be here. Every guest has a bike at its disposal. I loved to get up early in the morning and to cycle over the wooden decks that connect the over water villas. When you reach the island it feels like you bike in the middle of the jungle. Old trees form a natural hedge around you, and everywhere you hear tropical birds.
Entrance of the Villa Suite
Enjoying Gili Lankanfushi
Meera Spa Gili Lankanfushi
If possible, I like to get a massage at the resort. If you’re in a special place, then you like to enjoy it at its maximum. The Meera Spa Gili Lankanfushi offers various treatments. Whatever you choose, the ability of the masseuses and the ambiance of the spa are in one word excellent. The resort has well thought out how to bring the outside ambiance inside. Once you lie down on the massage table with your head down, you look through a glass floor and can see the fish swimming below you in the coral reef.
Before the treatment first your feet get washed
Learn to surf with a pro
The Maldives houses some famous surf spots favored by fanatic surfers. The coral islands of Gili Lankanfushi are located in an atoll. An atoll can best be described as a group of islands that form a circle in the middle of a lake. You can see this very well if you are flying above the water with a seaplane; azure circles will pop-up everywhere around you. It is a beautiful view!
There aren’t any high waves in the atoll itself because of the natural barrier that surrounds it. Beginning surfers can however learn here very well the basics of surfing from a qualified instructor. While I went to yoga class, my boyfriend Vincent followed a surf lesson and enjoyed it intensely.
Surfboy 🙂
Go snorkeling with a marine biologist
Personally, I prefer snorkeling over diving, cause you step easily with your snorkel kit into the water. And tell me, where can you snorkel better than in the Maldives ?! It is even more special when a marine biologist is joining you. On Gili Lankanfushi you first see a video presentation that tells you more about the marine life and the type of fish you may encounter. I didn’t know, for example, that some small fish have a crucial function in cleaning some big fish.
The funny thing is that big fish are lining up in a so-called “fish car wash” to be cleaned by the little ones. If you do not know this in advance, then you may not recognize it, but with this insight you see the underwater world with completely different eyes. It’s so amusing to see how various types of fish are waiting in a long line to be cleaned 🙂
On one palm island, after snorkeling at Gili Lankanfushi
Taste the best wines along with a French sommelier
On Gili Lankanfushi nothing is too crazy, and as a guest, you get spoiled. A wide choice of delicacies flown in from around the world and the best chefs of various international cuisines are responsible for their fusion dishes. In this kind of five-star resorts, it is very normal that a French sommelier gives special wine tastings. I advise to experience this once. The accompanying French cheeses were as well delightful. What an indulgence!
Wine tasting
Delamain 1971 “Vintage Grande Champagne Cognac”
The largest over water villa in the world!
Did you know that Gili Lankanfushi has the largest over water villa in the world? Gili Lankanfushi has with this a true gem in its hands. The largest over water villa that stands here is no less than 1700 m2 large!! It has four bedrooms and a Mr. Friday 24 hours a day. Here you can be completely isolated from the rest and can enjoy all the luxury and privacy your wish for. This over water villa – also called “Private Reserve” – is the favorite of celebrities and the wealthiest of the world. You pay a serious amount for this villa, but of course, you have something unique 🙂
I was able to take a look inside and was amazed! Our drone made some beautiful shots. The compilation video is on its way and will give you a good idea of what island life is at Gili Lankanfushi. Do you like to be the first one to see the video when it comes online? Register than now for my newsletter. As a foretaste, you can already see a drone picture of the over water villa. Can you spot me in my pink shirt next to the pool?
Largest over water villa in the world!
Most beautiful sunset ever
I must admit that I am a fan of Gili Lankanfushi and permanently infected with the “Gili virus”. Each 5-star resort is fantastic in the Maldives, but as I am a nature lover Gili is my absolute favorite. The secret of Gili Lankanfushi lurks in the healing power of nature. That is precisely the reason why guests return to this resort again and again because here memories are made for life.
Sunset Gili Lankanfushi