Expert review: Gili Lankanfushi

The Maldives is the ultimate destination for special occasion holidays. To celebrate a big birthday, one of our Indian Ocean experts, Julli Dunman, travelled to Gili Lankanfushi, a hotel that consistently stars on the ‘world’s best’ lists. Here are her favourite things about this barefoot luxury island.

The VIP welcome

“The Gili experience starts as soon as we board their luxury speedboat. Our shoes are immediately packed away in canvas bags marked ‘no shoes, no news’, where we’re told they’ll remain during our time on the island. This is part of the ‘barefoot luxury’ philosophy and it sets the tone for the island’s Robinson Crusoe theme. Following a quick 20-minute ride through the waves, we approach the dock where a line-up of immaculately dressed staff members is waiting for us, holding their hands to their hearts as a warm gesture. “Welcome home”, says the General Manager, beaming, and introduces us to our very own Mr Friday butler.

The villas

Our Villa Suite is the most incredible room I’ve ever seen. Outside, the villa has a shabby-chic look, with an overhanging thatched roof, a driftwood chair and two bamboo bikes propped next to the door. Inside, the huge, airy living space is framed by the ocean, a thousand shades of blue. It feels like I’m on the deck of a (very luxurious) boat. I walk round in a starstruck daze as we discover the huge freestanding bathtub, the sundeck with overwater hammocks and steps straight down into the lagoon, and a hidden rooftop terrace complete with a bed – the perfect place to dine or sleep under the stars.

The atmosphere

Gili Lankanfushi has the world’s largest standalone overwater villa among its residences. It’s exclusive and private, but there’s nothing showy about it. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly and wonderfully laid-back, with staff who quickly make you feel at home.

It’s eco-friendly

The island's natural beauty is simply stunning, and the ethos of Gili Lankanfushi is to keep it that way. Sustainability runs through the resort, from responsibly sourced natural materials and composting to an organic garden where chefs grow vegetables, herbs and fruit for the kitchen. Seafood is sourced from local fishermen wherever possible. The resident marine biology team can also introduce you to the resort’s coral regeneration work, one of several projects designed to protect the surrounding reef and marine life.

The outstanding cuisine

My expectations about the food were pretty high staying on an island of this calibre and it didn’t disappoint. Breakfast can be served by your Mr Friday on your villa deck or enjoyed at the beach restaurant, where the spread covers everything from fresh fruit and pastries to cheeses, cold cuts and dishes cooked to order. The chefs at Kashiveli restaurant serve up flavours from around the world, while the Japanese-fusion restaurant is the place for sushi and beautifully presented sharing plates. There’s also private dining for romantics and wine pairings in the underground cellar, home to an impressive collection of labels.

The activities

If you can tear yourself away from your ocean hammock, there are plenty of things to keep you busy. You can get hands-on with cooking experiences, get out or under on the water by surfing or diving, or head to Meera Spa for yoga, massage and treatments ranging from Ayurveda to Tibetan singing bowls. You can also book a private screening in the open-air cinema or sail into sunset by dhoni. We enjoyed the simple castaway pleasures, snorkelling straight from our villa and keeping watch for rays, reef sharks and swirls of tropical fish, then exploring the island on our bamboo bikes – complete with cotton pedal covers (no shoes, remember).

It’s great for families

Although this island is a dream spot for a holiday for two, it’s also great for families with kids of all ages. There are incredible family villas and your Mr Friday will help keep little ones entertained when you want some me time; plus, they’ll love the Robinson Crusoe theme – there’s even a copy of the book in each villa. I travelled with my teenage daughter and she was in her element, basking in the sun with unlimited WiFi, a butler on hand and Instagram envy from her friends back home.

The little touches

There are so many island resorts in the Maldives, so what makes Gili Lankanfushi stand out? I think it’s the next-level attention to detail. I loved the personalised service and the subtle touches, such as choosing what fragrance we wanted on our bed (Ylang Ylang was my favourite), picking from a pillow and linen menu and how the barman knew exactly how I liked my G&T.

The staff made by birthday a joyful occasion, bringing out a gorgeous cake and making a fuss, even serenading me at dinner. All the team take the time to smile, chat and ask you how your day was, and you can tell they genuinely want to hear about it. Mr Friday was only a phone call away and helped us arrange everything from snorkelling trips to spa treatments. He makes you feel like anything is possible.

The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. For the most up-to-date information, please contact your Personal Travel Expert.