Gili Lankanfushi, named the Best Hotel in the World by TripAdvisor in the Traveller’s Choice Awards 2015, is about to get even better. The resort’s amazing Private Reserve – the largest overwater villa in the world – has been upgraded, making it more dazzling than ever.

Standing alone in the middle of a sparkling turquoise lagoon, 500 metres from the resort and only accessible by boat, the spectacular sprawling villa takes privacy and luxury to another level entirely. The closest neighbouring villas are 300 metres away, allowing guests to relax in total seclusion.

An incredible 1,700 square metre space, the luxurious three-bedroom hideaway offers the utmost in natural chic, with its wood and glass design complementing the breathtaking Indian Ocean views and flooding the villa with light through floor-to-ceiling windows.

As part of an extensive renovation programme, a new 63 square metre fresh water swimming pool has been added overlooking the lagoon sunrise side. With a vast sun-deck and shaded pavilions, access is via wooden walkways from the master suites, as well as the main lounging area. There will also be a jacuzzi within the pool, the perfect spot for sundowners.

“The beautiful pool adds an extra dimension to the Private Reserve, a wonderful alternative for those who prefer fresh water to the sea – and it’s obviously unaffected by the tides,” said Steven Philips, General Manager of Gili Lankanfushi. “We also wanted to make the most of the deep channel right in front of the villa, so it was built without having to disturb any of the local ecosystem.”

A spacious new en-suite bedroom has also been added to one of the two master suites – ideal for families. But as each suite is the same size as the resort’s huge Crusoe Residences, there’s still ample room for total privacy for friends. There are further bedrooms for two live-in Mr Fridays (private butlers on call 24/7 to cater to every whim), or if this is not desired, some guests opt to bring their nannies, secretaries or bodyguards.

Other improvements include a new library and study for any business needs, complete with an en suite bathroom and large comfortable lounging beds. A shower room is being added within the gym and fresh new furnishings throughout the villa.

Guests at the Private Reserve can relax in the ample indoor and outdoor living and lounging spaces, and soak up endless views. There’s a private spa with sauna and steam room for all pampering needs and a state-of-the-art cinema for film screenings of their choice. A wide water slide from the top deck into the lagoon adds to the fun.

When it comes to dining, quality and imagination are key. A personal chef will plan tailored meals using produce from the resort’s organic vegetable and herb gardens. Choice abounds from Michelin-quality fine dining to BBQs and more casual eating – served in the open top-floor dining room or at cushioned round tables close to the ocean. The wine cellar and bar are stocked to individual tastes too.

And, of course, all the facilities of the main resort are just a short boat-ride away, whether guests use their personal motorised boats or enjoy a chauffeur driven water taxi with their Mr Friday.

All Private Reserve bookings include exclusive transfers on the resort’s sumptuous new 14-metre luxury yacht for the 20-minute journey from Male’ airport. Guests also have use of it for an additional day – perhaps for a fishing outing around the local atoll or a private snorkelling trip with the resort’s own marine biologist.

For those who value true privacy, luxury and the space to enjoy it, there really is no place like the Gili Lankanfushi Private Reserve.

The Private Reserve will re-open on 15th November.

Privacy. Exclusively. Yours.

Private Reserve Rates / night range from $11,000-$23,630. Plus local government taxes. Room-only basis. The Reserve sleeps up to twelve people.

For press enquiries, please contact:
Sophy Williams on [email protected] or +44 (0)7969 834220

For resort enquiries contact:

Roberto Arganese, Director of Sales & Marketing on [email protected] or +31 6 1225 3962.
For bookings contact:
Reservations team on [email protected] or +960 6640304
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Lankanfushi Island, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives

In recognition of our social and environmental initiatives, Gili Lankanfushi has achieved Benchmarked Bronze status through EarthCheck, the World’s leading scientific bench-marking, certification and advisory group for the travel and tourism industry.

This significant achievement represents an important milestone in terms of Gili Lankanfushi’s dedication to the environment. The accreditation has helped Gili Lankanfushi recognize which areas the resort is performing well in, and will help us to improve our environmental and social performance year on year.

“Environmental and social responsibility is at the core of our ethos here at Gili Lankanfushi, and we are extremely proud to be officially accredited for our actions. Ever striving to improve our performance, we will be looking toward gaining our ‘Silver Certified’ accreditation, and are excited to have a number of new eco-initiatives in the pipeline” – Deborah Burn – Gili Lankanfushi Marine Biologist & Environmental Officer.

Tourism accounts for 89% of the Maldives GDP, where it directly affects the areas it operates within. Particularly in Maldives, the coral reef systems and cultural assets that attract visitors are fundamental to our very existence and as such, must be managed responsibly. As tourism operators, we are key to maintaining a sustainable industry.

“EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Since 1987, we have helped businesses, communities and governments to deliver clean, safe, prosperous and healthy destinations for travellers to visit, live, work and play. We understand the value of big ideas and the importance of clear communication. We know that what can be good for the planet is also good for business. Gili Lankanfushi has taken a significant leadership position in sustainability” – Stewart Moore, CEO of EarthCheck.

By working with EarthCheck, Gili Lankanfushi has joined other industry leaders who are taking meaningful steps towards resolving some of the very real issues that face the planet.

Gili Lankanfushi™, Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations. Gili Lankanfushi™ is set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Malé Atoll. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the International Airport at Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives. This 5-star resort is set on the private tropical island of Lankanfushi in the Malé Atoll, one of the 19 atolls that stretch over 800 kilometres through the Indian Ocean. It is one of the 1190 islands that make up the Maldives.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Fazla Jaleel, PR & Marketing Communications Executive
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +960 779-8362 | Tel: +960 664-0304 |Fax: +960 664-0305
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Lankanfushi Island, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives

Gili Lankanfushi is happy to announce its partnership with Swimsol – a groundbreaking floating solar panel company from Austria.

Gili Lankanfushi is happy to announce its partnership with Swimsol, an Austrian company that specializes in ground-breaking floating solar power solutions. Their idea is to bring green power to the parts of the World, like the Maldives, where land space is limited. We are lucky enough to have Swimsol’s largest product so far; a 15 x 15 meter floating solar power platform

The platform itself is an engineering marvel; an innovative floating structure that is designed to survive waves and water turbulence. It consists of glass fibre tubes, aluminum frames and 112 solar panels. Weighing over 5 tonnes, it took nearly one third of Gili Lankanfushi’s hosts to push it into the water. Today after more than two weeks of hard work in the blistering heat of the dry season, the Swimsol team have plugged the largest floating solar platform in the Maldives into Gili Lankanfushi’s power grid.

“This is the largest floating solar panel structure to be plugged in in the Maldives, and we are incredibly proud here at Gili Lankanfushi to participate in finding ways forward into a more sustainable future” said Deborah Burn, Marine Biologist & Environmental Officer.

Swimsol’s platform has a nominal capacity of 28 KW and on sunny days it will produce up to 200 kWh, which is enough to power all our pathway and jetty lights, as well as the Main Office Building lighting for 12 hours! The platform will reduce our carbon footprint by 35 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to the emissions of 30 return flights from Europe to Maldives per person.

Gili Lankanfushi™, Maldives is an intimate coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villa accommodations. Gili Lankanfushi™ is set on the private island of Lankanfushi in the North Malé Atoll. This luxury resort is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the International Airport at Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives. This 5-star resort is set on the private tropical island of Lankanfushi in the Malé Atoll, one of the 19 atolls that stretch over 800 kilometres through the Indian Ocean. It is one of the 1190 islands that make up the Maldives.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Fazla Jaleel, PR & Marketing Communications Executive
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +960 779-8362 | Tel: +960 664-0304 |Fax: +960 664-0305
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Lankanfushi Island, North Male Atoll, Republic of Maldives