Maldives, October 2017: Set aside your expectations of a traditional Maldivian spa break: this winter, pioneering luxury eco-resort Gili Lankanfushi is expanding the horizons of wellness experiences with a revolutionary new programme of international visiting practitioners. Holistic and progressive healing therapies — ranging from energy flow and ayurveda to chi gung bodywork and salt therapy — will promote balance in body and soul, all offered in the spectacular overwater surroundings of the island’s Meera Spa.

Visiting practitioners

Kick-starting the new programme of Visiting Practitioners (VPs) in November is Fah Chanettee, a therapist boasting over a decade of experience in eastern and western massage techniques, including abhyanga and shirobhyanga, reiki and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine. Fah’s healing therapies focus on stimulating the five senses, promoting energy flow along the bladder meridian, balancing the chakras through colour therapy and healing energy and aura imbalance.

Massage and bodywork practitioner Ryko Kalinko will join the Meera Spa team for the month of December, with a focus on chi gung healing. This unique bodywork heals and promotes wellness with transformational breathwork, tailored full-body massage, meditation and holographic reflexology, alongside energy healing through polarity therapy and guided chi healing.

The innovative wellbeing offering will continue into 2018, bringing together some of the wellness world’s leading practitioners on Gili Lankanfushi for a year-long wellness programme at Meera Spa, with the full line-up of VPs to be announced later in 2017.

Masters in Residence

The work of the VPs will complement Meera Spa’s long-term Masters in Residence, experts in kundalini therapy bodywork and pain relief therapy, respectively. Master in residence Esther Bitongan Balaodan practices kundalini therapy bodywork, harnessing kundalini energy and working through the chakras to promote self-awareness, reduce stress and facilitate physical and mental healing. Devendra Prasad Pokhriyal, resident yoga and Ayurveda master, also specialises in pain relief therapy, using palm reflexology and ancient salt therapy to release deeply-held tension from within the neck, back and shoulders, to optimize emotional health and promote mental wellbeing.

In addition to an exciting programme of wellbeing journeys and VPs, Meera Spa — meaning ‘Ocean’ in Sanskrit —offers an extensive range of signature therapeutic treatments. Inspired by nature, treatments use local flower petals, organic herbs and earth clays to heal and nurture the skin, as well as organic products by Voya and Sodashi, and Meera products created on the island from the finest oceanic and botanical extracts.

Open air walkways link the steam room, sauna and six treatment rooms, where glass floors allow guests to watch fish flitting amongst the coral during treatments. Following treatments, guests are encouraged to relax in the vast relaxation areas, which boast panoramic ocean views, and enjoy spicy pots of freshly brewed Maldivian ginger tea. Gili Lankanfushi offers complimentary daily sunrise yoga classes at the beachside Yoga Champa, as well as one-on-one yoga, meditation and visualization practices with the spa team.

Complimentary wellness activities take place every Wednesday and Sunday from 8.00 – 8.45am. Ryko will be offering complimentary Tai Chi Chi Gung throughout November and Fah Colour Meditation throughout December.

Specialised private treatments start from $ $225++ for 60 minutes and $255++ for 90 minutes.

Kundalini Therapy Bodywork costs from $185 for a 75 minute initial session, and all follow up sessions costing $150 thereafter.

Pain Relief Therapy Bodywork costs from $170 for a 60 minute initial session, and all follow up sessions costing $150 thereafter.

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start at $1,440 per night on a room-only basis, based on double occupancy. Rates are subject to taxes.

Call +960 664 0304 / Email [email protected]

www.gili-lankanfushi.com

For media enquiries, contact:

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

Tammy Gan, Marketing Communications Manager

Email: [email protected]

BIRD Travel PR

[email protected] / +44 (0) 20 7112 882

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Editor’s note: Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport. Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.

Maldives: The award-winning luxury resort Gili Lankanfushi has announced the introduction of a brand new ‘Secret Wedding Experience’, the first of its kind in the Maldives, designed especially for couples who wish to celebrate their vows in the most intimate setting possible.

The concept has been created in response to a growing number of requests for boutique weddings at the resort, which reflects the upward global trend for destination, luxury elopements.

Steven Phillips, General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi said: “It’s long been known that planning a wedding can be a lengthy and anxious experience filled with stressful decisions like choosing the right venue and having to filter down a long guest list. So, in the true spirit of Gili Lankanfushi, and in response to what couples have been telling us, we have created a simple, private and relaxing alternative. Our Secret Wedding Experience is perfect for those looking to say ‘I do’ privately, in the most peaceful and luxurious settings – letting us do all the hard work, so they can simply relax and enjoy every moment with us.”

Surrounded by Gili Lankanfushi’s sparkling turquoise lagoon waters, couples can secretly ‘tie the knot’* and will receive a special blessing from a local Maldivian cleric. Afterwards a traditional Bodu Beru Band will sing personalised love songs, before the couple sail off into the sunset aboard the resort’s stunning traditional Dhoni boat.

The Secret Wedding Experience has been designed to completely minimise stress. Ahead of arrival, the team at Gili Lankanfushi will consult with the couple about the exact details and then manage a bespoke itinerary throughout their stay, meaning they do not have to worry about arranging anything when they arrive.

Each couple will be matched with their own Mr./Ms. Friday – a personal assistant, friend and secret wedding planner, who will be on hand to tend to the couple’s every need and to provide a calm, clear and flexible schedule for the wedding day and the duration of their stay.

The Secret Wedding Experience includes:

• Bridal hair and make-up: Beauty specialists at the resort are on hand to ensure the bride looks exactly as she would like to on her special day

• Wedding ceremony: Couples can tie the knot in Gili Lankanfushi’s Lagoon Champa – the most private pavilion in the resort, far from view and reachable only by boat. Other locations around the resort are also available

• Music: Gili Lankanfushi’s captivating local all-male Bodu Beru Band will perform love songs for the couple before and after their wedding ceremony

• Champagne, canapes and cruising: The couple will sip champagne and eat exquisite canapes aboard the resort’s beautiful traditional Dhoni boat as the sun sets around them

• Photography: An expert photographer will capture the day and package the images into a digital or printed photobook on request

• Wedding ‘breakfast’ dinner: Gili Lankanfushi’s expert chefs will create a bespoke menu for the couple based on their favourite dishes, and this is served on One Palm Island – the resort’s most iconic and romantic destination – surrounded by 1000 candles and glistening lanterns

• Sleeping under the stars: For a wedding night to remember, the resort will set up a special bed on the rooftop of the couple’s private accommodation, so they can spend the night underneath the stars

Additionally, throughout the duration of their stay, couples will experience the most romantic aspects of this incredible resort including:

• Couples post wedding pamper: A 90 minute massage in the award-winning and recently upgraded Meera Spa

• Wine pairing experience: Exquisite private wine dinner in either the Underground Wine Cellar or up in the trees at the 360 table in the Organic Garden

• Jungle cinema experience: A private screening of your favourite movie with a chocolate fountain and strawberries

• Couple’s Surf or Scuba Discovery: Learning a new skill together by taking a lagoon lesson with Tropicsurf or do a scuba diving introductory course with Ocean Paradise

Secret Wedding Experience couples are hosted in Gili Lankanfushi’s standalone overwater Crusoe Residences – the perfect location when it comes to providing complete privacy, including private overwater hammock, overwater sundeck and rooftop terrace with daybed for complete relaxation. The properties have the best views of the sunset and can be accessed by private motorboat.

A Secret Wedding Experience starts at US $13,489* based on a four night stay for 2 persons (accommodation and breakfast basis) excluding taxes.

*Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives Resort reserves the right to modify and change the accommodation rates without prior notice.

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Notes to editors

*International weddings are not legally-binding in the Maldives, so couples are advised to conduct a civil ceremony before they arrive.

About Gili Lankanfushi – the Maldives’ jewel in the crown

Award winning private island and resort Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20 minutes by speedboat from Male’ international airport – where guests enjoy a luxurious barefoot existence and 360° views of the Indian Ocean with its white waves breaking gently over the house reef.

Enjoy naturally chic accommodation and a 24/7 Mr. Friday concierge service. The resort’s 45 huge over water villas with outdoor showers, including the secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy and space.

Highlights include diverse fine dining (many ingredients grown in the organic garden), a chocolate cave, a jungle cinema, ample water sport options, a coral restoration programme and the holistic Meera Spa.

Gili Lankanfushi offers an authentic, luxurious experience that embraces its natural surroundings.

Based on 2 people sharing, the opening category of Villa Suites’ rates start at $1,385 USD / night (excluding taxes.)

www.gili-lankanfushi.com

For media enquiries:
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Tammy Gan
Marketing Communications Manager

Tel: +960 664 0304

Email: [email protected]

MALDIVES, 8 June 2017: Gili Lankanfushi has announced an innovative new marine biology centre, set to open on June 8th — World Oceans Day. Gili Veshi, which translates as Gili Environment in the local Dhivehi language, will become the island’s primary marine research facility and the central hub for all sustainability and conservation issues, as well as offering a host of new guest experiences.

Nature lovers will have the opportunity to get involved through participating in monthly reef clean efforts to remove oceanic litter, coral watch dives to check on new specimens and Crown of Thorns eradication dives to remove the invasive starfish species. Guests can also opt to sponsor the team’s research and conservation efforts, or offset their carbon footprint by planting carbon-sinking seagrass.

The island’s smallest guests will not be forgotten, with a wide variety of exciting new experiences and activities tailor-made for children. New educational treasure hunts throughout the island, both on dry land and beneath the waves, will see children seeking out clues about the island’s environment, accompanied by the marine biology team. Fascinating marine movies and interactive iPad will educate children about sustainability and the marine environment, whilst a roster of rainy day activities will keep children happy when the clouds — however rare — roll in.

The Gili Veshi team will monitor all aspects of the island’s reef biodiversity, including sea surface temperature and coral growth, to protect the fragile coral reef environment. They will also roll out a number of conservation initiatives, including planting seagrass to create new feeding grounds for endangered turtle species.

Gili Lankanfushi’s innovative and hugely successful coral lines project — which sees coral fragments suspended in mid water to accelerate growth and reduce predation — was the first of its kind in the Maldives and will be expanded following the opening of Gili Veshi, with the existing coral lines transplanted onto the house reef and monitored as the primary stage of a wider transplantation effort. Further afield, the team will spearhead a new conservation outreach initiative to focus on the local community and schools on nearby Himmafushi Island and the capital, Male.

The new marine biology shack will also include a large wet lab to support the team’s ongoing research efforts, and will host visiting researchers and academics from across the globe. Guests will be invited to visit the lab to learn more about the local marine and terrestrial environment, with high tech new microscopes available to allow guests to study local coral specimens through a lens.

Working with the Maldivian government and NGOs including the Manta Trust, the Olive Ridley Turtle Project and Shark Watch, the Gili Veshi team will continually monitor the marine ecosystem and threats to biodiversity including coral bleaching and the onslaught of invasive Crown of Thorn starfish.

Gili Veshi will launch on June 8th 2017 to coincide with World Oceans Day, with a day of ocean-focused activities including a group Paddle Out into the lagoon to pledge the island’s commitment to protect the ocean, followed by a screening of the film Plastic Ocean in the outdoor Jungle Cinema. World Oceans Day is a global day of celebration and collaboration focused in marine conservation, the prevention of marine litter and the promotion of a healthier oceanic environment for the future.

Prices for the new guest experiences at Gili Veshi start from USD 100 per person. Select activities, including reef cleaning, marine movies, eco tours, presentations and microscope discovery will be offered on a complimentary basis.

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start at USD 1440 per night on room only basis, based on double occupancy. Rates are subject to taxes.

Call +960 664 0304 / Email [email protected]

www.gili-lankanfushi.com

For media enquiries, contact:

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

Tammy Gan, Marketing Communications Manager

Email: [email protected]

BIRD Travel PR

[email protected] / +44 (0) 20 7112 882

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Editor’s note: Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Malé international airport.

Maldives – For ladies seeking both utter seclusion and total luxury, the sprawling Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi offers the perfect hideaway. The largest over water villa in the world, is the perfect place for friends wanting somewhere ultra-special to unwind or celebrate, away from the rest of the world.

Surrounded by the glistening Indian Ocean, 500 metres away from the main resort and accessible only by boat, the recently renovated Private Reserve is a place to enjoy total freedom and fun in unimaginable style. Built of wood and glass, with floor to ceiling windows and endless, cleverly designed indoor and outdoor living spaces, the vibe is natural chic. The huge oversea terraces are made for daytime lounging and the dazzling new fresh water infinity pool offers an alternative to bathing in the lagoon.

With one ensuite master suite, one duplex master suite with two bedrooms and a fourth ensuite bedroom. The Private Reserve comfortably sleeps eight adults with ample room for privacy and plenty of space for extra children and perhaps, a nanny. Beds can even be made up on deck for a truly magical ‘sleeping under the stars’ experience – perfect for cerebral chats long into the night beneath a spectacular sparkling and unpolluted sky.

Of course, no ladies getaway is complete without sufficient pampering, and the Private Reserve has its own spa with sauna and steam room and highly trained female therapists offering top quality treatments. Bespoke two or three day Meera Spa Journeys can be tailored for personal needs using all-natural products from luxury brands Voya and Sodashi. A menu of healing, revitalizing or detox treats, including detoxing seaweed wraps and the fabulous signature Meera massage blending techniques from around the globe, will leave guests radiant and rejuvenated.

Incredible cuisine is a key part of any stay at Gili Lankanfushi, prepared with the freshest vegetables and herbs straight from the resort’s organic garden and sustainably caught local fish and seafood. A female Japanese chef is available to design meals to individual tastes and a whole range of other delicious fare from around the world, with an exciting nod to flavours of the Indian Ocean.  Served in the open top floor dining room or at cushioned round tables on the ocean’s edge, the cuisine is guaranteed to complement the stunning views. The Private Reserve has a kitchen available to guests who wish to cook for themselves or the resort’s in-house chefs are available to prepare the food onsite.

There’s a state of the art cinema, too, for film screenings of guests’ choice and two female Ms. Fridays (private butlers) are available 24/7 to see to any requests, whether it’s a private snorkeling trip to remote reefs with a female marine biologist or an indulgent picnic on a deserted island. And whilst guests rarely want to leave the Private Reserve, all the facilities of the main resort are simply a short boat ride away.

For enquiries and reservations, please contact Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives at tel: +960 664 0304 or email: [email protected]. For more information, please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.

Fact Box

Based on 8 people sharing, the Private Reserve rates start at $13,870 USD / night (excluding taxes.)

A 2-day Spa Journey – $445 +++

A 3-day Spa Journey – $570 +++

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About Gili Lankanfushi – the Maldives’ jewel in the crown

Award winning private island and resort Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20 minutes by speedboat from Male’ international airport – where guests enjoy a luxurious barefoot existence and 360° views of the Indian Ocean with its white waves breaking gently over the house reef.

Enjoy naturally chic accommodation and a 24/7 Mr. Friday butler service.  The resort’s 45 huge over water villas with outdoor showers, including the secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy and space.

Highlights include diverse fine dining (many ingredients grown in the organic garden), a chocolate cave, a jungle cinema, ample water sport options, a coral restoration programme and the holistic Meera Spa. Gili Lankanfushi offers an authentic, luxurious experience that embraces its natural surroundings.

Based on 2 people sharing, the opening category of Villa Suites’ rates start at $1,385 USD / night (excluding taxes)

www.gili-lankanfushi.com

For media enquiries:

Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives

Tammy Gan

Marketing Communications Manager

Tel: +960 664 0304

Email: [email protected]

MALDIVES, July 2017: Gili Lankanfushi is delighted to announce the appointment of David Stepetic as General Manager. Over the past five years, the resort has set the benchmark for barefoot and understated luxury in the Maldives, with 45 sophisticated over-water villas and a serious commitment to sustainability.

David Stepetic joins Gili Lankanfushi from Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives, where he held the position of General Manager for three years. Within the role, he became an expert on the country and brings with him an abundance of local knowledge to make sure that Gili Lankanfushi will always be an island that stands apart, offering its guests a truly authentic and intimate experience.

Prior to that, David was the General Manager of Laucala Island Resort, an exclusive 25 room resort in Fiji.

A U.S. National, David has more than 25 years of luxury hospitality management experience, and spent 19 of those years with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in various Food and Beverage and senior management capacities. His experience has taken him from roles in America and Asia, to the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

David is an avid naturalist and feels most at home in an island setting. He has a keen interest in ornithology and looks forward to getting to know the island’s wildlife and further developing the recently unveiled marine biology centre, Gili Veshi.

“Gili Lankanfushi is a name that is renowned the world over for its passionate approach to creating a guest experience that goes beyond just luxury accommodation and a beautiful beach. I truly believe it is an island for all the senses and I am looking forward to working with the team to keep developing unforgettable and bespoke experiences for both our new and longstanding guests” said David.

Stephen Lau, Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts says “We are very excited for David to be joining the Gili Lankanfushi family. He brings with him a wealth of experience both from his early years with Four Seasons, a brand synonymous with seamless service and refined hospitality, and his many years as a General Manager of island resort properties. David understands, more than most, the importance of a personal and inclusive approach while making sure guests are enjoying nothing but unrivalled privacy, in the beautiful settings of our secluded island sanctuary.”

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start at $1,440 per night on a room-only basis, based on double occupancy in a Villa suite. Rates are subject to taxes.

Call +960 664 0304 / Email [email protected]

www.gili-lankanfushi.com

For media enquiries, contact:

Tammy Gan, Marketing Communications Manager, Gili Lankanfushi

Email: [email protected]

BIRD Travel PR

[email protected] / +44 (0) 20 7112 882

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Editor’s note: Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Malé international airport.

Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.