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Gili Lankanfushi

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About

#1 of 1 resort in Lankanfushi
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2023 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is a short 20 minute boat ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives. It is a tiny coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villas. The forty four stilted villas plus the vast Private Reserve are crafted in a traditional style from natural materials and offer rooftop and over-water sundecks, featuring open air bathrooms, sumptuous daybeds and a personal entertainment center. For ultimate privacy, we have seven Crusoe Residences that are only accessible by personal boat. Come ashore for some great dining and equally great wines or perhaps a romantic moonlit dinner delivered right to the villa. The possibilities are endless. The interior decoration has been devised to recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and traditional fabrics, whilst still offering all the modern day amenities and creature comforts of true luxury. At Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives we are very sensitive to the environment. The utmost care has been taken in developing the island with respect to its ecological balance. The Maldives is a paradise for snorkeling and diving and the resort has its own fully equipped PADI diving school plus a variety of water sports. This place tops the list of must-do destinations for those seeking the aquatic paradise.
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Free breakfast
Beach
Bicycles available
Babysitting
Books, DVDs, music for children
Wifi
Hot bath
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Plunge pool
Shallow end in pool
Yoga classes
Yoga room
Fitness / spa changing rooms
Fitness classes
Sauna
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Kid-friendly buffet
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Poolside bar
Boating
Diving
Snorkelling
Tennis court
Water sport equipment rentals
Windsurfing
Bicycle tours
Billiards
Entertainment staff
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Table tennis
Walking tours
Children's playground
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Kids' outdoor play equipment
Highchairs available
Spa
Body wrap
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Foot bath
Foot massage
Full body massage
Hand massage
Head massage
Makeup services
Manicure
Massage
Neck massage
Open-air bath
Pedicure
Steam room
Waxing services
Rooftop terrace
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Chapel / shrine
Concierge
Currency exchange
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shops
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
Butler service
Umbrella
24-hour check-in
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Private beach
Additional bathroom
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bidet
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Room service
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
On-demand films
iPod docking station
Walk-in shower
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Ocean view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish, Arabic and 9 more
Hotel links
Special Rate:Book Direct Exclusive: Half Board Benefit
4,416Reviews189Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Sandra wrote a review Yesterday
Budapest, Hungary166 contributions11 helpful votes
The first time I was on Gili, it was a great experience. The food, the service, the beauty of the island, the villas... But this time it was even better. I don't know how to explain it, but somehow everything is at an even higher level of quality. Plus the weather was perfect. My Mr. Friday (butler) this time was Zubba and I can say he is awesome. From sunset surprises for me to complete care during my stay. All the team members were excellent, from the spa center to the diving center to the waiters... Perfect service and friendly approach, without artificiality and fake smiles. Now I understand why Gili has so many returnees (and appreciates them). As a special feature, I would add an excellent plant-based/vegan menu. The most delicious vegan food I've ever eaten. The eggplant steak was such that no fine dining restaurant would be ashamed of it. See you again Gili!
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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timeout74 wrote a review Oct 2023
Cheshire, United Kingdom78 contributions12 helpful votes
+1
Hotel's Favourite
We travelled, as a couple, in early October and stayed 12 nights on this wonderful island. This is our 6th island we have visited in the Maldives and is by far the best!! There is so much already said in the reviews so we wanted to highlight what made this holiday so special for us….. Having landed at 8:45 in the morning, to being in our Villa by 10 a.m., looking out over the most enchanting lagoon, we knew we had made a great choice. This was our first island we visited that had a speedboat transfer and we found it such an upside both on arrival, and particularly, being able to leave 15 minutes before your return flight check in time is very relaxing. It also meant we felt like we got at least ½ a day extra on the holiday which for shorter breaks could be important. The whole design of the island is unpretentious luxury. It is hard to pull off a feeling of such sophistication when the concept is rustic Robinson Crusoe. Gili has nailed it. We took our shoes off as we left Male and didn’t put them back on until we returned. Such a small thing had such a big effect on us, shifting down gear and feeling more connected. The rooms are the best we have been in anywhere in the world. They are huge, based on two floors with the showstopper being an open-air lounge at the centre which overlooks the step-down deck into the lagoon. The feeling of being in the open air, taking regular dips in the worlds natural sand-based swimming pool, was the most relaxing experience of our lives. The rooms are a testament to building using wood which we also found connected us to the nature that surrounded us and again helped us switch off. It sounds obvious, however, being able to have the outdoor lounge separate from the air conditioning of the bedroom which we could keep sealed off worked perfectly for us. It felt like a home. And we must mention Waheed who kept our Villa so well and gave us little treats like a special rose covered bath and lovely bed art. The island itself is very pretty with large palm lined beaches and a lush jungle interior. As is often the case the island is manicured beautifully, full of vegetation and at Gili with the addition of no mosquito bites!! The facilities are thoughtful and done in a way that blends in with the island. You can tell that maintenance is very key to the management with a constant drive to improve and upgrade. This was particularly evident as we arrived during the opening of the updated Overwater Bar which is the perfect spot for watching the sun go down whilst having cocktails and a canape. The spa was hands down the best we have ever been to, its location above the lagoon is beautiful and the calmness and skill of the team take those stresses away. Sara and Kamal are just lovely. We tried several activities: Sunset Dhoni – was so special, calm, and romantic. Cheese and wine tasting – was special, the setting is unique, underground with the table made of a tree trunk which was chosen with such sentiment. Raman our sommelier was professional and generous with his knowledge. We were a little tipsy when emerging 😄. Sunset Dolphin cruise – those creatures are so magical and playful, and we were blessed to be joined by our waiter Wabbe and Stefanie. Cooking classes – we learnt to cook a Maldivian fish curry which we have already tried since getting home. Hari was very kind to send a few recipes for us on our return (the acai bowls at breakfast became an obsession of ours). Marine Biologist snorkelling – she is so knowledgeable and welcoming, and you can tell passionate about the work Gili do to improve the coral and sealife locally. We would recommend this complementary activity. That brings us onto the food which for us is the standout. We have done lots of fine dining and, in some ways, more formal settings in the Maldives, however, this was some of the best food we have ever eaten. Chef Hari and Chef Francis have created something so distinctive. Unfussy yet so tasty and creative. There are two main venues where we ate during our time; Kashivelli where your feet kiss the sand for breakfast and dinner, and By The Sea, a magical setting serving sumptuous Japanese and Teppanyaki. For drinks the Overwater Bar which re-opened as we arrived, its name says it all, serves the best Spicy Margaritta in the world! Niang was so lovely, do make sure you get chance to chat with her as she makes you feel at home and is very funny. Somewhat magically, it felt like there were 10 venues as the culinary voyage you go on, with different buffets and a la carte, means that even sat at the same table your surrounding change around you. A charming rotating set of feasts whilst your feet stay connected to the soft sands next to the lapping lagoon. Our favourite nights were the Indian and Asian Street Food market, Hari has created these culinary journeys that overwhelm your senses and are delectable. Wabbe our server throughout was stupendous! He got to know us to a point where he felt like a friend. He knew what we liked and gave us so many treats, including a specially set dinner for our last night and handmade gifts. He is such a talent – try and make sure he can look after you! The Japanese is just incredible, both as a setting and what is on offer, try the Bento box for lunch, and the Tuna dinner was as good as we have tasted. Hadif looked after us at By The Sea and is so interesting and we loved his ambition – congratulations on becoming captain Hadif! Chef Micho who has been at Gili for over 20 years is the star of the Japanese. Gayan, our sommelier did the perfect Sake pairing which we would recommend. We tried the Teppanyaki which was great fun and again the setting was remarkable. Chef Novy was really talented and hilarious – for any Liverpool FC fans out there he doesn’t need much prompting to sing ‘you’ll never walk alone’. Breakfast at Kashivelli was so fresh with so many offerings and some of the best coffee which Gili has hand chosen. Watch out for the Maldivian Crane Bob if you choose Sushi 😳. We could go on, and, as others have said, that whilst the hardware of the island is so well done what makes this space special is the team/family there. We lost our dog of 14 years whilst at Gili and the staff were so caring and thoughtful. Our Mr Friday Miffy was so kind and professional and was always on the look out to make our stay special. Whilst Miffy had a short break, to see his gorgeous son, we were looked after by Shanny who was also amazing. Nikolas, the GM, has created a special environment with a team that feel like they really enjoy their jobs and are like a family. Rodrigo, the Resort Manager, always sought us out for a conversation and he is so talented and cares about the culture that he and Nikolas are creating at Gili. It made us reflect a lot about how to create teams that care so much about their jobs but also each other, a family. And we could go on, such professional people yet so charming and funny; Riyaaz, Shiyaan, Monika, Lolz, Toby, Irufaan, Aslam – we will only have missed so many for which we apologise as you all deserve a mention! Thank you to Gili and the team there. We can’t not give a special shout out to Wabbe he was our stand-out member of the Gili team. We left with heavy hearts (as the team threw Wabbe into the sea as they waved us goodbye 😂), however we felt reenergised, reconnected with each other, which is no mean feet after 30 years together!, and importantly for us we had slowed down. Well, our final message to Gili is you have ruined the rest of the Maldives for us, as we only want to come back to you, you have a special place in our hearts.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Response from Nicolas K, General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 29 Oct 2023
Dear timeout74, Wow, what an incredibly detailed and heartfelt review! We can't thank you enough for sharing your fantastic experience at Gili Lankanfushi. We are thrilled to hear that it exceeded your expectations and became your favorite among the islands you've visited in the Maldives. We are humbled to know that you cherished every aspect of your stay, from the seamless speedboat transfer to the open-air rustic luxury of the island. We understand the significance of those moments where you could take off your shoes and truly connect with the surroundings. Your vivid description of the ove-rwater villa and their thoughtful design is much appreciated. We're delighted that you found itto be your best accommodation anywhere in the world, and that it felt like a home away from home. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the small but meaningful touches provided by our team, particularly Waheed, who made your stay memorable with his special gestures. We are also thankful for your compliments regarding the spa, the various activities you tried, and the marine biologist snorkeling experience. It's heart warming to see that our team left a significant impression on you. Your rave reviews about the culinary offerings, the diverse dining venues, and the attentive hosts, especially Wabbe, who felt like a friend, make us incredibly proud. We appreciate your recognition of Chef Hari and Chef Francis's culinary creations and the unique dining experiences you enjoyed. We will certainly share your praises with the team members mentioned, including the remarkable Mr. Friday Miffy, Shanny, Rodrigo, and so many more. Your kind sentiments inspire us to continue creating extraordinary moments for our guests. Thank you for choosing Gili Lankanfushi and for this outstanding review. We look forward to the day when you return for a new chapter in your Gili story. Warm regards, Nicolas
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Edith wrote a review Yesterday
Olten, Switzerland1 contribution
Everything was great that's why we stayed for the 4th time at Gili Lankanfushi. I'm sure we will be back soon. We loved to stay in heaven on earth, with nice staff, wonderful environmet and the excellent food.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: March 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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neverending200142024 wrote a review Yesterday
1 contribution
The sea was beautiful, and the sandy beaches and roads were so beautiful that you could spend the whole time barefoot. The breakfast and dinner buffets were so good in variety, volume, and taste that I ended up eating way too much. Makif, our butler, was very nice! I was glad that he was a caring and diligent person who responded to my sudden requests with a smile.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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miyukiland wrote a review 17 Mar
National Parks Japan, Japan1 contribution
We could stay there so comfortably. The reason why was Mr.Friday. The butler of our group was perfect! We really appreciate him. We stayed at the special water bungalow "private reserve" last two days. It was amazing and wonderful! I want to go to Gili Lankanfushi Maldives again. Thank you!
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frank S wrote a review 15 Mar
London, United Kingdom5 contributions4 helpful votes
Wonderful 5 days at this idyllic island , we had a wonderful girl Friday / butler Shanny who was amazing, great snorkelling trip with the marine biologist is a must. The villa was huge , the service very attentive , food was excellent. The speciality food nights were a highlight
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: We stayed in Villa 21 that had lovely views as some villa views were tainted by the next Island...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rodrigo Buanafina, Other at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Frank S, Thank you for taking the time to share a review of your recent visit to Gili Lankanfushi. We are overjoyed to know that you thoroughly enjoyed your holiday, and the our little island of Robinson Crusoe offered a wonderful 5 day experience. I will be sure to pass along your kind words to the orchestrators of this wonderful holiday - from the team at the dive centre, to the Chefs, to your amazing Ms. Friday, Shaany. It would of course be a pleasure to welcome you back in the future, and to help write a new chapter in your Gili story. Warm regards, Rodrigo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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britabroad9 wrote a review 15 Mar
UK195 contributions54 helpful votes
+1
We have only got positives to say about this place and it’s one of the few places in the world where we would consider returning. We had spent the previous two weeks touring southern India and tacking on a stay in the Maldives at the end turned out to be an inspired decision as it’s only an hour flight from kochi so no jet lag for us. We loved the fact that it’s only a 15/20 boat ride from Male made the journey so easy compared to other places we have stayed in the Maldives. That also extends your holiday as you haven’t got to allow yet more travel time so it pays dividends apart from also being a relaxing way to travel. Be aware though that this means it’s not a truly isolated get away room it all place you can see radio masts, the flats that surround Male airport in the far distance plus boat/air traffic to and from the airport/other islands. That didn’t bother us at all and there was no noise but be aware if isolation is important to you. Every aspect of the service from the staff at every level was really good and to constantly deliver on that is really impressive. It was also delivered in a very understated way which was lovely we always felt so looked after. We had a villa suite over the water number 28 and it was perfect and also huge!! We spent so much time in our villa moving from one lovely shady or sunny spot to the next. I would say our room was the best accommodation we have ever stayed. We loved the sun deck on the lower level plus the additional terrace on the upper level which was also perfect for spotting sharks/rays/fish. Water shallower on our side of the island so if swimming/snorkelling from your villa is important may be better to stay on a villa on the other side. The food on offer was stunning and again so well executed. The local fish is the thing to go for as it’s so fresh. Never seen such an extensive breakfast choice it was incredible we wish we could have stayed longer. Plenty of international options like pastries eggs etc for those that prefer. Indian night, Asian street market both highlights but the straight a la carte is a good choice too. Again all food delivered with amazing service. We didn’t do any of the activities having done plenty of that sort of thing before plus having spent two weeks travelling in India we just wanted to relax and that was fine there was no pressure. Our Mr Friday Tesla got the balance right between making us aware of everything but no pressure to do anything. So all the staff were brilliant but a special mention to Tesla who made our stay so enjoyable. We enjoyed his company and he looked after us so well. He is a credit to Gili. Also great service from Bo, aboo and amin In the restaurants. So overall this is an amazing place to stay and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it you won’t be disappointed.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Villa suite 28 is huge such a large amount of living space we loved it
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rodrigo Buanafina, Other at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 2 days ago
Dear britabroad9, Thank you for taking the time to share such a positive and comprehensive review of your recent stay. It is refreshing to see that you had so many highlights to your stay, starting with the short and convenient journey from the international airport. Following a long international flight, there is nothing better than being quickly greeted by one of our hosts at the airport and being whisked away to a speedboat in no time at all. Of course the spacious and rustic villas offer the perfect spit to enjoy the day go by, and I am happy to see that you truly enjoyed the comforts of the villa suite. To the same end, the crystal clear waters that surround the villa are home colorful and vibrant marine life - if you don't feel like snorkeling, then you can simply wait for the fish to come to you. As you have alluded to, however, for those gusts who truly appreciate snorkeling directly from their villa, then the lagoon villas will always offer deep water irrespective of time of day or height of tide. I am also happy to know that your culinary experiences were another highlight. From a bountiful breakfast on the beach, with your feet in the sand, to the iconic food market on Tuesday night, to simply ordering one of the items of the a-la carte menu. Once again thank you for your glowing review, and for trusting us with your holiday. We would be delighted to welcome you back in the future, and to help write another chapter in your Gili story. Warm regards, Rodrigo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Lucy O wrote a review 14 Mar
1 contribution
Pure Paradise. From the moment we stepped off the speedboat, Gili certainly hasn’t disappointed. A very warm welcome by our very own Mr. Friday Zubba. Zubbas continued personal hospitality has been second to none. Nothing is ever a problem and his extra special touches and surprises have given us extra special memories of our holiday. Everything about the island is carefully thought out making it a unique and special place. We will certainly return! Cannot recommend Gili highly enough.
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Date of stay: March 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rodrigo Buanafina, Other at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 4 days ago
Dear Lucy O, Thank you for taking the time to share this 5-star review of your recent visit to Gili Lankanfushi. It is clear that what shone above all was the warm and attentive service provided by your Mr. Friday, Zubba. I will be sure to pass along your kind words, which will no doubt serve as motivation for him. Thank you also for your strong recommendation to others and for expressing a desire to return in the future. We look forward to welcoming you back, and to helping write another chapter in your Gili story. Warm regards, Rodrigo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Linda wrote a review 13 Mar
2 contributions
+1
I went here for the first time with my partner who’s been at the Gili Lankanfushi many times before. It was my best holiday experience ever. Everything is so beautiful, and every little thing in our lagoon villa was just so amazing. And our Mr Friday - Miffy did our time there fantastic. The staff was so friendly and helpful. We tried different spa treatments and they were amazing. We also tried snorkelling, surfing and went on a dolphin cruise. I really enjoyed everything and hopefully we come back soon.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Rodrigo Buanafina, Other at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 5 days ago
Dear lindalindell, Thank you for taking the time to share such a charming review of your recent visit to Gili Lankanfushi. It was a pleasure to welcome you to our little island of Robinson Crusoe, and to share with you a little of the Gili Magic. I am overjoyed to know that there were a number of highlights to your stay, from the relaxing treatments in Meera Spa, to the surfing and snorkeling, to the friendly service from the team. I will be sure to also pass along your kind words to your Mr. Friday, who helped orchestrate this wonderful holiday experience. It would be a true pleasure to welcome you back soon, for more adventures, and more Gili stories. Warm regards, Rodrigo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Jamie M wrote a review 13 Mar
1 contribution
I could write for days about our fantastic stay at Gili Lankanfushi and STILL not hit all the high points. But let me try...... :) Planning was top notch and despite communicating from half way around the world in the US, emails were responded to quickly and queries answered clearly. Arrival was simple. The moment we stepped out of the Arrivals door at Male Airport, our "Airport Friday" waved us over and grabbed our bags for us. We were prepared to wait for other guests, but were quickly whisked through the busy airport straight to our "Boat Friday". The boat was well-appointed with 3 crew members just for the 2 of us! It is HOT and HUMID in Male (especially contradictory to the cold US winter we came from), so the scented ice cold towels were appreciated and refreshing. They were quickly followed by champagne and our brief (but enjoyable) boat ride to the island. The water is pure bliss -- I had never seen water that color before -- blending from aqua to turquoise to sensational royal blue. If we didn't already feel spoiled, we were greeted at the Arrival Jetty in Gili by 5 hosts including Nicholas the GM. We waved excitedly back at them all as we nearly jumped off the boat to begin this vacation. As promised, this is where we met our personal "Mr. Friday", Tesla. His massive grin and warm greeting made us immediately feel at home. (And they were surprised that we had already learned a few words in the local language so that we could at least say "hello" and "thank you".) Truly impressive is the fact that despite arriving at 8am, we were told we would be able to get into our villa within 45 minutes (after a short island tour -- completely fun!). We were entirely prepared to sit at the pool all day next to our baggage, but we were led straight to the breakfast at Kashiveli and enjoyed a whole bonus day in our villa. Tesla checked us in officially in our villa and it was easy as can be. He had a full day-by-day schedule printed out that included our requests, but also some suggestions for meals/excursions. Please note this is EASILY editable. Gili is all about accommodating your interests, so these truly are just suggestions. Sometimes we even changed plans day of just because we had such an amazing lunch that we didn't need a formal dinner! It will be important to have a way of communicating with your Mr. Friday. I suggest downloading WhatsApp to do so. Since that's not a popular app in America, we ended up using DM's via Instagram. The accomodations! We stayed in the Villa with Pool (#19!) and it was perfection. Our Hospitality team led by Ibrahim was fantastic. The house was spotless from top to bottom. Only the bedroom is air-conditioned, which was perfect for sleeping. The bathroom got very hot in the evening getting ready for dinner, but we just took toiletries to the bedroom and got ready in the cool. We enjoyed sunrises up on the rooftop deck while checking in via great WiFi connections with our kids, friends, and family. One day the WiFi didn't work and within minutes a hotspot was brought to our room. Amazing service. We did wonder if we were to do it again, would we get the villa with pool and my answer is YES! The ocean is shallow on that side of the island most of the day, so having the pool for a full soak was amazing. There is a gorgeous pool near Fini Foni, but we actually never used it because we had our own. The food! I can't say enough about the variety, quality, and creativity here. We will eat anything (and so...we tried EVERYTHING!) Our favorite breakfast was the Maldivian breakfast via buffet at Kashiveli. Tuna with sambal and morniga leaves for breakfast? YES - just do it. But that does raise a good point -- if you are not an adventurous eater, you won't get to enjoy the full experience of Gili. It's a foodie's paradise, while still serving croissants and eggs a la carte. (And yes, the waffles are amazing!!!) But if you are going to pay for food this exquisite, you should want to eat it. (The huevos rancheros are not to be missed.) I would be hard-pressed to imagine bringing my kids here because there are picky eaters and would be better served at an all-inclusive in the Caribbean. This was definitely OUR dream come true, but many of our friends and family would struggle with the cuisine. So that was just BREAKFAST! We didn't think we would eat lunch much, but after loads of activity, we were hungry for it every day and enjoyed a small lunch at Overwater Bar. Our waiters, Aboo and Ameen, were attentive and enjoyable. They made great suggestions and learned what we liked (adding spice to things or anticipating drink orders by the end of the week.) We recommend the plant-based local bowl and butter chicken pizza! Dinner was a daily adventure. We chose not to go to the By the Sea restaurant in favor of the Culinary Journey at Kashiveli each night. And it was a journey!!! So much food...and it's all lovely. Favorites: Chai tea station on Indian night (a true performance!) and the Asian Street Market (the Sri Lankan station!) felt like being transported to a bustling market (but on the beach!!). We also enjoyed two special dinners. One was a surprise (!) set up on Palm Beach with the table dug into the sand and a private chef and waiter with a pre-selected menu. Tesla helped plan the surprise which turned into an engagement!! Another night there was a pop-up dinner on the Jetty 3 beach with live music and a pre-set menu. You do have to sign up for these special dinners, but it's very easy to do so with your Friday. (In fact, Tesla always would tell us the day before anything that we may want to sign up for to ensure we had a spot -- and there was never an issue -- it's a small island with few guests.) Excursions! We enjoyed the complimentary snorkeling with Jocelyn and Hayley, dolphin cruise with Vivian, wine and cheese tasting (that room is INSANE wow!) with Gyan, and Island Hopping/dolphin cruise with Tesla. I recommend them ALL. We swam with black tip reef sharks (sounds scary, but we were reminded they are the "labradors of the ocean") and eagle rays, saw spinner dolphins, and visited the local island Huraa (cover up for this visit, ladies. I didn't and wish I had.) The Maldivian people.....ahhhh....LOVELY. The grins, giggles, and the stories! These people live in paradise and love to tell you about it. (And for us, there was so much to learn!) It was interesting to find that so many other guests were on their second, third, or even FOURTH trip to Gili! If that doesn't say a lot about why to visit, I don't know what would! We were spoiled again upon check-out as our flight didn't leave until 7pm and we were graced with another bonus full day in the villa. Again, not expected, and completely appreciated. All of our documents for immigration were prepped by Tesla (wow, hadn't even thought about that!), as well as our boat transfer and delivery by our Airport Friday straight to customs. (A good thing too as the airport was PACKED and we somehow ended up in an express lane!) Tesla -- I can't say enough. Our Mr. Friday was kind, thoughtful, expressly accommodating, and funny to boot! I know I'm forgetting lots of great details as I write this, but I hope it's clear that Gili Lankanfushi is worth it. The time, the money, the location. We studied locations all over the world and this was our first time in Asia. And we are now spoiled for it. We still have a lot of exploring to do, but it's hard to imagine anything better than the Maldives, Gili, and Tesla. Will we be back? Time will tell. But, I hope so......... :)
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Response from Rodrigo Buanafina, Other at Gili Lankanfushi
Responded 4 days ago
Dear jamiemS1797PG, Thank you for sharing such a positive and thorough review of your recent visit to Gili Lankanfushi. Reading your detailed and glowing account of your stay at Gili Lankanfushi is humbling. Your words encapsulate the essence of what we strive to offer – memorable experiences, which are personalised and genuine yet understated. We are delighted to hear that every aspect of your journey, from the initial planning stages (from he other side of the world) to the final farewell, exceeded your expectations. Your appreciation for our planning, prompt communication, and seamless transitions from arrival to departure is deeply gratifying. Knowing that our team, from Airport Fridays to Mr. Friday Tesla, left such a positive impression on you is delightful. Your description of the arrival experience, complete with refreshing towels and a warm welcome, paints a vivid picture of the care and attention to detail that defines the Gili Lankanfushi experience. We are thrilled that you felt immediately at home and pampered upon stepping onto our little island of Robinson Crusoe. We are also happy to know that there were numerous other highlights to your stay, from the accommodations, dining options, to the excursions. We take great pride in offering a diverse array of culinary delights and unique experiences, ensuring that each guest's preferences are catered to with the utmost care and attention. This first chapter in your Gili story, is certainly a memorable one, and we are delighted that you were able to celebrate such a momentous occasion in your lives. I will be sure to pass along your appreciation to the team, including your Mr. Friday Tesla. It would be a pleasure to welcome you back in the future, for more adventures and more Gili stories. Warm regards, Rodrigo
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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PRICE RANGE
£1,034 - £1,916 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MaldivesKaafu AtollNorth Male AtollLankanfushi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
45
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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GILI LANKANFUSHI - Updated 2024 Reviews (Maldives)

Frequently Asked Questions about Gili Lankanfushi
Which popular attractions are close to Gili Lankanfushi?
Nearby attractions include Jafana Park (1.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Gili Lankanfushi?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Gili Lankanfushi?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at Gili Lankanfushi?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Gili Lankanfushi?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sea Salt, Sunset Lounge, and Sea Breeze Cafe.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Gili Lankanfushi?
Yes, guests have access to a pool, a fitness centre, and a sauna during their stay.
Is Gili Lankanfushi located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the centre of Lankanfushi.
Are any cleaning services offered at Gili Lankanfushi?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Gili Lankanfushi?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Portuguese, Hindi, and Japanese.
Are there any historical sites close to Gili Lankanfushi?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Mulee Aage (8.9 miles).
Does Gili Lankanfushi have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.