Every villa over the water, with rooftop terraces and catamaran nets above the lagoon.
Gili Lankanfushi is all overwater: every villa stands on stilts in the lagoon, built from natural wood and thatch, with a rooftop terrace, a catamaran net to lie on over the sea and steps straight into the water. Shoes come off on arrival, and each guest gets a bamboo bicycle for the island.
The smallest villas are 210 m², which is large by Maldives standards. The Crusoe Residences stand alone in the lagoon and are reached only by boat, while The Private Reserve, 1,700 m² with its own spa, cinema, gym and waterslide, is one of the largest overwater villas anywhere.
It is only 30 minutes by speedboat from the airport, so you lose very little of the first and last day. Each villa has a Mr. or Ms. Friday on call around the clock, and the resort runs coral-restoration work led by its marine biologists.
There are no beach villas and no kids club, so it suits couples best, although several residences sleep a family of four. Drinks aren't included in the meal plans and add up quickly.
A two-level suite for couples, with an open-air living room, a rooftop terrace and a sundeck with catamaran nets and steps into the coral gardens.
King bed and daybed
The Villa Suite with an extended sundeck and a 19 m² infinity pool that seems to run straight into the lagoon.
King bed and daybed
A thatched two-storey villa facing the sunset, with a private water hammock and a rooftop terrace.
King bed and daybed
On the sunrise side, two en-suite bedrooms, an L-shaped 32 m² pool, a large living and dining room, and a rooftop terrace.
King bed in the master; en-suite guest room
At the far end of the western jetty, two en-suite bedrooms, a private workout room, a rooftop swing and exclusive access to the tiny Three Palm Island.
King bed and daybed in the master; en-suite guest room
At the quiet end of Jetty 1, with an air-conditioned living room for a family of four and a rooftop terrace for sleeping under the stars.
King bed and daybed; two daybeds in the living room
A two-level residence with a sea-side hammock, an air-conditioned living room and a rooftop terrace.
King bed and daybed; two daybeds in the living room
A 24 m² infinity pool facing the Indian Ocean, a large catamaran net and open-plan living with sea views.
King bed and daybed; two daybeds in the living room
One of three standalone residences in the lagoon, reached by your own motor boat, with sunset views and netted daybeds over the water.
King bed and daybed; living room converts to a second bedroom
A standalone residence reached by boat, with glass floor panels over the reef and views back to a local island.
King bed and daybed; living room converts to a second bedroom
A multi-level overwater reserve with an infinity pool, a slide into its own lagoon, a cinema, a couples' spa with sauna and steam room, a gym and a yacht for arrivals.
Two en-suite master bedrooms and two en-suite guest rooms
The same resort and the same villa, booked through people who live here.
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Japanese fusion
International and local dishes, with themed market nights
Drinks, light meals and the full-board set lunch
Handmade popsicles, ice cream and natural cocktails
Garden tours and meals from the resort's own produce
Wine and chocolate tastings, plus a deli room
Ayurvedic rituals, massage and organic facials
Coral restoration and guided reef snorkels with the resident marine biologists
Surf lessons and guided trips to nearby breaks
The shape comes from OpenStreetMap, simplified: a guide to the layout, not a survey. © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A 30-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport, about 20 km away.
Dates, budget, who is coming. We will come back with three resorts that fit, and why.
