GILI LANKANFUSHI
LUXURIOUS AUTHOR EXPERIENCES
My passion for the Maldives is widely known and I obviously didn't mind coming back here every year! Staying at Gili Lankanfushi was one of those huge dreams, and like all the dreams I have, I wanted to pursue it passionately and decisively, until the day came and I was able to write my Gili Story!
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives has been voted the best resort in the world several times, a pioneer in the implementation of sustainable development policy, and in concepts such as “Barefoot Luxury”, “No News No Shoes” and “Mr. Friday ”.
This is the place where we enter as guests, leave as friends and return as a family! Perhaps that is the explanation for an impressive 70% repeater rate. What is certain is that after I was there I realized why!
The resort is located just 15 minutes by boat from the Maldives International airport. The unbelievable experience begins even at the airport where I am received by the Gili Lankanfushi team that accompanies me throughout the process!
NEW CONCEPTS
Once in the transfer the magic begins and the concept “Barefoot” and “No News No Shoes” is introduced. It was there that I last glimpsed some kind of footwear throughout my Gili adventure.
No matter how many times you visit the Maldives, getting to one of these resort islands is always a thrill. Contemplate the blue palette that merges with the vegetation, all the surrounding white sand and culminate at the pier with a warm welcome from the resort team.
Clearly this was the most extraordinary place I have ever visited. Each of us has its own concept of luxury. Mine is based on several factors: privacy, space, location, service and customization and here I found all these aspects in an unbeatable way!
The resort consists of 45 villas, all located on the water, with generous dimensions - between 200 and 1700 square meters - built entirely in wood and with all the amenities that we can imagine.
At Gili everything is personalized, from the weight and type of pillows to the linen of the sheets, the essences and amenities (organic and produced at the resort), among other preferences. At the online pre-check-in - right after confirming the reservation - I received a document where I was able to customize just about everything.
Sleeping in these Villas is in itself a unique experience, and we can even do it on the terrace “sleeping with the stars”, lulled by the sound of the sea, the warm breeze and the Gili spirit that you feel from the first second. The various decks, hammocks and beds invite you to enjoy the panoramic view of the magnificent lagoon with crystal clear and warm waters, which is impossible to resist!
The Villa is the center of the world in Gili, but there is much more. The trip includes two options, Miss Friday MIKI and its electric cart or the bamboo bikes that are great companions of adventure and available to all guests. And it is in the famous “Bamboo Bikes” that guests go to breakfast, to surf, diving, snorkeling, cinema “under the stars” and even to the wonderful Meera Spa.
GASTRONOMY
Gastronomy is another highlight of the resort. Chef HARI's mastery and love for gastronomy is revealed in every detail. It all starts in the fabulous organic garden where chef HARI and his team have dozens of aromatic herbs, vegetables and legumes available every day that make all dishes special.
The offer is vast and coordinated by the fantastic Rodrigo, a Brazilian with a history in Portugal and who has now settled on Gili. At your disposal is the Khashiveli Restaurant - place for breakfast and some dinners - the Overwater Bar - where the menu Hari´s Super Foods - By The Sea - a Japanese restaurant - Fini Foni - with the best ice cream world - the Adega Subterrânea - with a fantastic offer of wines and products for tasting, where you can also find Portuguese products - and the Dinner Experience where we can have a meal in a special place, desert island, beach or platform.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
All buildings at Gili are built with teak wood, palm wood, bamboo and palm leaves of sustainable origin (many of which were harvested during the island's rehabilitation process). All rooms offer organic toiletries with refillable ceramic containers, in order to minimize the use and waste of plastics. The island's desalination plant provides sparkling and still mineral water to all guests.
EarthCheck is the largest environmental certification program used by the travel and tourism industry. Through a battery of annual benchmarking tests and assessments, EarthCheck helps companies, communities and governments to assess and reduce their environmental footprint in order to improve sustainability and reduce their impact on the environment, while reducing costs operational. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives also develops a series of environmental projects with emphasis on “The Coral Lines” - a kind of underwater clothesline where corals grow and are later transplanted to the reefs.
GILI EXPERIENCES
In addition to resting, being on the beach, diving in the hot water, enjoying a paradisiacal setting, excellent cuisine and a unique service... we can always have a surf lesson with TropicSurf, snorkeling or diving with the team of marine biologists, diving lessons tennis and cooking, deep sea fishing, various excursions and even going out on one of the magnificent yachts to discover deserted islands!
Everything at Gili is thought out in detail, everything is adjusted to our needs and preferences and there is nothing impossible! At the end of the experience I can clearly state that Gili Lankanfushi Maldives was the best hotel / resort I have visited so far, the one that made me smile the most and where I was very happy!