September opening for Maldives resort

Posted by Danielle Harvey on 25 September 2020

Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives Credit: Stevie Mann Much-loved secluded paradise Gili Lankanfushi in the Maldives, has reopened its doors this month to the delight of newlyweds and nearlyweds everywhere. The idyllic honeymoon destination comprises 45 spacious villas spread over three jetties, and offers guests the utmost privacy in awe-inspiring natural surroundings. Gili Lankanfushi has spent its unexpected closure developing its new health and safety protocol and refined guest experiences to ensure a safe and stress-free island escape for guests.

Whilst Gili Lankanfushi is a spacious, low-density resort in an isolated location, where guests can distance from one another at ease, they have developed extensive Covid-19 health and safety guidelines to ensure the safety of guests and hosts. Following a short and private 20-minute speedboat ride from Male, guests' temperatures will be taken on arrival to the resort, and a health declaration will be required.

The resort's dining destinations and Meera Spa are naturally built to allow for social distancing, and there will be the availability of hand sanitiser and face masks in public areas. Guest rooms will be cleaned using new high-tech disinfecting equipment and the housekeeping hosts will be provided with protective equipment to ensure the safety of themselves and guests. The pool and beach seating and loungers will be spread out and sanitised after use, as well the equipment at the gym and spa.

The Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi Total seclusion - privacy on a scale unequalled in the Maldives Gili Lankanfushi is an ideal destination for guests seeking a post-lockdown retreat in total seclusion with options for ultra-private accommodation.

The Private Reserve, at 1,700m2, is the largest overwater villa in the world, with a location 500m from the island and 300m from the nearest residence. Comprising five vast buildings, linked by open-air walkways, it offers four bedrooms with spectacular lagoon views, extensive private living space and open-air bathrooms, as well as a well-equipped gym, pampering private spa with sauna and steam room, open-air private cinema with cosy seating and large open-sided dining area - perfect for extravagant feasts by a private chef.

Outdoor space includes a sparkling infinity pool and waterslide directly into the lagoon, where guests will find corals, reef fish and eagle rays drifting through the shallows. Guests can also take out the resort's boats for tranquil days at sea.

Alternatively, seven Crusoe Residences also offer complete solitude, with a private location in the lagoon, accessible only by boat. Flexible living arrangements can create one or two bedrooms, in addition to an open-air bathroom with private coral garden, roof terrace and sun deck with direct ocean access.

To book: Guests can exclusively hire The Private Reserve from $74,970 for 7 nights for up to 8 guests including daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (+ minibar and beverages), 60-minute massages, a snorkelling trip with the resident marine biologist, a luxury yacht experience, manta ray excursion and daily private yoga classes.

The Meera Spa at Gili Lankanfushi The Meera Spa - emotional wellbeing and physical immunity Wellbeing and balance in body and soul is central to Gili Lankanfushi's ethos and the Meera Spa offers holistic healing in a spectacular overwater setting: open air walkways link the treatment rooms, steam room and sauna with the vast relaxation areas. The range of global therapies, draw on age old cultures and knowledge, and therapeutic treatments use Meera products created on the island from the finest oceanic and plant extracts. Recognising that strengthening our defences and taking care of our emotional wellbeing is more important than ever, the immersive wellness journeys, which range from one to five days in length, include bespoke and restorative experiences with long-lasting benefits. All programmes are tailored to guest needs with a choice of experiences ranging from lymphatic drainage to encourage cell regeneration, points therapy such as 'Chi New Tsang' for abdominal relief, crystal healing to balance the inner chakra and a purifying 'four hands, one heart' massage to relieve stress and anxiety.

Gili Lankanfushi also offers new active programmes which combine surfing or scuba diving with tailored spa treatments to allow guests to reach their full potential whether under the sea or riding the waves.

Dining at Gili Lankanfushi Dining - fresh, seasonal and new plant-based menus from ocean to plate, Gili Lankanfushi's gastronomic vision embraces the bounty of the surrounding waters alongside carefully sourced seasonal ingredients, which feature across the island's three restaurants; Kashiveli, By the Sea and Overwater Bar.

Executive Chef Hari Govindaraj oversees the culinary vision on the island, with a penchant for nourishing plant-based dishes that celebrate local ingredients sourced from the resort's very own organic garden. Chef Hari's signature dishes include Pan Seared 'Scallops' made from home-grown daikon; Aloe Vera Coconut Ceviche; and indulgent ginger dairy-free ice cream. For those in no rush to leave the comfort and privacy of their villa, Gili Lankanfushi offers a full in-villa dining service throughout the day, with specially-designed menus of delicious dishes, and remote destination dining experiences, ranging from secluded, lantern-lit feasts amongst the towering palms of Palm Beach to private sunset cruises with locally-sourced spreads.

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from $1,440 per night on a room-only basis, based on double occupancy: check out www.gililankanfushi.com