Aerial view
Breakfast on the terrace
There are few things more closely associated with the Maldives than an overwater villa. A private island comes a close second. At Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, guests no longer have to choose between the two.
The resort has transformed its former Two Bedroom Sunset Villa into the new Gili Lagoon Retreat, a 369-square-metre hideaway that pairs overwater living with direct access to Three Palm Island, a secluded stretch of sand now reserved for guests staying in the villa.
Set on Jetty 3, one of the resort’s prime spots for sunset views, the two-bedroom retreat is connected to the island by a newly built 65-metre walkway. The result is an unusual set-up even by Maldivian standards: guests can step straight from their villa into the lagoon, then cross the walkway to their own beach and miniature sandbank.
It gives the retreat two quite different sides. Mornings can begin on Three Palm Island, where the sun rises across the water and a private breakfast can be arranged on the sand. Later in the day, guests can return to the villa’s deck for a swim in the lagoon or make the most of Jetty 3’s west-facing position as the sun goes down.
Guest bedroom
“The Gili Lagoon Retreat really offers the best of both worlds: the romance and privacy of an overwater villa, together with the feeling of having your own beach and island,” says Rodrigo Buanafina, General Manager of Gili Lankanfushi Maldives. “In the Maldives, these are two quintessential experiences that are traditionally offered separately, but the new walkway means Three Palm Island is now part of the villa experience.
“Guests can simply wander across to their own stretch of beach and sandbank for a sunrise breakfast, afternoon picnic or sunset drinks, and, for families in particular, it makes the whole experience much more seamless. Above all, we wanted to create that sense of freedom and castaway adventure that has always been such an important part of Gili Lankanfushi.”
Designed primarily for up to four guests, the retreat carries the resort’s relaxed approach to luxury into a layout that gives everyone plenty of room to spread out.
The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, daybed and en-suite bathroom, while the second bedroom comes with its own en-suite, outdoor shower and pantry. At the centre of the villa is a large deck overlooking the lagoon, with a dining area, overwater sun deck and steps leading directly into the ocean.
Living area © Sandro Bruecklmeier
Inside, a living and dining space is joined by a pantry with a mini wine chiller. There is also a private steam room and a wellness and workout room, allowing guests to exercise without leaving the villa.
The bathroom continues the resort’s preference for open-air living. Semi-open to the elements, it includes a bathtub and a separate glass-walled shower, as well as its own direct access to the ocean. Upstairs, the rooftop terrace offers another place to retreat, with a daybed and traditional Maldivian swing overlooking the water.
Smaller touches include bamboo bicycles for each guest, a Bose sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, a Nespresso machine, a minibar and a chess table. Gili Lankanfushi’s Mr./Ms. Friday private butler service is available around the clock and can arrange everything from meals in the villa to experiences on the island.
Three Palm Island, however, is what sets this particular villa apart. The beach and sandbank can be used for private picnics, sunrise breakfasts or sunset cocktails, while refreshments can be arranged for guests planning to spend the day between the sand and lagoon. Private dining is also available back at the villa.
Bathroom © Sandro Bruecklmeier
The walkway itself is more than a simple addition. It was designed and built entirely by the resort’s in-house engineering team, led by Director of Engineering Ahmed Majid, who has worked at Gili Lankanfushi for 16 years.
Yellow Balau timber was used across the upper deck, with Pine timber underneath and marine-grade fittings and fasteners chosen to withstand the conditions of the island environment.
“The new walkway is particularly special as it showcases the skill and craftsmanship of our in-house team here at Gili,” Majid says. “One of the greatest challenges was integrating the new extension with the existing structure while minimising disruption to the resort, but completing it ourselves gave us greater control over quality and allowed us to make decisions quickly.”
“Thanks to the new walkway, Guests can now stroll directly from the villa to Three Palm Island and its secluded beach, creating a completely new experience. For me, the Gili Lagoon Retreat is elegant, spacious and timeless – it enhances the villa while remaining true to the character of Gili Lankanfushi.”
Villa front view
That connection between the villa and the island may sound like a relatively simple change, but it alters how guests can use the space. Instead of remaining largely over water, a stay here can move back and forth between the lagoon, beach and villa throughout the day. For families in particular, having both environments connected by foot makes the experience far easier.
It also suits the slightly Robinson Crusoe spirit that has long shaped Gili Lankanfushi. The resort sits in North Malé Atoll, around 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport, combining rustic eco-design with a deliberately informal style of island living.
The new retreat simply takes that idea a little further. An overwater villa may still be one of the Maldives’ defining experiences, but having a private island at the end of the walkway makes this one rather harder to leave.
Boat ride
Dining under the stars
To find out more about Gili Lankanfushi Maldives and Gili Lagoon Retreat, visit the links below:
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Lankanfushi Island
08290 North Malé Atoll
Republic of Maldives
Web: gili-lankanfushi.com
Tel: +960 6640304
Email: mr.friday@gili-lankanfushi.com
Instagram: @gili.lankanfushi
Facebook: @gililankanfushi