Haut Robinson Crusoe Vibes
A short 20-minute boat ride from Male International Airport in the sparkling waters of the North Male Atoll is a tiny coral island – a tropical paradise reminiscent of a scene from Daniel Defoe’s novel, Robinson Crusoe.
Blending seamlessly into the dense native vegetation of this island is a luxury resort that not only looks like a setting from the famous book but echoes the same ‘desert island’ philosophy at every touchpoint. At Gili Lankanfushi, shoes are stowed away, guests move around the island on foot or bicycle, and friendly reef sharks and turtles swim right up to the jetty.
A Robinson Crusoe spin on Maldivian island life permeates every aspect of Gili Lankanfushi; from a copy of the book in every room to the series of thatched, overwater villas that feel perfectly in tune with their otherworldly surroundings, and an array of beautiful barefoot dining options.
Life on this laidback island seems to hark back to simpler times. The accommodation offerings are luxurious, yes, but the design is simple. There’s a plethora of activities for guests to choose from, but also plenty of space to simply enjoy the tropical foliage, white-sand beaches, and the vibrant sea life of the turquoise lagoon.
Making your time here even more simple – and luxurious – is the staff, including your personal butler. Named after Robinson Crusoe’s loyal assistant and dear companion, Mr. Fridays are Gili Lankanfushi’s private guest experience hosts. On call no matter the time of day, Mr. Fridays will make your stay seamless from the moment you step off the plane in the Maldives. Ask for help unpacking luggage, arranging dinner reservations, keeping the little ones entertained, or setting up a bed under the stars. No matter what you need, your dedicated Mr. Friday is on hand.
As soon as you arrive on the island, your personal Mr. Friday will hand over your keys, and show you around the resort and your villa. Here, the service is so personalised that even the resort manager makes time to receive and farewell guests, and within a day, you can expect every team member to greet you by name!
