At a Glance
The former sister property of Soneva Fushi changed owners in 2012, but its sleek over-the-water accommodations have remained the epitome of Maldivian romance.
Review
This property looks like the perfect incarnation of a glamorous beach getaway, with its dramatic over-the-water bungalows, large pool and palm-studded coastline. All forty-five villas are built over the shallow lagoon—seven are freestanding and reached only by boat—featuring the same sustainable materials as those on Soneva Fushi. Details like large sun decks, glass panels in the living room floor and glass-encased showers are wonderful. For the ultimate privacy, book one of the sumptuous Crusoe Residences, freestanding villas in the middle of the lagoon. Be aware, however, that you’ll have to navigate a motor dinghy to and from the main island every time you want to leave your abode (you can also call your personal villa butler to come pick you up). For easier island access, there’s the Deluxe Residences, which are equally spacious but attached to the end of jetties. For those who crave total solitude, there’s the 15,000-square-foot Private Reserve, which is made up of five interconnected houses.
The island itself is small, but the stylish visitors (mostly couples) tend to stay put in their ultra-comfortable villas, except for the occasional visit to the excellent Meera Spa. There’s scuba diving and snorkeling, but the reefs are not as good as those around Soneva Fushi. And really the point of staying here is to do as little as possible other than swim, read and stargaze from the daybeds on the villas’ upper-floor terraces.
Who Should Stay
Couples who want to relax, get away from it all and spend a lot of quality time with each other. Also, travelers with early flights home: Gili is a twenty-minute transfer by speedboat. Active types who can’t fathom the idea of whiling the day away on a chaise longue should book elsewhere (or reconsider the Maldives as a destination altogether).
Written by Simone Girner
