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Secluded, sustainable paradise Gili Lankanfushi reopens on Sept 1

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On September 1, the Maldives’ much-loved Gili Lankanfushi will reopen its doors to a secluded and sustainable paradise.

With just 45 spacious villas spread over three jetties, the resort offers guests the utmost privacy in awe-inspiring natural surroundings. It fuses ethical design, unparalleled service and vast open-air spaces.

Gili Lankanfushi has spent its unexpected closure developing its operation with new health and safety protocol and refined guest experiences to ensure a safe and stress-free island escape for guests.

New health, safety protocols

While 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.

Unparalleled privacy

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 1,700 square metres, is the largest overwater villa in the world, with a location 500 metres from the island and 300 metres 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.

Guests can exclusively hire The Private Reserve from $74,970 for seven nights for up to eight guests including daily breakfast, lunch and dinner (plus 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.

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.

Emotional wellbeing, 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.

Fresh, seasonal, 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 homegrown 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 among the towering palms of Palm Beach to private sunset cruises with locally-sourced spreads.

Located in the North Male Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original overwater resort, Soneva Gili.

In 2012, the island was acquired by Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world.

Voted number one hotel in the world by Tripadvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from the Maldives main Velana international airport.

Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushi’s 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.

The wellbeing of the planet is at the heart of the Gili Lankanfushi, with each stay contributing towards preserving the natural environment, protecting the fragile marine ecosystem and treading lightly.

Rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from $1,440 per night on a room-only basis, based on double occupancy. For bookings, please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com.

Featured

Worldwide Kids accreditation highlights Dhigali Maldives’ commitment to exceptional childcare

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Dhigali Maldives has announced that its “Play” Kids Club has been accredited by Worldwide Kids, becoming one of only nine such facilities in the Maldives. This recognition underscores Dhigali’s commitment to providing high-quality and inclusive childcare services.

Christian Szabo, the General Manager of Dhigali Maldives, described the accreditation as a significant milestone, emphasising that it affirms the resort’s dedication to offering exceptional and inclusive childcare programs. He expressed pride in joining a network that shares the vision of nurturing young minds.

The “Play” Kids Club caters to children aged 4-12, providing a vibrant array of activities facilitated by certified childcare professionals. This accreditation further solidifies Dhigali’s focus on delivering exceptional family experiences in a safe and stimulating environment.

With this accomplishment, Dhigali Maldives continues to set a high standard for family-friendly luxury, ensuring parents can relax with the confidence that their children are engaged in fun and enriching activities during their stay.

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Celebration

VARU by Atmosphere marks five years of unmatched hospitality

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VARU by Atmosphere, an iconic private island resort in the Maldives, celebrated its five-year anniversary this week, marking five years of hospitality, culture, and luxury inspired by the core philosophy of the Joy of Giving. The Naturally Maldivian resort hosted key stakeholders, including the island’s owners, corporate leadership, and colleagues, for an evening of grand celebrations featuring cultural performances, awards, and diverse culinary experiences.

Since its opening in 2019, VARU by Atmosphere has established itself as a sanctuary for travellers seeking to explore the Maldives’ rich cultural heritage while enjoying heartfelt hospitality. Guests at the resort experience the beauty of the turquoise lagoon and immerse themselves in the relaxed island lifestyle of this picturesque Indian Ocean destination. A standout feature of the resort is the award-winning Kaagé restaurant, which highlights authentic Maldivian cuisine, celebrating local ingredients, flavors, and culinary traditions.

Reflecting on the milestone, Mei P. Pun, General Manager of VARU by Atmosphere, noted the significance of the resort’s name, saying, “In Dhivehi, the Maldivian dialect, VARU translates to living life in abundance, strength, resilience, and above all, authenticity. For us, hospitality is about sharing the soul of the Maldives with every visitor, a mission made possible by the dedicated team. Their passion, warm smiles, and unwavering energy resonate with guests, many of whom return time and again.”

Part of the Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts brand, VARU by Atmosphere is a contemporary 5-star resort offering a luxurious island experience with 108 villas situated along white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, and three jetties featuring spacious over-water accommodations. Guests benefit from the exclusive VARU Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package that includes diverse dining options, spa experiences, daily activities, and excursions designed to enrich their stay.

Situated on the North-West edge of Malé Atoll, the resort is easily accessible via a 40-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. It boasts four restaurants and two bars, ensuring a wide range of culinary options, alongside premium facilities such as a dive school, water sports centre, overwater ELE|NA spa complex, gym, kids’ club, ocean excursions, and daily complimentary snorkelling trips to explore the vibrant underwater world.

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Celebration

JOALI Maldives celebrates six years of art and luxury with Maison Ruinart

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JOALI Maldives, the first and only art-immersive resort in the Maldives, will commemorate its sixth anniversary on November 15, 2024, with a special event that highlights its dedication to art, sustainability, and nature. For this milestone celebration, the resort is collaborating with Ruinart, the world’s oldest Champagne house. Founded in 1729 in Reims, France, and currently owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy, Ruinart has a long-standing connection to art, dating back to 1895 when Andre Ruinart commissioned Czech artist Alphonse Mucha to design a poster for the brand. Similarly, since its launch in 2018, JOALI has redefined the role of art in luxury hospitality by showcasing works from international artists. Renowned for its vibrant joie de vivre lifestyle, JOALI aligns with Maison Ruinart’s savoir-vivre philosophy, sharing values rooted in art and luxury.

As part of the celebration, British-French artist Sophie Kitching will present an ethereal art display during a cocktail event at Mura Bar, the heart of the resort. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Kitching is acclaimed for her installations, paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. She frequently employs oils, watercolours, and gold leaves on natural materials. Having collaborated with Maison Ruinart for events such as Frieze NY 2022 and the “Maison 1729” exhibition, Kitching will create bespoke eco-designed second skins and coasters for JOALI’s sixth anniversary. Drawing inspiration from the island’s native flora and fauna, including grey herons, sea birds, vibrant corals, and marine life, her creations incorporate vivid colours and copper-zinc leaves to adorn Ruinart bottles. These pieces reflect both JOALI’s and Ruinart’s shared commitment to art and sustainability.

During the event, guests will savour Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Cuvées while admiring Kitching’s ‘Invisible Green Art XXX, 2024’, an abstract masterpiece featuring a distinctive green tone originally developed during England’s Georgian and Regency eras. Transported from Ruinart’s archives in Reims, this artwork will remain on display at JOALI Maldives for over six months. Art and wine enthusiasts will also have the opportunity to purchase limited-edition hand-painted second skins by Kitching during the cocktail event or until the pieces are sold out.

On November 16, 2024, guests can further indulge in an exclusive champagne-pairing dinner hosted by Fabien Vallérian, International Director of Arts & Culture at Ruinart. This gastronomic experience will pair Maison Ruinart’s champagnes with a meticulously curated menu, with each plate and glass weaving a narrative of art and flavour.

Fabien Vallérian praised the partnership, stating: “At Maison Ruinart, the protection of nature is central to our values. We are dedicated to supporting artists who foster a dialogue between humanity and nature through their creativity and craftsmanship. Since 2022, we have collaborated with Sophie Kitching on various artistic commissions, and this project with JOALI provides an incredible opportunity for her to explore and celebrate the ecosystems of the Maldives.”

These celebratory events mark the beginning of a promising partnership, with future activations planned both in the Maldives and globally.

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