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Celebrate castaway Christmas, New Year at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives, the pioneer of sustainable, barefoot luxury in the Maldives, unwraps its Christmas & New Year 2022/23 line up. From cricket on the beach to gingerbread water villa crafting and a series of festive feasts with all the trimmings, this island paradise is the ultimate location in which to spend the most wonderful time of the year.
The festive fun will centre around the theme ‘On the Borders of the Laccadive Sea’, drawing cultural inspiration from the Maldives and its neighbours India and Sri Lanka. Kicking off on the 22nd December 2022 all the way through to the 4th January 2023, the yuletide offerings include:
Festive fun in the Sun
Whether islanders prefer to get crafty or work up a sweat Santa-style, there’s fun in store for everyone at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives this season. Guests can sign up for a gingerbread house-making class with a difference as they recreate a Gili water villa in all its biscuity glory, whittle their own wooden decorations, and get into the festive mood with a special tree-lighting ceremony on the beach.
For those who favour active pursuits, a tennis match or a surf lesson with Santa Claus, cricket on the beach, snorkelling with turtles, a New Year’s Day dolphin cruise and a football tournament are all on offer. Little ones will revel in the opportunity to watch Christmas movies with their toes in the sand at Gili’s cinema under the stars, enjoy a spot of beachside story-telling and receive gifts delivered to their villa courtesy of Santa on a speedboat!
Cultural activities
Drawing on the rich culture of the three nations bordering the Laccadive Sea – the Maldives, India and Sri Lanka – Gili Lankanfushi will provide guests with the chance to fully immerse themselves in local customs.
Beginning with a Maldivian Maahifun tree-lighting ceremony traditionally used to mark the beginning of Ramadan, guests can also try their hand at Maldivian woodcraft, traditional fishing and rope macrame-making. Indian-inspired activities range from henna painting– a must for all celebrations! – to Kalaripayattu classes, one of the world’s oldest forms of martial arts, originating in Kerala. Little ones will love the Fenkulhi after-dinner experience, a playful activity in which water and coloured dye are thrown at one another.
Sri-Lankan influences include curry-making classes utilising homegrown spices from the island’s very own kitchen garden, a ‘Tea in Ceylon’ masterclass and a Sri Lankan wine-tasting session in Gili’s private wine cellar.
Christmas cocktails, culinary delights
Gili Lankanfushi will offer a range of very special ‘bucket list on the beach’ gastronomic experiences to help guests celebrate in style this Christmas. Foodies will be spoilt for choice with offerings ranging from a pan-Laccadive curry feast to a Mediterranean spice souk bazaar and, of course, a family-style Christmas feast with toes in the sand! And for the guest who has tasted it all (until now!) Gili Lankanfushi’s sensory supper will see diners transported to a secret island location for a blind-dining experience.
It wouldn’t be Christmastime at Gili without a captivating new cocktail menu from Gili’s leading mixologists and three new tipples promise to tantalise all tastebuds. These include:
- Ceylon Siyabala: Straight from the hills of Ceylon, the Sri Lankan-inspired ‘Ceylon Siyabala’ combines Arrack and Drambuie with zingy tamarind, lime and ginger to create the perfect refreshing sip – perfect for cooling down on hot beach days.
- Taj Mahal: Hailing from India, the ‘Taj Mahal’ blends curry leaf-infused gin with grand marnier, turmeric, ginger, lemon, apple and agave, providing a flavour sensation in a glass.
- Taaza Kurumba: Inspired by its Maldivian home turf, the ‘Taaza Kurumba’ is a creamy concoction of coconut rum, midori, Malibu, coconut and pineapple. If you could distill the essence of Gili Lankanfushi, this would be it!
Gili Lankanfushi enjoys an unspoilt island location in the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll, just 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé Airport. Perfectly suited for couples, families, solo travellers and groups alike, the resort combines rustic eco-design, unparalleled service and stunning natural scenery with a laid-back-luxury, ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy. The award-winning eco-resort celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2022, following a complete refurbishment of all 45 villas in 2019.
Nightly rates at Gili Lankanfushi start from $1,397, based on two adults sharing a Villa Suite with breakfast included. For more information or to book please visit www.gili-lankanfushi.com
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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