Published February 15, 2026 by Lisa Eve

They told me this is my eighth visit since 2016. I laughed when I heard it, and then smiled, because it makes sense.
If there’s one place in the Maldives that keeps calling me back, it’s Gili Lankanfushi.

From the moment you step off the boat, barefoot, onto the island’s jetty, and see the gorgeous blue water and the beach lined with palm trees, something shifts.
My first time on the island, my jaw dropped because I couldn't believe my desktop wallpaper was a real place.

This was 2016. Shoes off, shoulders down, and in awe. Within twenty minutes of leaving the airport, you’ve arrived at what feels like another world, or maybe it’s just a more peaceful version of this one.

Gili has found a concept and stayed true to it: sustainable, rustic, barefoot luxury that feels human.

Spacious, warm, and beautifully crafted, each villa feels like a home over the sea. In fact, my villa here was larger than my last home in the U.S. There’s space to breathe, stretch, and live slowly. From the lagoon-level sundeck to the open-air lounge, and the rooftop daybed perfect for stargazing, you could easily live here.
You can also ask your Mr. or Mrs. Friday (Butler) to set up a bed up top for a true “sleep under the stars” experience.

There’s something in the air here that’s impossible to define. I just feel relaxed. It’s calm, present, and kind. Gili meets you exactly where you are. Whether you come to rest, to heal, or to feel, the island mirrors that energy back to you.

From handmade wood hangers to recycled coasters, Gili’s eco-luxury touches are everywhere. It’s not just sustainability as a slogan; it’s a living mantra.
Also, the tissues are the softest.

Many of the staff love working here. There are several who’ve worked their way up and have been with the property since the time I first visited! That says something.
Because if employees don’t love where they work, guests will feel it. Thankfully, the opposite can be found here, and yes, I can feel their love.

Chef Hari is a standout. Kind-hearted, skilled, and genuinely invested in making sure you enjoy everything created across the many menus.

Chef Francis G and the sous chefs also ensure you never go hungry. From breakfast to dinner, including the themed nights, there is always something special waiting. Don’t miss them.

The vegan menu offers a wide variety of dishes, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully plated. The Organic Salad Bar at lunch is one of my favorites; lettuces fresh from the garden, a homemade lemon-basil pesto, and all the toppings you could want on a salad.

You will not go hungry. The plating is world-class, and you can feel the care in every dish.

A few small discoveries that make the stay even better.

If you plan to lounge by the pool after breakfast, wear one swimsuit and pack another. You can shower and change before lunch instead of sitting in a wet one.

For my ladies who wear Melissa Odabash swimwear, she often packs swimsuits in a reusable pouch, and these are perfect for taking your second swimsuit to the pool. I place my wet suit in the pouch and zip it almost closed so it can dry without mustiness.

The pool area has enclosed showers and restrooms that are clean, private, and convenient.

Instead of burning the bottoms of your feet on the hot jetties, bring your room slippers for a light and cushiony walk to and from your villa or dining outlets.
(Photo: Wipe your feet on Hedgy the hedgehog and put on your slippers for a heat-free walk on the jetty.)

When you’re feeling dehydrated, drink the coconut, and eat it too. It’s nature’s purest hydration, straight from the highest source.

Take time to walk the sand, listen to the wind in the palms, and feel how the island moves at its own pace.
Gili reveals herself most when you stop rushing.

Little scenes that stay with me long after I’ve left the island.

Vegan, abundant, and personalized, the breakfast at Gili is an experience. Whether it’s the Masala Crumbled Tofu with gluten-free toast or a simple fruit plate with the ocean sparkling nearby, everything tastes better barefoot.

There’s a sandy path that carries you through the island known as the “Gili Highway.” Walking it barefoot feels like time itself has slowed. You'll hear bicycles, the laughter of staff, and the rustle of palms with birds walking about nearby.

Some of my most memorable sunsets have been seen from the shores of Gili Lankanfushi. "Island Life." :)

There’s a special comfort in being greeted by people who remember your name, and sometimes even your favorite juice. It’s this human warmth that makes Gili feel like home.

Gili Goes Swiftly is their speedboat that collects your shoes, inviting you to ground into island life as soon as possible.
Within minutes of leaving the airport, you’re barefoot, breathing differently, and being whisked across the water toward something more peaceful.

If you’ve ever been to the Maldives, you’ve likely seen “Bob” or “Jack,” the resident Grey Heron many resorts seem to have. You might even spot a whole family during your stay.

Unmistakable and statuesque, they often linger near your villa or stroll along the beach during breakfast.

When the stars appear, it feels as though the whole island exhales. Even though you are close to the airport and other islands, the stars, and planets, will shine brightly and magnificently. Climb the stairs to your upper deck, and just marvel at the sky.

Gili is about care, consistency, and character. It’s the same now as it was on my first visit almost a decade ago, and that matters.

For me, Gili is a reflection of balance: barefoot freedom, quiet refinement, and simplicity.
It’s the place where I’ve celebrated birthdays, healed through transitions, and found stillness that reminds me who I am.

Also, it's the closest island to the airport that exemplifies authentic luxury, so there's that. :)

Would I return again?
Yes! As long as they have a villa available, I'm there!
Eight times and counting.

If Gili’s barefoot magic speaks to you as it has to me, you can learn more or begin your booking through my Virtuoso portal.
It’s where the journey from dream to destination begins.

For context, Gili is an intimate property with just 45 overwater villas, including the standalone Crusoe Residences and the iconic Private Reserve.

'Til next time, thanks for reading, and remember, your days can begin with no news and no shoes any day you're ready.
That's the Gili Lankanfushi way.