gallery of 13 photos

North Male Atoll, Maldives

Soneva Gili

Exclusive and ultimately private, Soneva Gili is burdened with complaints like 'the villas are almost too big,' 'the spa is so relaxing I fell asleep.' Just think if all resorts could have these types of complaints. A well trained staff, talented spa staff and restaurants are to blame.

We love the natural design with modern touches where they enhance your experience. We absolutely love the Crusoe Residences that are soooo spaced out between each other that you get your own dingy to come to shore. That is heaven!

Just come prepared that like some of the other 5 star resorts in the Maldives, this type of experience does not come cheap!

 — Mango's view

Soneva Gili is located on privately owned Lankanfushi, a tiny coral island in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the water out to spacious villas. The 44 stilted villas and residences are crafted in a traditional style from natural materials and offer rooftop and over-water sundecks, featuring open air bathrooms, sumptuous daybeds and a personal entertainment center.

The resort offers 29 villa suites, 8 residences and 7 Crusoe Residences. They are located in such a way that more than 20m separates one from the next, affording each total privacy. A favorite pasttime is to lie on the cantilevered sundeck or the roof sundeck and just gaze off into the horizon or marvel at the night sky. The villas and the residences are spacious with wooden floors. The bathrooms have been designed with a separate shower accessed along an open-air walkway, along its own private water garden. The roof sundeck is your own private oasis of luxury, some with Jacuzzis and the cantilever sundeck an equally inviting location just above the water level.

Dining options include the gourmet restaurant and wine cellar, over the water bar, poolside service, wine dinners, and seaside candlelit meals to name a few. It is all possible here. Come ashore for some great dining and equally great wines. Or perhaps a romantic moonlit dinner delivered right to the villa.

The Six Senses Spa offers everything expected, and some things unexpected; glass floor-panels beneath massage tables heighten the sensual experience, while a Maldivian sand massage presents yet another new encounter.

The Maldives is a paradise for snorkeling and diving and the resort has its own fully-equipped PADI diving school plus a variety of water sports. This place tops the list of must do destinations for those in the know.

Includes: Bed & Breakfast