GILI LANKANFUSHI INVITES GUESTS FROM THE GCC TO CELEBRATE

• A series of complimentary activities and workshops to be hosted throughout July, revolving around the number 10
• Gili Turns Ten package will be available to those who book in July, for four consecutive nights between July 1st - December 16th, inclusive of a round-trip speed boat transfer from Velana International Airport alongside a plethora of unique experiences, starting from USD5,256++
• Special packages curated for guests who will be celebrating their birthday on the island from July 2022 and beyond

June 27th 2022: Gili Lankanfushi, the Maldives’ most cherished resort, will be celebrating its 10^th anniversary by hosting a series of complimentary workshops throughout the month of July, and introducing two exceptional stay packages.

Fusing rustic design and unparalleled service with awe-inspiring natural surroundings, the resort has become globally renowned as the pioneer of ethical, sustainable, and barefoot luxury.

Nicolas Khairallah, General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi said, “2022 marks 10 remarkable years of Gili Lankanfushi. Time flies but memories last, and we want to thank our guests and the local community for all their support over the last decade.”

“Our guests are really our true brand ambassadors, and interestingly, more than 30% of our guests in 2021 had visited us before. Therefore, by launching the Gili Turns Ten and Gili Birthday Surprise packages, and by hosting a series of specially curated activities throughout July, we aim to give back by inspiring life's most meaningful journeys, and to continue to create unforgettable Gili Stories which can be cherished for a lifetime.”

Gili Turns Ten Package

‘Gili Turns Ten package*’ will be available to those who book four consecutive nights between July 1st - December 16^th, 2022. The offer will include a round-trip speed boat transfer from Velana International Airport, alongside a host of inclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, comprising of dining at Kashiveli Restaurant, a magical spa offering, Maldivian cooking classes, an organic garden and eco-centre tour, a snorkeling session with purpose, a relaxing sunset cruise on Gili’s comfortable dhoni, a sleep under the stars and local handcraft experience, a surfing lesson in the calm lagoon, alongside a photography session with each guest’s very own Mr. Friday.

Guests can enjoy both a daily gourmet breakfast and dinner at Kashiveli Restaurant, translating as ‘coral sands’ in the local Dhivehi language, where they can discover Gili’s gastronomic vision firsthand. Executive Chef Hari Govindaraj, who oversees the culinary vision on the island, embodies locally sourced, nutritious ingredients and vibrant flavours through a marriage of land and ocean.

Diners can also indulge in innovative plant-based dishes that celebrate local ingredients sourced from Gili Lankanfushi’s very own organic garden and take part in a unique garden and eco-centre tour with Chef Hari himself, followed by a one-time Maldivian Cooking Class experience with one of Gili’s specialist chefs. While the basic preparations will have already been done, lessons will be given about the ingredients and preparation methods to make delicious traditional Maldivian dishes.

At the resort’s overwater Meera Spa which sits in a magnificent, secluded bay, guests can find peace, relaxation, and tranquillity with an inclusive 60-minute Meera Spa signature massage. The holistic haven is sprawled across languid waters and offers six over-water treatment rooms, steam, and sauna rooms and an open-air relaxation area which spa-goes can enjoy after their treatment, which overlooks the most breathtaking sea views.

As part of the celebrations, Gili Lankanfushi will also offer a sleep under the stars experience, allowing guests to drift into dreamland under the vast blanket of a million stars on the rooftop terrace of their villa, where they will fall asleep together to the gentle lapping of the waves and cool ocean breeze. Complete with sparkling wine and cocktails as well as breakfast in bed the following morning, it’s a treasured experience which will never be forgotten.

After an entertaining and informative briefing, guests can jump on board a relaxing sunset cruise on Gili’s comfortable dhoni where they will have the chance to see hundreds of resident Spinner Dolphins, who make their way out of the atoll to fish at night.

A melting pot of cultures, there’s a wonderful community spirit throughout the Maldives. Gili Lankanfushi always encourages guests to become immersed into its local ways of life, and there is no better time for visitors to take part in a complimentary local handcraft experience, in celebration of the resort’s 10 year milestone.

The resort’s setting in the North Malé atoll is ideally located for unbeatable surfing. Some of the best breaks in the country lie on the resort’s doorstep, with three just a five-minute boat ride away and several more are within 20 minutes. Gili Lankanfushi has teamed up with luxury surfing company Tropicsurf and their experienced instructors (both male and female) who offer an array of activities, where both private and group sessions are available. As part of Gili Turns Ten, the resort will be offering guests a 1-hour lesson in the calm lagoon on their first day at the island.

Moreover, Gili Lankanfushi hosts complimentary lectures where guests can learn all about the underwater world and precious coral walls. Guests can participate in Gili’s Dive Against Debris’ programme to help safeguard the beautiful surrounding ocean. The resort’s resident marine biologists and environmental officers will guide guests with their snorkels to a reef clean, picking up any waste they may find along the way.

Each guest will be indulged with a trip of his or her lifetime. Mr. Fridays – a team of exemplary guest experience hosts, will ensure an immaculate, personable experience (such is their infectious, absorbing energy, Mr Fridays are often sorely missed by children). As part of the Gili Turns Ten package, each guest’s very own Mr. Friday will host a photography session to ensure every Gili Story and memory is captured, and can be looked back on in the years to come.

*To avail the Gili Turns Ten package, guests must book their four-night stay between 1^st – 31^st July, valid for stays between July 1^st – December 16^th. The offer is not combinable with any other promotion and rates are subject to seasonal variations and can change without notice.

Gili Workshops happening in the month of July:

To commemorate all its achievements over the last decade, the resort will be hosting a series of activities for one month revolving around the number 10, which the whole family can take part in.

This includes a ‘Colour Quest for Kids’, a colouring-in competition (complete with prizes), alongside 10% off all Lagoon Lessons at Gili’s Surf Shack.

Gili Veshi (meaning Gili Environment in the Dhivehi language), the resort’s dedicated marine biology shack and central hub for all conservation issues, will be offering a series of environmental and marine biology related activities. These include planting coral lines every Saturday and Tuesday, “Plant a Tree” taking place on Thursday 14th July, where ten plants will be planted around the island to give back to mother nature, a Seagrass Snorkel and Discovery of 10 Island Flora and Fauna with the resort’s resident marine biologists and sustainability managers, alongside a presentation of “10 sustainable living hacks” which can be practiced at home. On July 28^th, in celebration of Nature Conservation Day, guests can roam the island with the Gili team and collect pieces of plastic to support in keeping the island free from waste. 

Additionally, every Monday throughout July, guests can immerse themselves in either a Body Scrub Workshop at Meera Spa, where they can create their own body scrub using 10 natural ingredients, or alternatively, take part in a Stretching Workshop where they can learn 10 simple poses for daily use to stretch out tired muscles.

Upon request, diners can try tasting 10 distinctive curries from different regions at Kashiveli Restaurant, priced at USD 65++ per person. For an unconventional dining experience outside the comforts of a restaurant, guests can indulge in an out of the ordinary pop-up dinner moment under the stars at Palm Beach on July 2^nd, and on July 25^th, Gili’s team of Mr./Ms. Fridays will share their personal stories of their top 10 experiences during their time on the island.

At the Marine Sports Centre on July 15^th, guests can join a Clean Up Dive with Ocean Paradise, where they will be briefed beforehand on 10 things to collect from the Ocean, whilst on July 21st, a ‘From Trash to Treasure’ workshop will be hosted focusing on the 10 items found around the island that are made using recycled materials by the resort’s creative team of carpenters at the Jetty 3 Pathway. Lastly, to end the celebrations, Gili’s resident tailors will showcase creative pieces designed and sewn by them.

Gili Birthday Surprise:

Gili Lankanfushi will also be commemorating its 10-year milestone by offering a unique, Gili Birthday Surprise, to all guests who are also celebrating their birthday in July 2022. The package includes a shared speedboat transfer, breakfast, and dinner at Kashiveli Restaurant, a 10% discount on all items from the Gili Boutique, birthday-themed room decorations and a cake, alongside a very special photography session with Mr. Friday.

Moreover, to make each guest feel extraordinary on their special day, the resort will include one complimentary Dine in the Dark dinner experience, one round of sunset cocktails per room, a choice of 60 minutes of Ayurvedic therapy or Kahnuma Lomi massage at Meera Spa, and a one-time sunset sailing experience on the traditional Dhoni. Additionally, the package will include a snorkeling excursion with Gili’s marine biologist and environmental officer, a sleeping under the stars experience, a local handcraft experience and complimentary daily sunrise yoga sessions.

For guests celebrating their birthday in August 2022 or beyond, who have booked for four nights or more, will be able to receive half-board dining experiences, a return speedboat transfer, and either a choice of sunset sailing, a snorkeling excursion (including a marine biology talk) or a 30-minute massage at Meera Spa. Also, guests can expect birthday-themed room decorations and cake, a 10% discount on items from the Gili Boutique, one Dine in the Dark dinner experience, alongside one round of sunset cocktails per room.

For more information, please visit https://gili-lankanfushi.com/offer/gili-turns-ten/

About Gili Lankanfushi

Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over water resort Soneva Gili. In 2012 the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited) a Singapore based company investing in hotels, lifestyle, and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by Trip Advisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Male 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.

For press information, please contact:

Alessandra Fernandez

Senior Account Manager

MAIA

alessandra@themaiacollection.me 

www.maiacomms.com