Soneva Gili is a short 15 minute boat ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives. The tiny coral island and its sparkling lagoon has jetties threading across the water out to the spacious villas.

The forty-four stilted accommodations continue the Soneva philosophy of 'Intelligent Luxury'. They are crafted in a traditional style from natural materials and offer roof-top and over-water sundecks, featuring open air bathrooms, sumptuous daybeds and a personal entertainment centre. For the ultimate in privacy, seven Crusoe Residences are accessible only by personal boat.

Come ashore for some great dining and equally great wines. Or perhaps a romantic moonlit dinner delivered right to the villa. It's possible here. 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 snorkelling and diving. 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.

Accommodations

The water villa suites and residences have all the luxuries found in most exclusive resorts. However, while offering all these facilities, the utmost care has been given to make the resort environmentally friendly and to reflect the harmony of life by the water's edge. The cantilevered sun deck sits just above the water level. Dining in one's villa is a panoramic dream. Luxurious amenities are all thoughtfully placed in the drawer of the wooden desk. The mini bar, personal safe, and quadraphonic hi-fi are concealed with the television in a hand built wooden cabinet.

Three jetties stretch out from the island and along each jetty you will find our Soneva Gili Villa Suites and Soneva Gili Residences. Each suite and residence has been built and designed with the utmost attention to detail to ensure the total comfort of our guests.

The 29 Soneva Gili Villa Suites, 8 Soneva Gili Residences and 7 Soneva Gili Crusoe residences are located in such a way that more than twenty metres separates one from the next, affording each total privacy. Laying on the cantilevered sun or roof deck and just gazing off into the horizon is a favourite pastime.

The seven Crusoe Residences stand side by side in the lagoon majestically looking out beyond the coral reef to the open sea. Each has its own private row boat for travelling between the residence and the jetty.

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 sun deck is your own private oasis of luxury, some with Jacuzzis. The cantilever sun deck is an equally inviting location just above the water level.

Soneva Gili Villa Suite [210 sq.m.]

29 Water Villa Suites with king size bed Roof top sun deck with daybed Floating sun deck Private outdoor sitting area Large lobby area with sitting arrangements and day beds Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area Large bathtub and shower Air conditioning plus overhead fan Mini bar, Personal Safe & Hairdryer CD Hi-Fi Stereo system Television with satellite channels and video CD player IDD Telephone

Soneva Gili Residence [250 sq.m.]

8 Soneva Gili residences secluded for total privacy, with king size bed Sun deck with daybed Floating sun deck Private outside sitting area Large living room with sitting arrangements and day beds (convertible to an additional bedroom) Kitchenette Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area Large bathtub and shower Air conditioned plus overhead fan Mini bar, Personal Safe & Hairdryer IDD Telephone CD Hi-Fi stereo system Television with satellite channels and video CD player

Soneva Gili Crusoe Residence [250 sq.m.]

7 Soneva Gili Crusoe Residences stand-alone in the Indian Ocean, secluded for total privacy, with king size bed Private Row Boat / Pontoon Boat Shuttle to main island Sun deck with daybed Floating sun deck Private outside sitting area Large living room with sitting arrangements and day beds (convertible to an additional bedroom) Kitchenette Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area Large bathtub and shower Air condition plus overhead fan Mini bar, Personal Safe & Hairdryer IDD Telephone CD Hi-Fi stereo system Television with satellite channels and video CD player

Philosophy

No News - No Shoes The Soneva properties are very casual; perfect to lay back and chill out.

The year round, warm and comfortable temperature in this tropical climate requires only light and natural clothing and textiles such as cotton, linen or silk. A light jacket might be suitable for the drier evenings of the winter months when temperatures can go as low as 23 - 24 degrees.

Elegant or heeled shoes are not required and rather unpractical while cycling and strolling on the sandy paths of the island.

Packing tips Soneva Gili Resort and Spa is committed to creating the true unique experience. We would ask that visitors respect the local customs in terms of dress. Return guests often spend the week in polo shirts and shorts or a light summer dress or sarong. We have a no shoe philosophy, (No News - No Shoes) so you will not need to wear shoes at any time during your visit except to workout in the gym or play tennis.

The island also offers a laundry service; however, no dry cleaning facility is available so we would recommend that any items you may bring be washable.

Adventures / Leisure

Swimming Pool (30 metres by 10 metres) Tennis Table Tennis Boules Jogging Volleyball Badminton Water Activities & Tour Centre

Diving School, fully equipped with the latest high tech diving equipment Our professional instructors will train you to be PADI certified in less than a week Six Senses Spa (Holistic, Beauty, Body treatments and Ayurveda) Deep-sea fishing by Dhoni (no sport chair) Over water health spa (beauty and body treatments, steam room, sauna and gym) Snorkelling Speedboats Cultural excursions to nearby islands Water sports centre Windsurfing and hobiecat sailing Game fishing (with spot chair)

Six Senses Spa

Welcome weary travellers, come and indulge yourself!

At the Six Senses Spa on Soneva Gili, our professional beauty therapists and masseurs will provide a holistic experience in a unique facility set over the turquoise blue lagoon. An extensive number of treatments are available to pamper our guests including the specially designed jet lag treatment to relieve all that stress.

Getting There

Soneva Gili Resort & Spa, the first all water villa resort in the Maldives, is set on the private tropical island of Lankanfushi. Soneva Gili is situated in the Male Atoll, one of 19 atolls that stretch over 800 kilometres through the Indian Ocean. Lankanfushi is one of the 1190 islands that make up the Maldives.

The island is a 15 minute speed boat journey from Male, the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Soneva Gili is easily accessible by speedboat from the International Airport.