Gili Lankanfushi, in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives, was ranked the best hotel in the world in Tripadvisor’s 2015 Travellers’ Choice awards, and in 2026 it is still a 45-villa overwater resort that wins awards. Entry villas reportedly start around $1,000 a night, with peak season costing more than double.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | Lankanfushi island, North Malé Atoll, Maldives |
| Size | 45 villas and residences, all over the lagoon |
| 2015 claim to fame | No. 1 in the Top Hotel in the World category, Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice |
| Recent recognition | UKWHA Winner 2026, EarthCheck Gold 2025, Travellers’ Choice 2023 and 2024 |
| Starting rate (third-party listings) | Roughly $1,000 to $1,300 a night for the entry villa in low season |
Why did Gili Lankanfushi win in 2015?
Tripadvisor built the 2015 list from a year of traveller reviews across more than 8,100 properties in eight regions. Gili Lankanfushi came out first in the Top Hotel in the World category and first in both Asia and the Maldives, and it placed fourth in the luxury hotel list.
The resort sits on a small coral island in a lagoon, with jetties running out to the overwater villas. The resort markets “barefoot luxury”, and when this article first ran, the house rule was “no news, no shoes.”
What are the villas like?
The villas were built with traditional, sustainable materials. At the time of the award, the resort described plantation teak and recycled telegraph poles in the beams, aiming for rustic charm with modern comfort. A private butler comes with each villa, and the older write-ups describe a sundeck, a roof terrace and an open-air bathroom looking over the lagoon.
Current listings give the Villa Suite about 210 square meters, and the Sunset Crusoe Residence about 250 square meters over the water. The resort’s own site also lists a Private Reserve, a category with no published rate. Some villas come with a pool.
Activities
Older write-ups mention scuba diving and deep-sea fishing, and there is a spa where treatments are done with a view of the colourful reef. A resort cinema screened films twice a week when we first covered it. For a dive spot with a very different setting, see this resort built on a rock and surrounded by reef.
Cost and best time to go
Rates move a lot. A third-party guide shows the entry Villa Suite from about $1,262 a night in low season to about $2,806 in high season, and another listing shows a starting rate of $1,010. Peak season in the Maldives generally runs from December to March, with lower prices the rest of the year. We could not confirm rates on the official site, so treat these as ranges and check before booking.
The Maldives is warm all year, and cloudier and more humid in the low season. If budget matters, shoulder months offer the best value.
Book your next vacation now at Gili Lankanfushi.
FAQ
What is Gili Lankanfushi?
A resort in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives with 45 villas and residences over a lagoon, named Tripadvisor’s top hotel in the world for 2015.
How many villas does Gili Lankanfushi have?
The resort’s website says it has 45 villas and residences.
How much does Gili Lankanfushi cost per night?
Third-party listings show the entry villa from about $1,010 to $1,262 a night in low season and up to about $2,806 in high season. Check the resort for current rates.
Has Gili Lankanfushi won awards recently?
Its website lists UKWHA Winner 2026, EarthCheck Gold 2025, and Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2023 and 2024.
When is the best time to visit the Maldives?
December to March is the peak, with the highest prices. The rest of the year is cheaper but cloudier and more humid.
Does Gili Lankanfushi have a pool?
Some overwater villas are described as having a pool. Confirm the villa type when you book.
Last updated: October 2026.
