Passion For Luxury : Gili Lakanfushi Maldives

While dress is informal, there’s nothing casual about the service or facilities on this luxurious island.

Basking in one of the Maldives’ largest lagoons, there are many reasons why Gili Lankanfushi was once voted the best hotel in the world at the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.

The food is outstanding. The main restaurant is outdoors on the sand, and there’s also the intimate restaurant, By The Sea, serving Japanese fusion dishes. For a dining experience quite unlike any other, an underground gourmet cellar is reached by descending a glass staircase, with a cavern showcasing more than 600 wines. After a bespoke tasting menu with wine pairings organised by an excellent sommelier, discover the artisanal cheese room and chocolate cave. The overwater Meera Spa is a pampering indulgence, with glass viewing windows beneath the massage tables. For a chilled out evening for two, screenings can be arranged at the jungle cinema. Tropicsurf surf school allows guests to discover some of the Maldives' best surfing, with three surf breaks just a ten-minute boat ride from the resort.

Huge rustic villas are all overwater. Not only do they have an overwater sun deck with loungers, there’s also a hidden rooftop deck with daybeds. For a personal touch, music and films can be preloaded for you on the in-room iPod, and your very own ‘Mr Friday’ will see to everything that you need, before you even know you need it. While the Villa Suites and Residences are set off a jetty, the incredibly private Crusoe Residences can only be reached by boat.