‘No news, no shoes’ is the motto at the Gili Lankanfushi, and that ethos of barefoot luxury begins before you even reach the private island of Lankanfushi. Located a brief 20 minutes away from Malé International Airport, you can skip the seaplane and instead board one of the resort’s luxury speedboats, as your personal Mr/Ms Friday – the resort’s butlers, named after the Robinson Crusoe character – confiscates your sandals and whisks you towards the ultimate island escape. 

Gili Lankanfushi is secluded in a sparkling lagoon, with jetties threading across the gleaming water that makes the Maldives famous. Each of the resort’s water villas promises a private escape, but for the true castaway experience, look to the Private Reserve. Located a further 1,700 ft away from the rest of the resort, the only neighbors here are those in the coral reefs below. 

The villa’s description as a ‘fort of dreams’ is by no means an exaggeration: the Private Reserve totals just short of 18,300 sq ft, making it the largest standalone water villa in the world. Comprised of five units, its open-air interiors and sprawling sun decks make full use of the uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. 

The duplex master suite includes two bedrooms and an additional guest room with en-suite bathroom means there is plenty of space to accommodate up to ten adults. Outside, there is an infinity pool and sea-level sun deck complete with catamaran nettings that allow direct access to the crystal-clear waters. Meanwhile, an air-conditioned gym, private spa, cinema room and waterslide ensure the whole family is entertained. 

It is lavish and spacious, yet the villa’s beach-chic aesthetics remain true to the resort’s overall sustainable ethos. Cedar, oak and pine harvested from sustainable forests in New Zealand create serene interiors, while recycled water from the resort’s desalination plant calms the eco-conscious mind – plastic use, like footwear, is non-existent.

Mr/Ms Friday remains on call to manage any request, reservation or recommendation, while a private chef is there to make use of the Private Reserve’s fully-equipped kitchen. If you can convince yourself to leave the sea fortress and explore the resort, there’s a choice of four restaurants and bars that make it worthwhile to discover.