Soneva Gili is located in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives, with jetties threading across the crystal clear water out to spacious over-sized villas that provide spectacular water views of the ocean from every room. The tiny island provides a very intimate atmosphere fused with luxuries of the highest standard to create a serene and natural experience. LOCATION Soneva Gili is a short 20 minute boat ride from Male, the capital of the Maldives.   CONCEPT The accommodation is crafted in a traditional style from natural materials. The interior decoration has been devised to recreate a natural habitat, using sustainable woods, natural materials and traditional fabrics, whilst still offering all the modern day amenities and creature comforts of true luxury whilst the utmost care has been taken in developing the island with respect to its ecological balance. ACCOMMODATION Soneva Gili offers just 45 sumptuous over water villas, including Crusoe Residences and The Private Reserve reached only by boat. Each villa has not only been designed and built with the utmost attention to detail, but are also environmentally friendly and reflect the harmony of life by the water’s edge. Each has its own private water garden and sun decks, and the bathrooms have a separate shower accessed along an open-air walkway.   Villa Features - Overhead fan, air-conditioning, extensive minibar, personal safe, coffee machine, binoculars and many other amenities - Chess and backgammon tables - CD, DVD player, stereo system with speakers in bedroom and bathroom - Extensive DVD and CD library - Open-air bathroom with separate glass walled shower area - Complimentary broadband and Wi-Fi internet access - Mr Friday/Butler service for Crusoe Residences and The Private Reserve - IDD telephones Soneva Gili Villa Suite (29) Total area 210 sqm - King-sized bed and some with two single beds - Large open-air living room with daybeds and dining area - Roof-top sun deck with daybed and dining facilities - Over-water sun deck with sun loungers - Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area - One villa in this category includes Spa Suite Soneva Gili Residence (8) Total area 250 sqm - Secluded for total privacy - King-sized bed and some with two single beds - Large air-conditioned living room with two large daybeds and a dining table (convertible to an additional bedroom) - Additional television with satellite channels and DVD player in living room - Kitchenette - Roof-top sun deck with daybed and dining facilities - Over-water sun deck with sun loungers - Mini wine cellar - Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area - One villa in this category includes Spa Suite Soneva Gili Crusoe Residence (7) Total area 250 sqm - Crusoe Residences stand alone in the Indian Ocean, secluded for total privacy - King-sized bed - Private rowing boat/pontoon boat shuttle to main island - Large air-conditioned living room with two large daybeds and a dining table (convertible to an additional bedroom) - Additional television with satellite channels and DVD player in living room - Kitchenette - Roof-top sun deck with daybed and dining facilities - Over-water sun deck with sun loungers - Mini wine cellar - Open-air private bathroom with separate glass walled shower area Private Reserve (1) Total area 1,400 sqm - Luxuriously appointed living space in the middle of a turquoise blue lagoon - Situated 500 metres from Soneva Gili and 300 metres from the closest villa, accessible only by boat - Uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean - 5 separate buildings designed in rustic chic style - 2 master suites, each with ceiling to floor windows on 3 sides - Private indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and sundecks - 1 guest room with en-suite bathroom located on the 2nd floor - All bedrooms, spa, master suite and indoor relaxation areas are air-conditioned - Large living room with sitting arrangements and daybeds - Ceiling fans in bedroom and living room - A large central open plan living area with sea garden, natural coral pool, surrounding viewing/sun decks, dining area, writing desk and daybeds - Unique open-air 100sqm private bathroom with separate glass walled shower enclosure - Each master suite has a relaxing horizon style plus a 2 person bathtub built over coral gardens - Private spa facility with sauna, steam room, indoor and outdoor treatment pavilion and upstairs air-conditioned gymnasium - Entertainment/library suite with the latest in plasma and audiovisual technology - Music and movie selection tailored to guest requirements - Individually controlled music throughout the villa, including the underwater coral pool - Resident Mr & Mrs Friday (Personal Butlers) on call 24 hours - Fully equipped gourmet kitchen available for private dining, snacks, healthy drinks or coffee and tea - Residents will be invited to design their own cellar selection from our list of 300 wines - A deep water coral pool is situated next to the central living area - For the light hearted, a waterslide is installed from the top deck into the coral pool - Roof-top sun deck with daybed and two outdoor dining pavilions - Sea level sundecks with sun lounges offering direct access into the crystal clear coral gardens and amazing marine life - Personal, easy to use motorised transfer boats exclusive to guests. Alternatively Mr Friday will captain and transport residents - A private 400hp, 36 foot speedboat with crew on call at all times Spa Suites - Spa Suite is attached to 1 villa from each villa type apart from Crusoe Residences - Couples treatment room with air-conditioning, two treatment beds and CD Hi-Fi stereo system with surround sound speakers - Bathroom with blitz shower - Steam room - Gymnasium with air-conditioning, two yoga mats, two fit balls, two terabands, multi gym, two exertubes, dumbbells, elliptical machine and refrigerator - Wooden jet bath on the upstairs terrace overlooking the lagoon - Relaxation area with daybed for couples   FOOD & BEVERAGE Dining experiences include a romantic, moonlit dinner on the deck of your villa, a sunset champagne cruise on a traditional dhoni, or dinners in the underground Gourmet Cellar - the settings are as memorable as the cuisine.   Main Restaurant Located on the west side of Lankanfushi offering a superb natural environment to enjoy a relaxing breakfast or romantic dinner. The style of food caters to all requirements and offers a combination of dishes that allows East to meet the West in culinary terms. By the Sea Restaurant The restaurant presents a fusion Peruvian-Japanese culinary adventure. Located on the elevated top level of a double story facility located on the island, the restaurant includes a Sushi Bar. Main Bar The Bar is a stunning construction over the shallow lagoon and offers snacks and light meals throughout the day. The lunch buffet at the bar is a very casual experience, where you can create your own menu from the wide selection of fresh salad leaves from the garden, sushi, Mediterranean delicacies, daily catch of fish, imported meats and local spices and herbs. The Wine Cellar and Underground Chocolate Cave Wine tasting and wine dinners are hosted by the wine sommelier as to the requirement of each guest. Guests may either order at the cellar or from our wine list and have the wine of their choice delivered to the restaurant or their villa in time to enjoy it with their meal. In addition you may now also experience the handmade, gourmet chocolate cave. Our Executive pastry chef has created a chocolate menu using only the finest chocolate, with some very interesting and unusual flavours.   Other Dining Experiences - Dine under the palms at the beach front restaurant offering gourmet à la carte and changing daily menus - Wine dinners with visiting wine makers and celebrity chefs - In villa dining menu designed around our guests favorite cuisine and dishes Private in villa dining options and gourmet BBQ’s are also available - Organic herb and vegetable garden lunches and dinners - Secluded private dining experiences including – One Palm & Three Palm Island,  Palm Beach and the tree house dining platform. Facilities The Spa by Six Senses  The Six Senses Spa offers a wide range of holistic therapies and programmes with internationally trained therapists, wellness instructors and a resident Ayurvedic Doctor. Glass floor-panels beneath massage tables heighten the sensual experience, whilst a Maldivian sand massage presents yet another new encounter. Other facilities include five over water treatment rooms, Yoga/Tai­Chi champa, steam rooms, chill rooms, sauna and a fully equipped over-water gymnasium. Ocean Paradise Dive Centre The Ocean Paradise Dive Centre’s multi-lingual PADI instructors as well as the small dive group sizes ensure that guests of all experience levels get the best service at all times. PADI dive centre is equipped with the latest equipments and many renowned dive sites including world famous Manta Point are within 10 minutes boat ride from the resort.   Library The library offers a vast selection of easy reading and referance books, DVD and CD for rental.   Leisure Activities Activities free of charge - Group Yoga/Tai Chi session - Water sports including catamaran, Kayak, windsurfing, canoeing and Hobiecat sailing - Tennis court, volleyball, table tennis and jogging - Many board games such as chess, backgammon, trivial pursuit etc. - Extensive DVD and CD library and i-pods on request   Other activities - Snorkeling, speed boats/waterskiing - Sunrise and sunset cruises - Big game fishing - Dolphin cruises - Excursions to the capital city and local islands Scuba Diving   Style Luxury Island Hotel with individual accomodation No. of Bedrooms 29 Villa Suites, 8 Residences, 7 Crusoe Residences and 1 Presidential Suite. Transfer time 20 minutes by speedboat from Malé International Airport.  Facilities General facilities include an ocean-side restaurant and overwater bar, as well as complimentary windsurfing, canoeing, hobie cat sailing and tennis.  A dive school will train you to be PADI-certified within a week, deep-sea fishing trips and cultural excursions can be organized, whilst the over-water Six Senses Spa offers a wide range of beauty and body treatments. Prices per person Prices from £3,500 for 7 nights, room only with return flights from London.