This August, our monthly highlights bring together three resorts with very different approaches to island luxury. From the barefoot simplicity of Gili Lankanfushi and the contemporary design of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands to the dramatic granite landscape of Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, each offers a compelling reason to return to the Indian Ocean.
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Barefoot Luxury with a Sustainable Soul
Just a 20-minute speedboat journey from Malé, Gili Lankanfushi remains one of the Maldives’ most distinctive interpretations of barefoot luxury. The resort comprises just 45 overwater villas, including seven Crusoe Residences and the exceptionally private Private Reserve, creating an intimate experience despite its convenient North Malé Atoll location.
The experience is deliberately relaxed. Villas are designed around open-air living, natural materials and direct access to the lagoon, while every accommodation comes with a dedicated Mr./Ms. Friday host. Sustainability is equally central to the resort: Gili Lankanfushi uses responsibly sourced and upcycled materials, maintains organic gardens and operates Gili Veshi, its dedicated marine conservation centre.
Food is another part of Gili’s identity, with locally sourced ingredients and produce from the island’s gardens playing an important role. In October 2026, Executive Chef Harinath Govindaraj will also release Plant to Plate, the resort’s first cookbook, featuring more than 60 plant-based recipes inspired by his 20 years at Gili Lankanfushi.
SEANSES Perspective: A particularly strong choice for honeymooners and couples who prefer privacy and understated luxury over formality. Its short speedboat transfer is an additional advantage for travellers who want to reach their island quickly after an international flight.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Contemporary Island Living
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands offers a very different vision of the Maldives, defined by striking contemporary architecture and the wider lifestyle concept of the Fari Islands. Beach and overwater villas combine generous indoor-outdoor spaces with private infinity pools, while every villa includes the services of an Aris Meeha, the resort’s dedicated island butler.
Dining is spread across seven restaurants and bars, from Italian cuisine at La Locanda and contemporary Cantonese dishes at Summer Pavilion to Mediterranean dining at Beach Shack. Guests can also explore Fari Marina Village, extending the experience beyond the boundaries of a conventional private-island resort.
One of its architectural signatures is The Ritz-Carlton Spa, a circular overwater sanctuary with nine treatment rooms. Families are equally well considered through Ritz Kids, with dedicated indoor and outdoor spaces, a children’s pool and a programme designed around island discovery.
SEANSES Perspective: Ideal for travellers who appreciate contemporary design but still want a complete Maldivian resort experience. It works especially well for families and couples looking for a combination of private villa living, strong dining and access to the broader Fari Islands lifestyle.
Four Seasons Resort Seychelles
A Tropical Hideaway at Petite Anse
Set around secluded Petite Anse on Mahé, Four Seasons Resort Seychelles swaps the Maldives’ flat horizons for one of the Seychelles’ most recognisable landscapes: forested hillsides, granite formations and a sheltered white-sand bay. Villas climb the tropical hillside above the beach, combining private pools with elevated views across Petite Anse.
The resort is particularly well suited to travellers who want to combine relaxation with a stronger sense of place. Days can include reef snorkelling, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, guided hikes and Creole cooking, while the hilltop Le Syel Spa incorporates wellness traditions including Ayurveda.
There is also something new to discover this year. Il Forno opened in June 2026 directly on Petite Anse beach, bringing Neapolitan-style cooking, an open kitchen and a wood-fired oven to the resort’s dining collection. Its pizzas use 48-hour fermented sourdough, adding a relaxed beachfront option alongside Japanese dining at Koi and the resort’s other restaurants and bars.
SEANSES Perspective: A versatile choice for both couples and families, particularly for travellers drawn to the natural character of the Seychelles. Petite Anse gives the resort a wonderfully private setting while Mahé offers far more opportunity for exploring beyond the resort than a typical private-island stay.
