If you like to just relax and have super service by nice people, this is the place. Everybody on the island will do whatever to make this a stay that you will never forget.

I was a bit apprehensive about my stay at a top place in the Maldives. As much as I love diving, beaches and wonderful locations I don’t like pretentious places where dressing smart is necessary and where staff or other guests look down on you because are dressed very casually and relaxing. My vision of my stay at the Maldives was one of where I would see paradise around me but not be able to enjoy it because of overdone luxury and too many standards. Well I was so wrong. Soneva Gili is the opposite. I wore shorts and no shoes from beginning to end and felt completely at home and relaxed. Paradise it is and paradise is there to enjoy. The bungalows are unreal and the staff and dining is something else. I never felt over served or hassled and yet the attention to details is out of this world. After going to gym someone had left a little refreshing ‘kit’ on my bicycle without me knowing until I got there. It doesn’t get better than this place. A true idyllic relaxing destination that changed my perception of a relaxing island holiday completely! We combined this with Soneva Gili which is a great mix to enjoy a scenic flight and then explore a slightly bigger but enjoyable island.

My husband and I went to this hotel with our boys (7 and 8). We had the most amazing holiday. From snorkelling with rays, turtles and sharks to private parties on the beach with friends it was truly outstanding. At every point our expectations were exceeded. We are fortunate to have travelled extensively and to have stayed in some amazing properties - but this is one very special place and we can't wait to return.

We just got back from our second trip to Soneva Gili, our first trip being 8 years ago on our honeymoon. It was amazing the first time around, but has gotten even better. They have a Japanese restaurant now that is really delicious, and the service seems even better across the whole island than last time-though it was also great last time. Nothing is too much trouble for them, and our personal butler was great-Irshad, request him if you're heading there. We've also been to Soneva Fushi and they too have the "Fridays"personal butlers but Irshad at Soneva Gili is far better than any of the "Fridays" we've had at Soneva Fushi, and it really does make a big difference to your holiday.

Overall even if the resort is full, you feel like it isn't, because people tend to stick to their villas for the most part-though they also have a beach area and pool which are great places to lounge, and easier to swim at their main beach area as the water is deeper than near the villas.

The one thing we did notice, and this is no fault of the hotel per se, but they Maldives has gotten a lot more developed in the last 8 years and now you see a lot of airplanes flying over Soneva Gili, as it is close to the airport. In that sense, we did not feel as remote as we had on our previous stay there. So, if you want to feel like you are truly getting away from it all, and you do notice planes (I did, my husband didn't), then maybe choose a hotel further away from Male and the airport. That being said, the villas are huge and so relaxing that you'll still feel you are escaping.

Overall we'd highly recommend Soneva Gili and will probably return again, because when you've found something with such great service and atmosphere, you don't want to risk trying something new and getting disappointed.