Lifestyle hospitality company SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS has opened its first of six resorts to come - RAH GILI MALDIVES. Situated a short speedboat ride from Velana International Airport in the South Malé Atoll, the resort promises a story-led approach to luxury focused on intentional, personalised experiences.
Co-founded by hotelier and investor Laith Pharaon, SIX & SIX was created to introduce a fresh philosophy of island hospitality centred on presence, authenticity, and cultural connection. The brand plans to launch six distinct private island resorts across the archipelago, with RAH GILI marking the first entry in its expanding portfolio.
Central to the resort’s identity is the Maldivian philosophy of Rayyithun meaning ‘People of the Islands’, which informs everything from its design to its guest services. Guests at RAH GILI MALDIVES are hosted by an Edhurun, a reimagined butler role serving as a mentor and story-teller who oversees every detail of the stay.
The resort features 74 villas thoughtfully positioned along the shoreline and over the water (including 37 overwater villas), blending bold design with natural landscapes. For travelling families, dedicated two-bedroom configurations, such as the Family Beach Pool Villas and Sunset Water Pool Villas, offer private, expansive spaces designed for quiet relaxation.
Positioned alongside a protected dolphin sanctuary, RAH GILI offers rare, unscripted encounters with spinner dolphins directly in the island's secluded lagoon, as well as snorkelling along colourful house reefs.
The resort’s dining landscape spans global and local flavours across several venues with Juliette’s for international dining, Spicy Ginger & Teppan for bold Asian flavours and refined Japanese cuisine, Italian classics at La Tavola, Maakeyolhu with its traditional Maldivian seafood dishes, Tiffin offering authentic Indian cuisine and Amrit Beach Club, the island's social hub, featuring casual dining centred around a 210-sqm pool lined with private cabanas.
Holistic wellbeing is integrated via SPA by ELE|NA, offering five treatment rooms, sunrise and sunset yoga, and personalised guidance from resident nutritionists and fitness coaches. Younger guests are catered to at the dedicated Kids Club, which offers eco-marine conservation and culinary programs.
RAH GILI serves as the vanguard for SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS, which will also introduce its ultra-luxury flagship, DON MAAGA MALDIVES, featuring expansive residences and private island takeovers. Across all developments, the group is pursuing EarthCheck certification, integrating solar energy, zero single-use plastics, and marine conservation into its daily operations.