Gili Lankanfushi has announced David Stepetic as the New General Manager of the resort. Over the past five years, the resort has set the benchmark for barefoot and understated luxury in the Maldives, with 45 sophisticated over-water villas and a serious commitment to sustainability.

David Stepetic joins Gili Lankanfushi from Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives, where he held the position of General Manager for three years. Within the role, he became an expert on the country and brings with him an abundance of local knowledge to make sure that Gili Lankanfushi will always be an island that stands apart, offering its guests a truly authentic and intimate experience. 

Prior to that, David was the General Manager of Laucala Island Resort, an exclusive 25 room resort in Fiji. A U.S. National, David has more than 25 years of luxury hospitality management experience, and spent 19 of those years with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in various Food and Beverage and senior management capacities. His experience has taken him from roles in America and Asia, to the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean. 

"Gili Lankanfushi is a name that is renowned the world over for its passionate approach to creating a guest experience that goes beyond just luxury accommodation and a beautiful beach." says David

"I truly believe it is an island for all the senses and I am looking forward to working with the team to keep developing unforgettable and bespoke experiences for both our new and longstanding guests"

David is an avid naturalist and feels most at home in an island setting. He has a keen interest in ornithology and looks forward to getting to know the islands wildlife and further developing the recently unveiled marine biology centre, Gili Veshi. 

"We are very excited for David to be joining the Gili Lankanfushi family. He brings with him a wealth of experience both from his early years with Four Seasons, a brand synonymous with seamless service and refined hospitality, and his many years as a General Manager of island resort properties." said the Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts 

 "David understands, more than most, the importance of a personal and inclusive approach while making sure guests are enjoying nothing but unrivalled privacy, in the beautiful settings of our secluded island sanctuary." said the Chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts" added the chairman of HPL Hotels & Resorts

 Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Malé international airport. Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushis 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.