What makes Lily Beach Resort special? The short answer is that it provides a luxury and dreamlike experience with a kind of coziness that leaves visitors feeling like they truly belong there. This is evident from the get-go, from our start at ‘the Lily Lounge’ at the seaplane terminal to the warm welcome we received upon our arrival at Lily Beach Resort. The feeling was so uplifting and surreal with so many people welcoming us with their unique brand of garlands, along with a musician playing the traditional boduberu drum and an outrageously exquisite welcome drink.
But nothing compares to the beauty of the island itself. The miles and miles of turquoise waters, crystal clear, the white foam of the waves gently breaking at the pearl white beach, and the wild vegetation and coconut palms together with the warmth of the bright sun just hit all at once. It’s a sensation like no other. As we walked along the narrow roads inside the island, we noticed quite a number of mostly heart-shaped wooden signs, each next to a tree or a coconut palm that carried various messages. This is the ‘plant-a-tree-and-you-get-your-name-carved’ activity the resort offers, which adds such a sweet personal touch to any visitor here. There were dates, names, wedding vows, remembrance messages, and even ones like ‘Hakuna Matata’ that sum up this whole experience.
Our holiday was extra special because of the villas we were offered. To top it all, we were greeted with warm, sweet gestures of welcome and congratulatory messages together with a personalized cake. We stayed at ‘The Residence Villa’ and ‘The Beach Residence Villa,’ two of the most spacious, luxurious, and beautifully decorated land villas in the resort. They featured multiple rooms, canopy beds, multiple TVs, both indoor and outdoor bathrooms, multiple shower areas, whirlpool tubs, a private saltwater swimming pool, and a huge outdoor area with an incredible view furnished with lounge chairs, an outdoor dinner table, and private access to the beach and lagoon. The wooden interiors oozed coziness and island vibes, creating a warm and relaxing atmosphere. We loved the amenities provided, especially the ice machine, coffee machine, and the minibar.
Each restaurant at this resort had its own vibe. The main ‘Lily Maa’ restaurant has a family-friendly energy with a huge buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and themes for every day of the week, serving a large variety of food selections from all around the globe, with live cooking stations including a pasta station that curated pasta from scratch, a sushi station, a seafood grill bar, etc. The bars offer A La Carte lunch and dinner. The ‘Tamarind restaurant,’ an Indian and Thai fusion restaurant, offered such a romantic and intimate atmosphere as we sat down for a candle-lit dinner. We indulged in a magnificent four-course meal of authentic Thai-Indian cuisine, our favorite of which were the vegetarian spring rolls. The service was impeccable, as they catered to our every dietary request, even those off the menu.
Apart from swimming and exploring the island, we also went on a sunset cruise on a boat with a special rooftop deck that offered a spectacular view of the ocean and sunset along with refreshments and table food. It was a grand experience, to say the least! Then we got to explore the beautiful in-house reef when we went snorkeling. What makes this experience so amazing is that this incredible reef with its vibrant corals and diverse sea creatures is just a few swims away. The reef looked vast, and we got to see the bicycle that is now a part of the reef. Our guide was extremely attentive and helpful—he kept a float with him in case any of us needed some rest. Jet skiing is truly an amazing and thrilling experience, especially on such beautiful ocean waters of the beach. The ride was fun and exciting and gave such a beautiful view of the whole island and its waters.
This was a sweet, fun-filled holiday on a perfect island, the Lily Beach Resort.
