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THE MALDIVES
Visited in: September 2024
Trip: Family
Length of Stay: 4 Days, 3 Nights
In a Nutshell: JOALI BEING embodies the idyllic vision most associate with the Maldives: overwater and beach villas that seem suspended between sky and sea, crystal-clear waters that make you feel as though you’re floating in a postcard, and snorkelling adventures that rival the best in the world. The service is nothing short of sublime — discreet yet attentive, making everyday anxieties dissolve into the warm, salt-tinged breeze, allowing you to fully surrender to the island’s serene embrace, with wellness at the forefront.
What We Loved:
Family-Friendly, Without the Sacrifice: The kids’ playroom was a hit — interactive, fun, and educational —while the family villas were spacious enough to keep everyone comfortable but close. It’s a rare resort where you can truly relax while the little ones are happily occupied. Family accommodations are generously designed, offering both privacy and togetherness, ensuring that everyone — from toddlers to grandparents — can enjoy the retreat's offerings at their own pace.
Wellness Like No Other: From cryotherapy and Watsu therapy to meditative halls, the offerings are a wellness lover’s dream. It’s not just about spa treatments; it’s a full-on, immersive experience that rejuvenates every part of you.
Impeccable Attention to Detail: Every inch of the place feels thoughtfully curated. The soft pink and neutral tones in the rooms create a peaceful, contemporary vibe that’s both modern and calming.
Barefoot Luxury: There’s something wonderfully unpretentious about JOALI BEING. You’re encouraged to be barefoot, to slow down, and let the stillness of the place sink in. It’s the kind of luxury that’s all about comfort and ease.
A Connection to Nature: The floor-to-ceiling windows let you soak in the view of the turquoise sea and lush greenery, making you feel completely immersed in the island’s natural beauty.
Wellness That Sticks: The treatments aren’t just quick fixes — they’re deeply restorative. Whether it’s a custom herbal remedy at AKTAR or a flotation therapy session that feels like you’re floating between worlds, everything here is about helping you feel better, longer.
All images courtesy of Faye Bradley | CSP Times.
JOALI Being Hotel Review
When you picture the Maldives, it’s easy to summon images of honeymooners, romantic getaways, or even family-friendly resorts – and you wouldn’t be wrong. But increasingly, it’s becoming a hub for multigenerational holidays, where grandparents, parents, and children all gather to reconnect in paradise. According to a report by Travel Agent Central, 35 percent of families have planned trips, both domestic and international, that include multiple generations.
On a recent journey to the Maldives, I travelled with my parents to explore one of the world’s most celebrated new wellness retreats. It quickly became clear that this was an experience crafted for all ages.
What really distinguishes JOALI BEING from the usual five-star suspects is its unapologetic devotion to wellness. This is no ordinary resort spa tacked on to make you feel vaguely virtuous after a lazy morning at the buffet. Here, they mean business. We're talking a proper Turkish Hammam, a Watsu therapy pool that feels like being reborn, and a cryotherapy machine that makes you instantly feel refreshed and revitalised for the day ahead. This isn't just pampering; it's a full-scale recalibration of your existence.
In a sea of cookie-cutter chain hotels, JOALI stands apart as something truly special. The brainchild of Esin Güral Argat, JOALI BEING, her second creation, is a mere 20-minute boat ride from its sister property, the art-immersive JOALI, and claims the title of the Maldives' first dedicated wellbeing island.
The villas and residences, built with biophilic design principles, blend seamlessly into the natural landscape, each attended by a private butler, or Jadugar, because nothing here is half-hearted. The entire experience is meticulously curated around JOALI BEING’s Four Pillars: Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. From the food on your plate to the therapies you receive, everything is imbued with these pillars, a clear narrative that threads through your stay. You aren’t just pampered; you’re realigned, as if the island itself has pressed reset on your very being.
We arrived at JOALI BEING after a wonderful two-night detour at its sister property, JOALI, where the indulgence had already begun in earnest. While Hong Kong Airlines offers direct flights, we opted for a circuitous route via Dubai on Emirates.
JOALI BEING is a swift 40-minute seaplane ride from Malé, though the view of endless atolls and impossibly blue waters makes it feel much quicker. Watching those scattered, turquoise flecks drift beneath you is a reminder that nature has an alarming capacity for perfection. If, however, sharing a plane isn’t your style, private seaplanes are readily available for the more discreet traveller. Upon landing, the island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll unfolds like some improbable mirage - secluded, serene, and just far enough from reality. Before embarking on this final leg, guests are treated to the plush comfort of the JOALI private lounge, a decadent pitstop where the holiday mood is set long before your toes ever touch the sand.
JOALI BEING offers 68 beautifully appointed accommodations, each a study in biophilic design, where architecture and nature flow together in a seamless embrace. The island itself feels as though it hums with harmony, meticulously designed to eliminate negative vibrations and enhance the natural energy of the landscape. Space, as you'd expect, is abundant — each accommodation comes with a private pool and thoughtful touches that elevate the experience. Customised Wellbeing Bars, meditative musical instruments, and wellbeing games are part of the package.
The design palette is a masterclass in subtlety, all soft corals and pastels, used with the precise intention of invoking a calm, restorative atmosphere. The villas don’t just offer a place to rest — they create a sanctuary where the very air seems to conspire in making you feel, if not entirely enlightened, at least blissfully untroubled.
We found ourselves ensconced in two of the sprawling 230-square-metre Grand Beach Pool Villas — an ideal setup for a multigenerational escape. Each one features a 35-square-metre infinity pool that melts into the horizon, a rain shower, and an outdoor sunken bathtub that invites you to linger in its tranquil embrace. The design floods the space with natural light, making it feel both expansive and intimate, while the beach is mere steps away from the villa’s back door.
Inside, the living room exudes calm with touches like an in-room xylophone, a whimsical nod to relaxation. True to its ethos of disconnection, there are no TVs or power plugs by the bed — an elegant nudge to engage fully with your surroundings and each other. Yet, should the siren call of technology become irresistible, a TV or extension cord can be summoned upon request. It’s a setting designed to help you forget the world outside and focus on creating meaningful moments with your loved ones.
Accommodation at JOALI BEING comes with a personal touch: a “jadugar,” or butler, to cater to your every whim — ours was the delightful Maanu, who seemed to anticipate our needs before we voiced them. Each guest is also provided with a bicycle, allowing for leisurely exploration of the island, though you’re welcome to walk or request a ride in the golf buggy if you prefer.
READ: Esin Güral Argat, Owner of JOALI Maldives, Shares Her Top 5 Tips to Stay Sustainable in the Maldives
For those who think the Maldives is solely about sunbathing with a good book, think again. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with that — indeed, the island offers ample opportunity for such indulgence — JOALI BEING is a haven for those seeking more active or varied pursuits. The resort is teeming with options to suit even the most discerning traveller, from dolphin and fishing excursions to Padel tennis and tennis and football at the resort’s courts.
Our wellness journey began with an Integrative Lifestyle Assessment at Areka, the wellness center at JOALI BEING, where a blend of science and holistic therapies are offered in a tranquil, picturesque environment. During the session, Sneha Rai, the resort’s nutritionist, conducted a thorough review of my daily habits, asking thoughtful questions that uncovered areas for potential improvement, followed by bioresonance therapy, a method of energy treatment that processes the electromagnetic information of the human body using a sensitive Mora Nova device using electrodes.
The outcome: I was given a “MIND” goal, along with a calming tea and an aromatherapy roller from AKTAR, the resort’s herbology center, to help support mental balance and well-being.
Next up, we all indulged in the Four Pillars Signature Massage, an aromatherapy ritual featuring oil blends curated to align with each of JOALI BEING’s Four Pillars. What followed was 90 minutes of pure, unadulterated bliss, leaving me in a state of near-nirvana and my parents positively evangelical about “the best massage they’ve ever had.” By the time the treatment was over, sleep came like a warm, heavy blanket — but not before a sunset gathering at MOJO, the resort’s breezy beachside restaurant. We nursed a medley of alcoholic and non-alcoholic concoctions as the sun dipped lazily below the horizon, while a DJ spun mellow tunes and a woman painted the scene as though trying to capture the very essence of paradise.
Dinner, naturally, was a fitting end to the day’s hedonism. At FLOW, JOALI BEING’s international buffet, we delighted in everything from sushi to Indian dishes.
Breakfast at FLOW was a ritual in itself. An à la carte menu offered everything from freshly prepared eggs to Maldivian specialties, complemented by vibrant, cold-pressed juices and a matcha latte so silky it became my daily addiction. The buffet, however, is where it truly shone — a spread of continental delights like flaky pastries, yogurt, waffles, pancakes, and more, but with a health-conscious twist.
Our four-day itinerary then took us to CORE, the resort’s fitness hub, for a session of cryotherapy. It’s the kind of place where, if you’re lucky, you might spot Rosie Huntington-Whiteley working up a sweat, as she did on a recent visit. Both my parents, who are in their 60s and not typically drawn to the cold, gamely stepped into the cryo chamber. Three minutes at -75 degrees Celsius later, they emerged looking surprisingly sprightly, proclaiming they felt sharper and more alert. I too, left feeling invigorated, as though my body had been jump-started.
Day two continued with a sushi-making class, a fantastically family-friendly activity that left us surrounded by more rolls than we could possibly eat — and yet, somehow, we did. Afterwards, we explored the art of self-care and stress relief at KAASHI, the resort's relaxation room, followed by a guided meditation session at LOTUS. This architectural marvel, with its towering ceilings designed to enhance sound therapy, felt like a temple for tranquility.
Watching my parents, especially my father — who is usually skeptical of wellness trends — engage in these experiences was one of the most rewarding aspects of the trip. It sparked their curiosity, and the immediate benefits they noticed encouraged them to embrace new practices. It felt like a meaningful step forward in fostering multigenerational wellness.
We were fortunate enough to secure a table at Yutori, JOALI BEING’s newly minted Japanese restaurant. The concept, "earth and sea to table," is crafted in partnership with award-winning chef Hidemasa Yamamoto, whose résumé includes serving multiple American presidents and training under the legendary Roger Vergé and Chef Nous Hama.
Having already indulged in sushi earlier that day, I opted for the charcoal-grilled chicken, tender and kissed with just the right amount of smokiness, served alongside fragrant truffle rice and a rich teriyaki sauce. My companions went for the grilled black cod — silken and delicate — as well as the Miyazaki A5 Wagyu, which arrived perfectly seared, each bite an ode to decadence.
On our final full day before departure, I plunged — quite literally — into my first-ever Watsu experience at KAASHI. For the uninitiated, Watsu is a form of aquatic therapy that merges water and shiatsu, and it’s often described in reverent tones, like some sort of spiritual rebirth, with past clients reportedly reduced to tears, transported back to a pre-birth tranquility. The gentle, rhythmic motions lulled me into a meditative calm, my limbs floating weightless as tension and stress ebbed away. My joints, it seemed, had gone on holiday too, and I emerged from the water feeling as though gravity had lightened its grip.
Meanwhile, my father found himself intrigued by JOALI BEING’s sound therapy. This wasn’t your average tinkling of chimes; it was a state-of-the-art experience at Seda, the resort’s sound healing hall, created in collaboration with visionary Aurelio C. Hammer. Multiple instruments played in concert, coaxing his mind into a rare stillness.
As a family, we ventured into the Herbology Workshop to dabble in the delicate art of perfume-making. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about creating a scent — an activity that bridged the generational gap between us, reminding me that curiosity never ages. We also immersed ourselves in a tea ritual with the resort’s tea master, sipping blends we couldn’t pronounce but quickly fell in love with, picking up bits of wisdom we’d never considered before.
For our final dinner, we gathered at MOJO, where the Wagyu striploin was so tender it practically melted in your mouth. It was paired with an iced mango sticky rice tea, a unique and pleasantly surprising nod to the local flavours. To finish the evening, the tea master served a warm digestive chai, straight from the kitchen — a comforting conclusion to a day that felt truly harmonious as a family.
We left JOALI BEING the next morning feeling lighter, as though we’d shed the weight of the world somewhere between the Watsu pool and the sound therapy hall. Refreshed, reawakened, and undeniably in a better mood, we departed not just healthier in body, but happier in spirit. What’s remarkable about JOALI BEING as a wellness retreat is its embrace of balance — wellness here doesn’t mean deprivation. If you fancy something sweet, a glass of wine, or even a decadent meal, you’re never left feeling guilty or constrained. It’s wellness without the puritanism. No wonder the likes of Ashley Park, Lily James, Georgina Rodríguez Hernández, Pia Wurtzbach, Jonathan Bailey, and Stanley Tucci have found their way to this island haven.
Travelling with parents might not be the first thing that comes to mind when imagining a trip to the Maldives, a place often marketed for honeymoons and romantic escapes. But there's something profound about rediscovering connection — across generations — in such a tranquil setting. What better way to rekindle family bonds than when everyone is their happiest, most relaxed self? The Maldives, it turns out, is the perfect backdrop for a multigenerational getaway, and JOALI BEING ensures that wellness caters to every age.
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Location: Bodufushi Island, Maldives | Phone: +960 658-4400 | Website: joali.com/joali-being | Instagram: @joalibeing | Facebook: JOALI BEING | Twitter/X: @JOALIBEING | YouTube: JOALI BEING
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