Introducing The First Edition Of The Luxury Travel Book, Out Of Office
In our first edition, drift towards weightlessness through a holistic immersion into JOALI BEING’s transformative spaces
JADUGAR – skilled magician in the native Dhiveni language – that’s what they call the butlers at JOALI BEING. And, given that your every experience is completely personalised, your every wish is promptly fulfilled and your every whim catered to, that description seems entirely apt for those working on this magical island.
From the moment you land at the Raa Atoll-based resort via seaplane, you know you are embarking on an extraordinary journey. The island’s lush forest, which was left untouched while the 68 room and suite surrounding space was perfected, follows Biophilic design principles which prioritise the seamless integration of design with nature.
How many hotels have you checked into that provide customised wellbeing bar set-ups, tuned meditative balancing musical instruments, and private pools alongside the usual in-room pampering? Where else do you get welcomed with an in-depth wellness consultation that ensures a tailor-made strategy is created for you, combining both traditional and modern knowledge? From sleep restoration to immunity-boosting, strengthening your physique to ensuring mental health, your particular focus will be at the heart of your trip. The phrase “I returned a new person,” will literally be true after this Maldivian break.
And how is this all achieved? By pinpointing four key pillars that are at the centre of the JOALI BEING programme: Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy.
Devised in partnership with Oxford University Professor Gerry Bodekar, a Harvard-trained specialist in integrative medicine who chairs the Mental Wellness Initiative of the Global Wellness Institute, this ground-breaking resort ensures all the specialists you’ll need are at your disposal on the island as part of an in-house team. From movement specialists to nutritionists, naturopaths to therapists, you’ll be waved off the island feeling a new lightness that permeates every aspect of your physical and mental being.
The architecture of the resort is unlike anything you’ve ever encountered, as the emphasis is on creating transformative spaces that provide the perfect backdrop for your wellness voyage.
Areka is the canopy under which scientific therapies, diagnostic services, specialised therapeutic and alternative healing treatments are housed: 39 treatment rooms cover everything from a hydrotherapy hall with a sensory deprivation room, a Russian banya, salt inhalation room, hammam, Pilates studio and an intelligent movement analysis tool. Not enough? CORE features fitness facilities and cryotherapy, while you’ll find a sound therapy hall at SEDA, with a discovery sound path nearby.
Embracing healing through natural remedies, Aktar hosts the resident herbalist who masterfully blends spices, essential oils and herbs to combat ailments and provide natural beauty balms. A library and workshops ensures those availing the service truly understand the thinking behind this philosophy too.
Think that you’ll be deprived of indulgent meals in your quest to achieve wellbeing nirvana? Following an earth-to-table ethos, the culinary team guarantee taste is never compromised while ensuring every dish remains deeply nourishing and nutritious.
FLOW is at the centre of the dining experience with three signature kitchens plating up vegetarian cuisine at Plantae; pescatarian favourites at Su and B’Well which showcases a signature menu. Learn about the subtle differences in brews via the tea sommelier at SAI, or lounge by the pool at Mojo for sundowners or lunch while catching the rays.
A commitment to the environment permeates every facet of the property. A reef restoration project, turtle sanctuary, and collaboration with EarthCheck fulfils a promise of long-term sustainability. In addition to these initiatives there’s a desalinating water bottling plant, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, a glass crusher, food waste composted and plant waste shredder plus a biological wastewater treatment plant that keeps the surrounding waters pristine and teaming with wildlife.
A trip to the Maldives can be many things – relaxing, exciting, romantic, indulgent…. yet there is only one resort in the archipelago that delivers not just on all these fronts but is utterly transformative too. JOALI BEING offers a truly unique wellness opportunity for those looking to be completely rejuvenated, amid the most special of surroundings.
Photography: Vladimir Marti.