Bettina Camporucci Bordi Embark on a journey to Jolly Being Wellness Resort Maldives.
Review: Joali Being, Maldives
The Maldives has always been my trip It was on the list, but it wasn’t until I was asked to collaborate with Joali Being thathappiness It was the “best” island of its kind in the world, so I was determined to finally experience it for myself. Having been in the wellness industry for the past 12 years, RetreatI was intrigued to see what Joari had to offer in this area.
The resort is located on Bhodufushi Island, a 45-minute seaplane ride from the capital, Male. Upon landing, we9 perfect strangers A welcoming queue of staff served us refreshing drinks before introducing us to our resident “jadugah” (Maldivian for “magician”), who would be our point of contact for the duration of our week-long stay and who would make all sorts of magical things appear.
Spread across 30 acres, Joali Being has 68 rooms (known as Well Living Spaces) that combine the Maldives’ famous overwater bungalows, beach villas and three restaurants. spaThere is a holistic fitness pavilion, a water sports centre, vegetable gardens and a turtle sanctuary.
Joali Being was founded by Turkish businesswoman Esin Gular Argat, whose stunning feminine touch and motto “Be courageous, think differently, do good” are reflected throughout the property. Joali Being is designed around a four-pillar concept based on skin, mind, energy and microbiome – all essential elements for a long and healthy life.
This concept is from Joari Being foodmenus with ingredients that support each of the prescribed pillars, with clear breakdowns of calories, fat, and protein to make goal-based decisions easier. The food pillars resulted in a collaboration with Joali; multi-course pop-up dinners honoring the garden’s ingredients and plants, workshops for guests, kitchen staff, and the women’s community of the neighboring islands. One of my dishes was stuffed hibiscus flowers with aged macadamia nut cheese over aquafaba mayonnaise. I could have cooked for a princess or two.
Let’s talk about the rooms and the space. Each room is perfect for disconnecting from the world of technology. There are no TVs in the bedrooms, no outlets by the bedside, no Wi-Fi in the public areas, but I love Wi-Fi. Each room has a wellness bar (minibar) with healthy snacks and drinks, not alcoholic. The high ceilings blend with nature, and the island’s wild forests remain untouched, which is rare. Each of the 68 villas has a private pool, outdoor area, and access to the beach, which is dreamy and as amazing as you can imagine. Getting around the island is easy. Each person receives an individual bike to travel between activities, which my 11-year-old daughter loved.
During my stay I enjoyed a range of body and facial treatments as well as group activities like tea tasting, cryotherapy (my favourite) and daily yoga.
Meanwhile, our family’s favorite activities included snorkeling, cycling around the island, and opportunities to unwind between pop-up preparations and workshops. But the most fun for me was the perfume-making workshop at the resort’s herbology center, AKTAR. With the help of an aromatherapist, we created beautiful perfumes with our favorite scents (like orange and sandalwood). Other activities included candle making and art-making in a dedicated art center.
To say our stay was special is an understatement. My favourite parts were chatting with the staff who were all so dedicated and genuinely passionate about their fields. I would love to return again in a heartbeat.
joali.com
