JOALI is a breath-taking place. This resort combines a stunning tropical location with an artistic setting, while offering some of the most luxurious villas in the world. It seamlessly blends exquisite accommodations with its paradisiacal environment, exceptional food and service, a remarkable on-site art collection, unforgettable nature experiences, and a commitment to sustainability. With its motto, ‘Joy of Living,’ JOALI captivates exactly what you can expect from your stay. One of the world’s finest resorts and the #1 in our top 60 hotels of the world.

Location

JOALI is located on the idyllic Muravandhoo Island in the Maldives, nestled within the Raa Atoll group in the northern part of the country. The island is easily accessible with a 45-minute flight from Malé International Airport. JOALI is one of the few resorts in the Maldives to offer a private seaplane, featuring luxurious, spacious leather seats.

The island is surrounded by brilliant blue waters that cover pristine coral reefs, while its white-sand beaches remain untouched. Coconut palms gently sway in the breeze, providing shade and framing the lush greenery. The atoll spans 24 acres and remains very remote – no other inhabited islands are visible from the villas or beaches.

JOALI takes its environmental responsibility seriously. The resort was built with great respect for the island, preserving over 1,000 trees in the process. Through its JOALI Reef Restoration Programme, the resort actively supports the rehabilitation and recovery of the surrounding coral reefs. Guests can also participate in this programme, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the preservation of the Maldives.

The Resort

As the first “art-immersive hotel” in the Maldives, art is an integral part of the JOALI Maldives experience. With a stunning collection of over 60 pieces by emerging international artists, including works by renowned figures like Porky Hefer, Zemer Peled, and Misha Kahn, the resort champions the concept of Immersive Art. Guests are encouraged to engage directly with the installations, exploring the artists’ worlds through vibrant motifs, colours, and materials.

Sustainability lies at the heart of JOALI’s art program, ensuring that every installation harmonizes with the surrounding environment. Some artists have created their pieces on-site, collaborating with architects, engineers, and local artisans to adapt to the island’s unique climate and landscape. Other works have been tailored to fit JOALI’s immersive concept, blending seamlessly into the tropical setting.

Each artwork is thoughtfully placed in locations that enhance the natural surroundings, allowing guests to pause, reflect, and become part of a creative journey that celebrates both the beauty of nature and the ingenuity of art. An art map guides visitors through the various pieces scattered across the island, and the resort features an art studio for those wishing to take part in interactive workshops and events. Since its opening in October 2018, JOALI has quickly become one of the Maldives’ most celebrated luxury resorts, where art, nature, and culture coexist in perfect harmony. At JOALI, art is not meant to be simply observed – it invites curiosity, reflection, and engagement.

Villas

JOALI’s private villas and residences are among the most exquisite and luxurious accommodations in the world, redefining sustainable glamour with unparalleled elegance and opulence. The island boasts 73 huge villas, either nestled on the beach or perched above the water in ocean villas. Each villa offers stunning beach and/or sea views, an expansive outdoor pool, luxurious indoor and outdoor bathroom spaces, hand-carved wooden sliding doors, and a striking indoor bar area. We stayed in one of the “Luxury Water Villas with Pool” :

The design of these villas is nothing short of spectacular, with dark brown wood complemented by soft rose, ocean blue, golden, and beige tones. The soaring ceilings create a vast sense of space, while woven fans and wooden elements evoke a sense of colonial South-East Asia.

The in-room bar is a work of art on its own, featuring glass decanters by Turkish artist Feleksan Onar, gold water bottles, a curated wine selection, and stunning glasswork. Every detail, from lighting and music to air conditioning and curtains, is controlled via an iPad, ensuring convenience and luxury at every turn. The outdoor area is exceptional, too, with a huge infinity pool, outdoor shower, and different lounge decks.

The villas’ bathrooms are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen, offering a freestanding bathtub overlooking the ocean, a huge indoor and outdoor shower, a walk-in dressing room, and incredible design furniture.

Rates of the villas at JOALI start at € 4.000 per night and guests can choose from several villa types:

• Beach Villas with Pool (108 sqm indoor, 680 sqm total): These villas offer beach, garden, and ocean views, complete with a private infinity pool.
• Luxury Beach Villas with Pool (117 sqm indoor, 865 sqm total): Featuring a cosy library and tropical garden views, perfect for those seeking relaxation and beauty.
• (Sunset) Water Villas with Pool (100 sqm indoor, 240 sqm total): These villas provide spectacular ocean vistas and a private infinity pool for a tranquil escape.
• (Sunset) Luxury Water Villas with Pool (108 sqm indoor, 280 sqm total): Featuring a spacious living room and panoramic sunset views from the infinity pool.
• Family Beach Villas with Two Pools (142 sqm indoor, 940 sqm total): Ideal for families, with two pools and ample space for both relaxation and adventure.
• Residences (3-4 Bedrooms) (400-500 sqm indoor, 1,100 sqm total): These expansive accommodations are designed for large groups or families, offering privacy and luxury.

Resort Assets

The joy of living is also translated into JOALI’s resort assets. Art, food and close-to-nature encounters are the main attractions, but there is much more to do:

• JOALI Spa: The JOALI Spa is a haven of wellbeing, an incredibly beautiful place that encompasses treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room, power showers, a hammam, a vitality pool, and relaxation areas. The new JOALI BEING Cure at the rebranded wellness centre gives guests a taste of JOALI BEING, the first and only wellbeing island of its kind in the Maldives. Experience the retreat’s award-winning “Joy of Weightlessness” philosophy with expertly crafted treatments and a curated line of products. Embodying an ultra-elevated wellness experience, JOALI BEING Cure is designed around the Four Pillars: Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy. This holistic wellbeing approach blends ancient wisdom with modern science. There’s also a healing garden and relaxation lounge to enhance the experience.

• Fitness center: At JOALI, fitness is a way of life, and working out becomes an inspiring experience in the Maldives. The fitness center offers a refreshing environment with invigorating views of crystal-clear waters and lush greenery. Guests can meet skilled trainers who provide personalized fitness routines, designed to help achieve specific training goals and prepare for sporting events. There’s also an outdoor fitness area, and possibilities for tennis, padel, archery, football, and more.

• Water Sports & Excursions: Experience endless adventure with activities like water skiing, diving, snorkelling, parasailing, wakeboarding, and boat rentals. Set sail on a yacht across turquoise waters, encounter majestic manta rays and whales, or explore nearby Maldivian islands to witness local life. For a magical experience, embark on a dhoni boat to chase the sunset.

• Muramas Kids Club: The Muramas Kids Club offers a world of fun for children, including treasure hunts, a kid-friendly kitchen, and various engaging activities. Facilities include a colorful rainbow stairs room, an interactive game platform, and an outdoor pool area.

• Art Experiences: Discover over 60 stunning pieces of art scattered across the island, with some even submerged underwater. Many of the works are interactive and seamlessly integrate with their natural surroundings. Take a guided art walk through the property and participate in creative experiences that connect you with the island’s artistic spirit.
• Main Pool and beach area: The island’s main pool and beach area are located just next to Mura Bar and offer different public and semi-private areas to relax.

Gastronomy

Dining at JOALI is an immersive experience that elevates culinary arts to new heights. The resort’s diverse restaurants showcase inventive fusion cuisine, blending flavors and recipes from around the globe. From the overwater Japanese restaurant to the main bar, every dining option offers world-class standards and delivers delightful surprises that will satisfy even the most seasoned food enthusiasts. 

• Vandhoo: The resort’s main restaurant, Vandhoo, offers an exceptional selection of dishes from South-East Asia, China, and India. It serves breakfast and dinner in a vibrant, welcoming setting.

• Saoke: A unique Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) fusion restaurant designed by world-renowned architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu. With its overwater location, stunning ocean views and a striking interior, Saoke celebrates traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influences, offering Teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, tempura, Robata dishes, and Joali’s own Nikkei creations. The sushi, sashimi and the wagyu are truly delicious, and the tea and sake collection adds the perfect touch to your meal.

• TUH’U: Set under the stars and swaying palms, TUH’U serves Levantine cuisine that combines authentic dishes with bold flavours, transporting guests to a time of culinary discovery.

• Bellinis: A Mediterranean-inspired bar offering expertly crafted Bellinis and homemade Limoncellos. Designed by Michelin-starred Chef Theodor Falser, Bellinis delivers an luxurious fine dining experience, with authentic Italian flavours in a sophisticated atmosphere. We loved the pasta with fresh truffle and the seafood risotto.

• Her Kitchen: A personalized culinary experience where guests can collaborate with chefs to prepare and learn local recipes, creating a memorable and hands-on meal experience.

• Mura Bar: The perfect spot for cocktails, poolside snacks, lunch and light meals. Mura Bar also features a whiskey and cigar lounge for after-dinner indulgence. Relax in airy cabanas and infinity pods while enjoying sunset rituals, live performances, and a menu of flavorful snacks and street food.

• La Joie: A delightful destination for artisanal chocolates and ice cream, offering indulgent treats for both children and adults.

• Destination Dining: For a truly special experience, JOALI offers private dining options on a secluded sandbank or inside an art-immersive Manta Ray treehouse, where guests can enjoy a curated menu in a unique setting.

Why Go?

JOALI Maldives is one of the world’s finest resorts – if not the finest. This sophisticated island retreat features 73 private beach and water villas, epitomizing luxurious, sustainable glamour. As the Maldives’ first art-immersive resort, JOALI allows guests to experience art in a captivating tropical setting. With four exceptional on-site restaurants offering world-class cuisine and a spa that rivals the best globally, JOALI truly delivers on its promise of the Joy of Living, offering an unparalleled experience.

TRAVEL IN STYLE WITH ETIHAD

Flying to the Maldives? Choose well and travel in style with Etihad. We flew from Brussels to Malé with a stopover in Abu Dhabi. Fares start as low as € 650 for a round trip from Brussels to Malé in Economy Class or € 2.500 in Business class. Their business class offer is one of the best in the world, with a ‘dine anytime’ concept, Acqua Di Parma amenity kits and a state-of-the-art Inflight Entertainment System.

Discover more about our Etihad Business Class Experience