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JOALI BEING inspires new generation of female leaders
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, JOALI BEING conducted a series of virtual educational sessions with MAPS College Maldives and Maldives National University. Students from these higher education institutions, representing a number of academic fields, joined the special event.
Led by in-house experts, the virtual sessions aimed to inspire a new generation of female leaders in hospitality by showcasing the range of opportunities that are available to them. JOALI BEING’s very own female achievers gave the young women real-world insights into a variety of departments – from culinary and wellbeing, to butler service and environmental conservation.
“Women’s emancipation is one of the core values of JOALI, and we support this brand mission through several initiatives in the Maldives,” notes General Manager of JOALI BEING, Özgür Cengīz. “Being a luxury hospitality brand, this particular event was especially close to our hearts. These young women are a vital part of the future of our industry. Hopefully, some of them will even become leaders at our own wellbeing retreat.”
At the conclusion of the session, the audience received a wonderful surprise. Melany Martinez Thomas, Director of Wellbeing at JOALI BEING, announced that in 2022 the resort will offer five internships across three divisions – wellbeing, F&B and rooms, as well as a chance to gain work experience with the Olive Ridley Project.
These prestigious work opportunities promise to be an incredible learning journey. Guided by experienced JOALI team members, the chosen interns will pick up skills that are sure to prove invaluable for a career in hospitality. While the six-month internships are open to all, female candidates will be prioritised.
“Along with education, getting the right exposure or opportunity at the right time can also be life-changing,” says Melany. “We are committed to helping empower women in the Maldives by hiring local women at all levels and contributing to NGOs that work towards women-centric causes.”
JOALI currently supports female emancipation in a variety of ways. At the community level, the brand works with Maldivian organisations to aid the training of girls in local schools. It has also implemented a policy to on-board more local women as team members. Last but certainly not least, the team has structured its internal processes in a manner that encourages female employees to grow and flourish.
The virtual panel for International Women’s Day featured an impressive line-up of speakers. The audience received knowledge and guidance from a number of female team members at JOALI BEING – from the Director of Wellbeing to a budding local butler.
Introduction to JOALI BEING by Melany Martinez Thomas, Director of Wellbeing. Equipped with nearly 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality around the globe, with a focus on spa and wellness, Melany set the context for the event. She introduced the audience to JOALI BEING, the first nature immersive wellbeing retreat in the Maldives, and explained the resort’s wellbeing philosophy and work culture, placing them within an international hospitality context.
A graduate from the Canadian College of Holistic Health in Toronto, Melany holds an MBA from the University of Cumbria, U.K. Her impressive career has included roles with SLH hotels, Relais & Châteaux, Aman Resorts, Kempinski hotels and independent properties in Thailand, Costa Rica and Europe. At JOALI BEING, she supports clients in achieving their goal of creating a sustainable wellness lifestyle, full of vitality and joy.
Wellbeing Culinary Experience with Julia Soria, Executive Pastry Chef. With a specialisation in fine dining, Chef Julia has been in the gastronomic industry for over a decade. Known for her strong interpersonal skills, she explained to students the importance of interacting effectively with people from diverse cultures – a must to succeed in high-pressure, time-bound work environments. She also focused on the relationship between wellbeing and F&B.
With a professional journey spanning countries like Japan, Morocco, Italy and Mexico, Chef Julia brings diverse influences into the JOALI BEING kitchen. Her flair for creativity and zest for learning are at the heart of her successful culinary career.
Introduction to Nutrition by Pranathi Bollapragada, Resident Nutritionist. Inspired daily by the values of her family, Pranathi finds immense fulfilment in helping people to lead healthier, happier lives. She emphasised the importance of nutrition in everyday life and highlighted how the right qualification can equip students for a rewarding career in this field.
With a master’s degree in food and nutrition, Pranathi is an advocate of diets that are balanced and nourishing. At JOALI BEING, she skilfully integrates a modern clinical approach with principles from Ayurveda and Naturopathy to create a personalised nutrition plan for each guest.
Introduction to the Olive Ridley Project with Olivia Forster, Sea Turtle Biologist. With a master’s degree in conservation and biodiversity from the University of Exeter, U.K., Olivia has worked in turtle conservation in North Cyprus and the Maldives. She has a passion for sharing knowledge with young people and has even served as a consultant for wildlife-focused children’s books. Her talk put the spotlight on environmental conservation and its role in ethical hospitality.
Olivia first came to the Maldives as a volunteer for a local NGO, where she co-managed a sea turtle rescue & rehabilitation centre and a coral gardening programme. She joined the Olive Ridley Project last year as a Sea Turtle Biologist for Raa Atoll, based at JOALI BEING, where she carries out population research and educational outreach.
Jadugar Butler Service with Mauvy Mahir, budding local butler. Born and raised in the Maldives, Mauvy is set to graduate soon from Maldives National University (one of the institutions that participated in the special event for International Women’s Day). As a butler at JOALI BEING, she shared her personal journey and ambitions with the audience. Being in the same shoes, many of the young women students could identify closely with her experiences.
Mauvy started her career as a service associate and found her ultimate dream job in 2020 when she became a butler at a Maldivian resort. Now part of the team at JOALI BEING, she is a Jadugar. Meaning “magician” in the local language, this term is used to describe the brand’s personal butlers, who are known for their almost-magical ability to make guest requests come true.
JOALI BEING invites wellbeing seekers to reconnect with themselves and with the beauty of nature. Based on the belief that understanding is the key to creating and sustaining wellbeing, the island’s Learning Centre offers a series of educational workshops and experiential classes with wellbeing experts, culinary maestros and herbalists. This distinctive wellbeing retreat is home to a total of 68 exclusive guest villas with pools, consisting of 33 beach villas and 35 water villas.
With 13 categories to choose from, guests can opt for one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom villas and residences. JOALI BEING features unique transformational spaces that allow guests to immerse in elemental therapies and healing experiences. Nature is at the centre of life at JOALI BEING, with the retreat being completely committed to nature immersive and responsible travel – the pathway to true “weightlessness”. https://www.joalibeing.com/
This Easter, The Nautilus Maldives is inviting guests to step into “An Easter Canvas”, a celebration where colour, creativity, and island freedom come together in a week of joyful expression. At this ultra-luxury bohemian hideaway, Easter unfolds like a living artwork, with days washed in colour, moments shaped by imagination, and time flowing as gently as the tides.
At the centre of An Easter Canvas is a collection of immersive artistic experiences inspired by the island’s radiant spectrum of colours. From family art sessions hosted by a visiting Maldivian artist to a collaborative beach canvas that evolves with each guest’s contribution, the Easter programme becomes a tapestry of renewal and joy—crafted by the hands and hearts of those who take part.
Solasta Spa embraces Easter with a curated palette of healing and renewal.
- Radiant Awakening draws from sunshine hues with a rejuvenating body polish and signature massage.
- Harmony Within reflects tranquil greens through aloe-based treatments, crystal sound healing, and grounding techniques.
- Ocean Stillness mirrors the calm blues of the sea, beginning with a salt exfoliation followed by a meditative Shirodhara ritual.
- Tender Renewal and Soulful Reflection explore soft pink and violet tones through rose quartz, aromatherapy, and gentle facial therapies.
Each ritual offers a sensory immersion designed to awaken, soothe, and restore—one colour at a time.
Dining at The Nautilus is treated as an art form. As the island shifts through its Easter-inspired palette, culinary experiences transform with it—from colour-changing cocktails at Naiboli’s Shades of the Horizon sunset pop-up to vibrant beach dinners and lively Easter brunches at Thyme. Without menus or fixed hours, each meal becomes a spontaneous creation shaped by guest preferences and the island’s creative spirit.
This Easter season will also feature a special appearance by Chef Gregor Zimmermann, Swiss State Chef and Executive Chef of the iconic Bellevue Palace in Bern. A distinguished member of Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, he will present two exclusive five-course dinners and a chocolate masterclass. His creations will form a dialogue between the refined flavours of the Swiss Alps and the treasures of the Maldivian seas, expressed through authenticity, emotion, and technical mastery.
Easter at The Nautilus promises a world of discovery for younger guests. Activities include the lively “Bunny Kickoff” party, ocean-inspired crafts, pastel tie-dye sessions, treasure hunts, and the island’s signature event—the “Every Bunny Wins Easter Egg Hunt”.
Children may also explore purposeful creativity through ecoBirdy Ocean Lab workshops, which introduce young minds to the beauty and fragility of marine environments. Each session guides children in transforming recycled plastics into small functional artworks. Through storytelling and hands-on making, young guests learn about sustainability while creating keepsakes inspired by the ocean around them.
At The Nautilus, Easter is more than a seasonal holiday—it is a celebration of renewal, artistry, and the simple joy of creation. Whether crafting upcycled treasures during ecoBirdy workshops, contributing to the island’s living art installation, enjoying spontaneous feasts shaped by personal tastes, or sharing sunlit moments on white sands, every guest becomes part of a story painted in freedom, colour, and flow.
On the morning of 26 November, as the Maldives embraced the gentle warmth of the festive season, Canareef Resort Maldives once again lit up the island with its much-loved Christmas tradition – the annual Cake Mixing Ceremony. Held at the lively Dhoaraa Bar at 10:30am, the event brought together guests, team members, and island friends in a joyous celebration of tradition, community, and holiday spirit.
This year’s ceremony unfolded as a vibrant gathering filled with cheerful faces, aromatic spices, and rich festive ingredients. Guests from across the world joined in, eagerly blending dried fruits and a touch of local warmth into a fragrant mixture. As the rhythm of stirring released notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and rum into the air, participants bonded over this cherished ritual, symbolising unity, generosity, and the joy of the season. The ocean breeze mingling with the sweet aroma created an atmosphere that beautifully captured the magic of island festivities.
More than a seasonal event, the Cake Mixing Ceremony at Canareef is a celebration of togetherness. It is an opportunity to create lasting memories, forge new friendships, and embrace the true essence of the holidays. Guests and the resort’s team take delight in the simple act of stirring the mixture side by side, adding a special sparkle to Canareef’s festive calendar.
Long recognised as a hallmark of holiday cheer, the ceremony reflects Canareef Resort Maldives’ warm, welcoming, and family-like spirit. For those seeking a tropical escape or a memorable festive experience, the resort continues to offer a sanctuary where traditions are honoured and celebrations become unforgettable.
This festive season, Canareef invites guests to join in for a celebration brimming with flavour, joy, and island magic—an opportunity to discover why the Maldives remains a truly special place to celebrate and to create holiday memories that will last a lifetime.
Oaga Art Resort, a homegrown Maldivian brand where creativity thrives and stories unfold, has announced Threading Time, a captivating solo exhibition by Maldivian artist Hajja Nazwa. The exhibition will open on 5 December 2025 at Moo Gé Gallery by Suvāsthi, the art brand of Oaga Resorts, and will run until 6 January 2026, giving guests the chance to experience Hajja’s stitched photographic narratives throughout the festive season.
Threading Time explores memory, everyday life, and the subtle beauty of island living. Through a fusion of photography and embroidery, Hajja Nazwa transforms ordinary moments into enduring visual stories. Each stitched detail reflects scenes of Maldivian daily life—street corners, bursts of colour, the quiet rhythm of the city, and the serenity of the islands.
Reflecting on her work, Hajja said: “Photo embroidery gives me a gentle place to return to… a space where I can slow down, look closely, and connect with myself. The act of stitching feels like a conversation between my hands and my memories. It reminds me to notice the small things, to honour them, and to hold on to the parts of life that quietly shape me.”
The exhibition features 55 works from Hajja’s stitched-story collection, many based on her own photographs celebrating Maldivian culture, heritage, and everyday moments. The pieces encourage viewers to engage with the interplay of thread, colour, and light, creating a space where art, memory, and island life intersect.
The exhibition is curated by Ahmed Sobah, whose long-standing involvement in the Maldivian arts scene ensures a presentation that highlights the vibrancy, intimacy, and contemplative depth of Hajja’s work.
The exhibition will open with a ticketed event on 5 December, offering guests:
- A guided tour with the artist
- A curated dinner at Kaa Kada, Oaga’s signature restaurant
- Evening entertainment at Raa Baa bar
Date & Time: 5 December 2025, 16:00 – 22:30
Ticket Price: MVR 1,542 (USD 100)
Includes: Roundtrip speedboat transfer from Malé International Airport, exhibition access with guided tour, dinner, and entertainment.
From 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, the exhibition will be open to all resort guests, allowing visitors to explore Hajja’s work at their own pace in an intimate island gallery setting.
Moo Gé is the transformative creative space of Oaga Art Resort—a hybrid venue that functions as a movement studio, performance arena, and exhibition platform. Its fluid design allows it to adapt to the needs of artists and audiences alike. For Threading Time, Moo Gé becomes a dedicated gallery, enabling guests to experience Hajja Nazwa’s embroidered photographic works up close.
As part of Suvāsthi, Oaga’s artistic ecosystem centred on joy and creative expression, Moo Gé reflects the resort’s commitment to nurturing local and visiting talent. It is a place where culture, creativity, and island spirit come together, offering an experience rooted not only in observation but also in participation.
Oaga Art Resort continues to champion Maldivian artistry, giving guests the rare opportunity to engage with local talent in meaningful ways. Threading Time is more than an exhibition— it is an ongoing dialogue between artist, audience, and island life, where each thread and photograph tells a story of home, memory, and culture.
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