Featured
JOALI Maldives donates to Raa Dhuvaafaru
Located on the island of Muravandhoo in the unspoilt Raa Atoll, JOALI Maldives donates $30,000 and two eight-seater buggies worth $14,900 to the Raa Dhuvaafaru Council. JOALI Maldives believes that this latest donation will help support the neighbouring communities. Dhuvaafaru is the most populous island in Raa Atoll with over 5,000 inhabitants, including over 2,500 women, some of whom are currently employed at JOALI Maldives.
“At JOALI Maldives, we are all deeply committed to active involvement in supporting the communities in Raa Atoll. We continue to work together with the local communities, supporting in different areas of need and focusing particularly on remote islands here in Raa Atoll,” says Enver Arslan, General Manager at JOALI Maldives.

JOALI Maldives is proud of the meaningful community and environmental changes that the resort has been able to create since its inception in 2018. The immersive-art resort holistically ingrains social and environmental responsibility through its deep-rooted ‘Joy of Caring’ CSR strategy which focuses on four key CSR aspects including:
- ‘Joy of Preserving’ – promoting environmental initiatives on the island
- ‘Joy of Supporting’, which fosters community engagement within Raa atoll
- ‘Joy of Empowering’, supporting gender equality and women empowerment
- ‘Joy of Conserving’, which focuses on driving operational sustainability
JOALI Maldives has always been dedicated to supporting the local communities in Raa Atoll, with the resort being particularly passionate in advocating female empowerment. In December 2021, JOALI was delighted to donate funds to support three Women’s Development Committees in the Raa Atoll; Raa Innamaadhoo WDC, Raa Maakurathu WDC and Raa Rasmaadhoo WDC. The funds will help to support community development and female empowerment projects in these islands and will reach over 3,000 residents.

In January 2022, JOALI Maldives also made a donation to three Non-Governmental Organisations working in the Maldives including Women In Tech Maldives with funds raised as part of a collaborative art project. The organisation is using the funds to inspire, empower and celebrate women in science and technology, including an initiative to teach coding skills to school students.

JOALI Maldives is the country’s first and only immersive art resort, located on the island of Muravandhoo in the unspoilt Raa Atoll just 45 minutes away from Male by private seaplane. Launched in late 2018, JOALI Maldives truly embodies the joys of life that are woven through its focus on art and sustainable luxury, gastronomy, family and wellbeing. JOALI Maldives stands out from the crowd of luxury resorts in the region with its focus on the human story and nature, preserving and protecting the place that the team love the most by shining the spotlight on sustainability. JOALI Maldives’ experiential works of art and dynamic design, including a Manta Ray Treehouse and underwater coral reef sculpture, all reflect the beauty of nature with sustainability at their core.dynamic design, including a Manta Ray Treehouse and underwater coral reef sculpture, all reflect the beauty of nature with sustainability at their core.
Featured
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives introduces summer offer across four island resorts
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives has introduced a summer offer aimed at travellers seeking longer stays across its four island resorts.
Guests booking stays of seven nights or more will receive complimentary return transfers for two people, while shorter stays will include complimentary one-way transfers. At participating resorts, up to two children under the age of 12 can also stay and dine free.
The offer includes savings on selected excursions and activities and is available for bookings and stays until 31 October 2026.
Guests who book directly through Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives will have access to additional benefits, including options to personalise their stays with beach dining, spa treatments and island activities. Members of the brand’s loyalty programme will receive further savings and earn double Discovery Dollars during the promotional period.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers beachfront accommodation, a range of activities and speedboat transfers from Malé. Its accommodation and family-focused programmes are designed for guests seeking a combination of recreation and time together.
Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives provides accommodation, dining options, wellness services and water-based activities within an island setting. The resort caters to couples, families and travellers visiting the Maldives for the first time.
Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, located across two islands in Meemu Atoll, is positioned for couples and honeymooners. Guest experiences include sunset dining, spa treatments and access to the surrounding lagoon.
Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon caters to divers and snorkellers through its house reef, marine life and access to dive sites. The resort provides direct access to underwater experiences in the Indian Ocean.
The summer offer provides savings of up to 65% across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives’ four properties.
Awards
JOALI Maldives wins two honours at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Grégoire Berger to host dining experience at Lily Beach Resort & Spa
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.

The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
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