Featured
JOALI BEING welcomes visiting wellbeing practitioners from around globe
JOALI BEING is welcoming expert visiting practitioners throughout 2023 to enable guests to take their wellbeing journeys to a new level, bringing them closer to experiencing the joy of weightlessness.
Beginning in January, guests at JOALI BEING will be able to immerse themselves in transformative sessions with experts in transformative healing, natural healing, Watsu, awareness, sound healing and more, all performed in the inspiring setting of this magical Maldivian island.
Transformative Healing with Javier De Prado Lizano, 1st January to 10th April 2023 and 24th November 2023 to 1st March 2024
A master of craniosacral and Watsu therapies, as well as visceral manipulation and Osteothai techniques, Javier De Prado Lizano will be inviting guests to experience a seamless merging of Eastern and Western healing traditions. Based on De Prado Lizano’s extensive travels and studies with therapeutic masters from diverse cultures, these sessions will support guests on their journeys to transformation from within, creating a state of comprehensive wellbeing. Transformative healing experiences available with De Prado Lizano include craniosacral therapy, visceral manipulation, Osteothai sessions, and Watsu/aqua-cranio/liquid flow.

Natural Healing with Alexandra Demolling, 1st January to 15th April, 2023 and 15th December, 2023 to 18th March, 2024
An experienced naturopath and iridologist, Demolling will guide guests on a holistic pathway to mind and body balance using herbal and vibrational remedies to treat issues such as stress, inflammation and food intolerances. Her sessions help guests discover more authentic and purposeful versions of themselves, and are based on Demolling’s extensive experience and studies at the School of Italian Holistic Medicine in Milan. Take the opportunity to experience natural healing with Demolling’s Bach floral consultations, human design readings and iridology readings with naturopathic advice during her time on the island.

Freeing the Body and Mind in Water with Toru Ogasawara, 1st February – 15th March
Watsu is a transformative aquatic bodywork technique including guided stretching, massage and movement that would be impossible on land. These sessions offered by Toru Ogasawara, Senior Watsu Instructor certified by the Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association, CEO and Executive Instructor of Okinawa Watsu Center, will help to improve muscle tone, range of motion, overall alignment, quality of breath, sleeping pattern and balancing overall circulation and heart rate by supporting the body in water. Float away with 60- and 90-minute Watsu treatments during Ogasawara’s residency at JOALI BEING for a true sensation of feeling the mind and body being freed.

Neuroscientist in Residence Dr. Tara Swart Bieber, 2nd April to 17th April
Dr. Tara Swart Bieber is a globally renowned PhD neuroscientist, Oxford University-trained medical doctor, professor at MIT Sloan, executive advisor and bestselling author on science and spirituality. Her main areas of research are neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change at any age), the gut-brain axis, psych-dermatology (the relationship between mental health and skin), and brain optimisation. During her time at JOALI BEING, Swart Bieber invites guests to maximise their stays by embarking on immersive experiences that will ready them to better re-engage with their everyday lives with renewed resilience, able to make better decisions and to think more clearly. Find personal clarity through a range of experiences, including individual executive coaching, reinvention based on neuroplasticity, individual wellbeing consultations, and group guided meditations, focusing on either nervous system resetting or cognitive enhancement.

The WiseMotion Method with Dr. Hanna Poikonen, 17th April – 31st May
Neurologist, dancer and movement specialist Dr. Hanna Poikonen holds a doctoral degree in the neuroscience of movement, dance and music from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Helsinki in Finland. Through her learnings in science, as well as her experience of studying contemporary dance, martial arts and meditation, Poikonen has developed the WiseMotion method to improve physical abilities, self-awareness and social bonding through movement and neuroscience. Workshops and masterclasses with Poikonen include individual and group retreats, outdoor calm and aware movement meditation sessions, weightlessness through dance sessions, WiseMotion masterclasses covering brain health, high performance and stress management, and a range of individual sessions for brain health and more.

JOALI BEING invites guests 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”.
JOALI BEING has villas from $2,146 (this is subject to taxes) per night based on two persons sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis. Immersion Programmes start from $1,665 per person based on a five-night JOALI BEING Discovery Programme. For further details and booking, please visit joalibeing.com.
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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