News
JOALI BEING brings renowned experts to curate experiences this Easter

JOALI BEING, the first wellbeing island of its kind in the Maldives, has unveiled its theme of ‘Embracing Easter’s Harmony’, inviting guests to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery of renewal, hope and harmony, exuding a feeling of freedom and lightness – true ‘joy of weightlessness’.
From 28th March to 7th April 2024, a line-up of globally celebrated names, such as German aesthetician Dr. Barbara Sturm to Australian former footballer legend Tim Cahill, will offer exclusive experiences along with JOALI BEING signature activities designed for multi-generations. This includes:
- Dr Barbara Sturm: World-renowned celebrity aesthetic Doctor, Barbara Sturm will host bespoke masterclasses on reverse-ageing methodologies with a variety of treatments offered on the island, along with an enriching session for young adults and children at B’Kidult, the island’s multi-generational playground, to inspire the next generation.
- Hamna ‘Hamty’ Husain & Martina Trepczyk: On 31st March, TIGEREYES will be presented in JOALI BEING; this exclusive screening reflects the brand’s strong devotion to female empowerment. It is an award-winning film directed by Martina Trepczyk, showcasing the world life of Hamna ‘Hamty’ Husain, the first and only female scuba diver on a remote Maldivian island who regularly dives with the world’s most feared and misunderstood animal, the tiger shark.
- Tim Cahill: In the spirit of nurturing the next generation of young football players, former Australian football legend Tim Cahill, the first Australian to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup, will host workshops. His coaching sessions will centre upon mastering technical drills, turning practice skills into fun and engaging games, with a key focus on holistic development. Cahill passionately believes in creating a supportive environment where every youngster feels valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.
- Dr Hanna Poikonen: Dr Poikonen created WiseMotion to blend her neuroscience knowledge with her passion for dance and will offer classes at JOALI BEING, which include Introduction to WiseMotion, Wisemotion Masterclass, and multi-generational movement classes. WiseMotion is a method that combines guided movement improvisation, scientific knowledge and interactive discussions to support the Mind Pillar at JOALI BEING.
Guests can participate in daily wellbeing activities, including yoga, aerial yoga, gratitude meditation, chakra dancing, breathwork classes, Vinyasa Yoga, paddleboard yoga, sound baths, reflexology, Aufguss sauna rituals, and workshops in JOALI BEING’s herbology centre, AKTAR, such as facial scrub & mask-making as well as learning about therapeutic teas. Or, embark on adventures to the vibrant underwater world on guided snorkelling, jet skiing, semi-submarine tours, paddle boarding, dolphin cruises, fishing, coral planting, and conversations with marine biologists to learn about the island’s sustainability initiatives. Guests can enjoy the island’s padel and tennis courts surrounded by verdant greens, an Easter run, functional training classes, mat pilates, circuit training, as well as speciality classes for kids such as fitness classes, Zumba and Qi Gong. For inspiring culinarians, family culinary workshops, cocktail and mocktail classes and tea celebrations with the Master Tea Sommelier will be highlights. Evenings are for gastronomical journeys in atmospherical settings, from Maldivian-themed dinners and traditional Easter spreads to elegant Caviar and Tea soiree dining.
The newly built multi-generational playground, B’Kidult, will offer activities for all ages that focus on wellbeing, sustainability, and fun. Dedicated to the importance of early-stage learning and wellbeing, together this Easter, families can explore an array of thoughtfully crafted experiences to bolster health, impart new skills and nurture connections such as treasure hunts, Herbarium workshops and craft soap-making.
Commenting on this year’s Easter, General Manager Graeme Freeman says, “We invite guests to partake in a celebration at JOALI BEING that goes beyond your traditional Easter festivities. Our theme of ‘Embracing Easter’s Harmony’ is a celebration of the soul – a moment to rediscover your inner harmony, reconnect with oneself and embrace the transformative power of Easter. Our resident practitioners and visiting experts will craft a one-of-a-kind journey for all our guests.”
On the secluded natural island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, JOALI BEING is home to 68 private, exquisite beach and water villas with thirteen categories ranging from one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom accommodations, each with their own private infinity pools and personal “Jadugar”, meaning ‘skilled magician’ in Dhivehi.
JOALI BEING has villas from $2700 per night based on two persons sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis. Wellbeing Programmes start from $1,693 per person based on a five-night programme.
Cooking
W Maldives welcomes acclaimed ‘Dessert King’ Reynold Poernomo for Flavours Unscripted culinary takeover

W Maldives is turning up the flavor dial this August with a high-profile culinary collaboration that is equal parts bold, artful, and wildly indulgent. As part of the resort’s Dare To Taste programming under the Flavors Unscripted series, W Maldives will welcome acclaimed chef and culinary creative Reynold Poernomo for a two-part takeover on August 10 and 12, 2025. This exclusive collaboration is set to redefine island dining—one plate at a time.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Sydney, Chef Reynold is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. A self-taught prodigy who rose to fame as a finalist on MasterChef Australia, he quickly became known as the nation’s “Dessert King” for his intricate, art-driven creations. In 2016, he co-founded KOI Dessert Bar with his family, which has since become one of Sydney’s most iconic culinary destinations with a cult following. The brand expanded in 2017 with KOI Dessert Kitchen, a production space that also hosts exclusive masterclasses and guest chef collaborations. Reynold’s approach to food is anything but ordinary—his plates are immersive, imaginative, and unapologetically bold. This August, he brings that same creative fire to W Maldives.
The main event unfolds on August 12, when guests will have the rare opportunity to experience Chef Reynold’s culinary artistry firsthand at FISH, the resort’s signature overwater venue renowned for its sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining. For one night only, Chef Reynold will present a specially curated three-course dinner inspired by island ingredients, global technique, and his unmistakable visual flair. Guests can expect bold plating, layered flavors, and a few unexpected turns—this is Reynold unleashed, Maldives-style.
As part of this exclusive collaboration, W Maldives presents Marriott Bonvoy Moments–a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members to bid on a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold, paired with a luxurious four-night villa stay in a Premier Overwater One-Bedroom Villa from August 9 to 13, 2025. The package includes roundtrip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport, daily breakfast, and a one-time signature treatment at AWAY Spa for the bid winner and their guest.
The highlight of the stay begins on August 10, with an intimate starlit dinner on Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private castaway island, where Chef Reynold will personally host and curate a bespoke tasting menu. On August 12, the duo will receive front-row seats to his culinary showcase at FISH. With only one package available, anticipation is high and competition will be fierce.
To mark the collaboration, Chef Reynold will also unveil an exclusive signature dessert, created just for W Maldives and available on the menu for six months following his visit. Daring, decadent, and destined to be the most photographed dish on the island, it is a lasting tribute to this unforgettable partnership.
“There’s something electric about the Maldives—its textures, its moods, its light,” said Chef Reynold Poernomo. “This menu is my response to that. A dreamscape of flavor brought to life through technique, imagination, and a little island heat.”
Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, added, “At W Maldives, we’re all about pushing boundaries—on the plate, behind the bar, and in the guest experience. Reynold brings a daring, creative energy that aligns perfectly with our vision. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a story told in flavor.”
This collaboration is part of Flavors Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. It is food without rules. Flavor without borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the North Ari Atoll and a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, W Maldives is a bold luxury escape featuring 77 private villas—each with a plunge pool and unobstructed access to the Indian Ocean. Following a recent design refresh, the resort seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the island’s raw natural beauty.
Members can now bid for a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold Poernomo and a four-night stay at W Maldives until July 21, 2025 through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Awards
JOALI Maldives ranked Asia’s best and No. 7 in world’s top 100

JOALI Maldives has been named the #1 Resort in Asia and #7 Resort in the World in the prestigious Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025, reaffirming its place as one of the leading luxury destinations globally and the hallmark of excellence of the Maldives.
Each year, Travel + Leisure readers rate the world’s most exceptional hotels based on rooms and facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. JOALI Maldives’ consistently high ratings reflect an enduring commitment to thoughtful luxury and heartfelt guest experiences.
With an outstanding score of 99.46 this year, the resort stands among the highest-rated properties in the world in this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. Guests praised every element of the experience, from the design of the villas to the warmth of the service, with one reader declaring Saoke, the resort’s signature Japanese restaurant, as “the best food in the world.” This level of acclaim reflects not only exceptional facilities, but also the resort’s unwavering commitment to curating personalised, soulful journeys for every guest.
This award adds to an ever-growing list of honours for the resort. JOALI Maldives has proudly upheld Forbes Five-Star status consecutively, has been celebrated in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards most recently as the #1 Resort in the Indian Ocean, and continues to earn praise in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards and previous editions of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best.
“We are truly humbled by this recognition from Travel + Leisure readers,” says Shifaz Hassan, General Manager of JOALI Maldives. “It’s especially meaningful because it comes from our guests — many of whom return year after year, sharing heartfelt feedback about our island. Our team works with quiet dedication to anticipate needs, honour privacy, and create moments of true joy. The recognition reflects the connections we have built with our guests, and I am immensely proud of this achievement”
A beacon of creativity and conscious living in the Maldives, JOALI continues to elevate luxury hospitality by meaningfulness, beauty, and soul.
Awards
Villa Park, Villa Nautica crowned among world’s top 100 hotels

Villa Resorts has been recognised in the TopHotels “Top 100 Hotels of the Year 2024” list, with two of its properties, Villa Park and Villa Nautica, featured among the highest-rated hotels based on guest reviews from Russia and the CIS.
TopHotels is one of the most widely used hotel review platforms among Russian-speaking travellers, and its annual ranking reflects feedback from thousands of verified guests. Earning a place in this list highlights the strong appeal of Villa Resorts’ offerings in these markets and the high level of satisfaction experienced by guests throughout the year.
Villa Park, located in South Ari Atoll, is well known for its lush landscapes, vibrant marine life, and wide range of activities suited for families, couples, and nature enthusiasts. Villa Nautica, situated near Malé, offers a more energetic island setting with beachfront villas, lively experiences, and a relaxed yet refined atmosphere.
While each resort offers something unique, both share the brand’s signature focus on heartfelt service, comfortable luxury, and a strong sense of place inspired by the Maldives.
This recognition reflects Villa Resorts’ longstanding relationship with guests from Russia and the CIS. The brand has continually invested in understanding the needs of these travellers, offering multilingual support and culturally considerate service across its properties.
With roots in the Maldives since the early 1980s, Villa Resorts remains one of the country’s most established hospitality brands. This recent acknowledgment from TopHotels reinforces its position as a trusted choice for international travellers seeking authentic island experiences grounded in comfort, care, and connection.
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