Best of the Maldives: Turtle Rehab Centre – Joali Being

Joali Being - turtle rehab 1

In a destination where the salutary effects of warm sunshine and remote tranquillity are complemented by gentle waters, wellness spas and programmes are standard fare in the luxury segment. Joali Being is the first Maldives resort to base its entire proposition around the wellness concept. And, the wellness is not just for its human guests, but also for its aquatic ones as well. Specifically, sea turtles who are treated at its Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (thanks Paola):

  • Serving as a step-down facility of the Olive Ridley Project’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa atoll, the new Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Raa atoll at JOALI BEING is used for the rehabilitation of long-term sea turtle patients who are not in need of the intensive veterinary care received at the rescue centre. Sea turtle patients will be transferred here from the Olive Ridley Project’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre when they are nearing their release back to the ocean after treatment by the veterinary team. During their time at the Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, patients will continue to receive care from the resident Sea Turtle Biologist, Mohamed Shah, under the direct supervision of the Olive Ridley Project’s veterinary team…Patients admitted to the Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre will undergo different types of customised rehabilitation such as Targeted External Weight Therapy (TEWT), dive conditioning and supervised exposure to enrichment devices.”

And like the increasingly high spec spas of the luxury set, the turtles are treated to their own stylish surroundings with an artistic likeness (the hallmark of its sister property, Joali).

Joali Being - turtle rehab 2

Best of the Maldives: Gut Reset – Joali Being

Joali Being - gut reset

With the holidays behind us, many of us are plotting our January resolutions or at least recovery from the excesses of the festivities. Joali Being offers and complete “Gut Reset” which is a 5, 7 or 10 night programme with comprehensive catalogue of consultations, meals and treatments – Massage, Detox, Microbiome Therapy | Gut Reset, Wellbeing | JOALI Being:

  • Especially designed to address the root cause of digestive disorders, this Wellbeing Programme promotes cellular detoxication and restores the natural balance of your microbiome through a synergistic blend of gentle detoxifying treatments.”

My gut feel is that this will make your gut feel great.

Best of the Maldives: Glass Floor Treatment Room – Joali Being

Joali Being - glass floor treatment room

Some of the classiest treatment rooms in the Maldives are situated overwater and feature a glass portal under the treatment table so you can be lulled into more a relaxed state looking at the tranquil waters sloshing about below with its colourful tropical fish cruising by. Joali Being has given its entire treatment a glass floor so you are immersed in the aquatic tranquillity the moment you enter.

Best of the Maldives: Sleep Therapy – Joali Being

Joali Being - sleep therapy

One would think that of all places, the relaxed chill of the indolent Maldives would be the last place where one would need help sleeping. But sleep is a bit more complicated than that. Global visitors will confront jet lag. High-powered go-getters can often have trouble shifting gears to decompress. People of a certain age (like us) often suffer from disrupted sleep patterns. And even the blessing of the poolside laying about can make it difficult to get a full night’s sleep because you have rested so much during the day. Joali Being now how has a treatment for anyone who not only wants a relaxing holiday, but also guidance on restful nights even after the vacation is over – sleep therapy:

  • ·Regulate and improve your sleeping patterns. By addressing the underlying health imbalances that may be contributing to your sleep concerns, this Wellbeing Programme ensures that not only will you rest better whilst on holiday but also after you return home.”

Best of the Maldives: Bespoke Well Being – Joali Being

Joali Being - wellness

I appreciate when resorts focus on a certain market, style or ambience instead of being all things to all people. Well, Joali Being is 100% focused on well-being:

· “Maldives’ first luxury bespoke wellbeing resort…Here guests are guided on the path to self-discovery and renewal.”

I still remember when many resorts didn’t have spas back in the 90s. Now an entire island is dedicated to being one big spa experience.

Best of the Maldives: Bioresonance Assessment – Joali Being

While guests might come to the Maldives to check out the bioluminescence of the plankton in the Maldivian waters, they acan also check out their own bioresonance at Joali Being. The “Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby” episode about the Maldives hopped over to Joali’s latest property to see the latest tech for diagnosis and informing wellbeing. The host Monica Galetti visits its Areka Wellbeing Center to try out its “bio-resonance device which reads the energy produced by the living cells in her body.”

Best of the Maldives: Operations Documentary–Joali / Joali Being

World Tourism Day today! And one of the best portrayals of the world of Maldivian tourism is BBC’s “Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby” series (available on iPlayer in the UK for another year) hosted by Joali and Joali Being resorts. Yes, the show does have much of the contrived, shilling lifestyle porn vibe to it. But what makes it distinctive is its “peek behind the scenes”. And while the “work” that the two bubbly hosts roll their sleeves up to do is also a bit contrived (Monica Galetti less so then tv personality Rob Rinder because Monica is an actual chef), it is still a lovely portrayal of the efforts made by the staff to keep the property running smoothly. And I must say that the tour of Joali’s staff area was most impressive and surely one of the finest areas in the Maldives. Stay tuned for some added posts about a few distinctive aspect’s of Joali’s operations revealed by the show.

Best of the Maldives: Vegetarian/Vegan Eatery – Joali Being

Joali Being - vegetarian eatery

It’s never difficult to find a veggie option in the Maldives with its shared culinary heritage with the Indian subcontinent and the general popularity of well-being options among the destination’s guests. But the newly opened Joali Being has a set a new bar for a spectacular vegetarian eatery, Plantae:

  • “Travellers can choose to eat at Flow, the resort’s open-plan interactive dining space which has three kitchens including Plantae, a fully vegetarian and vegan eatery,”

For vegetarians used to having a few “V” options at the bottom of the menu, Joali elevates meat-free dining to a sort of culinary cathedral.