02 Aug 2021
Unique immersive wellbeing retreat to open in Maldives backed by Gerry Bodeker and Claire Way
BY Megan Whitby
A brand new nature immersive wellbeing retreat island named Joali Being will launch on the tropical Maldivian island of Bodufushi in late 2021.
The retreat is being designed as a haven of personalised and results-driven transformative programmes which leave guests feeling renewed, uplifted and inspired, with a new sense of weightlessness.
The 68-villa retreat’s philosophy is underpinned by four wellbeing pillars – mind, skin, microbiome and energy – and the project has been conceived with a sense of purpose and synergy so all elements work together to help guests leave feeling healthier and happier, even if they decide not to deeply engage in wellbeing services.
Programmes will last between five days to three weeks and all begin with an Intelligent Movement Analysis and an Integrative Health Assessment.
With strategy, concept and design overseen by Spa Strategy’s Claire Way, design is inspired by the island setting and integrates nature throughout.
During construction, the island’s wild forest is being left untouched and architects Cuneyt Bukulmez and interior design studio Autoban are realising the destination with biophilic design principles to achieve harmony with nature.
Experienced spa director Susanne Fisch will lead the facility as spa and wellness manager and will be supported by industry consultant and founder of Spa and Wellness Collective, Melany Martinez Thomas who is Joali’s director of wellbeing for both properties.
Joali will feature a 39-treatment-room spa – named Areka – offering scientific therapies, diagnostic services, educational programmes and specialised therapeutic and alternative healing treatments.
The spa will house a vast hydrotherapy hall including a sensory deprivation room, Russian banya, water therapies, halotherapy suite and hammam. Plus, guests will be offered access to a Sound Therapy Hall and a Discovery Sound Path – both conceived by Svar Academy in India.
Partnered with Italian wellness equipment supplier Lemi, Areka will also include expansive fitness offerings, a Pilates studio, Ocean Sala and an over-water meditation deck.
Areka will be complemented by Aktar, Joali Being’s dedicated herbology centre. Here, guests will be able to address wellbeing concerns with a resident herbalist who specialises in preparing natural remedies using herbs, spices and essential oils.
Joali Being will also encompass a Learning Centre and a schedule of educational workshops and experiential classes with wellbeing experts, culinary maestros and herbalists.
To round out the offering and cater to the microbiome pillar, Joali Being will offer fresh earth-to-table cuisine through a range of dining concepts where all menus will be curated by the retreat’s on-site nutritionists.
Way describes Joali Being as a stunning location that’s a complete break from everyday life, which is both remote yet accessible.
“There are no distractions, only transformational spaces spread across the island, where everything you do enhances your health,” she said, “the entire location is dedicated to enhancing wellbeing and bringing guests back to a new sense of weightlessness.”
The concept of weightlessness anchors the retreat’s philosophy and has been developed with the help of Professor Gerry Bodeker – respected researcher, industry figure and chair of the GWI’s Mental Wellness Initiative.
More about Joali
The Joali brand is the brainchild of owner and serial entrepreneur Esin Güral Argat, from Turkish-based Gürallar Group, and complements the conglomerate’s mid-range Ali Bey Hotels & Resorts with a higher-end, international brand.
Joali Being will become the sister site to Joali's first Maldives outpost – named Joali Maldives – which opened in 2019 with a signature Espa Life spa.
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