Joali Maldives

Accommodation

There are 73 villas in six categories, starting with a spacious suite on the beach and culminating in a deluxe three-bedroom over-water apartment with two pools. All villas have traditional thatched roofs, sea views, an infinity pool, a juicer and original artwork. The superb facilities include a bedside iPad that controls lighting, music, air conditioning – even the closing and opening of the curtains. Most villas have outdoor baths and showers.

Bathroom amenities include relaxing and rejuvenating toiletries; slippers that cocoon the feet seemingly in cotton wool; kimonos that wrap the body in silken prints, and thick, extra-long towels that hug you from top to toe.

Restaurants

The abundant, international breakfast sets the bar high, with fresh green juices, homemade mueslis and cooked Maldivian and European options, but it’s the fine dining dinner options that demonstrate the kitchen’s artistry. Among the many unforgettable Italian choices served in Bellini are house-smoked Maldivian yellowfin tuna, lemon and thyme veal parcels and a fabulous prosecco and divers scallop risotto.

Japanese restaurant Saoke is a tour de force, as much for its design (by Noriyoshi Muramatsu, one of the world’s leading restaurant architects) as for its Japan-meets-Peru Nikkei cuisine. Destination dining is also available: the menu of your choice served on the beach, on a desert island, or in Porky Hefer’s treetop manta ray artwork.

Amenities

The fantastic staff will remember your name, and you’ll have your own jadugar, or concierge, who’ll see to your every need. Facilities include a kids’ club, pool, dive centre with jet-skis, an excellent gym, sea bobs, kayaks, paddle boards and lots more. There’s an Espa spa and outdoor studio where you can do sunrise yoga, and a driver and buggy to transport you to and from your villa.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Steam room/hammam
• Laundry
• Room service
• Pool
• Sauna
• Spa
• Wi-Fi
• Tennis court
• Fitness centre
• Kids’ club
• Beach

Family-Friendly

Absolutely. There’s a kids’ club; children aged up to six stay free in the villas.