Agent Diary: Ben Murtagh embraces...

Usturiun Luxury Travel GM Ben Murtagh shares moments from a rewarding stay at Joali Being

When my friend and I decided we needed a wellness holiday, Joali Being jumped right to the top of our list, not least because a stay at this luxe Indian Ocean destination was one the offerings in the 2025 Golden Globes Gift Bags.

This transformative wellness resort, the first-of-its-kind in the Maldives, offers just the right balance of first-class service and tropical setting, with delectable dining that makes it effortless to eat healthily, alongside a colossal programme of treatments and therapies that we had to experience for ourselves.

Just 40 minutes by seaplane from Malé, located in the Raa Atoll, Joali Being gave us an immeasurable sense of tranquillity from the moment we arrived.

Joeli Being is an all-villa resort

On one of the most impressive jetties that I’ve ever seen, we were met by our ‘jadugar’, the term given to the resort’s butlers, which means ‘magician’ in the Maldivian language – and, wow, they really are!

He took us to our incredible overwater villa, where the check-in process was completed, and then we discussed the personalised wellness programme that we would be following in the coming days.

Overwater villa, Joali Being, Maldives

We both really wanted to experience the “joy of weightlessness”, which is one of the island’s mottoes, so we squeezed in as many activities, therapies and treatments as we could over four days.

Everything was exceptional, but the standout spa experience was the Watsu

This unique water therapy that blends shiatsu massage, stretching and dance (yes, dance!) in a warm pool with a highly trained therapist who guided and manipulated our floating bodies through a series of flowing movements.

The therapist told me that it’s not uncommon for people to be moved to tears by Watsu. It is the joy of weightlessness in its truest form.

Ocean-facing wellness rooms

A key part of any hotel stay, whether for wellness, business or pleasure, is the food.

At a wellness resort, the common expectation is that you may be limited to some leaves and a sprinkling of bird-feed seeds, but here we indulged in endless menus filled with delicious dishes, all with macro nutrients and ingredients listed. I still dream about the chicken tacos.

There’s also wine available for those who like a tipple with their evening meal.

Mojo Bar at Joeli Being

This is wellness your way. The complete symbiosis of the perfect setting, service, experiences, nature and nurturing cuisine gave my friend and I renewed energy, and, as we left the island, we knew that we had to return

Based in Dubai, Usturiun Luxury Travel specialises in creating bespoke journeys for discerning global clientele, and as a premium member of Virtuoso, offers access to an exclusive collection of the world’s finest hotels, resorts and unique experiences. For more information, visit usturiunluxurytravel.com and joali.com/joali-being

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