The Magic of the Maldives
Making family memories is even more precious after so many months of travel restrictions. Reconnect with your loved ones and spend your days swimming, snorkelling or simply wiggling your toes in the sand at luxurious Joali, the Maldives’ first immersive art resort, writes Ellie Fazan
Arriving at Joali is a wonderful adventure in itself. Endless blue seas stretch to the horizon in every direction as the seaplane dips and soars over emerald water punctuated by expanses of sparkling white sand. From above, it’s easy to see how the Maldives got its name; the word derives from Sanskrit and means garland of islands. Of some 1,190 islands, strung out like pearls across 500 miles of Indian Ocean, fewer than 200 are inhabited. We land in Raa Atoll – one of the largest and deepest rings of islands in the world, and home to a magic resort that puts the joy into family holidays.
While our small companions gaze in awe at the arrivals jetty, whose sculpture-like roof is made of palm thatch and looks like a giant manta ray flying above the water, the grown-ups are welcomed with champagne. Here there are 73 completely private villas – most sleeping up to three or four – with magical sea views and specially commissioned artwork. Larger family groups wishing to get together after time apart could opt for a spacious beach residence with two pools and private beach gardens, or for a three-bedroom over-water residence with two infinity pools.
Lying on the starlit terrace at night with water lapping around the villa, only sea and a twinkling-starred sky in any direction, this watery wonderland is quite surreal. A crab scuttles along the edge of the pool as if in friendly greeting, and for all the world it feels as if I’m adrift on a yacht, with the worries of the past 18 months being gently soothed away. Each villa comes with its own concierge, or jadugar (the local word for magician), who’ll indulge your every whim. This includes discreetly leaving flippers and masks on the deck in the night, because the concierge heard your little people say that they wanted to go snorkelling.
Long associated with honeymooners, the Maldives also offers fun for all the family. At Joali, Muramas Kids Club welcomes children aged three to 12, with the option of babysitting for younger children. As well as a wonderful play centre and opportunities to swim, snorkel, paddleboard and learn to sail, there is an inspired programme of workshops and events that will keep children joyfully occupied and absorbed.