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JOALI hotels
Maldivian island retreats explore the joy of living through sculpture at one, wellbeing at another.
JOALI gives two Maldivian islands distinct ways to enjoy a retreat, with site-specific art at JOALI Maldives and a dedicated wellbeing program at JOALI BEING. Founded through Esin Güral Argat’s vision within Gürok Group, the brand pairs that “joy of living” philosophy with settings on Muravandhoo and Bodufushi in Raa Atoll.
2 JOALI hotels in 1 country on the Luxury Hotels Atlas, each placed on the six LHA Tiers.
- Owned by Gürok Group
- Worldwide: 2 island resorts, both in the Raa Atoll, Maldives — a deliberately concentrated footprint; no confirmed JOALI-branded expansion beyond the Maldives as of mid-2026. Sibling brand BIJAL Resorts (launched 2024, Antalya) operates independently under Gürok Group's broader hospitality umbrella.
- On the atlas: 2 Apex Luxury
History
Esin Güral Argat drew on Gürok’s long experience in glass-making and Turkish resort hospitality when developing JOALI. The first Maldivian island made original art part of the daily experience. JOALI BEING later deepened the retreat’s interest in wellbeing, giving the two islands distinct but related ways to express the joy of living.
Timeline
- 1948 — Gürok Group founded in Turkey as a family-owned conglomerate, initially in glassware, later expanding into mining, construction, FMCG, and resort hospitality. Source: JOALI About Us
- Pre-2018 — Gürok Group accumulates over 35 years of Turkish hospitality experience through Ali Bey Resorts & Hotels in Antalya, a resort complex claiming the title of the world's largest tennis resort, with more than 100 courts.
- 2017–2018 — Design and construction of JOALI Maldives on Muravandhoo Island: architecture by Atölye4n (Cüneyt Bükülmez, Istanbul), interiors by Autoban (Seyhan Özdemir and Sefer Çağlar), F&B design by Studio Glitt (Noriyoshi Muramatsu, Tokyo), art curation by No LaB (Zeynep Ercan and Ala Onur). Over 1,000 trees preserved on the 63,000 sqm island during construction.
- 2019 — JOALI Maldives marks its first anniversary with new art experiences. Forbes covers the resort's evolving art programme; TravelSort publishes the first detailed review of Saoke restaurant.
- 2021 — JOALI BEING on Bodufushi Island enters construction; wellbeing programming developed in collaboration with Oxford University's Professor Gerry Bodeker. The island is designed to biophilic principles, with 37 dedicated treatment rooms and a full wellbeing complex. Source: Spa Business
- 15 November 2021 — JOALI BEING officially opens, the Maldives' first dedicated well-living island retreat. 68 beach and overwater villas, all with private pools; AREKA wellbeing centre with 37 treatment rooms; AKTAR herbology centre; KAASHI hydrotherapy hall; the Discovery Sound Path; and SEDA Sound Therapy Hall. Forbes Travel Guide awards JOALI BEING its first Five-Star rating.
- 2022 — FLOW restaurant at JOALI BEING wins the Restaurant and Bar Design Award 2022. Esin Güral Argat speaks to Forbes Travel Guide about the brand's philosophy and forthcoming ambitions; JOALI BEING earns Four MICHELIN Stars in reader circles.
- 2023 — Both properties accumulate back-to-back placements in Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure global rankings. JOALI Maldives activates a private-island buyout offer during a brief August reopen window.
- 2024 — Gürok Group launches a third ultra-luxury brand, BIJAL Resorts, in Antalya, Turkey: a 19-villa beachside resort designed by Autoban at a reported investment of $20 million, explicitly informed by the JOALI experience but operating as a distinct brand. JOALI BEING earns Forbes Five-Star for the third consecutive year.
- 2026 — JOALI Maldives wins Good Housekeeping 2026 Family Travel Awards; earns Forbes Five-Star status for the fifth consecutive year. JOALI BEING earns Forbes Five-Star for the fourth consecutive year.
The houses to know
- JOALI Being, Bodufushi, Maldives — The Maldives' first dedicated well-living island: biophilic design, 37 treatment rooms, and a science-driven wellbeing architecture that reached the global top five.
- JOALI Maldives, Raa Atoll, Maldives — The Maldives' first art-immersive luxury island: 73 villas, 60-plus original artworks, and a manta-ray treehouse suspended in the forest canopy.
Opening next
- JOALI expansion (unconfirmed) — Location TBD — opening date unconfirmed — Esin Güral Argat stated in a January 2022 Forbes interview that "more beautiful projects and concepts" were forthcoming, but no specific locations, timelines, or confirmed markets for a third JOALI-branded property have been officially announced as of mid-2026. The sibling brand BIJAL Resorts (Gürok Group, Antalya, 2024) extends the ultra-luxury formula into Turkey under a separate brand identity.
Every JOALI hotel on the atlas
Maldives
- JOALI Being — Bodufushi · Apex Luxury
- JOALI Maldives — Raa Atoll · Apex Luxury
Open The Maison in the atlas for JOALI's full dossier, with prices and maps.