Art-immersive island showcase
Interactive sculptures weave through lush palm groves, while a serpentine wooden boardwalk reaches deep into the turquoise lagoon.
“The interiors, meanwhile, never shout but still seem to wow with luxe Mediterranean touches and tasteful art.”
Where it shines
Exceptional
Autoban interiors feature Norwegian green marble, custom Brancusi-inspired woodwork, and Porky Hefer suspended woven treehouses across the lagoon.
Exceptional
Dedicated Jadugar private butlers provide round-the-clock unpacking, bespoke bath preparations, and discreet island transport via private buggies.
Remarkable
Days feature guided house reef dives, liquid nitrogen desserts at La Joie, tennis, and chartered dhoni cruises.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
Forbes Five-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – The Indian Ocean
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in The 50 Discovery and Wallpaper*.
the secluded Muravandhoo Island is home to JOALI Maldives, billed as the archipelago’s first art-immersive resort — and indeed, it’s art and design that separate this hotel from its rivals.
“Most of the interiors are by Istanbul-based outfit Autoban, who layered the resort with local timber, bamboo, terrazzo flooring, custom-made furnishings and hand-carved wooden panels…”
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Reached by seaplane in the northern Raa Atoll, this secluded island is encircled by house reefs teeming with marine life.
The rooms
High-ceilinged villas feature private infinity plunge pools, bottle-green marble soaking tubs, and round-the-clock service from dedicated personal butlers.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A freeform swimming pool curves along the white sand beach, bordered by timber sundecks and palm trees.
The spa
Treatment suites sit among tropical gardens and over the water, designed with carved timber walls and open-air pavilions.
The sauna
A timber-lined Finnish sauna looks out across the turquoise lagoon through a full-height glass wall.
Restaurant
Saoke
Set along an overwater boardwalk, this Japanese restaurant serves sushi and robata under origami-inspired timber ceilings.
The attention to detail that has gone into creating Joali is astounding. The visionary architects at Autoban can be credited with the resort’s fairytale finished look.
At the table
Island dining spans regional Italian dishes at Bellinis to private dinners served inside an elevated thatched treehouse.
How it began
Founded in 2018 by Turkish entrepreneur Esin Güral Argat as an art-immersive retreat, the resort preserved over a thousand native palms during construction.
“On the private island, 73 personal villas are split between beachfront retreats and overwater bungalows positioned off a serpentine jetty.”
Good to know
Stay here
JOALI Maldives
See rooms and prices on Expedia or Booking.com.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
We may earn a commission when you book through Expedia or Booking.com. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Maldives
More like this
Soneva Jani
“Overwater fantasy playground”
Cheval Blanc Randheli
“Haute atoll hideaway”
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island
“Solar-powered island bolthole”
Soneva Secret
“Starlit castaway cove”
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
“Circular lagoon showpiece”
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
“Biomimetic island showcase”
Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
“Thatched coral cocoon”
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
“Twin-island marine outpost”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.