Island Life

The syncopated thrum of turboprops pulsates through the small plane’s airframe as you descend into Ifuru, its miniature airport just pinpricks of light in the tropical darkness, on a short hop from Malé. It’s easy to imagine yourself on a dangerous mission, but from here the only target is a speedboat waiting to take you 15 minutes away to the tiny island of Muravandhoo, home to the new Joali. Or, if your stars align to bring you here during the day when the tide is higher, a seaplane will take you right to the door.

The setting is as remote as it is spectacular — remote enough that our plane stops multiple times on the way, like a city bus. Fortunately, the terminus is well worth it. You arrive at a grand jetty, replete with massive wooden columns and undulating roof, designed by Istanbulbased Atolye4n , which also created the overall layout. A boardwalk stretches over the water from the private island, which measures less than half of a square kilometre; there are 73 villas and residences, most accessible via the boardwalk and others on the island itself with the public areas. Nearby uninhabited islands can be seen, and tempt exploration.

Interiors are by fellow Istanbulites Autoban, and showcase the firm’s brand of modern luxe, minimal in form but with rich attention to material and detail. The sense of entrance is breathtaking; what appears from the outside a typical low thatched hut opens into a grand, high-ceilinged space divided by massive sliding doors of dark wood, where light pours through the glass lining the entire ocean-facing side. Natural materials feature strongly throughout; the wood is here naturally textured, there intricately carved. It provides the dominant dark colour, but is accented with brass detailing, from decorative inlay and wound rope-style joints to a variety of bespoke sconces and decorative lighting. Furnishings introduce softer, lighter elements: a pastel palette in the lounge gives a soft touch and complements more club-like bedroom chairs, which combine wooden frames and solid forms with rattan for a tropical note. Marquetry and custom artwork are highlights, while a unique selection of reading material is a thoughtful touch.

Art is in fact a strong theme throughout the resort, with many permanent installations designed to be used as furniture; they come from creators as diverse as Nacho Carbonell, Porky Hefer, Misha Kahn and Ardmore. Other exhibitions and interactive shows rotate through the year.

Food and beverage options include four restaurants offering local and international cuisines, a private kitchen and a chocolate and ice cream shop, as well as a treehouse for private dining. Most are indoor-outdoor pavilions whose more relaxed design — think louvres, textured tile, comfy cushions and more rattan — reflects the tropical vibe, but the modern touches continue in sharply geometric columns and patterns. Design-wise, Tokyo-based Studio Glitt’s overwater Nikkei restaurant Saoke is the star, with its stunning entrance corridor lined with shelves of sake and its intricate bespoke metal sconces. The deck is a perfect spot for listening to the waves over a post-prandial sake.

Wellness and more active recreational activities feature too. The elegant spa offers a variety of treatments, complemented by a separate overwater yoga pavilion, and its hammam is destined for Instagram stardom. Water activities of course include diving, with a focus on reef rehabilitation for those so inclined, as well as excursions to other islands (one residence comes with its own dhoni), kayaking and more. Or you could just enjoy the sunset from your private deck and infinity pool.