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JOALI Wrapped: Magical Memories from the Year-End Festivities

That’s a wrap! The enchanting holiday season has come to an end – and we at JOALI Maldives are looking back at some of our favourite moments. Share in the wonder of our year-end celebration as we take a walk down memory lane.

Gingerbread House Unveiled. Joyful nostalgia filled the air as our Gingerbread House opened its doors for the most wonderful time of the year. Kids and grown-ups alike enjoyed our jolly opening ceremony, filled with freshly baked goodies and sweet treats. The holiday magic was in full swing as we feasted and drank champagne, danced and sang, and decorated gingerbread cookies.

 


Christmas Tree Lighting. Let the celebrations begin! The JOALI Maldives community gathered to watch our beautiful Christmas Tree twinkle to life. Together, we sipped mulled wine, ate cotton candy, and browsed the arts & crafts booths for keepsakes. Our resident ceramic artist was in action, taking guests on a creative journey through her amazing craft. The brightest star of the evening? Mermie the Mermaid, a new friend for our young guests, who joined Turty the Turtle and Muramas the Manta for the festivities.

 


Christmas Breakfast-Brunch. Bright and early, or lazy and relaxed? This year, we invited our guests to spend Christmas morning exactly the way they like. As the sun rose higher in the clear Maldivian sky, our extravagant breakfast turned seamlessly into a sumptuous brunch. Our bartender’s famous Bloody Marys set the scene for an island-style Christmas Day. 

 

Star-Studded Dining. Ready, set, gastronomy! At JOALI Maldives, the holidays are synonymous with spectacular flavours. Acclaimed chefs and luxury brands joined our own multi-talented team to deliver a line-up of incredible culinary art experiences. 

  • Chef Ekaterina Alehina. The first female Michelin-starred chef in Russia, Chef Ekaterina took our guests on a journey through circular gastronomy. With sustainability at the core, her superb menu blended the natural realms of plants, animals and fungi, bringing the vast, rich landscapes of Russia to our serene Maldivian shores.
  • Chef Nina Tarasova. Famous confectioner Chef Nina delighted our sweet-toothed guests with a captivating selection of festive desserts. She also teamed up with Chef Ekaterina to showcase her dainty skills at a sushi and seafood dinner, paired with fine sakes from our impressive selection at SAOKE.
  • Aquazzura x Bellinis. This December, a botanical wonderland bloomed at Bellinis, our glamorous Italian restaurant. In partnership with Aquazzura Casa from Florence, we welcomed our guests into a magical world, where flowers, branches and birds came together in celebration through the Secret Garden tableware collection. Available for six months only, this exclusive takeover enhances the joy of Bellinis’ authentic Italian specialities, carefully crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Theodor Falser.
  • New Year’s Eve Dazzling Dinner. On the final night of 2024, flavours from around the globe made their way to our paradise island. Revellers counted down to midnight with a spectacular spread of delicacies, showcasing the creativity and finesse of our culinary artists. As the clock struck 12, fireworks lit up the beach, with champagne, kisses and joy to kickstart the brand-new year.
  • JOALI in New York. This holiday season, the Big Apple got a taste of JOALI Maldives! Michelin-starred Chef Eunji Lee unveiled a JOALI-inspired dessert at Lysée, her pastry boutique in NYC. Known for her art-like pastries, which combine Korean ingredients with French techniques, Chef Lee drew on her joyful stay at JOALI Maldives to create the limited-edition Mango Flower Tart – a vibrant composition of fresh mango-Thai basil compote, passion fruit and vanilla cream.

 

Family Coral Conservation. Getting into the true festive spirit, our guests gave back to the ocean through a number of reef restoration experiences. From hands-on coral-planting sessions to adopting coral tables at our state-of-the-art nursery, families shared meaningful moments together while simultaneously helping to protect the future of the Maldives.


Kids’ Evenings. Every day came to an end with exciting activities for little ones. From energetic mini discos and karaoke nights to cosy movie screenings and pyjama parties, our young explorers made unforgettable memories with loved ones as well as their new friends at JOALI Maldives. As the festive escape came to an end, they were already looking forward to the next celebration. “See you again soon!” – nothing makes us happier than hearing those words, especially from our youngest VIPs.