Interview with Mr. Özgür Cengiz, General Manaer of JOALI BEING
JOALI BEING has appointed Özgür Cengiz as the General Manager of JOALI BEING, the first Wellbeing Island Retreat in the Maldives since 2016. He has been working with JOALI for over five years and began his journey in the brand as a Resort Director, and his dedication and commitment to the brand are much valued.
Ozgur’s 20-year career has seen him open a myriad of luxury hotels in iconic locations, from The Ritz-Carlton to Jumeriah. His dedication to health and wellness combined with hospitality gave him an advantage in the industry when he was part of the opening of Turkey’s first Wellness Resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, and supervised Turkey’s Leading Leisure Group Hillside Beach Club for seven years. It was no surprise that he was then headhunted for One & Only Reethi Rah, Maldives, where he managed the entire wellness operations.
Ozgur is also a member of the Global Wellness Day project and its Ambassador for Maldives, as well as a judge for the Global Spa & Wellness Awards and a respected panellist. His creative approach and passion for wellbeing and luxury, new trends and solution-focused mindset are always appreciated, as he continuously strives for hospitality excellence.
SpaChina interviewed Mr. Özgür Cengiz.
JOALI BEING, what makes it special? Could you describe it briefly to our readers?
As a dedicated, immersive, and interactive wellbeing retreat, JOALI BEING serves as the beginning of a transformative journey, on which seekers are invited to reunite with themselves and celebrate the wisdom of nature to discover true “weightlessness.” Centred around unique Four Pillars of JOALI BEING, the retreat leads the way in wellbeing education to build a community of sojourners, culinarians and thinkers who then continue their daily lives, bringing with them the knowledge and experiences from the retreat.
JOALI BEING’s offerings draw on both modern science and long-honoured traditions that enable guests to be met where they are and further guided on a journey of self-discovery and renewal, all while savouring the joy of the here and now. A dedicated expert team of naturopaths, therapists and movement experts work with guests every step during their stay to help set intentions, nurture with empathy, and co-create moments of wonder and transcendence.
Built according to biophilic design principles, the retreat offers 68 well-living spaces with private pools and special inclusions, such as customised Wellbeing Bar setups and meditative musical instruments. Designed to restore natural balance and facilitate personal transformation, the wellbeing offerings are woven around the Four Pillars of JOALI BEING: Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy. Ranging from five nights to three weeks, the signature Wellbeing Programmes are customised to the unique needs and goals of each guest. Transformative spaces unfold across the island, offering endless inspiration. KAASHI, the hydrotherapy hall, offers an array of water therapies in complete privacy – from the relaxation of Watsu, to the exhilaration of the Aufguss Sauna. The Turkish-style Hammam hosts calming sojourns while the Salt Inhalation Room offers halotherapy.
The culinary arts at JOALI BEING focus on an earth-to-table initiative, promising ingredient traceability and offering fresh, locally harvested foods that support small farms and are sustainably sourced. FLOW is our open-plan interactive dining space, featuring three signature kitchens: Su serves ocean-to-table pescatarian cuisine, Plantae offers nourishing vegetarian and vegan fare, and B’Well features JOALI BEING signature menu with meat and poultry options. MOJO is the island’s tropical beach sanctuary, located on a three-layered sundeck and offering an ideal spot for lunch and sundowners by the pool. It is also home to SAI tea lounge. Here, guests can explore an incredible range of brews, and join tea ceremonies and learning sessions hosted by the resident tea sommelier. Take a seat by the waves for an unforgettable feast at Ocean Sala Dining. Savour perfectly grilled premium cuts of meat and seafood, including specialities like Wagyu beef, Japanese scallops, and lobster and tuna from Maldivian waters. Ideal for up to six sojourners, Teppanyaki, private dining experience invites loved ones to celebrate the Joy of Weightlessness – a feeling of freedom, lightness and wonder. Astonishing views of the Gate of Zero set the stage for artistry at the grill, from the dextrous flip of a shrimp tail to the soaring arc of an egg in flight. Bespoke dining arrangements can be enjoyed wherever guests desire, from a private sandbank to an inviting Turtle Treehouse. The possibilities are endless.
Each day at JOALI BEING is filled with moments of discovery, mindfulness and invigoration. Bespoke luxury combines with nature’s purest gifts to create a sense of genuine wonder and soulful rejuvenation.
We understand that nature is a sensory experience at JOALI BEING. How do you provide wellbeing experiences to guests, allowing them to begin their journey with an understanding of the current situation on the island? Could you give us some details?
Our wellbeing journey begins with pre-arrivals with our Wellbeing Consultants to understand the goals of our guests to craft a personalised wellbeing programme. The minute they touch down on the island, our guests are whisked through the Gate of Zero, an architectural masterpiece representing the whirling Dervishes’ skirts, reminding our guests to let go of their ego and begin their journey of transcendence from being to becoming.
The island’s wild forest is untouched, whilst architecture is integrated with nature through biophilic design concept by harmonising the energy flow. From floor-to-ceiling glass walls in the villas to innovative lighting principles based on circadian rhythm breathes a sense of wellbeing to the overall architecture. Each villa is equipped with a Wellbeing Bar filled with health-conscious snacks and beverages, yoga mats, a specially-designed journal, and a retreat uniform that they can wear throughout their stay. Instead of champagne, guests can expect a bottle of sparkling tea on arrival.
Every part of the island is filled with wellbeing experiences from the Discovery Sound Path with meditative musical instruments to a Meditation Deck and an Aerial Yoga Pavilion to greet the sun. All the experiences are centred around the Four Pillars of JOALI BEING, mind, skin, microbiome and energy, from our restaurant and beverage menus to fitness programmes.
According to the design of the property, what are the unique points to make it sustainable and intelligent, and also culture related?
Every aspect of the brand’s culture and strategy is built around responsible travel, hence sustainability is at the forefront of all our actions.
At JOALI BEING, from design and energy consumption to guest offerings, we offer a well-thought out experience to our travellers.
We strongly believe in saving energy; hence we have invested in the latest building management systems, with sophisticated automation and integration, enabling efficient controlling, tracking and monitoring of energy and water consumption throughout the island. This includes the Sewage Treatment System recycling greywater for irrigation of the whole retreat, which we use a drip irrigation technology, saving time and water. In addition, we use BioGuy to remove biological waste sustainably, such as eliminating unnecessary waste like grease through biodegradation. Air-conditioning systems are centralised and installed in public areas whilst in the villas, smart air-conditioning with sensors automatically switches off when doors are open, resulting in lower carbon footprints. The island retreat is lit up with energy-efficient LED light with centralised automation designed to dim and brighten. Guests can participate in our sustainable laundry efforts by requesting to reuse linen and towels as our policy is to refresh daily.
Our culinary concept is based on the earth-to-table concept. We have an organic garden, Her Garden with homegrown herbs, which helps to reduce transportation miles, carbon emissions, non-use of chemicals or pesticides that can harm the environment, and packaging are all benefits of growing fresh produce, which can be served just a few hours after harvesting. All our food wastage is recycled through an A-500 rocket composter, sustainably creating composter for the organic garden. Whilst our chefs prepare a variety of home-made culinary creations such as Nutella, tahini, jams, tofu, tempeh, plant-based milk, sambals, Koji, vegan cheese, pickles, granolas, vinegar, vegan mayonnaise and ketchup, cured meats such as mortadella, chicken sausages, beef and turkey, gelatin, kefir, nut butter, yoghurts, chocolates, cheese from unpasteurised milk, infused honey, miso, sake, tepache and fermented drinks.
We have adapted a 360-degree approach of using vegetables, fruits and herbs: withered vegetables are pickled, whilst fruit peels are dehydrated for garnishes and herbs are infused to add flavours to oils. Whilst we use biodegradable garbage bags and packing containers and plastic containers are replaced with glass jars to avoid plastic wastage. We use silicon lids or natural wrappers such as banana leaf and areca leaf are used instead of plastic films. We continuously work with the local communities, our fish is locally sourced from fishermen from neighbouring islands, ensuring that they are adhering to sustainable fishing practices.
We promote zero waste and encourage our guests to make conscious decisions as well.
We are reducing use of single-use plastic, for instance our keycards are wooden, personal-use amenities are wooden and wrapped in recycled paper, whilst we use refillable ceramic jars for lotion, shampoo, and conditioners. In the Wellbeing Bar, sweets, savouries, and tea bags are also packed in glass jars whilst our coffee capsules in the villas are 100% biodegradable.
Broken glasses are recycled by the glass crusher and our plastic waste is segregated and sent to PARLEY, a non-profit organisation built to protect the ocean to recycle sustainably. We also continuously work with our suppliers and vendors to reduce the packaging of products and goods.
We work with the Olive Ridley Project, to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and rehabilitation of injured sea turtles, education and outreach, and scientific research. Turtle restoration tanks will be housed at JOALI BEING, one of only three locations in the Maldives.
To measure these efforts, we work with EarthCheck, within our first year we have achieved a Silver Certification. EarthCheck is the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. Using a science-based approach, organisations increase efficiencies, maximise guest experience and minimise their environmental footprint.
Since Wellbeing now provides a promise to elevate human consciousness to living in a balanced manner, and creating spaces that enhance human life and experience is the goal for JOALI BEING, how many days do you suggest your guests stay with you? What are the “must experience” treatments or programs?
We recommend a minimum of 10-14 nights for maximum benefit.
Our Wellbeing programmes are quite effective, designed to meet a variety of objectives, including: deep relaxation, stress recovery, digestive reset, weight management, preventive skincare, anti-ageing, energy replenishment, and yoga enhancement. The signature Wellbeing Programmes are customised to the unique needs and goals of each guest. In addition to our signature Four Pillars retreats, we also offer specialised programmes for: mothers to be, women, men, couples, and guests struggling with sleep issues. Each Wellbeing Programme features a thoughtful blend of treatments, therapies and experiences, personalised to your individual lifestyle and goals. We have 13 different Wellbeing Programmes for guest to choose from.
Watsu at JOALI BEING is quite special, it’s a healing hydro-treatment combining massage, acupressure, shiatsu and stretching performed in a beautifully designed mosaic pool with sparkling led-lights resembling stars.
Aufguss Sauna, where guests can enjoy a German-style sauna ritual followed by an ice bath.
Discovery Sound Path is a unique experience, a garden filled with 9 meditative musical instruments and SEDA, our Sound Therapy Hall designed for sound healing remedies performed using 14 instruments.
JOALI BEING houses the largest fitness centre in the Maldives, completed with the latest technology and one of my recommendations is the Intelligent Movement Analysis which is an in-depth and real-time analysis of movement patterns and performance, used to create a bespoke training programme that helps you meet your fitness goals.
AKTAR Herbology Centre is another signature offering of the retreat, this is the home of herbology and aromatherapy with over 65 different types of oils and herbs. Guests can enjoy natural perfume-making, candle-making to even learning how to blend healing balms.
Tea Celebrations at SAI are definitely a must-do, we have a tea sommelier hosting tastings boasting over 65 different teas from around the globe.
How do you see the future wellness trend, especially after COVID?
Wellness is evolving at a fast pace globally, and people are more health conscious. People are more educated about integrative wellness, from connecting with nature and awareness of mental health hence the option for a mind-body connection through fitness, nutrition and health whilst mindfully adapting to the latest technology in the wellness sphere.
Technology definitely has revolutionised the wellness industry from smart apps to wearables to nanotechnology. Touchless spas from halotherapy, cryo chambers, infratherapy to even meditation pods are trending.
Regenerative travel is also a hot topic, people are looking beyond sustainable travel. They are taking things more holistically.
People are consuming more mindfully and seeking food that’s not only nutritious but organic and they are interested in a more sustainable supply chain. Here at JOALI BEING, our tuna and lobsters are sourced from local fishermen, whilst exotic products such as cocoa beans come from the Niligiri hills in India.
