Property
Q&A with Enver Arslan
Hand-crafted, luxury experiences curated by our team—speak to our concierge to learn more
Speak to Our Concierge
In this Maldives Edition, The Sybarite had the pleasure of interviewing JOALI's General Manager Enver Arslan, who discusses with us his experience in the industry and the exciting things happening at JOALI, which opened just shy of two years.
Read the full story
More Property
Banyan Tree’s Renyung Ho on sustainability in the resort...
We're living in a world where every industry has a part to play and a responsibility to uphold when it comes to preserving our environment as well as our social impact, the hotel industry being one of the largest players on this subject matter. Banyan Tree is known to spearhead the sustainability movement and support humanitarian initiatives quite strongly. Could you tell us a bit more about how Banyan Tree embodies these values, the steps taken to achieve this and what the future holds for Banyan Tree and even for yourself. What would you like to see happen in the next few years? Banyan Tree’s story is one of transformation, an idea that defines not only the journey of Banyan Tree as a company from our beginnings 26 years ago, but also our own values and beliefs. To put it simply, we believe that travel can be transformative – for the environment, and for people. This is reflected in our corporate ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People”. We apply this in the way we blend nature into the design of our properties, and how our experiences and programmes enable guests to connect with themselves, their loved ones, and the wider community. Besides environmental impact, we also design, build and hire with consideration of our impact on local communities.
Review of Timeless luxury at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru
Depending on your travel preferences, these resorts that we’ve hand-picked offer you the best there is in comfort, hospitality and luxury appeal whilst being absolutely stringent on health and safety measures during these strange times. You’ll be surprised to know that Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru was the first international resort that opened in the Maldives in 1995. This gem of a paradise is unique in its own right and is the ideal resort if what you’re looking for is originality, preservation of lush flora and fauna and of course in keeping with the Banyan Tree spirit which is a focus on the senses, body and mind. From Male Airport, Banyan Tree offers its own private transfer by speedboat to its island on the North Malé Atoll, which takes about 20 minutes to reach. Upon arrival at the jetty one is mesmerized by the long boardwalk and absolutely beautiful tropical trees that line the resort welcoming its guests.
Review of The Maldives edition – barefoot luxury at Finolhu resort
Depending on your travel preferences, these resorts that we've hand-picked offer you the best there is in comfort, hospitality and luxury appeal whilst being absolutely stringent on health and safety measures during these strange times. If there’s one way to sum up Finolhu it has to be that it is the epitome of a truly family-friendly luxury resort where parents can finally take a breather and children can roam free all the while taking in the extraordinary blue waters that the Baa Atoll has to offer. For honeymooners, the absolute ideal destination to get lost in and fall in love with. With so many resorts to choose from, Finolhu has to be at the top of your list whether coming as a newlywed, couple or as a family. This is a resort that welcomes anyone wanting and needing that freedom to relax and enjoy as they please whilst being taken care of with such friendliness and sheer hospitality, it almost feels natural. A 100% care-free and worry-free holiday resort bundle exceeding one's expectations, tied up with a big red bow is how we like to think of Finolhu, which in Dhivehi means sandbank.
Royal Mansour's Spa Director Malika Rojhani on their...
First on that list is the iconic Royal Mansour Hotel in Marrakech. Royal Mansour Marrakech is an institution that has become synonymous with Moroccan luxury. Known to defy expectations and excellence, this royal hotel and its exceptional private riads are a must stay location when visiting Marrakech. But Royal Mansour Marrakech does not simply rely on its laurels, it continually stays updated in every aspect of the hotel. Using lockdown and lack of travel due to covid to regroup, Royal Mansour Marrakech have refreshed and expanded their wellness offering in their incredible Spa, as well as extending their gardens and introducing an Artist in Residence program. To learn a little more about what is going on at Royal Mansour Marrakech, The Sybarite speaks to the Director of the Royal Mansour Spa, Malika Rojhani.
Melissa Perlman, founder of wellness retreat Amansala...
When she took the plunge and moved to Tulum, she followed her dream to open her own beachfront resort, and hasn’t looked back since. The Sybarite speaks to Melissa about her extraordinary story, the success of Amansala, how Covid has affected her business and what she is hoping to do post-pandemic.
Esin Gural argat, the female entrepreneur behind Joali...
After working for her family business, Esin began searching for the perfect island in the Maldives to start a beautiful art-focused resort, and thus her five star resort JOALI was born. JOALI’s concept clearly emanates both the female touch and the incredible nature by which it is surrounded. The Sybarite speaks to Esin about JOALI and her dedication to sustainability, her focus on female empowerment and what we can hope to see from her in the future. You're a true business woman that comes from a family of glassware makers and it's fascinating to see how you've managed to turn JOALI into a truly beautiful and mesmerizing destination, unlike the rest. How did you go about finding this piece of island and what was your vision for it? How much of your own personality and style is reflected in JOALI?
Devtraco expand their reach in Ghana – an interview
They offer a wide variety of property options, so whatever it is you may be looking for in Ghana, you’ll find it with Devtraco. From affordable apartments to luxury, high-end homes in all shapes and sizes, Devtraco strive to fulfil property dreams. Knowing their level of expertise and dedication in this area of industry, and learning that Devtraco has recently ventured into the world of hospitality by opening Landmark Restaurants, we couldn’t wait to learn more. We sat down with some of the dedicated, experienced and wonderful people who make up the Devtraco team to discover more about how they came to be part of this team and how the project has developed.
Featuring 8 healthy holidays for winter wellness
From mountain trekking in India to holistic healing experiences in Thailand, discover where to head this as the temperatures drop for a winter wellness retreat. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or calm and collected yogi, ditch the ordinary and head wherever your wellness whims take you. With a host of exotic locations for you to visit, make this winter truly wonderful as you put yourself first.
Review of Fairmont Royal York review
Featuring an extraordinary façade, the property itself was once considered the tallest building not just in Toronto but throughout the country. It goes without saying that the Fairmont Royal York is one of city’s most prized landmarks and definitely one of the hotels to think about when considering an experiential stay in the capital of Ontario. There’s always something intriguing when a 90-year old building - and hotel for that matter – undergoes an extensive renovation. One becomes curious and imaginative, for example what style and theme do you go for when you’re faced with re-designing the interiors of a hotel with such significance? Will the spirit of this grand abode be taken over by something more modern? Will returning customers feel the same if not more inspired when witnessing and experiencing these new changes? We certainly hope so because as first-timers to the Fairmont Royal York, what we can say is that you truly feel the contrast between the old and the new. By old, we mean the sort of antiquated yet curious charm as you enter the revolving doors (you can tell they’re old as they take a bit of muscle to push through).
Villa Peduzzi – a secret waiting to be found
Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it” said the quintessential children’s author Roald Dahl. At this under the radar retreat magic awaits. In the region of Como lies the small commune of Pigra, where a little-known luxury villa sits meters high above the lake commanding the most extraordinary of views that is second to none. One cannot even begin to measure the sheer beauty and magnificence of it for it is unlike any other property out there. Not only does this retreat take one’s breath away, it sends bewilderment through ones entire being any time you look out into the villa’s vicinity. It becomes quite surreal to imagine that this is what you can wake up to each morning – this panoramic heaven, completely uninterrupted, completely yours.
Penshurst Place and Gardens
Penshurst Place is the current and ancestral home of the Sidney family; King Edward VI granted the 2,500-acre Penshurst Estate to Sir William Sidney in 1552 and Sidneys have lived there ever since. The manor house is fascinating to explore. The medieval Baron’s Hall, built in 1341, has a 60ft high chestnut-beamed roof and has been used for many royal feasts. At one point Penshurst Place was owned by Henry VIII, who used it as a hunting lodge. The house has since been used as a film location for productions such as Wolf Hall, The Other Boleyn Girl and The Secret Garden. Apparently, sound recordists from the Harry Potter film series recorded floor creaks from the Long Gallery to use in the productions. The Elizabethan formal walled gardens are delightful and surprising. They cover 11 acres and contain a patchwork of trimmed yew hedges which create a variety of separate garden rooms. One section is an orchard, another contains flower beds in the form of the union flag, another has a kind of stage (ideal for impromptu performances by children) and so on. The earliest records for the Grade I listed gardens date from 1346.
Review of Hotel Review | Castello dal Pozzo
Situated on the banks of the spectacular Lake Maggiore, Castello dal Pozzo is a five-star luxury hotel with a storied past. The castle has been in the Dal Pozzo family for six generations, and they have gone to great lengths to turn their beloved home into one of the top destinations in the region. The familial atmosphere and excellent service were evident from the moment we entered the driveway. We were warmly welcomed by the staff, who took our car into the private garage, our bags inside, and gave us a quick tour. They were more than happy to suggest restaurants and bars for us to visit and made the necessary reservations for us to secure tables in the area’s most popular spots. The luxury residence’s 45 rooms are spread out across the 18th-century palace, the renovated stables, and the castle itself. Original antiques, art, and family heirloom pieces adorn the walls and peek out of corners of the hotel’s hallways, and add to its allure. We stayed in one of the Junior Suites, which had wooden flooring and a living area with a coffee table, armchairs, and work desk. The canopy bed exuded old world charm whilst the marble bathroom with both a bath and stand-alone rain shower was a welcome contemporary touch.
Learn more about luxury lifestyle by signing up for free
For our latest experiences and editorials, be the first in the know. You'll learn about upcoming experiences happening worldwide and the secrets and lifestyle of a sybarite.