First Hyatt Centric Hotel Opens in Nepal

Hyatt Centric Makes Its Nepal Debut in the Heart of Kathmandu

By Nishang Narayan

Published on January 14, 2025

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, in collaboration with City Hotel, has officially launched Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu, marking the debut of the Hyatt Centric brand in Nepal. The property, formerly known as Hyatt Place Kathmandu, has been extensively renovated to reflect the vibrant culture of Kathmandu while offering world-class amenities.

Nestled in the heart of the city, Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu is designed to be the perfect base for explorers and savvy travelers seeking an authentic connection with the city’s cultural pulse. The hotel features 153 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, blending functionality, contemporary aesthetics, and locally inspired art. All guests enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, ensuring a seamless stay.

Highlighting the significance of this transformation, Akshay Golyan, Executive Director of City Hotel, remarked:

“After an extensive renovation, we are excited to introduce the Hyatt Centric brand to Nepal, offering our guests a gateway to Kathmandu’s cultural and contemporary pulse. Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu is designed to inspire exploration while providing a modern local home base for savvy travelers, so they never miss a moment of adventure.”

The hotel offers over 8,600 square feet of versatile event spaces, accommodating groups ranging from 10 to 600 people. These spaces are ideal for business meetings, social gatherings, and weddings, making the property a hub for events in Kathmandu.

Varun Talwar, General Manager of Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu, shared his enthusiasm:

“We are thrilled to open our doors and welcome guests and World of Hyatt members to the first Hyatt Centric branded hotel in Nepal. From meticulous design to innovative culinary offerings, we aim to become the starting point for every traveler’s adventure.”

Dining at the property is a sensory delight. The Centric Lounge serves as a vibrant social space offering artisanal coffees, signature cocktails, and locally inspired bites. Guests can indulge in global flavors with a local twist at NOON, the all-day dining restaurant, or enjoy stunning views of Kathmandu at ZING Sky Pool Bar & Deck, the poolside bar and lounge.

Hyatt Centric Soalteemode Kathmandu perfectly combines modern comfort with cultural immersion, making it a unique destination for travelers looking to explore the charm of Kathmandu. With its strategic location, luxurious offerings, and a strong emphasis on local culture, the property sets a new benchmark for hospitality in Nepal.

Dubai Faces Drone Strike Disruptions Amid Rising Regional Tensions

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 17, 2026

Amidst the regional tensions in the Middle East Region, Dubai faced a sudden wave of disruptions after drone strikes reportedly hit areas near the airport, triggering a fuel tank fire and temporarily affecting flight operations. Authorities confirmed that a fire broke out near Dubai International Airport after a drone ignited a fuel storage tank. Civil defence teams responded quickly and brought the blaze under control, with no injuries reported.

The incident led to a temporary suspension of flights, creating widespread disruption to travel schedules. Emergency teams secured the area as aviation authorities worked to restore normal operations.

Following the disruption, Emirates stated that it expects to operate a limited flight schedule after 10:00 hours Dubai local time. The airline confirmed that some flights from the day’s schedule had been cancelled. Passengers affected by the changes will receive cancellation notifications along with information on alternative travel arrangements. Emirates also apologised for the inconvenience caused.

Air India also announced the suspension of its Dubai operations after Dubai International Airport temporarily halted all arrivals and departures. As a result, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Dubai were cancelled for the day. The airline said that affected passengers will have the option to rebook for a future travel date or cancel their tickets for a full refund without additional charges.

Air India Express confirmed that its ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah will continue as previously announced.

IndiGo also shared an update stating that the evolving situation in the Middle East has led to further restrictions on flight operations in Dubai. As a result, some flights scheduled to operate between March 15 and March 17 have been affected.

The incident comes at a time when Dubai usually experiences a surge in tourism activity, especially as Ramadan approaches. However, the regional tensions have begun to impact the city’s usual festive atmosphere. Global Village Dubai has announced that its Eid fireworks and drone shows will be cancelled amid the ongoing situation.

Despite the disruptions, UAE officials have reassured the public that safety remains a top priority and that the situation is under control. Flight operations are gradually resuming as authorities work closely with airlines to restore normal schedules.

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 Reveals Extended 51–100 List

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 16, 2026

Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, has unveiled the extended 51–100 list for 2026 ahead of the main awards ceremony set to take place in Hong Kong. The list provides an early glimpse into the region’s evolving dining landscape and recognises outstanding culinary establishments across Asia.

The rankings are compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which consists of more than 350 influential industry leaders including chefs, restaurateurs, culinary professionals, food writers, and critics from across the region.

This year’s extended list spans 27 cities, four more than last year, reflecting the growing diversity and reach of Asia’s dining scene. Ten new cities are represented in the 2026 list, with Busan, Chengdu, Kanazawa, and Nishikawa appearing for the first time.

A total of 12 restaurants have made their debut on the 51–100 list, highlighting the continued growth and innovation shaping Asia’s culinary landscape.

Seoul leads the rankings by city with seven restaurants featured on the extended list, including the new entry San at No.54. Busan has also made its first appearance in the rankings with Fiotto placed at No.99.

Bangkok has five restaurants on the list, while Singapore and Hong Kong each claim four spots. All three destinations have also welcomed a returning entry this year.

Japan continues to demonstrate strong representation, with Tokyo featuring three restaurants including new entry Sushi Shunji at No.63. The city of Kanazawa has two new restaurants on the list, Kataori at No.82 and Respiración at No.92. Nishikawa also celebrates its debut with Dewaya at No.93, reflecting the growing recognition of culinary excellence across various Japanese cities.

In China, Chef 1996 in Beijing stands out as the highest-ranked new entry, placed at No.52. Chengdu also joins the extended ranking for the first time with restaurant Co- positioned at No.69.

Kuala Lumpur’s Dewakan has recorded the highest rise on the extended list, moving up 22 places to secure the No.62 position.

A spokesperson for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants said, “We are delighted to unveil this year's 51-100 list, welcoming more outstanding establishments into this year's extended ranking. The 51-100 list once again highlights the incredibly diverse and thriving culinary scene of the region, this year including restaurants from 27 cities, with 12 restaurants represented on the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list for the first time.”

The complete list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2026 will be announced during the awards ceremony scheduled for March 25, 2026 in Hong Kong. The event will be held in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and will be streamed live on the 50 Best YouTube channel starting at 20:00 Hong Kong time.

LOT Polish Airlines Begins Rolling Out In-Flight Wi-Fi on Dreamliner Fleet

By MAnu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 15, 2026

LOT Polish Airlines has begun the process of introducing in-flight Wi-Fi across its long-haul fleet, marking a significant step in enhancing the passenger experience. The service has already been activated on the airline’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, registered as SP-LSA.

The national carrier plans to gradually expand the service across its Boeing 787 fleet, with two additional aircraft expected to receive Wi-Fi connectivity by the end of April. The rollout forms part of the airline’s broader strategy to strengthen its onboard offerings and respond to growing passenger expectations for continuous internet access during flights.

The connectivity service is powered by Viasat’s next-generation solution, Viasat Amara. The technology is designed to provide fast and stable internet access, allowing travellers to stay connected with family and colleagues, work remotely, or enjoy online entertainment while travelling.

Izabela Leszczyńska, Director of the Product Development and Customer Experience Office at LOT Polish Airlines, highlighted the importance of connectivity for modern travellers. She said that internet access has become an essential component of long-haul travel, particularly for passengers flying for business or leisure.

“Internet access has become an expected part of the offering on long-haul flights. Therefore, we view its implementation across our fleet as a natural stage in the development of our product, one that responds to the needs of passengers – both those traveling for business and for leisure. We wanted a solution that would ensure stability and high quality, which is why we chose a partner with well-established experience in aviation, whose technology is used by airlines around the world. Our passengers travel with different purposes and expectations. We want them to be able to spend their time on board exactly as they need, productively, staying in touch with loved ones, or in complete relaxation.”

Don Buchman, President of Viasat Aviation, also commented on the collaboration, noting that the introduction of Viasat Amara represents an important milestone in enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling on LOT’s Dreamliner fleet.

“We are proud to bring Viasat Amara to LOT Polish Airlines as they take this important step in elevating the long-haul passenger experience. Delivering fast, reliable in-flight Wi-Fi on the Dreamliner fleet is a meaningful milestone, and LOT’s commitment to offering high-quality connectivity reflects a deep understanding of what today’s travelers expect. With Viasat’s global satellite network and Viasat’s Amara connectivity solution, passengers can stay productive, entertained, and connected throughout their journey, from gate-to-gate—whether they’re working, streaming, or keeping in touch with family and friends. We look forward to continuing our partnership as LOT expands connectivity across its fleet.”

Passengers will have access to two paid Wi-Fi packages. The Chat package, priced at $7, allows instant messaging services, while the Streaming package, priced at $29, enables broader internet access, including browsing websites, watching videos and working online during the flight.

Complimentary internet access will be available for LOT Business Class passengers and members of the Miles & More programme from select partner airlines who hold eligible status, regardless of their travel class.

The range of connectivity packages has been designed to provide flexibility, allowing travellers to choose services that suit their needs, from basic messaging to more advanced internet usage during the journey.

Viasat, the connectivity provider behind the service, is a global communications company with offices in 24 countries. The company focuses on building a global communications network that supports reliable and secure connections across land, air and sea. In May 2023, Viasat completed the acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the technologies and resources of both companies to strengthen its global connectivity solutions.

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Hyatt Centric Makes Its Nepal Debut in the Heart of Kathmandu

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Dubai Faces Drone Strike Disruptions Amid Rising Regional Tensions

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Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 Reveals Extended 51–100 List

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LOT Polish Airlines Begins Rolling Out In-Flight Wi-Fi on Dreamliner Fleet

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