SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS has unveiled plans to open six luxury and ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives over the next six years. The first two properties, located in the South Malé Atoll, are set to open in 2025 and 2026, promising to deliver uniquely personalized experiences for guests.

Founded by Laith Pharaon, an experienced hotelier with a history of transformative hospitality ventures, SIX & SIX aims to revolutionize the guest experience through intuitive service, artistic design, and a cosmopolitan lifestyle. The resorts will focus on providing customizable stays, allowing guests to tailor every aspect of their visit—from wellness programs to cultural explorations.

The first resort, RAH GILI MALDIVES, is scheduled to open in late 2025. This property will feature 74 pool villas, including overwater options, and will emphasize fine dining, cultural events, and exclusive access to a nearby dolphin sanctuary. Following in 2026, DHON MAAGA MALDIVES will elevate luxury with colossal villas, private-jet transfers, a state-of-the-art spa, and unique design elements like bathtubs inlaid with semi-precious gems.

“Our service culture will ensure guests enjoy the ultimate luxuries: time, space, and the freedom to be themselves,” said Laith Pharaon.

The company is equally committed to sustainability. Its ambitious environmental and social governance (ESG) goals include solar power usage, zero-waste initiatives, reef rehabilitation, and community-focused programs. These efforts aim to preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Maldives.

Director of Operations Marc Gussing emphasized the company’s focus on personalization, stating, “Our ambition is to be the go-to resort operator for bon vivants who demand customization so they can create their own, ideal story.”

SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS, headquartered in Malé, is set to be a transformative force in Maldivian hospitality, combining luxury with sustainable practices to create unparalleled experiences.

The Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection in Dubai has once again earned the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification in the Middle East, achieving an impressive score of 90%. This milestone reflects the organization's commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging work environment for its team members across its three iconic hotels.

To celebrate the achievement, the hotel collection organized a Great Place to Work Fun Fair, offering employees a day of excitement, games, and prizes. The event also featured special recognitions for standout departments, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to creating a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and staff.

Leaders from the collection, including Stefan Radstrom, General Manager of Al Habtoor Palace, and Ziwa Htun, Complex Director of HR & Training, expressed their appreciation for the team’s dedication. The celebrations concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the collective success of the workforce.

Soufiane El Allam, Complex Commercial Director of Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, highlighted the importance of this recognition, saying, "Having garnered the Great Place to Work title yet again with a remarkable 90% score speaks deeply about our people-first culture and the incredible efforts that our team takes in everything that they do as part of the Collection. At Al Habtoor City, our employees are our foremost assets, and this feat directly speaks about our workplace's inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, inspired, and motivated to attain greater heights."

This re-certification underscores the hotel collection’s dedication to cultivating a workplace where employees thrive, ultimately enhancing the overall guest experience. By prioritizing teamwork, recognition, and engagement, the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection continues to set a high standard for workplace excellence in the hospitality industry.

The Corinthian, developed in collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is designed to be the world’s largest sailing yacht. Measuring 220 meters and equipped with 4,500 square meters of sails on three inclinable masts, the vessel will achieve speeds of up to 17 knots using wind power alone.

Accor Group Chairman & CEO Sébastien Bazin described the project as a blend of heritage and innovation:

“Harnessing its boundless imagination, Orient Express has conjured up a dreamworld of discoveries, meetings, motion and emotions. With Orient Express Corinthian, the Orient Express legend is now preparing to sail the world’s finest seas offering an unprecedented experience of travel and adventure. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of luxury cruises, the yacht reinvents movement and comfort on the water and is designed to meet the sustainability challenges of the future. It’s a great source of pride for all of us.”

Maxime d’Angeac, the Artistic Director of Orient Express, spearheaded the yacht's design, which reflects the elegance of the brand’s legacy. "All the suites and the entire design of the yacht have been conceived as unique spaces that break the boundaries of Orient Express’s classic decorative grammar while remaining true to its very particular codes. A contemporary vision of Orient Express, that of an era in which high quality is synonymous with excellence and calls for a real aesthetic revolution," d’Angeac noted.

The yacht includes 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square meters, with panoramic bay windows providing breathtaking ocean views. These spaces serve as tranquil retreats for guests, offering privacy and comfort while embracing the sea’s beauty.

The Orient Express Corinthian offers an array of amenities, including five restaurants, eight bars, and a Parisian-style cabaret with art deco influences. Other features include a recording studio, a cinema, a spa, and a marina for waterfront dining and activities.

For those seeking relaxation, a 16.6-meter swimming pool on Deck 6 provides the perfect space to unwind. The yacht’s design ensures a unique and memorable travel experience, with opportunities to explore iconic destinations from a fresh perspective.

The Corinthian combines luxury with cutting-edge technology. Its sails, designed using SolidSail technology, offer wind-powered propulsion, while an advanced LNG-powered engine stands ready to transition to green hydrogen as the technology evolves.

With its roots in luxury rail travel dating back to 1883, Orient Express continues to expand its offerings. Following the launch of its first hotels and the La Dolce Vita train, the Corinthian marks another milestone in the brand’s history.