Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Wins Forbes Five-Star Awar

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Earns Forbes Five-Star Honors for Kai and Aji Spa

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 24, 2025

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass continues to shine in the luxury hospitality scene, with both Kai Restaurant and Aji Spa receiving Forbes Travel Guide’s prestigious Five-Star rating in the 2025 Star Awards. The resort itself maintains its Recommended status, reaffirming its excellence in service and cultural authenticity.

This marks the 17th consecutive Five-Star win for Kai, solidifying its place as the only restaurant in Arizona with this distinction. Additionally, Aji Spa earns its sixth Five-Star rating, recognizing its commitment to providing a unique Native American-inspired wellness experience.

A Legacy of Excellence

Located on the Gila River Indian Community in Phoenix, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is renowned for its deep connection to indigenous heritage. The resort’s recent multi-million-dollar renovation has further elevated its luxurious offerings, while maintaining its commitment to cultural authenticity.

Expressing his pride, Bunty Ahamed, General Manager, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, shared:
"Receiving Five-Star recognition from Forbes Travel Guide once again for Aji Spa, and for the seventeenth consecutive year for Kai, is an incredible honor. Our commitment to providing every guest with a personalized and exceptional experience is unwavering, and these accolades are a testament to our team’s outstanding efforts."

Kai: Arizona’s Culinary Crown Jewel

With only 79 restaurants worldwide receiving a Five-Star rating this year, Kai’s achievement is particularly remarkable. A James Beard 2025 semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality category, Kai merges contemporary flavors with time-honored Native American culinary traditions, featuring locally farmed ingredients from the Gila River Indian Community.

Aji Spa: An Authentic Native Sanctuary

Aji Spa, meaning "sanctuary" in the Pima language, provides a holistic wellness experience deeply rooted in the traditions of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. Offering signature Indigenous treatments curated by Cultural Caretakers, the spa reflects the area’s rich history through art, architecture, and storytelling.

A Resort Steeped in Heritage

Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is more than a luxury resort—it is a living representation of Native American culture, offering:

36 holes of championship golf at Whirlwind Golf Club
Guided equestrian experiences through the 1,000-acre Koli Equestrian Center
Four swimming pools and a waterslide inspired by ancient ruins
Water activities along the scenic Gila River

Maintaining its Recommended status in 2025, the resort meets Forbes’ rigorous 900-point evaluation, ensuring world-class service and hospitality.

As Forbes Travel Guide’s esteemed Five-Star list continues to set the global benchmark for luxury, Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass proudly represents Arizona with its unparalleled culinary, wellness, and cultural experiences.

The Hari Singapore Appoints Andreas Kraemer as Founding General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 23, 2026

Harilela Hotels has appointed Andreas Kraemer as the Founding General Manager of The Hari Singapore, ahead of the hotel's debut in spring 2027. He will lead the opening of the property and play a key role in establishing it as one of Singapore's distinctive lifestyle hospitality destinations.

Located just moments from Orchard Road and the historic Emerald Hill precinct, The Hari Singapore will feature 326 rooms and become the third property under The Hari brand, joining its sister hotels in London and Hong Kong. Designed with a contemporary approach, the hotel aims to offer a lifestyle experience that is closely connected to its neighbourhood and local culture.

Andreas Kraemer brings more than 30 years of international hospitality experience across Europe and Asia. Most recently, he served as General Manager of InterContinental Singapore, where he spent over five years leading the hotel's luxury repositioning, commercial growth and brand development. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions across Singapore, China, Thailand, India and the Maldives.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr Aron Harilela, Founder of The Hari brand, said:

“Andreas has a remarkable track record. His rich and diversified experience should propel our plans to bring a beacon of modern luxury and impeccable service to Singapore.”

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Andreas Kraemer said:

“Singapore doesn't need another hotel. It deserves hotels with character. What drew me to The Hari was the opportunity to create a place connected to Orchard Road and the heritage of Emerald Hill, a hotel that becomes part of the city, not simply part of its skyline. Together with our team, we'll create a destination guests return to for its people, atmosphere and genuine sense of belonging.”

Set to open in spring 2027, The Hari Singapore will place art, design, culture and contemporary dining at the centre of its guest experience. Staying true to the brand's understated approach to hospitality, the hotel aims to reflect the vibrant energy and character of Singapore while offering guests a distinctive and welcoming stay.

Atmosphere Kanifushi to Host 6th Just Veg Festival This October

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 23, 2026

Atmosphere Kanifushi has announced the sixth edition of its signature Just Veg Festival, set to take place from 04 to 09 October 2026. Celebrating six years of vegetarian fine dining in the Maldives, this year's festival will bring together global flavours, immersive culinary experiences and sustainable gastronomy in a unique island setting.

The 2026 edition revolves around the theme "Family Style", curated by acclaimed Chef Fabrizio Marino. Inspired by togetherness, the concept encourages guests to share thoughtfully prepared vegetarian dishes, turning every meal into a warm and interactive dining experience centred around connection and flavour.

Chef Fabrizio is recognised for his contemporary approach to vegetarian cuisine, blending his Mediterranean heritage with global culinary influences. His ingredient-first philosophy focuses on simplicity, balance and flavour, using techniques such as fire cooking and fermentation to highlight seasonal produce.

"Fine dining is changing," says Chef Fabrizio Marino. "Today's guests are searching for something more meaningful than complexity. They want authenticity, generosity and experiences that bring people together. Family Style is my interpretation of contemporary luxury, a table where exceptional ingredients are shared with warmth, conversation and genuine hospitality. The Maldives, with its natural bounty and rich cultural influences, provides the perfect setting for that story."

Sharing his thoughts on the milestone edition, Ram Bhoyroo, General Manager at Atmosphere Kanifushi, said:

“As we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Just Veg Festival, we are proud to continue shaping meaningful culinary experiences in the Maldives. This milestone edition not only reinforces our commitment to innovative, ingredient-led dining, but also positions Atmosphere Kanifushi as a destination where gastronomy, sustainability, and immersive guest journeys come together seamlessly.”

The specially curated menu combines Mediterranean influences with the vibrant flavours of the Indian Ocean. Guests can look forward to seasonal vegetarian creations prepared using fire cooking, smoking, citrus infusions and fresh herbs. The menu will feature shared antipasti, fire and smoke specialities, regional-inspired dishes and family-style desserts, all designed to be enjoyed together.

As part of the resort's Kanifushi Plan, the Just Veg Festival will be available to all in-house guests, offering carefully curated dining experiences throughout the celebration.

A key highlight on the resort's annual calendar and a prelude to the festive season, the Just Veg Festival continues to reflect Atmosphere Kanifushi's focus on innovative, sustainable and immersive gastronomy. Marking its sixth anniversary, the 2026 edition promises to be its most engaging yet, bringing people together through the universal language of food in one of the world's most stunning island destinations. Guests can now book their stay to be part of this special celebration.

Ambrosia Foods Brings Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to the GCC with Dubai Debut

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 22, 2026

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, India's largest specialty coffee company, has officially entered the GCC market through a strategic partnership with Ambrosia Foods. Marking its regional debut, the brand has opened its first café at BurJuman Mall in Dubai, bringing its farm-to-cup coffee philosophy and craft-led coffee experience to one of the world's leading café destinations.

The expansion is being led by Ambrosia Foods, a GCC-focused food and beverage platform that partners with innovative consumer brands to help them grow across the region. By combining Blue Tokai's expertise in sourcing, roasting, and serving premium Indian coffee with Ambrosia Foods' regional market knowledge and operational capabilities, the partnership aims to build a strong long-term presence across the GCC.

With this addition, Blue Tokai becomes the fourth brand in Ambrosia Foods' growing portfolio, joining Biryani By Kilo, Furn Beaino, and Mr. Brown. The company continues to strengthen its presence in the region by bringing premium and scalable food and beverage concepts to GCC consumers.

Speaking on the launch, Vishwaroop Narain, Executive Chairman, Ambrosia Foods, said, “Blue Tokai is a landmark addition to our growing GCC portfolio and a brand that perfectly reflects Ambrosia Foods vision of bring proven, category-defining concepts to the region and building them for long-term success. Indian brands are increasingly finding strong resonance across the GCC, and Blue Tokai is exceptionally well positioned to introduce more consumers to the quality, craftsmanship and diversity of India's specialty coffee."

Following the opening of its first café in Dubai, Ambrosia Foods plans to expand Blue Tokai's presence across the GCC, with more than 10 locations planned over the next few years.

Founded in 2013, Blue Tokai has been at the forefront of India's specialty coffee movement, making freshly roasted Indian coffee more accessible while promoting quality, transparency, and traceability. Today, the company operates more than 250 cafés, three roasteries across India, partners directly with over 80 coffee farms, and also has an international presence in Tokyo, Japan.

The new Dubai café offers guests a selection of Blue Tokai's single-estate coffees, signature blends, and seasonal offerings. Visitors can also explore different brewing methods that highlight the unique flavour profiles and origins of Indian coffee, all within a modern café setting.

Speaking about the expansion, Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder and COO, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, said, “India has an extraordinary coffee heritage, yet its potential as a world-class specialty coffee origin is only beginning to gain global recognition. For more than a decade, Blue Tokai has focused on strengthening the connection between coffee producers and consumers while creating spaces where people can discover the craft and stories behind every cup. Expanding into the GCC marks an important milestone in our journey as we introduce Indian specialty coffee to new audiences. The region's vibrant café culture and appreciation for thoughtfully crafted experiences make it a natural next step in our growth.”

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Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Earns Forbes Five-Star Honors for Kai and Aji Spa

A Legacy of Excellence

Kai: Arizona’s Culinary Crown Jewel

Aji Spa: An Authentic Native Sanctuary

A Resort Steeped in Heritage

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The Hari Singapore Appoints Andreas Kraemer as Founding General Manager

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Atmosphere Kanifushi to Host 6th Just Veg Festival This October

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Ambrosia Foods Brings Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to the GCC with Dubai Debut

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