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.

Singapore in 2026: What’s New, What’s Next, What Not to Miss

By Hariharan U

Published on January 20, 2026

As Singapore wraps up its landmark 60th anniversary celebrations, the momentum continues into 2026 with a calendar that reflects the city-state’s cultural depth, global outlook and evolving lifestyle scene. For travellers from India and across the world, the year ahead offers a compelling mix of art, festivals, sport and hospitality-led experiences.

One of the most visible symbols of Singapore’s evolution remains Orchard Road. Stretching across 2.5 kilometres, the iconic boulevard mirrors the city’s own transformation, from spice plantations to a polished global hub. Adding fresh energy to this district is The Singapore EDITION, a design-led urban resort discreetly located off the west end of Upper Orchard Road. Entering 2026, the hotel introduces a refreshed rooftop experience centred around its infinity pool, alongside a vibrant brunch offering and a luxe new micro-club with a rotating calendar of events.

The hotel also caters well to family travellers, with Double Rooms featuring queen-sized twin beds that comfortably accommodate up to four guests. Its Bed & Breakfast package, starting from USD 464 per night for two adults, includes breakfast at FYSH, making it a practical yet indulgent base for exploring the city.

On the cultural front, the Singapore Biennale, running until 29 March, brings art into everyday spaces across the island. Installations are spread across historic landmarks, green spaces, residential neighbourhoods and shopping centres, allowing visitors to explore the city through self-guided routes, cycling trails or curated runs. The Biennale turns the city itself into a living gallery.

February ushers in the festive spirit of Lunar New Year, celebrated on a grand scale across Singapore. In 2026, the festivities fall on 17–18 February, with vibrant decorations, parades and food traditions filling Chinatown and beyond in the days leading up to the holiday. Seasonal favourites like yusheng salad, pineapple tarts and bak kwa take centre stage during this period.

Art lovers will find January especially rewarding with Singapore Art Week (22–31 January). As one of Asia’s key visual arts platforms, the city hosts over 100 programmes across museums, galleries and public spaces. During this time, The Singapore EDITION becomes a creative hub, hosting artist interactions, music-led evenings and large-scale installations, alongside Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary Art Auction, where over 60 works by leading artists will be on public view.

Sport and entertainment also feature prominently in early 2026. HSBC SVNS Singapore, part of the global Rugby Sevens circuit, returns on 31 January and 1 February with fast-paced matches set against a carnival-style backdrop. Shortly after, from 6 February, Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA arrives at Singapore’s bayfront, bringing together high-energy acrobatics, striking visuals and family-friendly storytelling.

With its blend of global culture, cutting-edge hospitality and year-round events, Singapore in 2026 positions itself as a destination that feels both familiar and constantly new. For travellers seeking variety without compromise, the Lion City makes a strong case as a must-visit in the year ahead.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Lead the Way in Marine Conservation

By Hariharan U

Published on January 19, 2026

In the Maldives, the ocean is more than a backdrop; it is a living force shaped by ancient migratory paths, thriving coral reefs and extraordinary biodiversity. At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, this reverence for the sea has guided a long-standing commitment to marine conservation, one that began well before sustainability became a global priority. Today, the resorts operate among the most comprehensive and future-focused marine conservation programmes in the Indian Ocean.

At the centre of these efforts is the Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) at Landaa Giraavaru. Established in 2001, the MDC was one of the first on-island research facilities of its kind in the Maldives. It is staffed by a team of 13 full-time marine biologists, supported by interns, apprentices and collaborations with Maldivian government bodies, including the Ministries of Environment, Fisheries and Agriculture. The centre functions as a bridge between science, education and guest engagement, integrating conservation directly into the luxury resort experience.

Guests are invited to participate in coral propagation activities, observe turtle rehabilitation efforts, and attend marine presentations held five evenings a week. These sessions provide insight into the Maldivian archipelago’s rich marine life before guests head out on guided snorkelling excursions alongside marine biologists, transforming observation into meaningful understanding.

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives has also played a pioneering role in reef restoration. The Reefscapers programme, launched in 2001, was the country’s first large-scale coral propagation initiative. To date, more than 9,000 reef structures have been transplanted, contributing significantly to reef resilience while allowing guests to actively take part in rebuilding coral ecosystems within the resort lagoons.

Another cornerstone initiative is the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, opened in 2010 as the Maldives’ first facility dedicated to injured sea turtles. Nearly 500 turtles have been treated here, with more than 280 successfully released back into the wild. Complementary monitoring and photo-identification programmes further enhance research, often involving guests in data collection and conservation awareness.

The Fish Lab extends conservation beyond reefs and turtles by breeding ornamental fish with the long-term goal of supporting sustainable alternative livelihoods for local communities, linking marine protection with socio-economic responsibility.

Among the most globally recognised initiatives is the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme (MMCP). Founded in 2005 by Senior Marine Biologist Guy Stevens, with support from Four Seasons and Save Our Seas, MMCP has grown into one of the world’s most important manta ray research projects and is the founding initiative of the internationally respected Manta Trust.

Over two decades, MMCP has identified nearly 6,000 individual reef manta rays from more than 90,000 photo-identification sightings, making it the largest known manta population study globally. Research spans behavioural patterns, population dynamics, and the impact of environmental conditions and tourism on manta movements across the archipelago.

In the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, MMCP scientists are also decoding the environmental conditions that trigger plankton blooms in Hanifaru Bay—knowledge that enables more accurate prediction of large-scale manta feeding events. For guests, this research translates into experiences such as Manta On Call, where real-time sightings prompt immediate departures for encounters in open waters.

Innovation further enhances education through the Maldives’ first Hologram Room at Landaa Giraavaru. Hosted at the Marine Discovery Centre, the immersive experience allows guests to virtually swim alongside life-size holographic manta rays, created using real scientific data from the surrounding waters. Complementing this is the Manta Ray App, developed with The Manta Trust, offering a VR-led journey into manta life cycles, behaviours and habitats.

At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Kuda Huraa, marine conservation is not an add-on but a philosophy seamlessly embedded into the guest journey. Visitors arrive drawn by natural beauty and depart with a deeper sense of responsibility, having contributed to the protection of one of the planet’s most remarkable marine ecosystems. In safeguarding the oceans, Four Seasons Resorts Maldives offers not just memorable stays, but a lasting commitment to preserving paradise for generations to come.

Ibiza Holiday Rentals Plunge as Spain Tightens Crackdown on Overtourism

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 18, 2026

Ibiza has seen a sharp decline in short-term holiday rentals in 2025 as Spain’s efforts to curb overtourism and regulate holiday homes begin to show results. According to tourism lobby Exceltur, the number of short-term tourist lets on the island dropped by nearly 50 percent compared to the previous year.

The supply of holiday rentals in Ibiza is now around 80 percent lower than in 2017, highlighting the scale of the crackdown. Across Spain, short-term rental listings fell by 4 percent in the second half of 2025 compared to a year earlier, marking the first nationwide decline on record. However, trends varied across the country’s 25 largest cities.

Spanish authorities have been tightening regulations in response to growing concerns from local residents, who say rising rents and property prices are being fuelled by tourist demand. In Ibiza, the local government has stepped up inspections to identify and remove unauthorised holiday rentals from the market.

Other popular destinations are also taking strong measures. Barcelona has announced plans to ban all holiday homes by 2028 as part of its long-term strategy to manage tourism pressure. Mallorca has joined Ibiza in enforcing stricter controls, with both islands recording the steepest drops in short-term rental supply.

However, not all regions are seeing a slowdown. Coastal cities such as Malaga and Almeria have continued to expand their tourist accommodation offerings, according to Exceltur, indicating uneven impact across Spain.

Exceltur vice president Oscar Perelli said that new rules requiring property owners to register homes before listing them on platforms such as Airbnb have played a key role in reducing supply. These regulations aim to bring better oversight and balance to the housing market.

Despite the restrictions, holiday homes continue to attract a significant share of visitors. Nearly one-third of tourists in Spain still choose rental homes, which generally remain more affordable than hotels. Holiday rentals had outpaced hotel growth for several years as Spain’s tourism boom placed it alongside France as one of the world’s top travel destinations.

Meanwhile, Ibiza recorded Spain’s highest hotel revenue per room last year at 170 euros, reflecting a 6 percent increase from 2024. The figures suggest that while rental supply is shrinking, demand for accommodation on the island remains strong.

Welcome to post your talent

A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.

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

Most Read In News

Singapore in 2026: What’s New, What’s Next, What Not to Miss

Most Read In News

Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Lead the Way in Marine Conservation

Most Read In News

Ibiza Holiday Rentals Plunge as Spain Tightens Crackdown on Overtourism

Most Read In News