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.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals to South Korea Rise 17 Percent, Near Record High for the Year

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 2, 2026

South Korea witnessed a significant increase in foreign tourist arrivals, reflecting the continued recovery of its tourism sector to pre-pandemic levels. Official data released by the Korea Tourism Organization showed that international visitor numbers rose sharply, marking one of the strongest months for inbound travel in recent years.

Approximately 1.6 million foreign tourists visited the country during the month, representing a year-on-year growth of over 17 percent. The figure also exceeded visitor levels recorded during the same period before the pandemic, highlighting South Korea’s growing appeal as a global travel destination.

China continued to remain the largest source market for inbound tourism, followed closely by Japan. Other major contributors included Taiwan, the United States and the Philippines. While arrivals from China recovered to nearly three-quarters of pre-pandemic levels, visitor numbers from Japan showed particularly strong momentum, recording a sharp surge compared to earlier benchmarks.

Cumulatively, foreign tourist arrivals during the year reached over 17 million, registering double-digit growth compared to the previous year and surpassing pre-pandemic totals. Chinese visitors accounted for nearly one-third of the total arrivals, underlining the importance of the market to South Korea’s tourism ecosystem.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has projected that total foreign tourist arrivals for the year will reach a new all-time high, moving close to the symbolic 20 million mark. If achieved, this would surpass the previous record set before the pandemic and reinforce South Korea’s position as one of Asia’s fastest-recovering tourism markets.

World Welcomes 2026 as New Zealand Leads with Spectacular Fireworks

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 1, 2026

Countries across the South Pacific were the first to welcome 2026, with New Zealand leading global celebrations as Auckland marked the New Year with a spectacular fireworks display. The show was launched from the iconic Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the country, even as rainy weather swept across parts of the city.

Auckland, home to nearly 1.7 million people, entered the New Year well ahead of major global cities, celebrating almost 18 hours before festivities begin in New York’s Times Square. Despite the wet conditions, the celebrations reflected the city’s vibrant spirit and enthusiasm to usher in the new year.

The island of Kiritimati, part of the Pacific nation of Kiribati, became the very first place in the world to welcome 2026. Located in the Pacific Ocean, south of Hawaii and north-east of Australia, Kiribati spans a vast region of coral atolls and is known for its unique geographical position on the global time map.

Several Asian nations, including Japan and South Korea, followed with New Year celebrations later in the day, joined by Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. While many cities marked the occasion with festive events, Hong Kong opted for a subdued approach this year.

Instead of its usual large-scale fireworks display, Hong Kong organised a light show and limited musical performances as a mark of respect following a recent tragic apartment fire in the city. The decision reflected a more sensitive and thoughtful way of welcoming the New Year.

As 2026 unfolds across time zones, celebrations around the world continue to reflect a mix of joy, remembrance and hope, bringing people together in anticipation of a positive year ahead.

From Action to Leisure: Discovering Kenya’s Coastal Moods

By Hari Haran

Published on December 30, 2025

Kenya’s coastline is often described in broad strokes, white sand, warm waters, and Swahili culture. All of this is true. Yet, viewing the entire coast through a single beach narrative does not do it justice. Stretching along the Indian Ocean, Kenya’s shoreline unfolds as a series of distinct experiences, each shaped by its own rhythm, landscape, and history.

From refined resort towns and reef-lined lagoons to bustling port cities and car-free heritage islands, every coastal stop answers a different traveller’s question. The Kenyan coast is less about ticking beaches off a list and more about choosing the pace, mood, and experience that suits you best.

Diani Beach reflects Kenya’s most polished coastal escape, with luxury resorts, private villas, and curated experiences that blend comfort with nature. Watamu offers a quieter rhythm, defined by coral reefs, marine parks, and conservation-led exploration. Lamu slows life down entirely, revealing centuries of Swahili heritage through its lanes, architecture, and traditions. Mombasa, the cultural heart of the coast, layers history, street life, food, and trade into a vibrant urban experience.

Kenya’s coastline is not about finding the best beach, but about choosing the right experience. From leisure and luxury to heritage and everyday culture, the coast reveals many faces of the Indian Ocean. For travellers willing to explore beyond the obvious, it offers stories, contrasts, and a sense of place that stays long after the journey ends.

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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

Most Read In News

Foreign Tourist Arrivals to South Korea Rise 17 Percent, Near Record High for the Year

Most Read In News

World Welcomes 2026 as New Zealand Leads with Spectacular Fireworks

Most Read In News

From Action to Leisure: Discovering Kenya’s Coastal Moods

Most Read In News