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.

Japan Plans Major Increase in Visa Renewal and Residency Fees

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 15, 2026

Japan is planning a significant increase in visa renewal and permanent residency fees for foreign residents, as part of proposed changes under the Immigration Control Act. The move is aimed at revising existing fee structures in line with current administrative needs.

According to reports, the revised structure will apply across visa categories, including long-term stays and permanent residency permits. The proposal has been submitted by the Cabinet, which has suggested higher fee limits while allowing flexibility in final pricing.

Under the new plan, renewing a five-year visa could cost around 70,000 yen, compared to the current flat fee of 6,000 yen for in-person renewals. Short-term visa renewals of three months or less are expected to be priced at about 10,000 yen.

The most notable change is in permanent residency fees, which may increase to around 200,000 yen, a sharp rise from the current 10,000 yen. The government has also proposed setting maximum fee caps of 300,000 yen for permanent residency and 100,000 yen for other visa categories. Final charges will be decided through official directives within these limits.

Officials have stated that provisions will continue for individuals facing financial hardship, with possible fee reductions or exemptions available in such cases.

The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to update immigration-related policies in Japan, as the government looks to balance administrative requirements with evolving regulatory frameworks.

Ayush Sharma Joins Clove Indian Cuisine, Seattle as Operations Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 15, 2026

Clove Indian Cuisine, a popular spot for authentic Indian food in Seattle, has announced the appointment of Ayush Sharma as its new Operations Manager. With a solid background in hospitality and food and beverage operations, he is expected to further strengthen the restaurant’s service standards and day-to-day operations.

In his new role, Sharma will handle overall restaurant operations, including catering, menu planning, maintaining food quality, and ensuring the presentation of dishes meets the brand’s standards. He will also focus on maintaining health, safety, and hygiene practices while managing front-of-house operations and working closely with kitchen teams for smooth coordination.

Ayush Sharma has been closely associated with Clove Indian Cuisine since its early days and played an important role in its opening. He was actively involved in setting up operations, coordinating teams, and building service processes, which helped shape the restaurant’s guest experience.

Sharing his thoughts, Ayush Sharma said,

“I am truly excited to continue my journey with Clove Indian Cuisine and take on this new responsibility. Being part of the restaurant’s opening makes this role even more meaningful. My focus will be on maintaining high service standards, fostering teamwork, and creating memorable dining experiences for our guests. I look forward to contributing to the restaurant’s continued growth and success.”

Before this, Sharma worked with well-known hospitality brands including JW Marriott, The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, and Trident Gurgaon, where he built strong experience in luxury hospitality and guest service. He later moved to the United States and joined Marriott Waterfront Baltimore, Maryland, in the front office, gaining exposure in guest relations, reservations, and VIP services.

He also served as Assistant Outlets Manager at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon (Pre-Opening), where he managed multiple outlets, led a team of 24 members, and contributed to improving operations and revenue performance.

With his experience in operations, team handling, and guest satisfaction, Ayush Sharma’s new role marks an important step for Clove Indian Cuisine as it looks to grow further in Seattle’s competitive dining space.

Alaska Airlines Returns as Official Airline for Coachella and Stagecoach

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 13, 2026

Alaska Airlines has returned as the official airline partner for Coachella and Stagecoach, bringing back its presence to one of the most talked-about cultural events of the year.

Building on last year’s debut, the airline is introducing a more immersive experience for festivalgoers. Starting from Weekend One of Coachella, visitors can step into a specially designed activation that recreates the feeling of being “35,000 feet in the air.” The space is designed with unique visuals and interactive elements, highlighting Alaska’s growing list of global destinations, including London, Rome, Tokyo and Seoul.

The experience also focuses on comfort and convenience. Guests can take a break from the festival heat with complimentary beverages and snacks, while enjoying Alaska’s signature hospitality. Adding to this, the airline is showcasing its in-flight connectivity by offering its fastest Wi-Fi experience on the ground, allowing visitors to stay connected, share moments, and stream content in real time.

This offering is supported by Alaska’s partnership with T-Mobile, which enables free onboard Wi-Fi on select Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines flights. The initiative aims to make travel smoother and more connected for passengers heading to the festival.

Festivalgoers can also take part in a special rewards experience through Atmos Rewards. Visitors can win prizes, including roundtrip tickets, by participating in on-site activities. Over the three-weekend festival period, Alaska Airlines is giving away one million Atmos points, offering winners the chance to plan future trips across its expanding network.

Sharing his thoughts, Eric Edge, vice president of brand and marketing at Alaska Airlines, said, "Coachella and Stagecoach are more than festivals, they're defining moments in culture. We're thrilled to return as the official airline, creating an experience that brings the energy of the festival to life and makes the journey to the desert just as memorable as the weekend itself."

To support travel demand, Alaska Airlines is increasing capacity with more seats on flights to Palm Springs, one of the closest airports to Indio. The airline will operate these services around Coachella scheduled from April 10–13 and 17–19, and Stagecoach from April 24–26.

With this move, Alaska Airlines continues to blend travel with experience, making the journey to the festival as engaging as the event itself.

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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

Japan Plans Major Increase in Visa Renewal and Residency Fees

Most Read In News

Ayush Sharma Joins Clove Indian Cuisine, Seattle as Operations Manager

Most Read In News

Alaska Airlines Returns as Official Airline for Coachella and Stagecoach

Most Read In News