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.

Emirates Gradually Restores Flights as Regional Airspace Reopens

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 8, 2026

Emirates has begun gradually restoring its flight operations following the partial reopening of regional airspace. For now, the airline is running a reduced schedule while working towards bringing its entire network back to normal operations over the coming days, depending on airspace availability and operational requirements.

Safety remains the airline’s top priority as it continues to manage the situation while ensuring the wellbeing of passengers and staff. Despite the temporary adjustments, Emirates has maintained steady operations and connectivity across several international destinations.

On 6 March, the airline carried close to 30,000 passengers departing from Dubai. By 7 March, Emirates expects to operate 106 return flights daily to 83 destinations, which represents nearly 60 percent of its global route network.

The airline has also increased capacity in a few high-demand regions. In the United Kingdom, Emirates will run 11 daily flights across five airports by 7 March, reflecting strong travel demand between the UAE and the UK.

India remains a key market for the airline, with Emirates expanding its services to 22 daily flights by 7 March. These flights will connect all nine of its Indian gateways, helping maintain steady connectivity between India and Dubai.

In the United States, Emirates continues to operate flights to seven of its American gateways, ensuring that passengers travelling between the US and the UAE still have reliable options during this period.

Flights to these destinations are currently operating, and customers can check availability and make bookings through the airline’s official website. Emirates has also stated that passengers with earlier bookings will be given priority during this period. Customers are advised to travel to the airport only if they hold a confirmed booking.

The airline is closely monitoring developments and will continue to adjust its operations as required. Passengers are encouraged to regularly check emirates.com and the airline’s official social media channels for the latest updates.

Michelin Starred Chef Giorgio Servetto to Host Underwater Dining at Atmosphere Core Resorts

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 7, 2026

Giorgio Servetto will bring a distinctive culinary experience to the Maldives this May as he collaborates with Atmosphere Core for a limited period takeover of two of the region’s renowned underwater restaurants. The exclusive collaboration will present a unique Garden to Sea Immersion concept beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean, combining Michelin level gastronomy with sustainable island sourcing.

The chef will host exclusive lunch and dinner experiences at Only BLU from 7th to 9th May 2026, followed by a second showcase at M6m (Minus Six Metres) from 12th to 14th May 2026. As part of the culinary showcase, a signature Crab Dinner Experience will also be presented at Hudhu Bay at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO.

Presented as a five course menu at both underwater venues, the dining experience will reflect Chef Servetto’s culinary philosophy rooted in circular cuisine and zero waste precision. Developed together with the Atmosphere Core culinary team, the menu will focus on island grown ingredients including hydroponic greens cultivated on Maadhoo Island, fresh vegetables sourced from local farms, and responsibly sourced seafood from the Indian Ocean. The approach highlights a transparent and measurable commitment to sustainable dining while celebrating the natural bounty of the islands.

“Creativity begins with listening, to the land, the sea, and what they give you,” says Chef Giorgio Servetto. “My cuisine is about simplifying. When you respect ingredients fully, every element finds its purpose and flavour becomes clearer. You are a guest in nature’s elegant dining room. It is especially exciting to bring this experience to the Maldives for the first time with Atmosphere Core, where serving food in this underwater realm makes the journey feel even more special.”

Born and professionally shaped in Liguria, Italy, Chef Servetto is recognised for a disciplined yet curious approach to cooking. His culinary philosophy combines research, cultural exchange, and continuous experimentation. The chef remains the only culinary professional in Liguria to hold both a Michelin Red Star and a Michelin Green Star and is also the only chef from the region to have received Red Stars at two different restaurants.

According to Anupam Banerjee, Vice President Food and Beverage at Atmosphere Core, the collaboration reflects the group’s long term commitment to responsible gastronomy. “This kind of culinary experience feels very natural to us. We are focused on bringing conscious dining into everything we do. Our approach to circular cuisine comes from working closely with what’s grown on our islands and what the sea provides responsibly. Collaborating with Chef Servetto has been inspiring. His way of thinking aligns instinctively with ours, and together we’ve designed something enriching, grounded and memorable, a new experience that our guests can genuinely enjoy and take with them.”

The underwater venues themselves are designed to elevate the sensory experience. Only BLU, one of the Maldives’ largest underwater restaurants, features a cobalt washed dining room surrounded by marine life, while M6m offers a more intimate dining experience six metres below the ocean surface with sweeping underwater views. In both settings, the ambience encourages guests to slow down and fully immerse themselves in the flavours and surroundings.

Located within convenient reach of Velana International Airport, OBLU SELECT Lobigili and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO provide accessible gateways for travellers seeking immersive luxury experiences. Through this collaboration, Atmosphere Core continues to position itself at the forefront of experiential gastronomy where sustainability, creativity, and a strong sense of place come together.

In a time when luxury dining is evolving toward more thoughtful and responsible experiences, this underwater culinary takeover highlights a refined vision of the future where fine dining becomes quieter, deeper, and more connected to nature.

Emirates Operates Reduced Flight Schedule Following Partial Airspace Reopening

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 6, 2026

Emirates has confirmed that it is currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice following the partial reopening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights. The airline stated that this measured approach allows it to resume services responsibly while ensuring that all operational and regulatory requirements are fully met, with safety remaining its highest priority.

For 5 and 6 March, over 100 flights will depart from and return to Dubai, helping passengers reach their final destinations while also carrying essential cargo such as perishables and pharmaceuticals. The airline highlighted that maintaining the movement of critical goods continues to be an important part of its operations, supporting supply chains and time-sensitive shipments during this transitional period.

Emirates will continue to gradually rebuild its flying schedule in line with airspace availability and operational clearances. The situation remains under close review, and the airline has stated that it will adapt its services accordingly as conditions evolve.

Passengers are advised to proceed to the airport only if they have a confirmed booking. Customers are also encouraged to check emirates.com and the airline’s official social media channels regularly for the latest updates and travel advisories. As regional airspace conditions stabilize, Emirates remains committed to restoring its full schedule in a phased and responsible manner, prioritizing passenger safety and operational reliability at every step.

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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

Emirates Gradually Restores Flights as Regional Airspace Reopens

Most Read In News

Michelin Starred Chef Giorgio Servetto to Host Underwater Dining at Atmosphere Core Resorts

Most Read In News

Emirates Operates Reduced Flight Schedule Following Partial Airspace Reopening

Most Read In News