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

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.

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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.


Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare as ZEE Warns Hotels Against Unauthorized FIFA World Cup Screenings

Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare as ZEE Warns Hotels Against Unauthorized FIFA World Cup Screenings

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2026

Defending champions Argentina survived one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history, defeating World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling Round of 32 encounter.

Played under the lights in Miami, the match turned into an unforgettable contest as Cape Verde matched Argentina's quality with determination and flair. Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead in the first half with a clinical finish, but Cape Verde refused to back down. Deroy Duarte brought the Blue Sharks level in the second half with a well-taken goal, sending the match into extra time.

Argentina eventually found the breakthrough to seal a hard-fought 3-2 victory, ending the remarkable World Cup journey of a spirited Cape Verde side that earned admiration for pushing the defending champions to the limit.

Elsewhere in the Round of 32, Australia suffered heartbreak after losing its first-ever FIFA World Cup penalty shootout. The Socceroos and Egypt finished level at 1-1 after regular and extra time before Egypt secured a 4-2 victory in the shootout. Colombia also advanced to the Round of 16 with a narrow 1-0 win over Ghana.

Amid the excitement surrounding the tournament, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited has issued a strict compliance advisory to hotels, restaurants, pubs, and other commercial establishments across India regarding the unauthorized public screening of FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.

The advisory warns businesses against streaming matches without proper authorization and against using FIFA intellectual property in promotional activities. The move is expected to significantly impact event-led promotions across the hospitality, food and beverage, and retail sectors, where major sporting events are often used to attract customers.

ZEE holds the exclusive media and broadcasting rights for 39 FIFA competitions in India from 2026 to 2034, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, and the FIFA World Cup 2030.

In its advisory, the broadcaster emphasized that the terms "FIFA" and "World Cup 2026," along with all associated logos and branding, are protected trademarks.

"Unauthorized usage, reproduction, or display of these terms, marks, or logos in any form, including promotional materials, advertisements, or commercial communication is strictly prohibited," the network stated, adding that only officially licensed partners are permitted to use FIFA branding.

As the FIFA World Cup progresses, commercial establishments planning match screenings or promotional campaigns are expected to ensure full compliance with broadcasting and trademark regulations.


Turkish Airlines Restores Middle East Network, Doubles Dubai Flights

Turkish Airlines Restores Middle East Network, Doubles Dubai Flights

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2026

Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi as part of its phased restoration of services across the Middle East following a temporary suspension. The Istanbul-based carrier restarted its Abu Dhabi operations on July 1 and has announced that flights to Dammam will resume on July 10, Kuwait on July 11, and Bahrain on July 16.

The airline had already restarted flights to Dubai on June 9, giving travellers from the UAE more opportunities to connect through Istanbul to its extensive global network.

As part of the expansion, Turkish Airlines has doubled its Dubai operations from seven to 14 weekly flights, effective June 25. It has also increased the frequency of flights to Amman from 14 to 21 weekly services from June 19, while Beirut services have grown from 21 to 28 weekly flights from July 1.

The airline said these resumptions and additional frequencies will strengthen connectivity between the Middle East and its global network. Turkish Airlines currently flies to more than 350 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas.

The Abu Dhabi service operates as flight TK 868, departing Istanbul at 6:45 pm and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 12:25 am on selected days. The return flight, TK 869, departs Abu Dhabi at 1:30 am and reaches Istanbul at 5:25 am.

The resumed Dammam service will depart Istanbul at 8:15 pm and arrive at 12:15 am, with the return flight leaving Dammam at 1:15 am and arriving in Istanbul at 5:30 am.

Flights to Kuwait will depart Istanbul at 2:00 am and arrive at 5:40 am, while the return service leaves Kuwait at 6:35 am and reaches Istanbul at 10:25 am. Bahrain services will depart Istanbul at 8:15 pm and arrive at 12:10 am, with the return flight leaving Bahrain at 1:15 am and arriving in Istanbul at 5:30 am.

Passengers are advised to check the latest flight schedules and travel requirements through Turkish Airlines' official channels before planning their journey.


Portugal Advances as Mexico City Stadium Shines with New Hospitality Experience at FIFA World Cup 2026

Portugal Advances as Mexico City Stadium Shines with New Hospitality Experience at FIFA World Cup 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 4, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued to deliver exciting action as Portugal booked its place in the Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32. Portugal came from behind to seal the win and will now face Spain in the next stage of the tournament. 

In other Round of 32 fixtures, Spain produced a commanding 3-0 win over Austria, while the USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to progress. Switzerland also secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria, completing another successful day of knockout football. 

Away from the action on the pitch, the Mexico City Stadium has become one of the standout attractions of the tournament following the completion of an extensive renovation of its hospitality and food and beverage spaces. The historic venue, famous for hosting the 1968 Olympics and the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, has been transformed through a 15,000-square-metre interior redevelopment led by a team of Mexican design studios. 

The renovation has been guided by three key principles: preserving the stadium's historic identity, reinterpreting Mexican modernist design, and creating a unified design language through collaboration among the participating architects.

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Across the hospitality areas, visitors are welcomed into interiors organised with a colour palette of green, terracotta, blue, and yellow, helping guests navigate different zones. The upgraded spaces include new reception areas, lounges, bars, premium suites, and enhanced food and beverage outlets. Materials such as wood, steel, and carefully designed ceiling systems create a modern atmosphere while respecting the stadium's rich heritage.

The project reflects how iconic sporting venues can embrace modern hospitality without losing their historical character. As the FIFA World Cup continues across North America, the renovated Mexico City Stadium stands as a strong example of how infrastructure upgrades can improve the fan experience while preserving the legacy of one of football's most celebrated stadiums. 

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