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.

VidantaWorld Voyages Opens 2027 Mediterranean Season with Cannes and Solar Eclipse Sailings

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 17, 2026

VidantaWorld Voyages has opened bookings for its 2027 Mediterranean season aboard ELEGANT, introducing a line-up of sailings focused on immersive experiences and longer stays across some of Europe’s most popular destinations. Running from May through September 2027, the season will feature unique travel moments including the opening week of the Cannes Film Festival and a specially designed Total Solar Eclipse voyage in the Mediterranean.

One of the major highlights of the season is the Total Solar Eclipse sailing scheduled from July 31 to August 7, 2027. On August 2, ELEGANT will travel between Kalamata, Greece and Chania, Crete, positioning guests directly in the path of totality. From the open waters of the Mediterranean, travellers will have a clear view of the eclipse as daylight transitions into darkness without the limitations of land-based viewing.

Unlike crowded observation spots on land, the experience at sea will offer uninterrupted views, open horizons and real-time navigational positioning to maximise visibility. With capacity limited to just 216 guests, the voyage is designed to provide a more private and relaxed setting.

Another key moment of the season will be ELEGANT’s arrival in Cannes, France on May 12, 2027, timed with the opening of the globally recognised Cannes Film Festival. The sailing is expected to place guests close to one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural events.

Speaking about the itinerary design, Ivan Chavez, Executive Vice President of Grupo Vidanta, said: "We designed the 2027 itineraries around time - having more of it in the places that matter most. From Cannes at the start of the film festival to the eclipse at sea, these voyages are built around moments that define a destination."

Originally built to host more than 600 passengers, ELEGANT has been redesigned to accommodate only 216 guests across 108 suites and staterooms. The company says the goal was to create a more spacious onboard atmosphere with a luxury resort-style feel rather than a conventional cruise experience.

The yacht offers nearly three times more space per guest than many traditional luxury vessels and includes a near 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio for personalised service. Select suite categories also feature butler service, while public spaces have been designed to create a more open and relaxed environment.

Chavez added: "From the beginning, our goal was to rethink what luxury at sea should feel like. We took a ship originally designed for more than 600 guests and intentionally reimagined it for just over 200, because true luxury isn't about adding more. It's about creating space, ease, and a level of service that feels genuinely personal."

The itineraries also place focus on giving travellers more time at destinations with overnight stays and late departures. Guests can expect overnight calls at places such as Mykonos, Santorini and Monte Carlo, along with extended evening experiences and tender-on-demand services.

"We want to show the Mediterranean at night, not just during the day," Chavez said. "The most beautiful moments in Europe happen around sundown, and we thought it would be such a shame for our guests to only experience sunsets on the way out of Europe on their way to the next destination."

The 2027 collection will include Spring Mediterranean journeys across Portugal, Spain, France and Italy, Mediterranean Classics itineraries, Greek Isles and Adriatic sailings, the Total Solar Eclipse voyage and late-season sailings through Spain, France and Italy. Reservations for the full programme are now open, with strong demand expected for both the eclipse and Cannes itineraries.

Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways Open New Central Asia Routes with Codeshare Partnership

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 17, 2026

Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways have joined hands through a new codeshare agreement aimed at improving connectivity between the UAE and Central Asia. The partnership comes into effect on 15 May 2026, while the first codeshare flights under the agreement will be available for travel from 9 August 2026, aligning with Etihad’s launch of its daily Abu Dhabi–Tashkent route.

The new arrangement allows Etihad guests to travel across Uzbekistan with greater convenience by booking a single ticket from Tashkent to eight destinations within the country. These include Samarkand, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan, Andizhan, and Bukhara. Travellers will also gain access to selected international destinations within the Uzbekistan Airways network.

At the same time, Uzbekistan Airways passengers will be able to travel seamlessly to Abu Dhabi through Tashkent using Etihad’s upcoming daily service. Both airlines are also working on a frequent flyer collaboration between Etihad Guest and UzAirPlus, which is expected to expand reward opportunities for travellers in the future.

Uzbekistan continues to attract increasing international interest as one of Central Asia’s growing tourism markets. The country’s historic Silk Road cities, including Samarkand and Bukhara, along with destinations such as Khiva and the landscapes of Karakalpakstan, have been drawing travellers looking for cultural and heritage experiences.

Tashkent, the largest city in Central Asia, continues to strengthen its role as an important regional hub. Through this partnership, Etihad aims to make the region more accessible for global travellers while also opening wider international connections for Uzbekistan Airways customers through Abu Dhabi.

Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer, said: “Uzbekistan is one of the most exciting markets in our network right now, and this agreement gives our guests something they’ve been asking for: Easy access to eight Uzbek cities on a single ticket while offering direct service to our beautiful home in Abu Dhabi. We’ve found a strong partner in Uzbekistan Airways, an airline expanding its fleet and reach, and we’re looking forward to growing the relationship from here.”

Shukhrat Yadgarov, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Commerce and Tourism at Uzbekistan Airways JSC, said: “Partnering with Etihad Airways marks another strategic milestone in the continued expansion of Uzbekistan Airways’ international network. Through this codeshare agreement, passengers of the national carrier will gain access to a new destination within our route portfolio - Abu Dhabi. The new service will complement our existing daily operations between Tashkent and Dubai, further strengthening air connectivity between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates."

He further added: “This partnership brings together the shared commitment of two leading airlines to the highest standards of safety, service excellence, operational reliability, and traditional hospitality. We are confident that this agreement will serve as a strong air bridge between our nations and will contribute significantly to the further development of tourism, cultural exchange, and business relations.”

With this addition, Etihad’s partner network now includes 46 codeshare and more than 130 interline partners, making it one of the largest partner networks among non-alliance airlines. The network now offers travellers access to over 350 destinations worldwide through single-ticket connectivity. Bookings are now open on the airlines’ official platforms.

Air India Revises International Flight Schedule Through August 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 14, 2026

Air India has announced temporary changes to its international route network between June and August 2026 as the airline responds to continued airspace restrictions across certain regions and record-high jet fuel prices impacting international operations.

According to the airline, the move is aimed at strengthening network stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience for passengers while navigating ongoing operational challenges.

Despite the temporary adjustments, Air India stated that it will continue operating more than 1,200 international flights every month across five continents. The airline’s network during this period will include 33 weekly flights to North America, 47 flights to Europe, 57 weekly services to the UK, 8 flights to Australia, 158 flights across the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, along with 7 weekly services to Mauritius.

For passengers affected by cancellations and schedule revisions, Air India said it will provide assistance through alternative available Air India flights, complimentary date changes, or full refunds wherever applicable. Support will also continue through the airline’s 24x7 contact centre and digital platforms.

Several routes across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia will see temporary suspensions or reduced frequencies. In North America, services including Delhi–Chicago and select New York and Newark operations will be temporarily suspended, while routes to San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver will operate at lower frequencies for part of the period.

European operations including Paris, Copenhagen, Milan, Vienna, Zurich, and Rome will also see reduced weekly frequencies. In Australia, services to Melbourne and Sydney will temporarily reduce from daily operations to four flights a week.

Within the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC network, Air India will temporarily suspend routes such as Delhi–Shanghai, Chennai–Singapore, Mumbai–Dhaka, and Delhi–Malé through August, while services to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Kathmandu, and other destinations will operate at revised frequencies.

Air India said it continues to work with regulators, airport authorities, and industry partners to restore full operational capacity as conditions improve. The airline also noted that further route adjustments may be introduced if the current operating environment continues.

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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

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VidantaWorld Voyages Opens 2027 Mediterranean Season with Cannes and Solar Eclipse Sailings

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