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.

Situ Unveils New Global Headquarters in Exeter to Support Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on April 16, 2026

Situ has officially unveiled its new global headquarters in Exeter, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth journey.

Founded in 2008, Situ has steadily expanded its footprint as a worldwide provider of serviced accommodation solutions. The company originally relocated to its current Exeter site in 2018, but continued growth soon outpaced the building’s capacity. Seizing the opportunity to expand within the same footprint, Situ undertook an ambitious redevelopment project, resulting in a transformed, purpose-built two-storey headquarters that now offers more than double the original space.

The newly unveiled office follows an extensive eighteen-month development programme and has been thoughtfully designed to support modern ways of working. The layout balances collaboration and focus, with open-plan workspaces complemented by smaller seating areas for informal discussions and individual productivity.

A key highlight of the headquarters is its central atrium, a dynamic, tiered space equipped with a large screen and balcony. This multifunctional hub is designed to host company-wide meetings, facilitate hybrid collaboration with global teams, and serve as a venue for community and industry events.

The workspace also incorporates extensive greenery, enhancing air quality while creating a calming and visually engaging environment. The design reflects Situ’s emphasis on employee wellbeing, creativity, and connection.

Sharing his thoughts, Phil Stapleton said, “As our global footprint continues to grow, this space gives our entire team the environment they deserve to collaborate, create, and support our clients around the world. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved and excited to see what comes next.”

Beyond internal use, the new headquarters has been designed as a welcoming hub for clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. Situ plans to host learning sessions, industry discussions, and community-led events at the facility, further strengthening its position within the serviced accommodation sector.

With a presence spanning over 144 countries, Situ continues to combine advanced technology with a human-centric hospitality approach, delivering tailored extended-stay solutions to organisations worldwide. The launch of its new global headquarters reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustained global growth.

ROOH San Francisco Unveils Special Menu for Restaurant Week 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 16, 2026

ROOH San Francisco is set to present a specially curated menu for Restaurant Week 2026, offering guests a unique dining experience that brings together Indian flavours with a modern global touch. The menu has been designed by Executive Chef Ashish Tiwari, known for his approach of blending traditional recipes with contemporary techniques.

Created as a multi-course experience, the menu takes guests through a range of textures and flavours, starting with a refined amuse bouche and ending with a modern Indian dessert. Each course has been thoughtfully put together to reflect both creativity and a strong connection to regional influences.

The meal begins with the Avocado Treat, featuring a crisp phyllo shell filled with avocado chaat, along with tamarind chutney, yogurt, and fresh herbs. For starters, guests can choose between the Beirut Mezze Chaat, which brings together Middle Eastern and Indian street food elements, or the Pondicherry Shrimp Malai, a coastal-inspired dish with shrimp in a coconut-based curry.

For the main course, the menu offers dishes like Broccoli & Cauliflower Rezala, prepared in a light cashew-yogurt gravy, and Methi Malai Chicken, where chicken is cooked in a rich fenugreek cream sauce. These dishes are served with accompaniments such as Rooh daal, saffron rice, garlic naan, and plain naan, completing the experience with familiar flavours.

To end the meal, guests can enjoy the Blueberry Rasmalai Cake, a modern take on a classic dessert that combines cardamom sponge, saffron-infused cream, and a blueberry finish.

Sharing his thoughts on the menu, Chef Tiwari said, "This menu is a celebration of global influences interpreted through an Indian lens. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted to deliver a memorable dining experience that resonates with both tradition and innovation."

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.

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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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Situ Unveils New Global Headquarters in Exeter to Support Expansion

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ROOH San Francisco Unveils Special Menu for Restaurant Week 2026

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Japan Plans Major Increase in Visa Renewal and Residency Fees

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