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.

Varel Singapore Appoints Agnes Cheng as General Manager

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 24, 2026

Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, has appointed Agnes Cheng as General Manager, bringing more than 20 years of hospitality experience across luxury, upscale and boutique hotels in Singapore. In her new role, she will oversee the hotel's operations, commercial strategy and financial performance, with a focus on guest satisfaction and business growth.

Agnes has held senior positions at several established hospitality groups, including Naumi Hotels, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Far East Hospitality and The Ascott Limited. Her experience covers hotel operations, sales and marketing, revenue optimisation, food and beverage (F&B) management and strategic partnerships.

Before joining Varel Singapore, Agnes served as General Manager of Naumi Hotel Singapore, where she managed hotel operations, commercial performance and financial performance while overseeing the Rang Mahal restaurant. During her tenure, she led operational improvements and major asset enhancement initiatives, including restaurant refurbishment and enhancements to the hotel's façade.

Under her leadership, Naumi Hotel Singapore received the Best Boutique Hotel accolade at the TTG Travel Awards in both 2025 and 2026. The hotel also received the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Award 2026 during her tenure.

Agnes also brings experience in hotel openings, having played key roles in the launches of Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore, Bay Hotel Singapore and Grand Park Orchard. Across these appointments, she developed new business opportunities, built long-term client relationships and guided sales teams towards achieving revenue targets.

Known for her hands-on and collaborative management approach, Agnes places importance on team development, operational efficiency and service quality. Her leadership approach focuses on empowering employees, creating a positive working environment and maintaining consistent service standards while supporting business performance.

Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, Agnes brings a combination of operational knowledge, commercial expertise and experience across different hotel brands to her new role at Varel Singapore. As General Manager, she will focus on building on the hotel's existing foundation, strengthening guest satisfaction and supporting its continued growth in Singapore's hospitality market.

The Hari Singapore Appoints Aaron Tan as Director of Culinary

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 23, 2026

The Hari Singapore has appointed award-winning chef Aaron Tan as its Director of Culinary ahead of the hotel's opening in early 2027. Bringing more than 25 years of experience across hotels, fine-dining restaurants and international events, Tan will lead the hotel's food and beverage operations, including four restaurants and bars, banqueting and in-room dining.

Tan will focus on delivering quality food with flavour at the centre, supported by thoughtful presentation and a strong kitchen team. From breakfast and dining experiences to in-room service, he aims to create a consistent culinary identity across the hotel.

“Aaron has a deep respect for tradition, but he’s never afraid to bring something new to the table,” said General Manager Andreas Kraemer. “Just as importantly, he wants to grow cooks, not just menus. I can’t think of a better person to shape dining at The Hari Singapore.”

Sharing his approach to food, Tan said, “Singapore diners know good food, and they can tell when something is real. For me, food has to look good and taste even better, with flavour always first. I don’t expect to win anyone over with one dish. We will earn their trust plate by plate, visit by visit. My philosophy has always been simple: cook with heart, and never forget your roots.”

Tan joins The Hari Singapore from Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, formerly InterContinental Singapore, where he has served as Executive Sous Chef and Executive Chinese Chef since 2019. During his tenure, he strengthened the profile of its Cantonese restaurant, Man Fu Yuan, through refined cooking and culinary collaborations.

In 2025, Tan introduced the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast to Singapore for the first time, working with Master Chef Qi Jinzhu after 14 months of preparation. In 2026, he also led a four-hands culinary collaboration with Lily’s at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok.

His culinary journey began in Singapore, where he developed his skills under Hong Kong master chefs before expanding his experience across Western, Asian and fusion cuisines. He later held senior positions at Conrad Centennial Singapore, Fairmont Singapore and Hotel Vagabond. He was also one of three chefs responsible for the Singapore Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Tan's achievements include winning the 2016 Lee Kum Kee International Young Chef Chinese Culinary Challenge in Hong Kong, where he represented Singapore against 42 chefs from 13 countries. He has also led Singapore teams to medals at the World Championship Chef competitions and won Gold at the Souchu International Cooking Competition in Beijing.

Beyond the kitchen, Tan serves as Vice President of the Society of Chinese Cuisine Chefs (Singapore), where he mentors emerging culinary professionals. With his experience in Cantonese cuisine, international culinary collaborations and team development, Tan will lead the dining programme at The Hari Singapore as the hotel prepares to welcome guests in early 2027.

Boutique Hospitality Services Appoints Apat Salamone to Drive Hospitality Partnerships and Technology Growth

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 22, 2026

Boutique Hospitality Services Limited has appointed Apat Salamone as Hospitality Partnership Manager as its parent company, Boutique Corporation Public Company Limited (BC), looks to expand its hotel management, third-party operating and hospitality technology businesses.

Apat brings 12 years of hospitality experience, covering hotel operations, B2B business development and sales. In his new role, he will lead business development across BC's Hotel Management Services (HMS), Third-Party Operator (TPO) and upcoming hospitality technology (SaaS) business.

His responsibilities will include building the commercial pipeline, managing owner and client relationships for properties operating under BC's hotel management agreements, and overseeing key business development activities. These properties include JonoX Karon Phuket. He will also help steer key milestones towards the planned launch of BC's SaaS product by the end of 2026.

The appointment comes as BC strengthens its focus on hotel operations and technology. The company is a certified Third-Party Operator for Accor and Marriott, managing both internationally branded and independent hotels on behalf of their owners. Alongside its hotel management business, BC is developing technology solutions designed to help hotels improve operational efficiency and overall performance.

BC's portfolio includes its own brands, Journeyhub Hotels and Jono Hotels, alongside internationally branded properties such as Novotel and ibis Chiang Mai Nimman Journeyhub, Mercure Phuket Patong Journeyhub and greet Bangkok Sukhumvit 16 Jono. The portfolio is also set to expand with the addition of Mövenpick Resort Phuket Kamala Beach and JonoX Sukhumvit 5 – Handwritten Collection.

With Apat's appointment, BC aims to strengthen its business development efforts while advancing its hotel management and technology plans. His experience across operations, sales and business development is expected to support the company's efforts to build stronger partnerships with hotel owners and expand its hospitality offerings.

As the company prepares for its planned SaaS launch by the end of 2026, the appointment also reflects its broader focus on combining hotel operating expertise with technology solutions to support better-performing properties.

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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

Varel Singapore Appoints Agnes Cheng as General Manager

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The Hari Singapore Appoints Aaron Tan as Director of Culinary

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Boutique Hospitality Services Appoints Apat Salamone to Drive Hospitality Partnerships and Technology Growth

Most Read In News