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.

Novotel Cairo Airport Joins Hands with Egyptian Clothing Bank to Support Community

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 3, 2026

Hospitality is not just about service, it is also about giving back. Novotel Cairo Airport has partnered with the Egyptian Clothing Bank, a well-known charitable organisation that provides clothing to families in need across Egypt.

As part of this initiative, two donation boxes have been placed within the hotel premises, allowing both guests and staff to contribute clothing and directly support those who need it most. The effort offers a simple yet impactful way for the hotel community to come together and make a real difference.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Mr. Atta El Dessouky, General Manager, said, “At Novotel Cairo Airport, we believe true hospitality extends beyond our doors. Partnering with the Egyptian Clothing Bank allows us to support families in need and contribute to initiatives that have a real, positive impact on society.”

The partnership reflects the hotel’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility and community care. By supporting initiatives that uplift people and strengthen society, Novotel Cairo Airport continues to extend its role beyond hospitality and into meaningful community engagement.

The hotel looks forward to participating in similar initiatives in the future and remains committed to supporting causes that create lasting, positive change.

Chef Keshav Kumar Chaudhary Appointed as Assistant Chef at Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant, New York

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 3, 2026

Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant has announced the appointment of Chef Keshav Kumar Chaudhary as Assistant Chef, strengthening its culinary leadership in New York. An experienced hospitality professional, Chef Keshav brings a strong mix of creativity, operational knowledge, and team management to the restaurant’s growing kitchen team.

Known for his innovative approach and hands-on leadership style, Chef Keshav has built a reputation for creating diverse menus that reflect changing guest preferences while maintaining quality and consistency. In his current role at Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant, he has played a key role in improving customer satisfaction through high food standards, appealing presentation, and smooth kitchen operations in a fast-paced setting.

Sharing his thoughts on the new role, Chef Keshav Kumar Chaudhary said, “It is an honor to be part of Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant in New York. My focus is to combine authentic flavors with modern culinary techniques while maintaining consistency and excellence in every dish. I look forward to contributing to the restaurant’s growth and delivering memorable dining experiences to our guests.”

Before joining Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant, Chef Keshav served as Executive Chef at Compass Group, where he was responsible for training and developing kitchen teams through structured programs, performance reviews, and leadership support. He also ensured discipline and professionalism across operations while maintaining strict compliance with health department regulations. His role included designing cost-effective menus, controlling food expenses, managing inventory, and overseeing overall kitchen and business operations.

Earlier in his career, Chef Keshav gained valuable experience with leading hospitality brands in India, including The Westin Gurgaon, The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Hilton Jaipur, and Kempinski Ambience Hotel. His professional journey also includes roles at Radisson Blu Hotel Greater Noida, Sahara Aamby Valley City, The Dukes Retreat, and TGI Fridays Gurgaon.

With his strong background, leadership skills, and passion for excellence, Chef Keshav Kumar Chaudhary is set to play an important role in further enhancing Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant’s presence in New York’s competitive dining landscape.

Amber India Unveils Holi Special Menu at Indian Restaurant Week San Francisco

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 3, 2026

Amber India has launched an exclusive Holi Special Menu as part of Indian Restaurant Week San Francisco, bringing the festive energy of Holi to the Bay Area through a refined yet joyful culinary showcase.

Curated under the leadership of Specialty Chef Ram Pratap Singh Kushwah, the limited-edition menu celebrates the festival of colors by blending traditional Indian flavours with modern techniques. The result is a dining experience that feels festive, thoughtful, and rooted in contemporary Indian gastronomy.

Inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of Holi, the menu unfolds like a celebration on the plate. The experience begins with an Amuse-Bouche featuring Tandoori Avocado Chaat, Khandvi, and Paniyaram. This opening course sets the tone with colour, texture, and a nod to India’s diverse regional kitchens.

The Appetizer Course offers guests the option to choose between vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Vegetarian selections include Asparagus Dahi Kebab & Malabari Mushroom, known for their balanced flavours and gentle spice notes. For non-vegetarian diners, the menu features Tandoori Chimichurri Chicken Breast & Prawn Pepper Fry, combining classic tandoor elements with bold coastal influences.

The Entrée Course draws inspiration from royal Indian culinary traditions. Vegetarian diners can enjoy Royal Awadhi Paneer, where cottage cheese is served in a pumpkin-infused gravy enriched with cream, nuts, and aromatic spices. Non-vegetarian highlights include Awadhi Lamb Chops, slow-cooked in a brown onion and yogurt-based sauce, and Kashmiri Murgh Gustaba, featuring tender chicken meatballs simmered in a smooth, mildly spiced yogurt gravy. These mains are paired with Dal Amber, a curated Bread Basket, and fragrant Zaffrani Pulao, completing the experience.

Desserts bring the celebration to a graceful close with Elaneer Pudding and Mango Kulfi Tiramisu, blending familiar Indian flavours with a modern presentation.

Speaking about the special menu, Chef Ram Pratap Singh Kushwah said:

“Holi is a celebration of colors, togetherness, and joy. With this menu, we wanted every dish to reflect those emotions, vibrant ingredients, bold flavors, and a balance of tradition with creativity. Our aim is to give guests an experience that feels festive, nostalgic, and exciting all at once.”

With this Holi Special Menu, Amber India continues to strengthen its presence in the Bay Area dining scene, offering guests a festive journey that celebrates culture, colour, and Indian culinary artistry during Indian Restaurant Week San Francisco.

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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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Novotel Cairo Airport Joins Hands with Egyptian Clothing Bank to Support Community

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Chef Keshav Kumar Chaudhary Appointed as Assistant Chef at Sahib & Dhaba Restaurant, New York

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Amber India Unveils Holi Special Menu at Indian Restaurant Week San Francisco

Most Read In News