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.


Ellenborough Park Offers Exclusive VIP Access to Bicester Village for a Classic British Escape

Ellenborough Park Offers Exclusive VIP Access to Bicester Village for a Classic British Escape

By Hariharan U

Published on November 26, 2025

Guests staying at Ellenborough Park can now enjoy an experience that brings together the finest of British countryside living and luxury retail therapy, exclusive access to Bicester Village, one of the UK’s most sought-after open-air shopping destinations.

Bicester Village is home to more than 150 global brands, including Barbour, Coach and Givenchy. With this special access, guests receive a set of VIP perks such as personal shopping assistance, a hands-free shopping service, entry to “The Apartment” VIP lounge and a 10% saving at select boutiques and restaurants. Just an hour and a half from the estate, the village offers far more than shopping, combining stylish streets, a relaxed village feel and exceptional hospitality.

After a day of retail exploration, guests return to the timeless elegance of Ellenborough Park, a true Cotswolds sanctuary. The historic 15th-century manor blends old-world charm with modern comforts, picture-perfect suites and refined tranquillity. Those looking to step outdoors can gear up at the exclusive Dubarry Boot Room before wandering across the rolling countryside, while others may choose the indulgent path of the award-winning spa. The newly introduced Japanese Head Spa brings a deeply restorative ritual, complemented by an outdoor heated pool, thermal suites and the peaceful Spa Garden Retreat, complete with an ice bath, sauna and hot tub.

Dining at the estate adds another layer of charm, with fresh ingredients, comforting menus and cosy settings that perfectly match the countryside mood. Whether it's a romantic getaway, a family retreat or a quiet escape, the estate balances luxury with homely warmth.

Ellenborough Park sits at the base of Cleeve Hill, spread across 90 acres of lush grounds and located close to Cheltenham Racecourse and some of England’s prettiest villages. The hotel’s 61 individually designed rooms and suites come with sumptuous Hypnos beds, luxury linens and spacious en-suite bathrooms with freestanding tubs. Options range from poolside rooms and interconnecting suites to garden-facing spaces ideal for families. The recently launched private hideaway, The Lodge, offers a charming one-bedroom retreat complete with a sitting room, wood-burning stove, fully equipped kitchen, dining area and private garden, ideal for couples or young families.

Guests can also enjoy thoughtful amenities such as 24-hour Room Service, Free Parking, late breakfast options, Vegetarian choices across menus, Air Conditioning in Suites and convenient Baggage Drop-off to Rooms.

For added indulgence, guests can book:
Seasonal Afternoon Tea – • Spa Treatments 

To explore more about the Bicester Village VIP experience, guests can visit the Ellenborough Park website.


Lufthansa Unveils Special Anniversary Fleet for Its 100-Year Celebration

Lufthansa Unveils Special Anniversary Fleet for Its 100-Year Celebration

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 26, 2025

Lufthansa is gearing up for a major milestone in 2026, marking 100 years since the first Lufthansa was established in 1926. To honour this moment, the airline is introducing a dedicated “anniversary fleet,” bringing together its heritage and modern identity through a distinctive new look.

Each important sub-fleet in Lufthansa’s network will feature one aircraft painted in a special 100-year design. The livery includes a blue fuselage with a prominent white crane, where the wings of the crane blend smoothly into the aircraft’s wings. A “100” will appear on the left side of the fuselage, while the right side will display the years “1926 / 2026.” Another “100” will be visible on the underside of the aircraft, making the design stand out even during takeoff and landing.

The highlight of this anniversary collection will be the new Boeing 787-9 “Berlin,” registered as D-ABPU, expected to arrive in Frankfurt in December. Other aircraft set to receive the special livery include an Airbus A380, an Airbus A350-1000, an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A320, and a Boeing 747-8.

The airline will gradually begin repainting these aircraft, with the complete anniversary fleet expected to be ready by fall 2026.


TIA Wellness Resort Unveils Festive Wellness Experiences for a Calm Start to 2026

TIA Wellness Resort Unveils Festive Wellness Experiences for a Calm Start to 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 25, 2025

TIA Wellness Resort in Da Nang is embracing the festive season with a thoughtful blend of wellbeing experiences, creative workshops, and nourishing dining menus that encourage guests to step into 2026 with clarity, calmness, and a refreshed mindset.

Throughout the festive month, guests can enjoy a Christmas-inspired afternoon tea featuring classic flavours such as eggnog cupcakes, Christmas scones served with orange and strawberry jam, turkey sandwiches with cranberries and pickled red cabbage, and a selection of sweet treats. The experience is paired with champagne or Ronnefeldt tea, offering a warm and elegant way to celebrate the holiday spirit.

Adding to the festive cheer, the resort has introduced a limited-time beverage menu with comforting creations including cinnamon-spiced mulled wine in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, as well as a creamy eggnog cocktail. Guests can also choose from an expanded range of organic and biodynamic champagnes and a wider selection of zero-alcohol wines.

The celebrations continue with a special Christmas Eve feast, ‘Ray of Christmas,’ featuring a six-course menu with live piano music. The menu includes dishes such as scallops and prawns with potato gratin, porcini and chestnut soup, turkey roast with traditional stuffing, and black Angus beef tenderloin with cider-glazed sweet potatoes. A complete plant-based menu is also available, thoughtfully designed with alternatives like a seitan and tofu roast and cauliflower fillets. Both menus end with a festive dessert buffet filled with seasonal delights. Guests may choose from alcoholic or non-alcoholic pairings featuring wines from countries such as Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Australia.

To welcome the new year with intention, the resort hosts a ‘Creative Collage Vision for the New Year’ workshop, encouraging guests to channel creativity and set meaningful goals. Following this is the ‘Release & Renew Fire Ceremony,’ a reflective ritual in the wellness garden where participants let go of what no longer serves them.

The New Year’s Eve dining experience features a six-course menu with an option of organic or zero-alcohol wine pairing. The culinary journey includes dishes like broiled lobster tail with garlic butter and wagyu filet mignon with peri peri and chimichurri. The plant-based menu showcases creative alternatives such as broiled artichoke and beet filet. A dessert buffet adds a celebratory finish to the evening.

The new year begins with an ‘Awaken the Light Yoga and Intention Setting’ session at sunrise on the beach, followed by journaling to help guests begin 2026 with clarity and purpose.

For those seeking a deeper wellness experience, TIA offers Wellness Inclusive stays, which include all-day breakfast, two wellness treatments per person per night, and access to the resort’s daily wellness activities. Guests looking for an enhanced journey can choose the Retreat Inclusive package, which adds one advanced retreat therapy per night, such as sound healing, reiki, or detox hydrotherapy and a plant-based meal plan, along with access to group sessions including yoga, breathwork, creativity workshops, and HIIT.

TIA Wellness Resort’s festive offerings blend nourishment, mindfulness, and celebration, encouraging guests to embrace the season with intention and step into the new year feeling refreshed and inspired.

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