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.

Dwarika’s to Host Luxurious Indra Jatra Celebration on 6th September

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 6, 2025

Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu and its sister property, Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel, are set to host a grand cultural celebration on 6th September 2025, bringing to life Nepal’s most revered festival, Indra Jatra. This exclusive experience allows guests to immerse themselves in centuries-old traditions in a luxurious, crowd-free setting, making it an ideal cultural escape, especially for Indian travellers who can visit Nepal without a visa.

Indra Jatra, celebrated in the Kathmandu Valley, the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Kingdom, marks the transition from monsoon to harvest season and honours Lord Indra, the rain god. The eight-day festival is famed for its vibrant rituals, masked dances, and the chariot procession of the Living Goddess Kumari, drawing devotees and visitors alike.

At Dwarika’s Hotel, the festival will be recreated within its historic courtyard, offering guests an intimate glimpse into Nepal’s spiritual and artistic heritage. The evening will feature mesmerising folk dances, including Devi and Aarati performances and the iconic Lakhey masked dances, accompanied by traditional music from instruments such as Khain, Paschima, Bhusya, and Madal. Guests will also have the rare chance to take part in the pulling of the sacred chariot of the Living Goddess Kumari.

A lavish Newari feast will be the centrepiece of the evening, with Samaybaji, locally brewed drinks, and a spread of traditional dishes that showcase the region’s culinary legacy. The celebrations extend to Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel, a wellness sanctuary inspired by Buddhist medicine and Himalayan Vedic traditions, located just 45 minutes from Kathmandu Airport. Guests here will experience the symbolic festival recreated in a serene hillside setting.

“Indra Jatra is more than a festival; it is a profound expression of Nepal’s spiritual soul and exemplifies Newar’s living heritage, celebrated with reverence, artistry, and joy, an experience we are proud to share with the world,” said René Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, Chief Operating Officer, The Dwarika’s.

Hosting and reimagining Indra Jatra aligns with Dwarika’s vision of preserving Nepal’s living heritage while offering travellers refined, culturally rich experiences. With direct flights from major Indian cities and no visa requirements for Indian passport holders, the event is a perfect opportunity for those seeking an authentic cultural journey in luxury.

For more details or to plan your visit, guests may contact sales@dwarikas.com.

Intrepid Travel Expands Central Asia Presence with New Uzbekistan Office

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 6, 2025

Intrepid Travel, the world’s leading provider of adventure travel experiences, has announced plans to expand its destination management network with a new country office in Uzbekistan, scheduled to open later this year.

The move comes as demand for Central Asia experiences continues to grow, with bookings across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan rising by 70% year-on-year in 2025. The Tashkent-based office will operate as a Destination Management Company (DMC), led by a country general manager and supported by a small operational team and regional trip leaders. It will support locally managed trips and community-connected experiences, further reinforcing Intrepid’s commitment to sustainable and immersive travel.

This will be Intrepid’s 32nd office worldwide and aligns with its 2030 strategy to scale locally managed DMCs and deliver authentic, community-based travel.

Natalie Kidd, Intrepid Travel’s Managing Director Asia and Head of Global Operations, said: “This is a natural next step in our strategy to grow where we’re seeing momentum and to support that growth with strong local teams. Central Asia is an exciting region for Intrepid, and having our own DMC in Uzbekistan means we can better support our leaders, partners and travellers on the ground.”

Ashish Verma, Regional General Manager North and South Asia, added: “Uzbekistan has seen a huge surge in interest, with its rich culture, welcoming communities and incredible landscapes. We’ve had strong relationships with partners here for many years, and we’re excited to build on that foundation with a dedicated local team.”

Alongside the new office, Intrepid recently launched two new itineraries in Central Asia. The 10-day Kyrgyzstan: Trekking the Tien Shan Trails offers nomadic paths through the western Tien Shan mountains with overnight yurt stays and alpine lake views. The 16-day Highlights of Central Asia journey takes travellers across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, featuring unique experiences such as a yurt stay near Issyk Kul Lake, a home-cooked meal with a family in Uzbekistan, and wine tasting at a family-run winery in Almaty.

Meliá Pattaya Named Among the World’s Most Guest-Friendly Hotels

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 5, 2025

Meliá Pattaya Hotel has been recognised as one of the world’s “Most Guest-Friendly Hotels”, receiving the prestigious International Guest Certified Hotel Award 2025 just months after its debut.

Located in the heart of Pattaya near Bangkok, the 234-room property opened on February 14, 2025, and has already made a mark for its outstanding hospitality. The award, founded in Austria in 2004, was reimagined this year by Victoria Overhauser and filmmaker Matthias Konig. Unlike traditional award formats that rely on applications or judging panels, winners were selected using AI-powered analysis of authentic guest reviews.

Guest feedback highlighted Meliá Pattaya’s warm welcomes, attentive service, and personal touches that made stays memorable. Reviews praised staff for remembering guest preferences, offering thoughtful recommendations, and creating a sense of comfort and belonging from arrival to departure.

Expressing delight at the recognition, Javier Gimeno, General Manager of Meliá Pattaya Hotel, said:

“This award is testament to our efforts to deliver Meliá’s warm Spanish hospitality, distinctive passion for service, and focus on customer wellbeing at our one-of-a-kind hotel in an unbeatable location.”

Set on Pattaya’s Second Road, the hotel provides convenient access to top attractions including Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, Central Festival Pattaya, Sanctuary of Truth, Bali Hai Pier, and Koh Larn Island.

Its facilities include a signature swimming pool with Lula Pool Bar, YHI Spa, Kidsdom kids club, fully equipped gym, coworking spaces, and versatile meeting venues. Dining options range from Yitong Chinese Restaurant and Sky Bar, serving Cantonese and Sichuan specialties, to Sanehh Sarae, which showcases Pattaya’s coastal seafood heritage. The property also features Den, a Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei restaurant inspired by nearby Si Racha.

With this early accolade, Meliá Pattaya is set to emerge as a leading destination for travellers seeking world-class hospitality with a personal touch on Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

Welcome to post your talent

A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.

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

Dwarika’s to Host Luxurious Indra Jatra Celebration on 6th September

Most Read In News

Intrepid Travel Expands Central Asia Presence with New Uzbekistan Office

Most Read In News

Meliá Pattaya Named Among the World’s Most Guest-Friendly Hotels

Most Read In News