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By Nishang Narayan
Published on October 14, 2024
Taiba Investments, a leader in Saudi hospitality and real estate, has announced a strategic partnership with Hilton (NYSE: HLT) to bring the renowned Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand to the holy city of Madinah. The agreement was signed during the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Dubai, emphasizing Taiba Investments' ongoing expansion into the luxury hospitality market. This collaboration aims to elevate Saudi Arabia's tourism sector through partnerships with world-class hospitality brands like Hilton.
“This agreement marks a pivotal moment in our strategic growth, reflecting our unwavering commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s hospitality offering across diverse segments,” stated Sultan Al Otaibi, CEO of Taiba Investments. “Our collaboration with Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts will elevate tourism and hospitality by delivering an extraordinary guest experience in line with the ‘Pilgrim Experience Program.’ This project not only reaffirms our leadership in the sector but also highlights our dedication to Saudi Vision 2030 by providing world-class accommodation that honors the Kingdom’s rich heritage.”
Set to open in 2028, Waldorf Astoria Al Madinah will be the brand’s debut in the city, introducing its unparalleled standards of luxury and signature service. Ideally located on the northern side of the Prophet’s Mosque (PBUH), the hotel offers exclusive, direct views of this holy site and is just a few minutes’ walk away.
“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Taiba Investments through this remarkable project,” remarked Carlos Khneisser, Vice President of Development, Middle East and Africa at Hilton. “Saudi Arabia remains one of our fastest-growing markets where we plan to expand our footprint to exceed 100 hotels in the coming years. Waldorf Astoria Al Madinah will bring the brand’s timeless hospitality and elegant service near one of the world’s most sacred sites. Together with Taiba, we look forward to expanding our network across the Kingdom and delivering unforgettable experiences to our guests.”
Waldorf Astoria Al Madinah will feature over 300 sophisticated guest rooms and suites, three world-class dining concepts—including the celebrated Peacock Alley café—and two thoughtfully curated restaurants, including a signature venue. The hotel will also house two multi-functional halls, a boardroom, a private club lounge, a prayer room, and a fitness center.
By pioneering transformative projects, Taiba Investments aims to significantly contribute to local economic growth, generate valuable job opportunities, and support tourism infrastructure development, all while delivering an experience deeply rooted in tradition.
As part of this strategy, Taiba Investments plans to renovate the existing Taiba Front Hotel, rebranding it as Waldorf Astoria Al Madinah. This transformation will merge the global brand’s timeless luxury with the cultural essence of the holy city, enhancing the property’s sophistication and exclusivity while solidifying Taiba’s position as a key player in redefining Madinah’s hospitality landscape.
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,000 properties and over 1.2 million rooms in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history.
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning portfolio of 35 iconic properties that deliver a unique sense of place with a commitment to sincerely elegant service and culinary mastery in landmark destinations worldwide.
Taiba Investments Co. (TASI: 4090), established in 1988, is a leading hospitality and real estate company headquartered in Saudi Arabia, managing a portfolio of 39 properties, including hotels and residential communities.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on July 2, 2025
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, part of THE OZEN COLLECTION, has once again claimed the spotlight at the 2025 World Travel Awards, winning the coveted title of ‘Maldives’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’ for the third consecutive year. The accolade celebrates the resort’s standout offering, the Royal RESERVE, as the epitome of luxury and bespoke hospitality in the Indian Ocean.
Spanning an expansive 3,000 square metres, the Royal RESERVE villa is a sanctuary of opulence, complete with a private beach, panoramic ocean views, and direct lagoon access. Guests enjoy full privacy and an all-encompassing luxury experience, from a dedicated spa treatment room with in-house therapists to a private chef and 24-hour butler service. The villa also features an in-house bar, private restaurant, and handcrafted design details that blend traditional Maldivian aesthetics with modern elegance.
This third straight win reaffirms the villa’s status as one of the world’s most desirable luxury accommodations. It follows a string of previous honours, including ‘World’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’ and ‘Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Villa’, making OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI a consistent leader in premium hospitality.
“It is with heartfelt pride and deepest appreciation that we receive this coveted accolade from the World Travel Awards for the third consecutive year,” said Monica Coppetta, General Manager of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. “This extraordinary distinction celebrates our passionate pursuit of crafting unforgettable journeys, where visionary design dances with gracious service amidst the Maldives’ breathtaking serenity.”
In addition to this prestigious win, the resort has also been nominated in the 2025 World Spa Awards as ‘Maldives' Best Wellness Retreat’ for its signature ELE|NA Elements of Nature Spa. This wellness sanctuary combines nature-inspired therapies and modern techniques to deliver a truly rejuvenating experience.
At the heart of OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI’s offering is its RESERVE Plan™ — a benchmark in luxury all-inclusive travel. Guests enjoy catamaran transfers, unlimited spa treatments, and gourmet dining across seven venues, along with premium Champagne, curated ocean excursions, and exclusive water sports with Best Dives.
From honeymooners to high-profile travellers seeking an escape into indulgent solitude, the Royal RESERVE is more than just a villa — it’s a celebration of abundant luxury, where every wish is anticipated and fulfilled with graceful precision.
With its growing list of accolades and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of hospitality, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI continues to set the gold standard for meaningful, immersive luxury in the Maldives.
Bangkok’s ICONSIAM, in a groundbreaking cultural collaboration with Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart Group, has brought China’s most iconic lantern festival to Thailand for the very first time. The “Spirit of Mountains and Seas · Yuyuan Lantern Festival and 2025 China–Thailand Culture Month” is lighting up the Chao Phraya River until 15 August 2025, offering visitors a magical, light-filled experience that blends ancient Chinese folklore with modern artistic innovation.
Running daily from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM at River Park, G Floor, ICONSIAM, the event is open to the public free of charge, welcoming all to enjoy a visual and cultural spectacle unlike any other.
This historic debut in Thailand marks a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy, celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. More than just a festival, this event underscores the growing bond between the two nations, using art and culture as a universal language to foster friendship and unity.
With a legacy of over a century, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival is one of China’s most cherished intangible cultural heritages. This year’s theme, “Spirit of Mountains and Seas”, draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese text Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas), creating a fantastical realm called “Chao Phraya Island.” This imaginary floating island is brought to life through immersive lantern installations that combine light, shadow, and interactive technologies, portraying mythical creatures and landscapes that enchant visitors of all ages.
Guests can expect more than just mesmerising visuals. The festival also features:
Traditional performances
Local products market
Themed cultural weeks
An art exhibition
These activities aim to deepen cross-cultural exchange in art, food, and commerce, strengthening the bridge of collaboration between Thailand and China.
ICONSIAM, already a global destination on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, further cements its position as a hub for international arts and cultural exchange with this iconic event.
“This festival isn’t just about lanterns; it’s about lighting up connections,” remarked organisers from ICONSIAM. “It symbolises the warmth and depth of Thai–Chinese relations, and welcomes all communities to partake in this extraordinary celebration of friendship.”
Visitors are encouraged to explore the luminous wonders of Yuyuan Lantern Festival 2025, soaking in a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience right in the heart of Bangkok.
Hanoi’s Mammom restaurant has launched a heartfelt culinary journey with a newly introduced menu that celebrates home-cooked Vietnamese classics from across the country’s North, Central, and South regions. Located on the picturesque Phan Dinh Phung Street, Mammom offers diners a comforting slice of nostalgia that honours the essence of “Mom’s cooking.”
A part of the acclaimed Viet Deli restaurant group, Mammom is open daily for lunch and dinner, and has quickly become a favourite among food lovers since opening last year. The restaurant’s name, Mammom is inspired by a child’s first words and sets the tone for its warm, homey ambiance and emotionally rooted cuisine.
Curated by Chef Truong Minh Triet, the expansive menu is a tribute to Vietnamese culinary heritage and showcases an array of carefully crafted dishes. Diners can explore a rich selection that includes:
Mon rau (vegetables)
Mon man (fish paste dishes)
Mon cuon (rolls)
Nom goi (Vietnamese salads)
Lau (hotpots)
Ga, vit, heo, bo, ca, cua, tom, muc (chicken, duck, pork, beef, fish, crab, prawns, squid)
Mon phu, canh, com (side dishes, broths, rice)
Mon thuan thuc vat (vegetarian dishes)
Trang mieng (desserts)
Signature highlights include:
Bo nuong la lot – Grilled beef in piper lolot leaves
Banh goi Ha Noi – Pillow-shaped dumplings from Hanoi
Goi ngo sen tom thit – Lotus stem salad with shrimp and pork
Vit tap vung – Roasted duck with galangal and sesame
Ca loc kho tieu – Stewed snakehead fish in black pepper
Cua rang me – Tamarind-glazed crab
“This menu is a culinary embrace,” said Nguyen Quoc Hoa, Viet Deli’s country general manager.
“Each dish is designed to evoke the warmth of a Vietnamese home. For lovers of Vietnamese cuisine, it’s a taste of tradition, crafted with fresh, sustainable ingredients and a perfect harmony of flavour and texture.”
The restaurant’s elegant interior is equally inviting, featuring parquet flooring, hand-carved wooden furniture, fluted booths, and original Vietnamese artworks, offering a welcoming setting for both locals and tourists. Notably, Mammom has been named a finalist in the 2025 Asia Hospitality Awards in the category of Asia’s Finest Local Restaurant (Vietnam).
Affordability meets authenticity, with prices ranging from 35,000 VND (USD 1.35) for appetisers like dua cai be (pickled mustard greens) to 895,000 VND (USD 34.50) for the indulgent lau cua Ca Mau (Ca Mau crab hotpot).
Mammom’s addition further strengthens Viet Deli’s portfolio, which includes HOME Hanoi, HOME Hoi An, HOME Saigon, and Ngon Gallery among others—restaurants that have consistently elevated the experience of Vietnamese cuisine for locals and global travellers alike.
Whether you're a native reminiscing about your mother’s kitchen or a visitor eager to explore the soul of Vietnam through food, Mammom's new menu promises a delicious, heartwarming experience that’s steeped in authenticity.
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