Guests can enjoy Dubai’s rich cultural heritage through exclusive experiences, starting with a grand arrival by traditional abra boats gliding along winding waterways. Passing through grand wooden doors, guests are warmly welcomed by their host. Gathering spaces like the majlis—a traditional Arabic ‘sitting room’—become centres of connection, where local delights such as hand-picked teas and artisanal brews are shared alongside complimentary daily aperitifs. Quiet courtyards and spacious terraces offer moments of reflection, while the ritual of bakhoor burning adds a peaceful, culturally significant aroma to the experience. Other unique touches include a tree-planting ceremony for a lasting legacy and a daily candy bicycle visit for children.

Guests at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf also enjoy access to Madinat Jumeirah’s energetic offerings, which include over 50 restaurants and bars, a private beachfront, the holistic Talise Spa, a newly refurbished Kids’ Club with mini-golf and the J Club—all accessible by foot or a scenic abra ride. This refurbishment reaffirms Dubai’s largest resort’s commitment to personalised luxury, building on the recent reimagining of the Malakiya Villas, unveiled in early 2023.

“The unveiling of the Arabian Houses marks a significant milestone for Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf as we celebrate our 20th anniversary,” said Peter Roth, Regional Vice President at Madinat Jumeirah and General Manager of Jumeirah Al Qasr. “This is a moment to honour our rich history while looking forward to the future of this treasured resort. Madinat Jumeirah inspired a new approach to hospitality in Dubai two decades ago, and with that legacy comes the responsibility to continuously innovate. As demand for authentic travel experiences grows, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf remains steadfast in its commitment to offering traditional Arabian hospitality matched with moments of enriched connection and conversation, bespoke to every guest.”

Speaking on the refurbishment, Sahar Al Yaseer, Founder of La Bottega Interiors added: “It was an honour to collaborate with Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf on the refurbishment of its stunning Arabian Houses. Our vision was to create a realm where interior design transcends the ordinary, embracing the essence of Arabia with an artful fusion of authenticity and contemporary palettes to cultivate a sense of profound peace.”

The refurbishment underscores Dubai’s largest resort’s ongoing commitment to creating bespoke experiences, following the recent remodelling of the Malakiya Villas unveiled in early 2023.

Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia at Minor Hotels, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Rohit to the Minor Hotels team. His extensive expertise in sales, marketing and strategy, coupled with a deep understanding of the Indian hospitality market, make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial strategy in India. Rohit’s ability to foster strong client relationships and deliver growth aligns perfectly with our vision for expansion in India.”

Chopra said, “I am excited to join Minor Hotels at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey. I look forward to leveraging my experience to drive commercial success and strengthen our relationships with clients and partners. Minor Hotels’ brands are renowned for their exceptional service and guest experiences. I look forward to working with our team members to continue our success in the dynamic Indian market.”

Guests are also invited to partake in the traditional Diya Lighting Ceremony, a ritual symbolising the welcoming of light and prosperity. The festivities will continue with a colourful Mehndi experience, where the artistry of intricate henna designs will be on display.

For young adventurers, the ‘Float Your Boat’ activity provides a fun-filled experience. Guided by the resort’s talented recreation team, children will design, build, decorate, and race their own handcrafted boats at the Bandhi Pool Bar.

As the evening unfolds, the Bandhi Pool Bar will host ‘The Great Indian Disco’, where guests can dance to Indian tunes mixed by resident DJ Tiddy, while enjoying a selection of spicy Indian-inspired drinks to keep the festive spirit going.

To capture the essence of the celebrations, guests can take memorable photos at the exclusive Diwali-themed photobooth, ensuring that the joy of the occasion is preserved long after the festivities conclude.
Heritance Aarah Maldives welcomes guests to immerse themselves in these vibrant Diwali celebrations, offering a unique blend of culture, exceptional dining across seven restaurants and five bars, and warm camaraderie, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives.

The hotel will be part of the EDITION brand, a collection of unique hotels known for seamlessly blending cutting-edge design with innovative luxury experiences. EDITION Hotels are renowned for their dedication to exceptional quality, originality and modern service, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional luxury. Each EDITION property is distinct, capturing the cultural and social essence of its location, resulting in a harmonious fusion of dining, entertainment and luxury services and amenities, all under one roof. By offering a distinctive collection of bespoke hotels, EDITION continues to redefine the concept of luxury hospitality.

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, said, “We look forward to bringing the EDITION flair to the vibrant metropolis of Mumbai, where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly. The signing highlights our commitment to strengthening the presence of our luxury portfolio in India while demonstrating guests’ continued demand for luxury accommodations and experiences. We will continue to strategically expand our footprint and match brands with complementary destinations to cater to the ever-evolving guest demands. We are excited to team up once again with Prestige Falcon Realty Ventures Private Limited, to bring this vision to life.”

Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Marriott International once again in redefining luxury hospitality in India. This milestone marks the arrival of The EDITION brand in South Asia reflecting our commitment to delivering excellent hospitality across brand propositions. With its vibrant energy and contemporary flair, The EDITION accurately captures the innovative spirit that defines Prestige Group. The Mumbai EDITION comes with the promise of a one-of-a-kind experience in Mumbai, offering unforgettable new-age hospitality at its finest.”

The hotel is set to begin its operations in 2025, the upscale hotel will boast stylish, well-furnished rooms and elegant suites, offering breathtaking views of Bhimtal Lake and the golden sunrise. Guests can enjoy a beautiful swimming pool, a relaxing spa and a modern fitness centre, enhancing the hotel’s recreational appeal. The spacious banquet facilities provide an ideal venue for family gatherings and special occasions.

Food lovers will be treated to a culinary journey at the rooftop speciality restaurant with panoramic views of the hills and lake. The guests can unwind with drinks and light bites at the chic bar or indulge in a variety of dishes at the all-day dining restaurant.

Tanwar’s career began with prestigious brands like Trident and The Leela, where he excelled in managing room operations and optimising guest satisfaction while fostering long-lasting client relationships.

“We firmly believe that Nitin’s experience and strong relationships will play a key role in the hotel’s success, thereby enhancing the broader business strategy by fostering the growth and well-being of the entire workforce,” mentioned Tarun Seth, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Gurgaon.

Tanwar’s appointment is effective immediately. He is fully equipped to guide the hotel’s key departments, ensuring they align with Grand Hyatt Gurgaon’s emphasis on guest satisfaction, guest experience, pet-friendly services and room quality.

Jetwing Jungle Lodge stands out for its dedication to sustainability, aiming to become Sri Lanka’s first ‘Net Zero’ resort. A 125kW solar photovoltaic system has been installed to counterbalance the resort’s carbon footprint.

Additionally, on-site biogas and biomass systems contribute to its eco-friendly operations.
For those looking to indulge in a luxurious escape while supporting environmental efforts, Jetwing Jungle Lodge offers an experience where every moment plays a part in fostering a sustainable future.

The launch of Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is part of the company’s ‘Future Growth’ strategy, which was unveiled earlier this year. With construction completed, final preparations are being made to welcome guests with Centara’s signature warmth and hospitality.

The special ‘Me & Centara’ promotion is available until December 20, 2024, for stays between November 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025. Guests who stay before December 20, 2024 will also receive a voucher for a complimentary return stay of equal length, valid from May to September the following year.

With nearly two decades of international experience, Baker brings a wealth of expertise to Atlantis Resorts. His distinguished career in hospitality and entertainment across key markets such as Las Vegas, Malaysia, and Macau are a testament to his strong leadership.

“Paul’s appointment sets an exciting tone for the future of Atlantis Resorts, as we continue to build on the exceptional success of our iconic and industry-leading brand, that has captured the imagination of so many. Atlantis is an incredible success story, it continues to be the leading resort in its destination and is legendary around the world. I am delighted to welcome Paul to become part of the Kerzner legacy, he brings a wealth of experience and acumen and I trust that under his expert guidance and leadership, Atlantis will reach even greater heights, continually surpassing our guests’ expectations and creating moments that are extraordinary,” said Zuber.

Baker joins Atlantis at a key time for the brand. After a fantastic first year, Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis, The Palm continues to break records, achieving the highest revenue till date in resort history for the first half of 2024.

Reputed for its diverse and superlative food offers, Kuda Villingili is one of the unique resorts in Maldives to offer Nikkei cruise. The signature on-island culinary hotspot, Mar- Umi, is the fantastic cultural exchange between Japan and Peru, nurtured within culinary confines. This year’s additions make dining at Mar-Umi even more thrilling, seated around a new Teppanyaki table, available for up to eight guests. The menu line-up is created with the concept to use sustainable and locally sourced ingredients to deliver an ethically responsible dining experience; all this without compromising on flavour.

The new padel tennis court now ensures that sports and recreation enthusiasts, many of whom have fallen in love with this new-age racquet game, will not miss a full-body physical workout. The court complements its existing two flood-lit tennis courts, volley ball and futsal grounds, state-of-the-art gym, and Olympic-size pool.

“At Kuda Villingili, we are committed to enhancing the guest experience by continually responding to ever-changing industry trends and consumer demands, with the goal of exceeding expectations of our discerning guests. By adding spacious outdoor pools to our Sunset Water Villas, we aim to offer guests the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Additionally, the new Teppanyaki experience provides a uniquely interactive and delectable dining option, making our gastronomic offerings even more exciting than it already is. We look forward to welcoming guests to our island paradise to experience these new redefined facilities creating once in a lifetime memory with their loved ones” said Amjad Thaufeeq, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives.

Combined with Kuda Villingili’s outstanding success and commitment to high performance, the resort was awarded the Green Globe Certification at the beginning of 2024. This recognition bears testimony not only to the commitment of the resort to its sustainability practices and involvement within communities but also further affirming the commitment made to conserving the natural beauty of the Maldives for generations to come.
The Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili has been awarded with The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. That is for top-level dining, of course, besides the exquisite wine choices. To add to the list, Kuda Villingili has been listed in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2024.

Kuda Villingili Resort consistently surpasses expectations and eagerly awaits the arrival of guests to discover an ever-evolving island paradise, whether it is to relax in private infinity pools with dreamy views, or to venture on a gourmet journey while sipping on award-winning wine collections or to simply rejuvenate on a private island spa.