Hospitality

Individually, we are a drop, but together, we are an ocean

Published

2 years ago

August 30, 2024

Integrator Web-Editor

Interview with Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer, Arada

What’s your vision for the newly formed Hospitality and Entertainment division?

Connected Life is Arada’s ethos, and collectively we believe that when people and spaces connect, great things happen. We think that the spaces between the homes we build are just as important as the homes themselves, and our goal is to ensure that our communities help people to lead happier, healthier and more meaningful lives. That’s the guiding light behind Arada’s new Hospitality and Entertainment division, which closely complements our other activities by providing a holistic experience that encompasses Lodging, Fitness, Wellness, Food & Beverage, and Entertainment.

Assets include the 10-building Nest student housing complex in Aljada – Sharjah’s largest ever mixed-used megaproject located next to University City – which has over 3,000 keys, as well as exciting new F&B brands like Boost Juice and Hungry Wolves, both of which offer healthy and enriching menus.

We also have an incredible array of family-friendly attractions and other assets including the region’s biggest skate park in Aljada; the 6.6km professional woodland cycling track in our Masaar forested megaproject in Sharjah; our nursery in Aljada which incorporates educational tours around the 130,000 trees based there and Yalla, our e-bike and scooter rental solution in our communities.

Upcoming assets include the Il Teatro performing arts complex in Aljada, and a whole range of new F&B concepts that will enhance our portfolio. Despite launching just seven years ago, Arada has evolved rapidly from being a developer, into a master developer and now into a destination developer, and this new division fully complements that approach.

What motivated Arada to expand into the hospitality sector, and what unique strengths does the company bring to this new venture?

As Arada matures, there’s been a shift from building and selling to building and operating, driving recurring revenue and diversification. This has led to the creation of this new division and the consolidation of leisure assets under a single leadership. With Arada’s hotel projects progressing well and nearing completion, the timing is ideal to initiate in-house hotel operations capabilities.

How is Arada’s existing partnerships with hospitality brands like Armani, The Address, Vida, and Rove?

Arada partners with world-class hospitality brands with long-term agreements. Strategic partnerships add value to real estate launches while offering premium lifestyle experiences to guests and homeowners. Our hospitality and branded residences partnerships include brands as diverse as Anantara, Armani, Rove, The Address and Vida, with more new names in the pipeline. Given the impressive surge in interest in the hospitality industry in the UAE, thanks to the business-friendly regulatory environment and welcoming policies put in place by the local government, we are also considering the launch of our own hotel brand.

How do Arada’s wellness and F&B operations, such as Wellfit and Boost Juice, complement the overall hospitality strategy?

One of Arada’s overall goals is to provide all stakeholders – whether residents, visitors or even its own staff – with the opportunity to enjoy an active healthy lifestyle. Brands like Wellfit and Boost Juice integrate with our assets, such as promoting Boost to Wellfit’s 15,000 active members. Similarly, Manbat sources fresh, locally grown produce straight from Emirati farms for Hungry Wolves, which serves nutritious meals. This cross-promotion drives a sustainable and circular economy.

What innovative concepts and strategies do you plan to implement to differentiate Arada’s hospitality offerings in a competitive market?

Innovation is central to Arada’s culture, and this is immediately obvious from a visit to one of our communities, from the uniqueness of the landscaping to the smart technology that is incorporated at both a house and city level. That level of innovation is also already evident in many of the assets in this division; if we take Wellfit as an example, the brand is testing state-of-the-art technology that very few operators around the world are using. We’re now seeing industry insiders travelling from the UK and US to see how we run our operations at Wellfit, whereas previously it was the other way around.

Our goal is continue this track record of innovation and implement it across all our assets, including our hospitality offerings. We live in a world where technology is changing the way we live on an almost daily basis; our willingness to embrace these technologies, combined with a lack of legacy processes and equipment means that Arada is best placed to capitalise on these new trends.

How does Arada aim to create spaces and experiences that promote happiness and well-being for guests and residents?

Care is one of three core principle at Arada, reflecting our genuine concern for customers and employees. Providing a happy, rewarding experience is core to our vision, and all our communities are carefully planned to allow all residents and visitors the chance to enjoy a huge range of activities – dining, sports, entertainment, shopping and relaxation – just a few yards from their front door. At Aljada for example, you can access the biggest family entertainment complex in the northern Emirates, a bustling business park, a next-generation mall, a beautifully designed performing arts centre and plenty of sports, retail and dining options, as well as three international schools and our hotels – all set within impressive green landscaping. You can access all of this within walking distance from your home. Internally, we’ve launched the Arada Cycling Team (ACT) to promote health and happiness and cultivate a work-life balance. And in August, we’re organizing group cycling at Masaar Track to encourage activity and camaraderie, while Wellfit’s ‘Summer Of’ camp will offer a program of activities centered around happiness and well-being for its members, guests, and resident.

Hospitality

Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

TYAM – Tbilisi Youth Art Market is launching its first exhibition project in Tbilisi. The project brings together emerging and independent artists, galleries, collectors, cultural institutions, and international experts from the art world.

The event will take place from September 25–27, 2026, at the National Palace of Youth, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. TYAM is a new platform created to support young and independent artists, increase their visibility, and establish connections with the broader art market.

The first edition brings together artists working in Georgia and abroad under the theme “COEXISTENCE.” The concept reflects the meeting of different generations, artistic practices, perspectives, and approaches within one shared creative space.

The programme includes an Art Market section, public and panel discussions featuring international guests, opportunities for professional networking and the development of an artistic network, as well as a special VIP programme. TYAM aims to become a new point of attraction for Georgia’s and the international creative community, connecting artists with collectors, galleries, institutions, and the wider public.

TYAM 2026, September 25–27, 2026
National Palace, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi Youth Art Market

Hospitality

COFFEE PLANET CELEBRATES SAUDI NATIONAL DAY WITH A TRIBUTE TO THE STORIES, MEMORIES AND PRIDE OF THE KINGDOM

Published

4 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This Saudi National Day, Coffee Planet is inviting customers to celebrate the Kingdom through the memories, messages and everyday moments that make it feel like home.

As part of the celebrations on 23 September, Coffee Planet cafés in Hail and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh, will be dressed for the occasion with Saudi flags and National Day decorations, creating a festive setting for customers to enjoy with friends and family.

At the centre of the celebration will be a Memory Board, where customers can leave a short message sharing their feelings, memories or pride for Saudi Arabia. The initiative will bring together personal reflections from visitors throughout the celebrations, creating a collective expression of what the Kingdom means to the people who live, work and spend time here.

Customers will also be invited to enjoy complimentary coffee and a dessert, adding to the relaxed National Day experience and giving visitors another reason to pause, gather and celebrate together.

The activation will take place at Garden Mall in Hail and KAFD in Riyadh, two locations that reflect the brand’s growing presence in the Kingdom.

For Coffee Planet, the National Day celebration is a natural extension of the role its cafés play in bringing people together, whether over a morning coffee, a catch-up with friends or a shared moment with family.

“Saudi National Day is about celebrating the Kingdom and the people who make it what it is,” said Allan Jones, Founder and Chairman of Coffee Planet. “We wanted to create an experience that gives our customers a chance to share their own memories and feelings of pride, while enjoying a simple moment together over coffee. It is a small gesture, but one that reflects the warmth and connection at the heart of the occasion.”

With Saudi Arabia’s coffee culture continuing to evolve, Coffee Planet has seen growing demand for premium specialty coffee and café experiences across the Kingdom.

“Saudi National Day is a proud moment for all of us at HB Brands and an opportunity to celebrate the Kingdom’s remarkable journey, its people, and its ambitions for the future,” said Abdullah Ihlaiel, Group Marketing & Business Development Director, HB Brands. “As Coffee Planet continues to grow in Saudi Arabia, our focus is not only on expanding the brand’s presence, but on building a meaningful connection with the communities we serve. We are proud to be part of this journey and to celebrate this special occasion together with our customers across the Kingdom.”

The celebration reflects the spirit of Saudi National Day 2026 and its theme, ‘Our Pride is in Our Nature’, while giving customers an opportunity to mark the occasion in a way that feels personal, social and rooted in community.

Hospitality

CHEF SARADHI DAKARA BRINGS THE MEDITERRANEAN TO THE TABLE WITH NEW VIVA ORILLA BRUNCH

Published

6 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Orilla, the chef-led MediterrAsian restaurant from Saradhi Dakara and Stellar Society Group, is entering a new season with a renewed focus on the things at the heart of the restaurant: Mediterranean-inspired food, generous hospitality, music, community and the pleasure of sharing a table.

Set on the 27th floor of Hotel Local, Autograph Collection by Marriott, in Jumeirah Village Triangle, Orilla brings together the flavours of the Mediterranean coast with subtle Asian influences, drawing on Chef Saradhi’s travels, memories and nearly two decades working in Dubai’s culinary scene.

At the centre of the new season is Orilla’s Family Sharing Brunch, taking place every Saturday from 12.30pm to 4pm. Designed around the Mediterranean tradition of gathering around the table, the experience brings guests a selection of dishes served for sharing, including tomato salad, salmon roll, beef carpaccio, garden maki, baba ganoush, focaccina, risotto ai gamberi, rigate alla Norma, tagliata and koji chicken, followed by desserts including doughnuts and chocolate mousse.

The brunch is available with Soft, House and Prosecco packages, with children under seven dining free and a dedicated children’s menu available for younger guests.

Champagne also plays a starring role at VIva Orilla with bottles of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV available at AED600 and Bollinger Special Cuvée NV at AED650, offering guests the opportunity to make the weekend experience a little more celebratory.

“Orilla has always been about more than the food,” says Chef Saradhi Dakara. “It is about the feeling you get when you sit down, the people you are with, the music, the hospitality and the memories you take away with you. The Mediterranean has always been about that sense of community and generosity, and this season is about bringing even more of that spirit to Orilla.”

For Saradhi, Orilla represents a particularly personal chapter. After spending 10 years with The Maine Group and helping shape its growth, he created Stellar Society to develop concepts through his own culinary voice. His experiences across Dubai, London, Ibiza and Bodrum continue to influence the way he approaches food, hospitality and the spaces around it.

“Orilla” means shore in Spanish: a meeting point where cultures, journeys and experiences come together. That idea remains central to the restaurant: a place to eat, drink, listen to music and spend time together, from a long weekend lunch overlooking the Dubai skyline to a late evening around the bar.

Beyond brunch, Orilla’s weekly programme continues to bring different sides of its personality to life. Sunset Rituals run on weekdays from 4pm to 8pm, while After Shift offers three beverages for AED100 on Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesdays feature Mi Amor, with complimentary wine for ladies at the bar, and Fridays introduce Neighbourhood Nights, built around community and a three-course dinner.

Every second and fourth Sunday, R&B Sundays bring a live DJ, two-course menu and late-afternoon energy to the rooftop. A new Comedy Night will also be announced soon, with all-you-can-eat sushi on the menu.

The programme reflects Chef Saradhi’s belief that a restaurant should be somewhere guests want to return to regularly, not just a place to visit once.

The menu is inspired by the coastal towns and cultures that have shaped Saradhi’s culinary journey. His approach is rooted in seasonality, ingredient-led cooking and storytelling, with each dish intended to connect guests to a place, memory or experience.

The new season also marks the continued development of Stellar Society Group, the UAE-based hospitality company co-founded by Chef Saradhi Dakara and US restaurateur Utkarsh Patel. Orilla is the group’s first concept, representing the beginning of a wider hospitality vision centred on ingredient-led dining, thoughtful execution, authenticity, community and craft.

Viva Orilla Information

When: Every Saturday, 12.30pm-4pm | How Much: AED275 (soft drinks), AED390 (house package), AED475 (prosecco) | Free (kids under seven), A la carte (kids seven-12), AED150 (kids 12 and above) | Where: Orilla, Hotel Local Dubai, Jumeirah Village Triangle | To Book: +971 04 575 2986