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Chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodation

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Exclusive interview with Houssam Mansour, General Manager, FORM Hotel

What is the concept behind Design Hotels? Who is FORM Hotel?

Design Hotels is a hand-picked collection of boutique and design-driven luxury hotels across the globe.  FORM Hotel, a member of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, boasts a remarkable portfolio of over 350 exquisitely designed hotels spanning the globe. More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture.

What are the policies that you have put in place that have made a big difference? What are the achievements you are most proud of?

Within a short period of time, FORM Hotel has succeeded in positioning and increasing visibility as a leading 4-star boutique hotel within Marriott in the Al Jaddaf area. FORM hotel has been carefully crafted as a design hotel and conceptualized as a boutique hotel, we have been able to increase the number of guests and retain customer retention through direct bookings at a high percentage.

Who is the General Manager of FORM Hotel, and can you share some insights you’re your background and contributions to the hotel’s success?

I am a seasoned 48-year-old Lebanese hotelier with over 25 years of experience in the Middle East and Africa. I began my career at 21 as a management trainee at Forte Grand in Abu Dhabi, now known as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.

Over the past two and a half decades, I have worked in diverse regions, including Bahrain, Tunisia, the Maldives, Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, with major international chains like Le Royal Meridien, Hilton Hotels, and Marriott.

Last month, I marked the third anniversary of my journey with FORM Hotel, which has been a pinnacle of my career. I am deeply grateful for the support of the owners, whose commitment and care have been crucial to our success. Together with an exceptional, handpicked team, we have positioned FORM Hotel as the premier choice for chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodations in the area. It has become a preferred destination for both Marriott members and VIP visitors. Here’s to many more years of continued successand excellence.

Why will guests choose to stay at FORM Hotel?

FORM Hotel Dubai offers a sublimely designed, boutique experience with seamless check-in and personalized touches to your stay. Guests enjoy personal parking spaces with direct, private access to rooms while all guest rooms feature acoustically sensitive windows offering stunning views over the Culture Village and the Creek.

This seamlessness extends through the boutique property with a carefully curated design experience by Paris-based Architecture Studio that is paired with a sense of continuousness and openness.  

A hop away from Dubai’s sights and sounds yet far enough to escape the bustle of urban life, guests can expect the best of two worlds at the property’s strategic location in Al Jaddaf.

How does Marriott Bonvoy’s affiliation and its focus on providing a premium brand experience within the luxury segment benefit its guests?

FORM Hotel, being part of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, attracts many members throughout the year, particularly Elite Ambassadors and Elite Titanium members. These members earn 10 points for every $1 spent and enjoy numerous benefits, including late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades. Additionally, we’ve observed that many Marriott Bonvoy members return to FORM Hotel for the personalized service, coziness, comfort, and enhanced privacy measures.

Can you tell us about the Al Jaddaf area? 

Al Jaddaf is still in its development phase, with numerous upcoming projects and ambitious plans aimed at further enhancing the area. It boasts an impressive array of hotels and residential buildings, making it a vibrant and bustling hub for accommodation and housing. This cultural village is well-connected to tourist attractions and entertainment venues such as Festival City and Old Dubai. Architectural practice URB has unveiled its plans to develop the world’s largest Urban Tech District along the Al Jaddaf Creekside in Dubai. Al Jaddaf’s vision of sustainable practices with the project’s plans to use a host of ‘green’ programs and practices to achieve net-zero carbon goals. 

The biggest development in the future of Al Jaddaf is the construction of UAE’s very first sustainable building and a fully solar-powered Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) headquarters. Located in Al Jaddaf, you’ll find the renowned Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the vibrant hub of visual arts at Al Jaddaf, and the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the largest library in Dubai. Al Jaddaf, a vibrant location in Dubai, offers a rich blend of cultural attractions such as Dubai Culture Village, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai Creek, the Floating Bridge, Dhow Wharfage, and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, along with a range of luxurious hotels and resorts.

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Hospitality

99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant Is Moving to Dubai Creek Harbour This Q4

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99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is set to enter a new chapter this Q4, with the award-winning Japanese dining destination relocating to Dubai Creek Harbour. Opening in Q4 2026, the new venue will bring a premium fine-dining offering to the growing waterfront community, with a larger bar and lounge, a lifestyle-led terrace and views that will form part of the experience. While the new destination will introduce a fresh energy and more elevated approach, it will remain rooted in the contemporary Japanese cuisine and signature dishes that have defined 99 Sushi.

Founded in Madrid in 2005, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is renowned for its precision-led Japanese craftsmanship, ultra-premium ingredients and refined dining experience, with its Abu Dhabi flagship awarded a MICHELIN Star for three consecutive years. The brand has grown into an international dining name across Spain, the UAE, Monaco, Rabat and Budapest, with further global expansion underway. In Dubai, 99 Sushi was previously located in Downtown before embarking on this next chapter at Dubai Creek Harbour, alongside the launch of its highly anticipated London restaurant.

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Hospitality

Turn Saudi National Day into a Private Island Escape with Sun Siyam

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This year’s Saudi National Day offers more than a long weekend. With direct flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Maldives, Saudi travellers can exchange city life for spacious private villas, world-class dining and some of the Indian Ocean’s most memorable experiences in under a day. Across its Maldivian resorts, Sun Siyam brings together many of the things Saudi travellers look for in an island holiday – space, privacy, family-friendly experiences, premium all-inclusive halal dining and plenty to experience without leaving the island.

Across the Maldives, Sun Siyam’s three collections offer a different experience for every kind of National Day escape. The Luxury Collection, includes Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, focuses on elevated island living, privacy and spacious accommodation; the Lifestyle Collection, featuring Siyam World and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, brings together entertainment, experiences and family fun; while the Privé Collection’s Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Pasikudah (in Sri Lanka) offers a more intimate barefoot island escape.

For Families Who Want Space, Privacy and More Choice

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi combines luxurious beach and overwater villas, including private-pool options, with plenty for every generation to enjoy. Families can spend their days between the beach, pools, water sports and kids’ activities, while parents can retreat to the award-winning Spa by Thalgo for a quieter side of island life.

Dining is also a major part of the experience, with 15 dining and drink venues offering plenty of choice throughout the stay. Premium all-inclusive options, halal food and in-villa dining and floating breakfasts make it easy to dine on your own schedule, while multilingual butler service, including Arabic-speaking assistance, adds another layer of convenience for Saudi guests. With kids staying free on selected offers, Iru Fushi is particularly suited to larger families looking to spend the their holiday together without compromising on privacy.

For Adventure from Morning to Night

Few resorts in the Maldives can promise horse riding in the morning, shipwreck diving in the afternoon and an evening of go-kart racing. Siyam World was designed for travellers who believe one holiday should contain many adventures, bringing an unexpected sense of energy to the traditional Maldives experience.

Families and groups can move from the island’s horse ranch and go-kart track to its floating water park, dive beneath the surface to discover its shipwreck, or simply spend the day enjoying the beach and their private pool. Spacious villas and multi-bedroom residences give larger families and groups room to stay together, while an extensive choice of restaurants and bars means there is always somwhere different to dine.

The resort’s 24-hour WOW! Premium All-Inclusive concept brings dining, drinks and a wide range of experiences together, making Siyam World particularly well suited to Saudi families and groups looking for a holiday where almost everything is taken care of from the moment they arrive.

For Couples Who Want the Island to Themselves

For couples looking to turn the National Day break into a romantic escape, Sun Siyam Iru Veli, offers a more intimate side of the Maldives. Spacious beach and overwater suites, private pools and a strong sense of seclusion give couples the space and privacy to enjoy the island at their own pace.

With its honeymoon appeal, romantic dining experiences and premium all-inclusive offering, Iru Veli is particularly suited to couples looking for a few uninterrupted days together, combining privacy and understated island luxury in an intimate Maldivian setting.

With the Maldives within easy reach of Saudi Arabia, National Day is a chance to make the long weekend feel considerably longer. So why wait? Pack your bags and turn this year’s celebration into an island escape with Sun Siyam. For the latest Sun Siyam packages, benefits and offers, visit sunsiyam.com/offers or book@sunsiyam.com

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Hospitality

Sana Dubai Launches “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” a Sunday Ritual Rooted in Uzbek Comfort Food

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Sana Dubai, the Uzbek dining destination at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, announced the launch of its new weekly Sunday Brunch, “Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch,” beginning September 13, 2026. Running every Sunday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the brunch reimagines the day after Saturday night as a ritual of recovery, “the Uzbek way.”

Guests will gather around a table designed for sharing, opening with fresh Uzbek vegetables before moving into Sana’s signature Hash: a steaming bowl finished with baked bone marrow and garlic, a dish generations swear by the morning after. From there, diners choose their “cure” — slow-cooked wagyu beef cheek with silky potato purée, carved tableside by the chef, or a whole river-caught Sazan fish in garlic ajika sauce. The feast closes with a plate of traditional Uzbek sweets.

“Hash has always held a special place in Uzbek cuisine — a dish generations have gathered around, made slowly and with care. We wanted to give it the spotlight it deserves, so we built our Sunday Brunch around it: a truly authentic Uzbek feast, unhurried and generous, the way it’s meant to be shared.” — Leonid Litvin, General Manager, Sana Dubai

Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch is offered across three packages to suit every table:

  • Non-Alcoholic — AED 350 per person
  • House — AED 450 per person
  • Premium — AED 650 per person

The brunch is unhurried and indulgent by design, built for guests who want to slow down, gather with family and friends, and let a proper feast do the recovering.

Hashhhhhhhhh Brunch Every Sunday, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM, starting September 13, 2026 Sana Restaurant, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Dubai Reservations:https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/sanarestaurant/sunday-brunch-5109127899627520?tracking=marketing 

  • Location: SANA Restaurant – Jumeirah Mina Al Salam – Dubai
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