This January, SHI on Bluewaters Island continues its Claypot Menu, celebrating one of the most cherished and time-honoured cooking traditions in Chinese cuisine. Available daily from lunch through dinner, the menu presents a refined selection of claypot dishes, prepared and served using traditional methods that honour authenticity, flavour, and comfort.

Deeply rooted in Chinese culinary culture, claypot cooking is revered for its ability to retain heat, intensify flavours, and creating richness in every dish. The slow, even heat of the claypot allows ingredients to cook gently, preserving their natural textures while allowing sauces, spices, and aromatics to infuse deeply. Traditionally enjoyed during cooler months and shared family-style, claypot dishes symbolise warmth, togetherness, and nourishment.

SHI’s Claypot Menu showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of dishes, including the comforting Tofu Eggplant with Black Bean Sauce, the vegetable-forward Buddha’s Delight, tender Corn-Fed Chicken, flavour-packed Mixed Seafood in Sacha Sauce, and the richly layered Wagyu Beef Claypot. Each dish is served bubbling hot directly to the table, delivering a sensory experience that is both authentic and refined.

Perfect for sharing and lingering, the Claypot Menu at SHI offers guests a soulful winter dining experience—best enjoyed against the backdrop of Bluewaters Island, with views of the Dubai skyline and a setting that invites connection and comfort throughout the season.

By Noni Anand, Co-founder, LEVA Hotels

Hotels are no longer pit stops. They’re becoming places people actually live. By 2026, travel is no longer about short stays and quick checkouts. It’s about long-term living, hybrid work, and lifestyle-first experiences. Guests want hotels that feel like home—only better. Think functional kitchens, work-ready spaces, seamless Wi-Fi, and services that fit real daily routines.

The numbers back it up. The global extended-stay hotel market, currently valued at around USD 62 billion, is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade. This isn’t a passing trend. It’s a structural shift that’s redefining how hotels are designed, operated, and experienced.

Comfort has officially beaten formality. The line between residential living and hospitality is disappearing fast. Guests no longer see hotels as temporary stopovers. They see them as places to live, work, and settle into sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months.

Comfort matters more than ever. So does personalization. Today’s traveler isn’t impressed by square footage alone. They want spaces that feel intuitive, flexible, and genuinely livable. That means smarter layouts, better storage, adaptable furniture, and technology that supports everyday life rather than just overnight stays.

For operators, this changes everything. Hotels must now be designed for continuity, not turnover. Every design decision from lighting and furniture to connectivity and service flow,needs to support long-term comfort, not just short-term convenience.

Extended stays are no longer niche. They’re mainstream. Hybrid work, digital nomadism, and lifestyle-led travel have completely changed guest expectations. People are blending business with leisure and staying longer as a result. A desk and a chair won’t cut it anymore. Guests expect zoned workspaces, full kitchens, high-speed internet, and flexible living areas that transition effortlessly from work to downtime.

Industry data shows that in many markets, average stays are now measured in weeks rather than days. That shift demands a new approach to space planning and amenities, one that supports real living, not just sleeping. Hotels that get this right aren’t just meeting expectations. They’re building loyalty.

Privacy of a home. Services of a hotel. No compromise. Guests are drawn to the idea of having the privacy and permanence of a home, paired with the consistency and service standards of a trusted hospitality brand. For investors and operators, branded residences offer stable occupancy, diversified revenue streams, and long-term value.

But this model requires careful balance. Short-term guests and long-term residents must coexist seamlessly under one roof. That means thoughtful zoning, shared amenities that actually work, and service models flexible enough to support both lifestyles. When executed well, branded residences become a powerful extension of the hospitality ecosystem, not just an add-on.

Wellness and sustainability? Now must-haves! Today’s long-stay guests actively evaluate hotels based on air quality, natural light, energy efficiency, and overall environmental impact. They want spaces that support physical and mental well-being, not just look good on arrival.

Hotels are responding with smarter systems and more personalized experiences. In-room wellness kits, locally sourced provisions, and tech-enabled personalization are becoming standard. Smart controls, predictive maintenance, and intuitive room settings help reduce friction and make stays feel effortless. The goal is simple: make guests feel at home without them having to ask.

Operationally, hospitality teams are shifting from simple service roles to lifestyle support. This means flexible cleaning schedules and new success metrics focused on guest value rather than just daily rates.

The modern hotel suite now looks a lot like a micro-apartment. Kitchens are expected. Dedicated work zones matter. Storage, flexible furniture, and multi-use layouts are essential. Guests want spaces that adapt to their day, not the other way around. Hotels that embrace this approach are seeing real results. More stable occupancy. Higher repeat rates. Stronger ancillary revenue. The ROI is clear. Designing for home-like living isn’t just a good guest experience—it’s smart business.

Home-like hospitality is no longer a concept on the horizon. It’s already here. As hybrid work and lifestyle travel continue to grow, hotels must evolve beyond short-term comfort. Guests expect spaces that support real living, real routines, and real connection over longer stays.

The future of hospitality lies in blending the warmth and familiarity of home with the reliability and professionalism of hotels. Brands that invest early in design, operations, and technology, will build deeper loyalty, stronger occupancy, and long-term value.

Those who adapt now won’t just keep up. They’ll lead the next era of hospitality.

Sun Siyam Iru Veli was honored with the coveted ‘Best Resort’ title at the 17th annual ‘Stylish Escape’ Bund Design Hotels Awards, during a prestigious ceremony held on 3rd December at Shanghai’s former Hendricks Institute on the North Bund. The accolade places the resort among a select group of properties shaping the future of design-led hospitality.

Presented by The Bund Media, an influential voice in the industry for over two decades, the award is celebrated as a definitive barometer for hotel design and innovation. The event, which also marked the launch of the new MILESTONE Landmark Awards, gathered over one hundred distinguished guests from the global architecture, design, and art communities.

The award recognises Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s exceptional contribution to redefining modern hospitality. The resort masterfully embodies the spirit of contemporary design, seamlessly blending commercial vitality, artistic ambiance, and a rich humanistic fabric. Its revolutionary approach to aesthetics has set a new standard for what constitutes an asset of lasting beauty.

“We are honoured by this recognition,” said Masdhooq Saeed, General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli. “Here, nature defines the architecture. The island’s beaches, vegetation, and reef form the heart of the design, with every structure shaped to enhance, not overshadow, its surroundings. Our team is deeply committed to preserving this balance, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the island.”

True to its philosophy, Sun Siyam Iru Veli offers guests an intimate island hideaway in a breathtakingly boutique setting. As a quintessential spot to relax, recharge, and reconnect, the resort stands as a beacon of thoughtful, human-centric design in the heart of the Maldives.