Hospitality
Designing destinations – How STORY Hospitality Weaves Culture, Comfort, and Convenience into its Sublime Spaces
By Victor Abou-Ghanem, CEO, STORY Hospitality
More than just places to stay, STORY Hospitality’s hotels are immersive experiences. By blending cultural authenticity with contemporary luxury, the brand creates spaces that inspire, delight, and stand the test of time.
Great hospitality design transcends aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that shape experiences. Whether it’s an awe-inspiring lobby, a room that tells a story with every detail, or a restaurant that transports guests, the best hotels masterfully blend beauty with belonging.
A challenging balance to strike, yet STORY Hospitality does it exquisitely.
With a luxury hotel portfolio that spans the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian Ocean, the Abu Dhabi-based brand (the hospitality arm of Abu Dhabi Capital Group) takes a deeply considered approach to design. Each property is a poetic reflection of its surroundings and heritage, making way for cultural authenticity to flow throughout the guest experience.
And while the vision is robust, the challenge lies in execution, often bringing larger-than-life concepts to realisation while ensuring it all remains functional, timeless, and sustainable.
Striking the right balance between form and function
Luxury and comfort are central to STORY Hospitality’s approach, but designing a hotel is never just about looks. Each design decision must also serve the overall guest journey.
“Functionality is critical,” says CEO Victor Abou-Ghanem.
“Guests should feel at ease in our spaces. But we also understand the impact of aesthetics – sometimes, bending practical rules to captivate the eyes and heart is worth it.”
That means prioritising practicality where it matters most – ergonomic seating, intuitive room layouts, and seamless workspace integration – while allowing for creative expression to tell a broader story. Statement pieces that become social media moments are encouraged, while high-touch surfaces, like corridor walls, are designed with durability in mind.
A story in every space
What sets STORY Hospitality apart is its ability to craft a distinct narrative for each property. Instead of rolling out a standardised design template, the brand takes inspiration from the local culture and history of each destination.
One standout example is STORY Rabat, designed by the renowned Studio MHNA. The hotel pays tribute to Zyriab, the 9th-century visionary who redefined art, music, and culture.
The design blends Moroccan soul with European sophistication, featuring intricate hand-carved details, majestic courtyards, and the warm and inviting glow of traditional lanterns. In the guest rooms, Sabra (vegetable silk derived from aloe vera cacti), a shimmering fibre used in Moroccan garments, adds a rich textural layer to the décor.
This is just one of several examples, where STORY Hospitality delves into the details of local culture and proudly shines a spotlight on them through each property’s design.
Turning concept into creation
A strong concept is only the beginning. Turning a design vision into a functioning hotel, on time and within budget, is one of the loftiest challenges in the industry.
“Execution is always the hardest part,” CEO Victor admits.
“Hospitality projects involve multiple stakeholders, and time is always a factor. Delays cost money, so we have to deliver quality without compromising deadlines.”
Sustainability is another indispensable consideration. All STORY properties hold Green Key certification, an internationally recognised mark of eco-conscious hospitality. From energy-efficient lighting and smart building systems to low-flow water fixtures and locally sourced materials, sustainability is woven into each property’s design philosophy.
Balancing trends with timeless design
Hotels must remain relevant for years, even decades, after they open.
STORY Hospitality approaches this challenge by ensuring that core design elements are timeless, while allowing for flexibility in how spaces are activated. “Sometimes, it’s not about changing the physical space but about how you curate it,” Victor notes. “A conference corridor can feel entirely different depending on how a coffee break is set up. Lighting can completely transform a spa – or any space’s – ambience. These details keep a space feeling fresh.”
Going beyond a place to stay
STORY Hospitality believes that hotels go beyond just places to stay, they’re part of a journey. Whether a guest is travelling for business, relaxation, or adventure, the hotel experience should complement and enhance their trip, shaping their memories along the way.
“We’re in the business of crafting experiences. Travellers don’t just want a bed for the night, they want a connection to the destination. Our role is to be part of that story.”, Victor concludes.
What does the future of hospitality design look like?
As the industry evolves, STORY Hospitality is keeping an eye on emerging trends that align with its brand values. Smart and contactless technology, AI-enabled personalisation, and carbon-neutral hotel initiatives are all on the horizon.
By embracing innovation while staying true to its commitment to cultural authenticity, guest comfort, and sustainability, STORY Hospitality is proving that great design isn’t just about how a hotel looks – it’s about how it makes people feel.
Hospitality
Keeta Kicks Off the First Keeta Karnival Across All Seven Emirates
Keeta, the international on-demand food delivery platform, is kicking off Keeta Karnival, marking the first edition of its signature food celebration in the UAE. Running from 15 October to 31 October 2026, the campaign will connect customers with thousands of restaurants across all seven emirates through special offers, limited-time deals, competitions and on-ground experiences.
True to its promise of “Epic Deals, Endless Cravings”, Keeta Karnival invites customers to explore more of the UAE’s food scene, from neighbourhood favourites to restaurants they have yet to try. During the peak promotional period from 15 to 31 October, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 50% at participating restaurants, while restaurant partners gain more ways to reach new customers.

“Food brings people together in the UAE, and the variety of restaurants here is remarkable,” said Lucas Xie, General Manager of Keeta UAE. “Keeta Karnival is our way of celebrating that variety, giving customers more reasons to try something new while helping participating restaurants reach new audiences. As we enter our second year in the UAE, the campaign reflects our long-term commitment to the customers and restaurant partners we serve across the country.”
More ways to discover and enjoy
The campaign’s offers are brought together in the Keeta Karnival hub within the Keeta app. Keeta Around You will spotlight curated restaurant picks across UAE cities, with up to 50% off at participating restaurants. Flash Deals will offer selected deals at AED 19 with free delivery, Monday to Friday between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm.
From 18 to 31 October, Keeta Week – The Karnival Edition will offer 50% off the full menu, including promotional items, plus free delivery at participating restaurants. The celebration also takes to the skies with Keeta Drone, extending the Karnival promotion to its service areas in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Customers at Dubai Land, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai and Dubai Silicon Oasis Headquarters can enjoy the campaign’s offers through drone delivery, bringing together food discovery, value and delivery innovation.
Every eligible order above AED 100 placed between 15 October and 14 November will also be automatically entered into a draw to have the chance to win a Jetour T2, with the winner to be announced on 16 November. Customers paying with eligible Emirates Islamic Visa cards can also save up to AED 20 on their orders until 1 November.
Bringing Keeta Karnival into the community
Alongside the in-app campaign, Keeta Karnival is coming to life across the UAE. At Global Village in Dubai, the Keeta booth at Happiness Plaza 2 will host games, voucher giveaways and restaurant sampling over two weekends, 16–18 and 23–25 October. Over the opening weekend, visitors to Al Forsan Mall in Abu Dhabi can also join interactive games and win vouchers.
By combining restaurant discovery with experiences beyond the app, Keeta Karnival gives participating restaurants more ways to connect with customers, building on Keeta’s presence across all seven emirates and its long-term commitment to the UAE’s food scene.
Keeta Karnival runs from 15 October to 31 October 2026. Customers can explore participating restaurants, offers and activities in the Keeta Karnival hub in the Keeta app, available on the App Store and Play Store.
Hospitality
AL RAHA BEACH RESORT & SPA ABU DHABI INTRODUCES FOUR NEW EXPERIENCES TO ENJOY THIS SEASON



As the cooler months arrive, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi is giving residents and visitors four new reasons to step out and enjoy the season. With a line-up of experiences across Black Pearl, La Piscine and Azur Restaurant, guests can look forward to everything from lively ladies’ nights and golden-hour gatherings to relaxed al fresco evenings and sophisticated jazz nights, with packages starting from just AED 85 per person.
Black Pearl Ladies’ Night – Every Tuesday, Starting 20 October
Tuesday evenings are getting a little more exciting at Black Pearl with the introduction of its new Ladies’ Night. Perfect for catching up with friends or enjoying a midweek evening out, the experience brings together good company, a lively atmosphere and a little midweek indulgence. For AED 85 per person, ladies can enjoy free-flowing house beverages accompanied by a bar bites platter, making it an ideal excuse to gather the girls and enjoy the evening. The offer is available every Tuesday from 7 PM to 10 PM.
La Piscine Sundowners – Every Friday, Starting 16 October
Friday evenings are all about golden-hour moments at La Piscine. As the sun begins to set, guests can unwind by the pool, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and ease into the weekend with refreshing drinks and delicious bites. Priced at AED 99 per person, the Sundowners package includes two selected drinks and a bar bites platter, offering a laid-back way to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s cooler evenings. The offer is available every Friday from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Jazz Nights at Black Pearl – Every Thursday, Starting 22 October
For those who enjoy a more sophisticated evening, Black Pearl introduces Jazz Nights, bringing together smooth jazz, whiskey and cigars in an intimate setting. Whether it’s an after-work gathering or a relaxed night out, the experience offers a refined way to unwind as the week draws to a close. Priced at AED 99 per person, the package includes two selected drinks and one selected cigar. Jazz Nights take place every Thursday from 7 PM to 10 PM.
Azur Al Fresco Aperitivo – Every Saturday, Starting 17 October
With the return of outdoor dining season, Azur Restaurant invites guests to embrace the Italian tradition of aperitivo with its new Al Fresco Aperitivo experience. Designed for leisurely early evenings, the offering is perfect for catching up with friends, enjoying the pleasant weather and unwinding over drinks and light bites. For AED 99 per person, guests can enjoy two selected drinks accompanied by an antipasti platter. The experience is available every Saturday from 5 PM to 7 PM.
With these four new offerings, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa Abu Dhabi brings together a variety of experiences to suit every occasion. Whether it’s a midweek ladies’ night, a relaxed Friday sundowner, an evening of jazz or a Saturday aperitivo, the resort offers plenty of ways to make the most of the season.
Hospitality
From the MICHELIN Stage to Delhi Street Food: Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer Launch One Dish Venture – Bhaturewala in Dubai


After years of building restaurant experiences and working in Dubai’s fine-dining hospitality industry, Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer have partnered up to turn their attention to their own passion venture, Bhaturewala — a focused One-Dish food concept dedicated to the flavours of Delhi.
Following Chef Pradeep Khullar and Saubhagi Veer work at Nazaara, which was selected for the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026, the duo are embracing something deliberately simpler: bringing Delhi-style chole bhature and mutton bhature to Dubai through a takeaway and car-dining concept built around a love for the food, rather than an expansive restaurant format. Opening on Friday, October 16, at Shop 7, Lamcy A Building in Oud Metha, Bhaturewala will serve a tightly focused menu featuring Bhature in two signature flavours – Chole & Mutton accompanied by lassi. There will be no sprawling menu, conventional dining room or full-service restaurant setup. Instead, the focus will remain firmly on the food, with customers able to collect their orders or enjoy them in their cars.


The concept will operate on Friday evenings and on Saturday and Sunday mornings and evenings, with a limit of just 200 plates per day.
For Khullar, the venture is a personal tribute to the city where his culinary journey and love for food took shape.
“Delhi is not just where I grew up; it is a part of who I am as a chef. Some of my strongest food memories are rooted in the streets, neighbourhoods and flavours of that city. Having spent years cooking in fine dining, I wanted to bring something much more personal to Dubai — a little piece of the Delhi I know and love, right here in the neighbourhood I call home. Bhaturewala is my way of sharing those memories through food that is honest, familiar and full of character. It’s not about reinventing Delhi street food; it’s about doing justice to it,” said Chef Pradeep Khullar, Co-founder of Bhaturewala.
For Veer, whose experience spans restaurant leadership and brand building, the opportunity lay in creating something distinctive in a city where chole bhature is already widely available.
“Dubai already has plenty of places serving chole bhature, and we never set out to be just another one. We wanted to build a concept around a simple belief: you don’t need a hundred things on a menu if you can do two things exceptionally well. Specialisation is at the heart of Bhaturewala — getting the food right, staying true to what we set out to serve, and making every plate count. The limited menu and 200-plate-a-day approach are deliberate. We want people to come to us because they know exactly what they’re coming for, and they know we care about getting it right. For us, this is about choosing focus over scale, and quality over quantity from day one,” added Saubhagi Veer, Co-founder of Bhaturewala.
The idea for Bhaturewala took shape after years of conversations, planning and the familiar refrain of kabhi toh karenge — someday, we will do it. The founders have now decided to take that step, building a business of their own on their own terms, alongside their established careers in hospitality.
The approach is intentionally uncomplicated: a focused menu, a limited number of plates, and a casual, neighbourhood-friendly way for customers to enjoy Delhi-inspired food without the ceremony of a traditional restaurant experience.
At its heart, Bhaturewala is guided by one simple thought: Dilli Se Direct, bringing a taste of Delhi to Dubai, straight from the city’s food traditions to the neighbourhood they call home.
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