Emaar Hospitality Group is set to introduce Vida Aljada later this year, bringing a fresh lifestyle hospitality experience to Aljada.

Vida Aljada marks a significant milestone for the brand, introducing one of only two five-star Vida properties in the UAE. The upcoming property reflects an elevated expression of the Vida brand, offering a refined lifestyle hospitality experience rooted in social connection, creativity, and contemporary living.

Located within Aljada’s vibrant creative district, Vida Aljada will become part of a dynamic destination where culture, design, and everyday experiences come together. Reflecting the brand’s youthful and experience-driven approach, the hotel is designed as a destination where guests and residents can connect, create, and discover.

Its location offers direct connectivity to key city nodes, including University City and Sharjah Airport Free Zone. Just moments from Dubai International Airport and Sharjah Corniche, Vida Aljada is close to everything, yet designed to feel like a space of its own.

The hotel will feature a mix of rooms, suites, and extended-stay residences designed to adapt seamlessly between short visits and longer stays. Across the property, spaces are being shaped to encourage ease of movement and natural flow, balancing moments of activity with quiet pause.

Dining and social spaces will be designed as part of a continuous experience rather than separate functions, moving between relaxed all-day settings, café culture, and outdoor gathering areas. Wellness facilities will similarly reflect a balanced approach, supporting both activity and rest in equal measure.

As part of the wider destination, the hotel is expected to contribute to the evolving identity of Aljada, reinforcing its position as a place where living, culture, and hospitality come together in a more integrated way.

Guided by Vida’s philosophy of simplicity, warmth, and creativity, the property will offer thoughtfully designed spaces that foster a strong sense of community while delivering the convenience and comfort expected from a modern lifestyle destination.

As the latest addition to Emaar Hospitality Group’s growing portfolio, Vida Aljada reflects the continued evolution of the Vida brand and its commitment to creating vibrant destinations that bring people together through meaningful experiences.

Sun Siyam, the Maldivian-owned hospitality group operating six resorts across the Maldives and Sri Lanka, has been recognised with two awards at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, one of the world’s most respected benchmarks for excellence in architecture, design, and real estate. The awards were presented in Bangkok, Thailand, and celebrate outstanding design achievement across two of the group’s most distinguished properties: Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives.

The International Property Awards are judged by an independent panel of more than 80 industry experts and are widely regarded as a gold standard for design and architectural achievement across the Asia Pacific region. Sun Siyam received the Award for Hotel Interiors — Sri Lanka for Sun Siyam Pasikudah, and the Award for Hotel Suite Interiors — Maldives for the Deluxe Water Villa at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. Both projects were led by London-based Studio Sixty7, founded by Jose Rivero and Lee McNichol.

Both award-winning projects were realised through a long-standing creative partnership between Sun Siyam and Studio Sixty7, a London-based interior design practice whose work is distinguished by its sensitivity to context, materiality, and the spirit of a place. Both Jose and Lee guided the design transformation of two very different island environments, the Sri Lankan coastline and the Maldivian lagoon,  while maintaining a coherent philosophy: that luxury should feel earned by the land it sits in, not imposed upon it.

“We are so proud to have received two awards at the International Property Awards Asia Pacific, for Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka and Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives. These projects mean a great deal to us. The work we have done with Sun Siyam has pushed us to design spaces that are truly rooted in their environment — not just aesthetically, but in the way they feel and the way guests experience them. To have that recognised is something we are really proud of as a studio. We could not have done it without the Sun Siyam team. They have trusted us with their vision, given us the space to do our best work, and shared our belief that luxury and a deep respect for place are not competing ideas. We are deeply grateful for that partnership, and proud to be part of what they are building, “ said Jose Rivero and Lee McNichol, Co-founders, Studio Sixty7.

Set on a private island in Noonu Atoll where Maldivian magic meets its most elevated expression, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is the flagship of Sun Siyam’s Luxury Collection, a five-star sanctuary where considered design, curated calm, and experiences crafted entirely to your taste come together effortlessly. Generous enough for families, intimate enough for romance, and restorative enough for those who need it most, the resort offers 15 dining and bar venues, an award-winning spa with over 165 treatments, and the largest diving centre in the region. The International Property Award for Hotel Suite Interiors recognises the resort’s newly reimagined Deluxe Water Villa,  the first chapter of a resort-wide design transformation under the creative direction of Studio Sixty7, and a fitting reflection of a place where every detail is an invitation to stay a little longer.

The new aesthetic introduces muted tones, natural textures, and softly sculpted forms — gently imperfect plastered walls, tactile finishes, and breathable linen creating an atmosphere that is relaxed yet unmistakably elevated. Each villa is conceived as a frame for the ocean: open-plan, serene, with a bathroom offering direct lagoon views. Private decks with suspended hammocks and soft green accents invite stillness, while Horizon Water Villas add a 22 sqm private pool and sunken seating spaces made for sunrise rituals and slow Maldivian afternoons.

“Every element has been chosen to feel grounded and sensorial, inviting guests into a deep sense of calm,” said Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero.

Nestled along a pristine stretch of coastline on Sri Lanka’s northeast shore, Sun Siyam Pasikudah is a boutique retreat of 34 contemporary pavilions and part of the Privé Collection under The House of Siyam. The resort underwent an extensive transformation and reopened in November 2023, reimagined from the ground up with new colour concepts, fittings, furnishings, and offerings, while preserving the original structure that gives the property its architectural character.

The International Property Award for Hotel Interiors- Sri Lanka reflects the depth and integrity of that renovation. Central to the design was a commitment to local craftsmanship: the transformation was realised in close collaboration with Sri Lankan artisans and community woodworkers, with bespoke furniture, handmade chandeliers, and joinery items created locally and woven throughout the interiors. The result is a property that feels genuinely rooted in its surroundings, not imported, but grown from the island itself. Nearly 90 percent of the resort’s staff come from surrounding communities, a figure that speaks to a philosophy that extends well beyond interior design and into the daily life of the property.

World Chocolate Day is a celebration of one of the world’s most cherished ingredients—one that transcends cultures, generations, and traditions. While chocolate is often associated with indulgence, it is increasingly being appreciated as part of a balanced lifestyle, where quality, mindful enjoyment, and craftsmanship take precedence over excess.

By Twinkle Aswani

Dark chocolate, particularly varieties with a high cocoa content, contains naturally occurring antioxidants known as flavonoids, which have been associated with supporting heart health and overall wellbeing when enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. As consumers become more conscious about what they eat, there is a growing appreciation for premium chocolate made with quality ingredients, thoughtful sourcing, and authentic craftsmanship.

For chefs, chocolate represents far more than sweetness. It is an ingredient that tells stories, evokes memories, and creates emotional connections through food. Whether paired with fruits, nuts, spices, or floral notes, chocolate continues to evolve as a versatile ingredient that bridges tradition with innovation.

Reflecting on chocolate’s cultural significance and timeless appeal he shares to us that chocolate to him has always felt like a universal language, in every country I have cooked in, and every kitchen I have worked in, chocolate carries a different story.

In Switzerland, where Mövenpick’s heritage began, it is precision and craft, generations of chocolatiers perfecting the art of conching to create that unmistakable smoothness. In India, where I grew up, it is often layered into celebrations, folded into sweets during festivals or given as a gesture of warmth between families.

In the Middle East, I have seen it paired with dates, pistachios and rosewater, a beautiful meeting point between two very different culinary worlds.

What draws me to chocolate as a chef is that it is never just an ingredient. It is a memory. A single bite can carry someone back to a childhood kitchen, a festival table, or a gift shared between family. That is the magic of it. Chocolate holds onto emotion the way few other ingredients can.

At Rohini, our approach to dessert follows the same philosophy that shapes the rest of our menu, honouring Indian heritage while leaving room for creativity and surprise. Chocolate gives us a wonderful canvas for that, a familiar ingredient that can still hold onto the flavours and memories closest to home.

Our Rasmalai with rose and white chocolate cream is nostalgic with a European touch, our Warm Chocolate Brownie with Kulfi pairs nutty chocolate with hazelnut kulfi and chocolate sauce, and our Chocolate Coated Pistachio Kulfi with a dash of rose rounds it off, three small stories about where chocolate can take you.

For Chocolate Day, my hope is that people slow down and taste with curiosity. Ask where the cacao came from, how it was made, who it might have passed through before reaching the plate. Every bar and every bonbon carries a journey, farmers, roasters, chocolatiers, chefs, each adding their own chapter.

That, to me, is the real joy of chocolate. It connects people across cultures and generations, one bite at a time.”

This World Chocolate Day, the celebration is not about giving up indulgence—it is about redefining it. Choosing quality over quantity, appreciating the journey from cacao bean to dessert, and savouring each bite mindfully allows chocolate to become part of a more balanced and wellness-focused lifestyle.

After all, the healthiest indulgence is often one that is enjoyed slowly, shared with others, and remembered long after the last bite!