Hospitality

SUN SIYAM PASIKUDAH WINS BEST GLOBAL HOTEL DESIGN AT HOMES & GARDENS’ DESIGN AWARDS 2025 FOR STUDIO SIXTY7’S TRANSFORMATIVE REDESIGN

Published

8 months ago

November 17, 2025

Elegant dining room at Sun Siyam Pasikudah with tiered woven chandelier, wicker chairs, and wine cellar wall

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ Privé Collection, has won the coveted Best Global Hotel Design award at the Homes & Gardens Design Awards 2025. The accolade recognises Studio Sixty7, led by founders Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, for a transformative redesign that blended artisanal craftsmanship, cultural authenticity, and sustainability to set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Sri Lanka.

The Homes & Gardens Design Awards celebrate the best in design and decorating, spotlighting inspiring projects and innovations shaping the way we live now and into the future. Within the Best Global Hotel Design category, the judges recognised the transformation of Sun Siyam Pasikudah for its blend of refined hospitality, artisanal craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility.

The 34-room boutique resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast was reimagined as a sanctuary of understated luxury, completed within an ambitious four-month timeline and re-opened in November 2023. To reduce waste, much of the original furniture was refurbished and reupholstered, while all new materials were sourced locally and installed by Sri Lankan craftspeople. The team commissioned handwoven textiles, bespoke lighting, and custom joinery, using natural materials such as bamboo, linen, terracotta, and reclaimed wood to create a tactile, grounded experience.

Arshed Refai, General Manager of Sun Siyam Pasikudah, commented: “We are incredibly proud to see Sun Siyam Pasikudah recognised on the global stage. This award is a tribute not only to the vision of Studio Sixty7 but also to the extraordinary craftsmanship of Sri Lankan artisans who brought the design to life. Our resort now reflects the spirit of the island in a way that is both authentic and forward-thinking, offering our guests a truly unique sense of place.”

Traditional construction techniques were seamlessly blended with contemporary interior methods, producing a holistic environment where architectural integrity meets artisanal detail. The result is a collection of immersive spaces, from a restaurant and spa to a boutique and beach shack, each reflecting a strong sense of place and purpose.

The innovation lay in Studio Sixty7’s ability to redefine luxury with locality. Instead of importing generic finishes, the studio partnered with Sri Lankan artisans to create site-specific elements including handwoven ceilings, linen-draped interiors, ochre-hued plaster finishes, and custom lighting. This approach elevated vernacular design into a contemporary hospitality context, proving that innovation is not always about technology but about intentionality and integrity.

Sustainability was at the heart of the project. The design embraced low-impact principles, reusing original furnishings, sourcing locally made materials, and minimising imports, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of both construction and transport. Natural ventilation, open-plan layouts, and tactile finishes reduced operational energy consumption, demonstrating how luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously.

Crucially, the project also championed social sustainability in a region historically impacted by civil conflict. By engaging local artisans, potters, weavers, and joiners, the redesign became a vehicle for economic revitalisation, offering meaningful employment and celebrating traditional skills. The on-site boutique, The Edit, continues this legacy, providing guests with an opportunity to connect directly with Sri Lanka’s craft heritage and support regional makers.

Studio Sixty7 has built a reputation for thoughtful, collaborative design that balances refinement with authenticity. Their ongoing partnership with Sun Siyam Resorts includes projects across the Maldives, further cementing their role as valued creative partners.

Hospitality

SKYLINE DRAW AT LEVEL 43 SKY LOUNGE

Published

1 day ago

July 3, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Level 43 Sky Lounge introduces Skyline Draw, a new weekly social media-driven promotion offering guests with a selected surname a complimentary first drink and 30% off their total bill. The winning surname will be announced every Monday at 12:00 PM via the venue’s Instagram Stories.

The selected surname will be determined based on a random selection of guest surnames from those who dined at Level 43 in the previous week.

Guests who share the chosen surname can enjoy the exclusive offer, adding an interactive and engaging element to their dining and social experience at the venue.

Details:
• Offer: Complimentary first drink and 30% off the total bill for guests with the selected surname
• Announcement: Every Monday at 12:00 PM via Instagram Stories
• Location: Level 43 Sky Lounge, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
• For reservations: +971 56 414 2213

Hospitality

AVANI+ LANEXANG VIENTIANE HOTEL OPENS IN THE HEART OF THE LAO CAPITAL

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Avani Hotels & Resorts has opened Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel, introducing the brand’s premium lifestyle hospitality to the Lao capital. Set on Fa Ngum Road, overlooking Chao Anouvong Park and the Mekong River, the 197-key hotel offers a fresh base for business trips, city breaks and riverside stays in Vientiane.

The opening marks Avani’s second hotel in Laos, following Avani+ Luang Prabang, and brings the brand’s practical, upbeat approach to the country’s capital. Designed for travellers who want comfort, flexibility and a sense of place, Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel combines smart Page 1 of 5 guestrooms, connected social spaces, relaxed dining, wellness facilities and meetings and events spaces designed for both local and international guests.

Guestrooms and suites range from Deluxe Rooms to a Presidential Suite, with layouts that support both work and downtime. Clean lines, efficient space planning and warm contemporary details reflect Avani’s easy-going style, creating a stay that feels polished without being overcomplicated.

The hotel is opening in phases, with a curated selection of rooms, dining, leisure and meeting facilities available from launch. Additional venues and services will be introduced progressively in the months ahead.

Dining will play a central role in the hotel experience, with four venues launching in stages. Mekong Mosaic, opening on 1 July 2026, is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, serving international comfort cuisine alongside Lao-inspired dishes, live cooking stations, wellnessfocused options and flexible formats including in-room and poolside dining. Sabaidee Social will follow in Q3 2026, bringing a Mediterranean-inspired tapas and bar concept to Vientiane, with casual dining, drinks and live entertainment. The Pantry will offer a relaxed café and co-working space, serving specialty coffee, bakery items, desserts and grab-and-go options throughout the day. Salongxay, scheduled to open in Q4 2026, will present a refined Thai-Lao dining experience, with contemporary takes on traditional recipes, a strong wine programme and an intimate setting for dinners and special occasions.

Wellness facilities are also being introduced in phases. During the first stage of opening, guests can access the outdoor swimming pool and fitness facilities. AvaniSpa and expanded wellness experiences will be added as the hotel moves toward its full launch, bringing Avani’s balanced approach to wellbeing to the centre of Vientiane.

Avani+ Lanexang Vientiane Hotel is set to become a key address for meetings, events and celebrations in the capital. Lanexang Hall can accommodate up to 320 guests, supported by additional meeting rooms and outdoor event spaces. Select event facilities are available during the first phase of opening, with the full meetings and events offering to be introduced progressively.

Guests can also tap into curated local experiences and personalised concierge services, connecting them with Vientiane’s cultural heritage, riverside lifestyle and evolving urban scene. The hotel supports Avani’s sustainability ethos through the use of locally sourced ingredients, support for local producers and artisans, seasonal menus, the reduction of single-use plastics where possible and thoughtful operational practices.

Hospitality

SUSHI & BEYOND IS NOW FOUR NIGHTS A WEEK

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Toshi, the Pan-Asian restaurant at Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai, has its popular Sushi & Beyond promotion on four nights a week. Running every Thursday through Sunday from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM, the unlimited buffet is currently being offered at an exclusive limited-time price of AED 149 per person, making it one of the city’s most accessible evenings of quality Pan-Asian dining

Guests can expect the full Sushi & Beyond experience: the artistry of Sushi Master Chef Kot at the sushi and sashimi counter, alongside Mama Nata’s rotating menu of Pan-Asian appetisers, mains and desserts. The weekly schedule now makes it easier than ever to plan a visit, whether for a Thursday night dinner, a weekend outing, or a reason to end Sunday on a high.