Hospitality

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

Published

6 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

STAY DOWNTOWN, SAVE MORE

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Address Downtown, Address Dubai Mall, Address Sky View, Vida Dubai Mall, and Palace Downtown invite guests to a memorable family staycation designed to reconnect, explore, and delight together. Step away from the pace of everyday life and discover Downtown Dubai from a fresh perspective, where families and friends can enjoy quality time, exciting attractions, and the warmth of exceptional hospitality in the heart of the city.

Guests can enjoy:

• Daily breakfast
• Early check-in from 11:00 AM and late check-out till 4:00 PM
• 30% off dining and spa treatments
• Kids Stay and dine free (up to 11 years old)
• Complimentary ticket to one Emaar Entertainment attraction per stay, choose between Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, Sky Views Observatory with Slide, or Dubai Ice Rink
• Prime location steps away from Dubai Mall and Downtown Dubai attractions

Families can explore, play, and create lasting memories while dining at the hotel’s signature restaurants, such as Thiptara, Ewaan, Solara, and Cetara.

Rediscover Downtown Dubai and embrace a city escape made for connection, fun, and memorable experiences. It’s time to unlock your next moment. Moments continue. Experiences evolve.

Hospitality

UBK AT MÖVENPICK JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS RAISES A GLASS FOR DUBAI’S MOST LOYAL COMPANIONS WITH “PAWS & POUR”

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Some things in life stay beautifully constant, and for many Dubai residents, that has been their pets. Through everyday routines, slow days, and everything in between, pet parents have built their lives around their four-legged companions in the most natural, heartwarming way. UBK at Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers is celebrating that bond with Paws & Pour, a feel-good gesture for guests who stayed in Dubai with their pets during the recent period of regional uncertainty.

Visit UBK, show a photo of you and your pet from the past two months in Dubai, and enjoy a complimentary non-alcoholic drink on the house every Sunday only from 12pm-12am. Just a simple cheer to a not-so-simple bond. Because UBK has always been proudly pet-friendly, especially with Paws & Play running Sunday to Thursday from 12pm to 7pm, where dogs are very much part of the vibe. Plus, guests can enjoy 30% off food and beverages while spending time with their furry plus-ones.

Paws & Pour is UBK doing what it does best, keeping things easy, welcoming, and full of personality. A little toast to loyalty, companionship, and the pets who make every day better just by being in it.

Hospitality

YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT MORE INTERESTING AT SIYAM WORLD

Published

3 days ago

April 30, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Part of the Lifestyle Collection of Sun Siyam, Siyam World has never really done “ordinary.” And with two of its most high-energy island experiences now firmly on the weekly roster, families, groups and anyone with a competitive streak have even more reason to book that trip.

Lace Up: The Siyam World 3K Wellness Run:

Every week, guests gather at the start line for the Siyam World 3K Wellness Run, where good vibes meet great views. Clearly marked pathways guide the way to a marathon-style route around the island but the rules are simple: go at your own pace, take in the views, and enjoy the moment. Run it, jog it, or power-walk it with a smoothie in hand. No judgment here. Cross the finish line and you’ll earn an exclusive Siyam World 3K Run badge, the most stylish souvenir you’ll take home, and the ultimate bragging rights for completing a 3K on the most epic island in the Maldives. It’s all about moving, smiling, and enjoying the moment.

Game Faces On: The Amazing Race

For families and groups ready to turn up the heat, The Amazing Race is exactly what it sounds like, chaotic, competitive, and seriously good fun. Teams of up to five kick off at the starting point before racing across the island, completing challenges and hunting down clues at every turn. Five challenges. Multiple locations. Zero time to waste. It’s a test of speed, teamwork and quick thinking with a generous helping of chaos thrown in for good measure. And the rewards? Very worth running for. The winning team takes home a complimentary excursion, second place hits the waves on a banana boat, and third place gets behind the wheel at the Maldives’ first-ever resort based electric go-kart circuit. Not a bad consolation prize.

Whether you’re chasing that runner’s high, racing your kids across the island, or just looking for something a little different from the usual sun-lounger routine, Siyam World delivers. Every experience is designed to bring people together, keep the energy high, and create the kind of memories that don’t fade with the tan.

A World Beyond Your Wildest.

Siyam World’s summer offer makes it easier than ever to say yes. Save up to 45% off, enjoy USD 150 resort credit, and settle in to Premium 24hrs WOW! All-inclusive from the moment you arrive. Stay 4 nights and a seaplane transfer is on the house — stay 7 and that extends to two guests, plus a floating breakfast for two. And for families, children under 12 stay completely free when sharing with adults. The only question is how long you can stay. Book your stay NOW.