Hospitality

THE QUIET POWER OF TEA

Published

1 month ago

December 22, 2025

A professional, medium-shot portrait of Mr. Nirmal Sethia, Chairman of Newby Teas. He is an elderly gentleman with distinguished white hair and glasses, dressed in a sharp navy blue blazer, a crisp white shirt, and a patterned silk tie. He is seated in a refined, classic interior—likely a study or private library—with a soft-focus background that emphasizes his thoughtful and authoritative expression as a leader in the luxury tea industry

Exclusive interview with Mr. Nirmal Sethia, Chairman, NEWBY TEAS

As the Chairman of Newby Teas, what personal experience or early memory first sparked your determination to safeguard the world’s finest teas?

I was born a contrarian. I never believed in what the world defined as wealth, nor did I follow what others spoke or accepted. I wanted to do things no one had done before. To search not for the root, but the seed from which the root emerges. Searching for the pedigree of the character.

I left home early as a young boy, and someone offered me the job of a tea boy at a tea broker’s house in London, where auctions were held in those days. Little did I know then that I would fall in love with the scope of learning. I never forgot my respected late father’s words:

Never lie.
Never steal.
Never pretend to know what you don’t know, otherwise you will never learn.

That is where my first love for tea truly began. Tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung. He, was an herbalist who created tea because of its antioxidant properties and its ability to support longevity. The brew fought bacteria and strengthened the lifeline. It became a magic of time, people drank it, and their longevity increased.

Tea is what you serve at home to connect-moments. How does Newby Teas reimagine that domestic ritual, so it feels elevated for today’s homes?

In earlier times, aristocrats and highly educated people drank fine teas. Over thousands of years, tea became the second most popular drink in the world after water, which created a great opportunity for thugs and fraudulent merchants. As demand increased, so did the market for cheap teas, driven by immoral traders and tea growers supplying poor-quality leaves.

Tea is very much like human life. The finest tea today sells for multi-millions of dollars per kilo, and the cheapest sells for two dollars. The best carries the character of a king, the worst, the character of a crook. Many families unknowingly buy cheap teas, saving pennies while risking their health — later spending millions in hospitals and inviting misery, especially for the elderly, children, and women.

Newby’s charitable institution restores honour to the home tea ritual by ensuring every cup is pure, safe, and worthy of the family that drinks it. We buy fine teas, store them securely, and protect them from contamination, humidity, and pollution. Every tea undergoes rigorous testing by Eurofins, one of the world’s most respected agro-labs. Each tea carries a QR code linking to its certificate. No other tea company in the world offers such transparency.

Mr. Sethia, you’ve said you returned to tea because it was your “first love”. How did that personal reconnection shape the brand journey with Newby Teas?

When my wife was alive, she was my first love, and tea was my second. Both taught me spirituality, the truth of life, and history. Today, history is a concoction of falsifications, especially where time has left no real trace.

This realisation led me to establish the Chitra Collection, named in tribute to my late wife. In 2011, I began collecting the finest surviving teaware and artefacts, pieces that would otherwise have been lost to time.

The collection spans from the 2nd century BC to the 20th century, tracing how civilisations lived, drank, and expressed refinement through tea. For the 21st century, we have gone a step further, designing new teapots that reintroduce affluency and aristocracy through a contemporary lens. It is our commitment to craftsmanship, artistry and cultural heritage.

With over two thousand pieces, the Chitra Collection is today the world’s largest private collection dedicated to the historic culture of tea. It is not nostalgia. It is a responsibility to protect truth, craftsmanship, and heritage, so they may continue to teach future generations, just as tea once taught me.

As someone who has witnessed the erosion of tea culture over decades, what specific traditions or rituals where you determined to revive through your brand’s philosophy?

Tea cultura has not only been eroded — it has been stripped of its integrity. It has been turned into a slow poison for innocent and ignorant families, because nobody taught them the truth. As a contrarian, I realised that tea is the mother of human learning through nature. That understanding is what I was determined to revive.

I saw Newby Teas has adopted full carbon-neutral operations and is part of the Ethical Tea Partnership. How does this sustainability promise reflect in your newest collection and home-living angle?

The world is loudly promoting sustainability, but many use it as a bluff to sell contaminated cheap teas with high fluoride levels and harmful chemicals from pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. They hide behind sustainable packaging while offering unsafe products through retail, F&B, and hotels. Newby does not operate this way. Every tea we produce is tested, and transparent. No tea company in the world matches what Newby does or achieves in purity and safety.

Every big dream has its believers. Who were the friends or close confidants who stood by you in the early days as you turned your wife’s dream into a global brand?

I am probably the greatest believer in God’s grace and human dignity. The world is full of cheap bluffers, and as a contrarian, I have always chosen to stand aloof. My greatest friend and closest confidant is God, Allah.

Hospitality

CELEBRATE TOGETHERNESS THIS RAMADAN WITH AL HALLAB’S IFTAR OFFERINGS

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Overhead view of AL HALLAB Lebanese dishes including stuffed vine leaves, hummus with chickpeas, fried spring rolls, a pita sandwich with fries, dates with boiled egg, and mixed appetizers served on patterned table.

This Ramadan, Al Hallab invites families and loved ones to come together over a generous and comforting Iftar experience inspired by time-honoured Lebanese traditions. Available across all three Al Hallab outlets and for delivery, the Ramadan offering is thoughtfully designed to celebrate togetherness with the flavours that define the holy month.

Guests can enjoy a full dine-in experience at any of Al Hallab’s three outlets, where tables are set with warm hospitality and a feast of Lebanese favorites. From comforting soups like Lentil, Chicken, or Mushroom, to cold appetizers including Hummus, Moutabal, Labneh, Fattoush, and Vine Leaves, every dish is prepared with care to celebrate the flavors of Lebanon. Hot appetizers, grilled skewers, daily mains, and fresh bread complete the spread, followed by a selection of premium Arabic sweets like Kunafa, Shaibeat, Othamlieh, Kunafa rolls, and fruits for dessert.

For those who prefer to break their fast at home, Al Hallab also offers Iftar meal boxes for delivery, making it easy to enjoy a complete Ramadan meal in the comfort of your own space. Available for one, two, or four people, each Iftar includes dates to break the fast, comforting soups, traditional juices like Kamaredine and Jallab, a selection of cold and hot appetizers, daily main dishes, and a taste of Ramadan’s sweetest delights, including Kataef Walnut and Shaibeyat Ashta.

Al Hallab’s Iftar is more than a meal; it is an invitation to gather, share, and celebrate the blessings of Ramadan with loved ones. Whether enjoying the cozy ambiance of the restaurant or the comfort of home, every Iftar is a moment of joy, flavor, and heritage.

Hospitality

LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES ANNOUNCES THE REOPENING OF LOOKUP ROOFTOP BAR WITH A REFINED MEDITERRANEAN IDENTITY

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Nighttime cityscape view from LA VILLE HOTEL & SUITES showing the illuminated Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai skyline.

La Ville Hotel & Suites CITY WALK Dubai, Autograph Collection announces the reopening of its rooftop destination, LookUp Rooftop Bar,on 22^nd January 2026. Reintroduced with a refined Mediterranean identity and a fully refreshed look, LookUp now offers a complete day-to-night experience that feels genuinely new, even for long- standing guests of the hotel.

Overlooking City Walk with uninterrupted views of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline, LookUp has been reshaped into a rooftop destination with greater depth and purpose. By day, the space centres around its infinity pool and open terraces, offering a relaxed setting for guests to unwind, swim and spend time outdoors. A strengthened food offering now plays a central role in the experience, with a full Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring wood fired pizzas and fresh sharable dishes, designed for casual dining and longer stays.

As the day moves into evening, LookUp naturally shifts in energy. Guests can enjoy crafted cocktails, a considered music programme and live DJs, alongside a calendar of curated experiences including fashion showcases, brand collaborations and pop ups. Morning wellness sessions such as yoga and pilates further extend the rooftop’s use beyond traditional bar hours, creating a space that works across different moments of the day.

The refreshed LookUp is designed as more than a rooftop bar. It is a lifestyle destination that brings together leisure, dining and social connection in one setting. With its updated design, stronger menu focus and varied programming, LookUp offers returning guests a new way to experience a familiar space, while welcoming new visitors into the heart of City Walk.

The reopening will welcome hotel owners, Marriott leaders, media, partners and influencers, marking the next chapter for one of City Walk’s most recognisable rooftops. With ongoing collaborations across wellness, fashion and lifestyle, LookUp Rooftop Bar is positioned as a key social destination within City Walk, offering experiences from sunrise through to late night.

Michel Nader, Regional Vice President, UAE & Levant – Premium & Select, Marriott International commented: “The return of LookUp is both timely and emblematic of Dubai’s ever-evolving social landscape. With its revitalised Mediterranean-inspired concept, the destination seamlessly combines refined charm with enhanced hospitality, embodying the city’s affinity for sophisticated and vibrant nightlife. We are confident the relaunch of this popular venue will be appreciated by local residents and international visitors.”

Roudi Soubra, Vice President – Asset Management, Dubai Holding, added: “LookUp has always been more than just a rooftop, it’s part of La Ville’s story and spirit. This reimagining represents our commitment to continuous evolution and to creating spaces that inspire connection, creativity, and joy. With its Mediterranean charm and breathtaking views, LookUp once again reflects the essence of Dubai: dynamic, sophisticated, and full of life.”

Hospitality

RAMADAN IFTAR AT OASIS TERRACE & GARDEN, MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN

Published

6 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Iftar dessert and fruit buffet display at MÖVENPICK DOWNTOWN featuring assorted cakes, mini pastries, fresh fruit platters, and traditional Ramadan desserts arranged on a serving counter.

This Ramadan, Oasis Terrace & Garden at Mövenpick Hotel Apartments, Downtown Dubai invites guests to break their fast in a relaxed outdoor setting with a garden-style Iftar buffet designed for families, friends, and group gatherings.

The experience features authentic Arabian and regional favourites, complemented by interactive live cooking stations. Guests are welcomed with dates and water on arrival, followed by unlimited access to mezze, salads, hot mains, and signature Oasis desserts. Live stations include Shawarma, slow-cooked Ouzi, and BBQ specialities, alongside a dedicated dessert counter and mocktails with laban.

Set across the venue’s open-air terrace and garden, the Iftar offers a laid-back yet festive atmosphere ideal for both casual and corporate celebrations throughout the holy month.

With its combination of open-air seating, warm hospitality and thoughtfully curated buffet, Oasis Terrace & Garden offers a welcoming space to slow down and reconnect after sunset. The experience reflects the spirit of Ramadan, bringing together comforting flavours, shared plates and a setting designed for togetherness. Available throughout Ramadan 2026 (subject to official moon sighting, expected from 19 February 2026).