Hospitality
STEP INTO STILLNESS: SOFITEL REDEFINES THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH THE CANDLE EXPERIENCE
As the festive season nears, pioneer of French luxury hospitality, Sofitel, unveils The Candle Experience—an immersive escape that envelops travellers’ senses through light, sound and scent. Across Paris, Dubai, London, Sydney and other destinations, rooms and suites will be transformed with softly flickering LED candle lights, infused with Sofitel’s signature scent, and accompanied by festive playlists curated in partnership with Devialet, the acclaimed acoustic engineer.
Travellers in the UAE are showing a growing desire for meaningful, calm and reflective festive moments. The Candle Experience was created in response to this shift, offering a sanctuary where guests can unwind, reconnect and celebrate in a more intimate, restorative way — whether on a staycation or a seasonal retreat.
Candle lights at the centre of celebration
Upon entering The Candle Experience, guests are welcomed by a sea of softly flickering LED candle lights that create an atmosphere of festive magic. As the candlelight dances, soothing sounds of the specially curated festive soundscape fills the space with heartfelt joy, whilst the room is enveloped by refreshing scents of bergamot, sandalwood and white rose with Sofitel’s signature scent. The Candle Experience offers the chance for loved ones to escape the seasonal rush and celebrate with moments of stillness and gratitude.
The Candle Experience is a reimagination of Sofitel’s signature Candle Ritual, a daily ceremony inspired by 1860s Paris where 56,000 oil lamps illuminated the city, giving it the name the ‘City of Lights’. Now, guests gather as candles are lit at dusk for peaceful reflection, embarking on a surprising and delightful journey when day moves to night in hotels across the world. This shared ritual has now been transformed to a more intimate setting, with the new in-room Candle Experience designed to offer calm, connection and comfort this festive season, all while paying homage to the poetic French heritage.
Sound for the season
A soundscape evokes a sense of peaceful holiday cheer in the room. Flowing through newly crafted speakers by acclaimed acoustic house, Devialet, the music surrounds guests, fully immersing them in a soothing festive spirit. Beyond the cocoon of the room, guests can bathe in sound and water with another bespoke, restorative ensuite playlist for moments of restoration and rejuvenation.
A unique sensory journey awaits each guest, powered by the new Devialet Phantom Ultimate speakers. Specifically engineered to produce incredibly deep bass and pure high-resolution sound, they offer an unparalleled audio experience. Known for their pure, immersive sound, these speakers do more than just play music; they forge a deep, physical connection where the sound feels truly tangible, helping to deepen the atmosphere of this quiet escape.
Nicolas Gronier, Global Brand Experience Leader for Sofitel, said: “The Candle Experience is Sofitel’s invitation to experience luxury as a sanctuary – a moment of peace and presence during one of the most meaningful times of the year. More guests than ever are choosing to stay closer to home during the festive season, seeking stillness, comfort and connection. Thoughtfully designed to awaken the senses through light, scent and sound, The Candle Experience becomes a place to connect with loved ones, yourself and truly experience French zest.”
Deepening the experience, one sense at a time
Beyond the room and suite setting, guests can indulge in luminous experiences from candle-infused aromatherapy treatments to in-room dining by candlelight and heartfelt gifts to take home.
Guests will receive either Sofitel’s signature Essence de Sofitel candle or a Sofitel x Bernardaud Votivelight – a radiant votivelight crafted by the iconic French porcelain house – to ensure the room’s warm glow lingers, rekindling the mood and memory long after departure. Whether for a festive escape or a quiet seasonal retreat, The Candle Experience invites guests to experience Sofitel at its most sensorial, luminous and unforgettable.
Hospitality
NEWBY TEAS UNVEILS ELEGANT GIFTING COLLECTION FOR MOTHER’S DAY & WOMEN’S DAY
This Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day, honour the remarkable women who shape our lives with a gift that invites reflection, connection, and quiet celebration.

This year, International Women’s day falls within the holy month of Ramadan. Just as the crescent moon marks a new beginning, women continuously nurture, guide, and support us through life’s many cycles. Our Moon Box is a heartfelt way to honour the incredible women who illuminate our lives, just as the moon lights the night sky.

Women open doors to love, wisdom and boundless possibility. Step through an enchanting gate and unlock the magic within, as the majestic doors reveal 30 days of tea indulgence.

An elegant gift box with 20 whole-leaf Silken Pyramids in four premium green, black and herbal blends. Made from corn starch and free of plastic, Newby’s Silken Pyramid bags ensure a premium, eco-friendly experience. Available for customisation with a minimum order of 50 pieces.

The jewel of Newby’s gifting collection, the Crown Assortment offers an exceptional introduction to the world of tea. Thoughtfully curated, it presents a harmonious selection of black teas, green teas and tisanes, or a combination of all three, each chosen for its depth, character and balance.

Created in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum, this exclusive trio of bespoke tea blends is inspired by the celebrated works of Vincent van Gogh.
Beautifully presented and available exclusively online, it makes a refined and artistic gift.

Designed by Matthew Williamson, this vibrant collection celebrates colour, craftsmanship and indulgent tea moments.
Each blend offers a sensory journey through carefully layered aromatic ingredients. Available individually or as a complete set of three.
Hospitality
ROHINI Celebrates Holi with Colourful, Contemporary Thandai Creations

The festival of Holi is all about colour, music and good vibes, and Rohini at Mövenpick JLT is bringing that energy straight to your glass. From 2 to 8 March, the restaurant is serving Rang, Ras aur Thandai Holi, a limited-time beverage special inspired by the playful spirit of the festival, giving Dubai diners a fun way to celebrate through flavour.
Drawing on nostalgic flavours, the traditional thandai is deconstructed with a fresh, contemporary edge that fits naturally into Dubai’s modern dining scene. The seasonal drinks keep the familiarity guests love while introducing lighter, more current flavour combinations, giving guests the green energy this season calls for
The menu features two flavour profiles. One leans into classic Kesar Pista and Badam notes, while the other takes a more experimental direction with a Matcha Moringa twist for a clean, modern flavour. Served as cocktail and mocktail options, the drinks balance tradition with a playful upgrade, capturing the celebratory mood Holi is known for.
Rohini continues to stand out as a go-to destination for contemporary Indian dining in Dubai, with its Holi special bringing together familiar flavours and a nostalgic festive touch for guests to enjoy throughout the week.
Hospitality
EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN AT AL HABTOOR GRAND RESORT, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION

As the Holy Month of Ramadan begins, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection invites guests to experience the Grand Starlit Iftar at the picturesque Grand Garden Lawn. This refined journey of flavor and reflection offers a beautiful setting to gather with loved ones beneath a starlit sky and twinkling lights.
As the sun sets and the city’s pace slows, guests are invited to escape into a serene, open-air sanctuary. Surrounded by lush greenery and the soft, golden glow of lanterns, the evening begins with the soulful, rhythmic hum of live Oud tunes, setting a peaceful stage for reflection and connection.
The journey starts with the traditional breaking of the fast, featuring refreshing glasses of Jallab, Kamar Al Dein, Tamer Hindi, and Laban. This leads into a lavish Iftar buffet that celebrates both local heritage and global flair. Guests can explore an abundant spread of mezze and salads from creamy Hummus and Tabbouleh to crisp Cheese Sambousek, Meat Kibbeh, and Spinach Fatayer.
The heart of the feast offers a rich tapestry of flavors, featuring aromatic classics like Lamb Kofta, Chicken Shish Taouk, and succulent Ouzi. For those seeking a more international palate, the menu transitions seamlessly into dishes such as Pan Seared Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce and a live pasta station serving fresh Penne Arrabbiata. The air is further filled with the scent of tradition at the live cooking stations, where freshly prepared Saj (Cheese and Zaatar) and expert carvings are made to order.
The experience reaches a sweet crescendo with a decadent dessert selection. Whether it’s the warmth of Cheese Kunafa and Umm Ali, the crunch of Baklawa, or the modern indulgence of Chocolate Fudge and Passion Fruit Delight, there is a flavor for every craving.
As the night matures, the energy shifts into a relaxed Suhoor. In a setting designed for late-night conversations, guests can enjoy a curated à la carte menu of local delights. To round out the evening, a nearby shisha area offers a quiet space to unwind and soak in the calm of the night under the stars.
Event Details
Iftar
Time: Sunset to 9:00 pm
Suhoor
Price: À la carte
Time: 9:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dates: Daily throughout Ramadan
Location: Grand Garden Lawn, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, JBR
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