Connect with us

Hospitality

STEP INTO STILLNESS: SOFITEL REDEFINES THE FESTIVE SEASON WITH THE CANDLE EXPERIENCE

Published

on

A cozy hotel bedroom at Sofitel featuring a white bed with crisp linens, surrounded by numerous glowing pillar candles arranged on the floor and nightstand, creating a warm and intimate ambiance.

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.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hospitality

FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE: HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST

Published

on

This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.

Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.

Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.

Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir

Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.

Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.

Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.

Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.

The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES

Published

on

On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.

Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals

Published

on

Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.

According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.

The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.

Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).

Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.

“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”

Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).

During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.

Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.

As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator