As GCC travellers descend to London for the summer season, Novikov Restaurant & Bar is inviting guests to discover one of Mayfair’s most iconic dining destinations.

Located on Berkeley Street in the heart of the capital, Novikov has played a defining role in London’s dining scene for over a decade, bringing together contemporary Italian cuisine, Pan-Asian specialities and a vibrant Lounge & Bar. With dedicated Italian and Asian restaurants, Novikov offers guests the opportunity to explore two distinct culinary concepts in a single setting, each shaped by specialist chefs and premium ingredients. A selection of halal dishes is also available across the menus, reflecting Novikov’s appeal to an international clientele.

This summer, guests can enjoy a range of offerings across the venue, from seasonal lunch menus and Aperitivo Time on the Terrace to live entertainment at Novikov Lounge & Bar and screenings of key FIFA World Cup fixtures. Together, the programme reflects Novikov’s position as a true day-to-night destination, spanning leisurely lunches, aperitivo, live entertainment and late-night cocktails in the heart of Mayfair.

Seasonal Dining & Aperitivo

Whether stopping by for a leisurely lunch or settling in for an afternoon in Mayfair, guests can explore a variety of dining options across Novikov’s Italian and Asian restaurants. Seasonal offerings include the Italian Set Lunch, as well as the popular Hikari and Dim Sum lunch menus. The Italian restaurant celebrates seasonal flavours through dishes such as Risotto with Purple Prawns, Amalfi Lemon & Fresh Basil and Chicken Supreme with Mushroom Sauce & Smoked Aubergine Caviar, while the Asian restaurant offers favourites including Wagyu Tacos, Scallop & Jalapeño Maki and Spicy Prawn Money Bags.

As the day unfolds, Aperitivo Time on the Terrace offers a sophisticated way to ease into the evening, pairing classic Italian serves including Aperol Spritz, Negroni and Bellini with a selection of sharing plates.

Live Entertainment After Dark

As the sun sets, Novikov’s Lounge & Bar comes to life with a dynamic programme of music and nightlife. Resident DJs take over from 9pm until late, while every Tuesday, Novikov Live transforms the space into an intimate stage for exceptional performances spanning blues, funk and soul. Paired with expertly crafted cocktails and a lively after-dark atmosphere, the programme offers guests another reason to linger long after dinner has ended.

World Cup Viewing in Mayfair

Adding to the summer line-up, Novikov will also screen key FIFA World Cup fixtures throughout the tournament. Offering a more relaxed alternative to traditional sports bars, the Lounge & Bar combines match-day viewing with Novikov’s signature hospitality, food and drinks.

For GCC travellers planning a summer in London, Novikov offers a complete day-to-night experience, from leisurely lunches and aperitivo to late-night cocktails, live music and world-class dining in the heart of Mayfair.

This July, photographers, creatives and design enthusiasts are invited to step inside the world’s only hotel designed entirely by Zaha Hadid as ME by Meliá Dubai partners with Fujifilm Middle East for an exclusive architectural photography workshop within the iconic Opus building.

Taking place on Saturday, 4 July, the workshop will welcome a select group of participants for a rare opportunity to photograph one of the world’s most celebrated architectural landmarks from the inside. Guided by Fujifilm X-Photographer (brand ambassador) Beno Saradzic, a Dubai-based Emmy-nominated cinematographer and award-winning photographer renowned for his architectural imagery, attendees will discover how to translate architecture into compelling visual stories while exploring the sculptural forms, dramatic perspectives and visionary design that define the hotel.

Widely regarded as one of Dubai’s most architecturally significant landmarks, ME by Meliá Dubai is a striking expression of Zaha Hadid’s visionary design language, where fluid forms, dramatic geometry and sculptural interiors converge. From the sweeping curves of its atrium to the intricate interplay of light, reflection and space, every corner presents a unique photographic opportunity, making it the ideal setting for an immersive exploration of architectural storytelling.

The workshop will begin with an introductory briefing, where participants will gain insight into the fundamentals of architectural photography, composition, and visual storytelling. From there, attendees will embark on a guided photowalk through the hotel’s remarkable interiors, learning how to capture geometry, symmetry, reflections, textures, and the ever-changing interplay of light within Zaha Hadid’s visionary spaces.

As a brand that champions contemporary culture, creativity and self-expression, ME by Meliá Dubai has long served as a platform for artistic discovery, where architecture, art, fashion, gastronomy and culture converge. This collaboration with Fujifilm reflects the hotel’s ongoing commitment to nurturing creative communities and providing inspiring experiences that extend beyond traditional hospitality.

Designed for photographers and creatives of all skill levels, the workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s leading experts while gaining exclusive access to one of Dubai’s most photogenic destinations.

Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai has made history as the first hotel in Dubai to launch its own AI influencer. Her name is Zaya, and she is unlike anything the city’s hospitality scene has seen before. Not a chatbot, not a virtual assistant, not an algorithm answering queries — Zaya is a fully realised AI persona whose sole purpose is to live, explore, and share the Grand Millennium Dubai experience with the world.

In a city where innovation is currency and storytelling drives travel decisions, Grand Millennium Dubai has taken a defining step forward. While hotels across the region have invested in AI for operations, logistics, and guest services, Zaya represents something altogether different: a creative, content-led AI presence built not to serve requests, but to inspire them.

Zaya is Grand Millennium Dubai’s AI influencer,  a digital personality brought to life to take audiences on a journey through one of Dubai’s most dynamic hotel experiences. She steps into the role of the ultimate insider: a guest who never leaves, a storyteller who never misses a moment, and a guide who knows every corner of the property and everything worth discovering beyond it.

Her mission is to show, not just tell. Through her eyes, followers will experience the staycation journey as it was meant to be seen,  the hidden gems tucked within the hotel, the dining spots worth lingering over, and the amenities that transform a stay into a story. From the Pan-Asian flavours of Toshi, to late nights singing at Lucky Voice, to Belgian craft beers at Belgian Beer Cafe, to the sleek intimacy of Crystal Bar, Zaya will take her audience through it all with the energy and authenticity of someone who genuinely cannot get enough of the place.

“The launch of Zaya is not simply a marketing decision. It is a statement about where hospitality is heading. In an era where travellers increasingly discover, choose, and book hotels through social content and peer storytelling, Grand Millennium Dubai is putting its own voice into that conversation in the most forward-thinking way possible.

Human influencers create moments. Zaya creates a continuous narrative. She is always on, always present, and always evolving, shaped by the experiences she showcases and the audiences she connects with. Where a traditional influencer visits and leaves, Zaya belongs to the hotel. She is its storyteller, its digital resident, and its most enthusiastic advocate.” Adds Peter Mukanyima, Assistant Director of Marketing & E-Commerce, Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai.

Dubai’s hospitality market is among the most competitive in the world. Grand Millennium Dubai’s decision to invest in an AI influencer at this moment reflects a sharp understanding of how audiences now engage with travel brands and a confidence that the property’s story is worth telling in a new way.

Zaya’s content universe is anchored in the staycation journey. The full arc of arriving, exploring, dining, unwinding, and leaving with memories. Her initial rollout will focus on showcasing the breadth of what Grand Millennium Dubai offers, with particular attention to the hotel’s celebrated dining and nightlife portfolio.

Beyond the outlets, Zaya will explore the full staycation experience, the pool, the spa and wellness facilities, the neighbourhood, and the moments in between that turn a hotel stay into something worth talking about.

As her presence grows, Zaya’s ambitions will too. Plans are in place to expand her content across platforms, deepen her engagement with followers, and develop her into a genuine long-term voice for the Grand Millennium Dubai brand, one that evolves, responds, and reflects the ongoing life of the hotel.