Connect with us

Hospitality

Headline: BLENDING EXECUTIVE WORK HOURS WITH ELEGANT EVENING EXPERIENCES

Published

3 months ago

on

Exclusive interview with Ashish Agrawal, Founder of Bondz

After spending almost two decades in banking, what inspired you to make the leap into hospitality?

I’ve always believed that entrepreneurship was where I ultimately wanted to be. Banking gave me an incredible foundation—it taught me discipline, financial acumen and, most importantly, how relationships are built on trust. But throughout those years, I found myself increasingly drawn to hospitality because it’s one of the few industries where you have the opportunity to create memorable experiences every single day.

After nearly two decades in banking, I felt it was time to challenge myself and build something of my own. I wanted to create a brand that reflected my personality and values—where people could connect, celebrate milestones, build relationships and feel genuinely welcomed. Bondz is the result of that vision. It’s more than a hospitality business; it’s about creating spaces where meaningful conversations and lasting connections happen naturally.

Entrepreneurship often comes with uncertainty. Looking back, what has been your biggest learning curve since making the transition?

The biggest lesson has been understanding that no amount of planning can prepare you for every challenge. When you’re building a business from scratch, you’re constantly making decisions with incomplete information, taking calculated risks and adapting to situations you never anticipated.

I’ve learned that resilience is one of an entrepreneur’s greatest strengths. There will always be setbacks, but each challenge teaches you something valuable—whether it’s about your business, your team or yourself. Hospitality, in particular, is an industry that evolves every day, so staying flexible, listening to your customers and continuously improving are essential. Every obstacle has helped shape Bondz into what it is today.

Bondz is a distinctive name. What does it represent beyond simply bringing people together?

The name Bondz carries multiple meanings, and that’s exactly what we wanted. At its heart, it’s about the bonds people create over food, drinks and shared experiences. Some of the most meaningful conversations, partnerships and friendships begin around a table.

At the same time, because we’re located in DIFC—one of the world’s leading financial districts—we liked the subtle connection to the financial term “bonds.” It reflects our roots while also reinforcing our vision of creating a place where business and social life intersect naturally.

Ultimately, Bondz represents connection in every sense of the word. Whether you’re meeting a client, reconnecting with friends or celebrating a milestone, we want every visit to leave you with a memorable bond.

DIFC attracts professionals from across industries. How has that influenced the concept?

DIFC is one of the most dynamic business communities in the region, bringing together professionals, entrepreneurs and global executives from every corner of the world. That diversity played a significant role in shaping Bondz.

We wanted to create a space that adapts to different needs throughout the day. During business hours, it’s a sophisticated setting for meetings, networking, coffee catch-ups and executive lunches. As the day transitions into evening, the atmosphere evolves into an elegant lounge where guests can unwind over handcrafted cocktails, curated entertainment and exceptional dining.

Our menu, design and service philosophy have all been created with an international audience in mind, ensuring guests from different cultures and industries feel equally at home.

You often speak about creating experiences rather than simply serving food. What does memorable hospitality look like to you?

Great food and exceptional drinks are important, but they’re only one part of the experience. What guests remember long after they’ve left is how they were made to feel.

For me, memorable hospitality is built on genuine service. It’s about anticipating a guest’s needs, paying attention to the smallest details and creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable, valued and recognised.

Guests may not always remember every dish they ordered, but they’ll always remember how your team treated them. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in building a culture where service is warm, attentive and authentic. It’s this emotional connection that transforms first-time visitors into regular guests.

How closely did you work with Executive Chef Brando Del Mundo in shaping the menu?

It was a highly collaborative process. I had a clear vision of the kind of dining experience I wanted Bondz to offer—globally inspired cuisine that complements both business lunches and relaxed evening dining.

Chef Brando brought that vision to life with his creativity, technical expertise and deep understanding of international flavours. Together, we focused on creating a menu that’s approachable yet refined, offering dishes that are memorable without being overly complicated. The result is a menu that reflects Bondz’s personality—contemporary, versatile and designed to bring people together.

From co-working and networking during the day to cocktails and conversations in the evening, Bondz embraces two very different personalities. How do you ensure each experience feels authentic without compromising the other?

That balance was intentional from day one. We never wanted Bondz to feel like two separate concepts operating under one roof. Instead, we designed it as a venue that naturally evolves with the rhythm of the day.

Our recently introduced Executive Work Hours reflect this philosophy perfectly. During the day, Bondz offers professionals a refined alternative to noisy cafés or hotel lobbies, providing a comfortable setting for meetings, focused work and networking over quality food and coffee. As the evening unfolds, the space seamlessly transforms into an intimate speakeasy-inspired lounge with curated music, handcrafted cocktails and vibrant social energy.

We’re fortunate to have Nitesh Manghnani of Knite Events, who brings more than two decades of experience in curating nightlife experiences, alongside an experienced hospitality team that understands how to manage this transition effortlessly. Most importantly, we continuously listen to our guests. Their feedback plays a vital role in shaping our offerings, ensuring Bondz remains relevant, welcoming and authentic throughout every hour of the day.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Hospitality

Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer

Published

6 hours ago

on

November 7, 2026

By

Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.

The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.

The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.

The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:

Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.

Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.

The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.

Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.

An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.

Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running

Published

1 day ago

on

November 6, 2026

By

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.

The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:

  • Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
  • Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
  • Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.

Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.

Continue Reading

Hospitality

Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight

Published

1 day ago

on

November 6, 2026

By

Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)

Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.

Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:

Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25

Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00

Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.

The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.

Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator