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Hospitality
Designing destinations – How STORY Hospitality Weaves Culture, Comfort, and Convenience into its Sublime Spaces
By Victor Abou-Ghanem, CEO, STORY Hospitality
More than just places to stay, STORY Hospitality’s hotels are immersive experiences. By blending cultural authenticity with contemporary luxury, the brand creates spaces that inspire, delight, and stand the test of time.
Great hospitality design transcends aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that shape experiences. Whether it’s an awe-inspiring lobby, a room that tells a story with every detail, or a restaurant that transports guests, the best hotels masterfully blend beauty with belonging.
A challenging balance to strike, yet STORY Hospitality does it exquisitely.
With a luxury hotel portfolio that spans the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian Ocean, the Abu Dhabi-based brand (the hospitality arm of Abu Dhabi Capital Group) takes a deeply considered approach to design. Each property is a poetic reflection of its surroundings and heritage, making way for cultural authenticity to flow throughout the guest experience.
And while the vision is robust, the challenge lies in execution, often bringing larger-than-life concepts to realisation while ensuring it all remains functional, timeless, and sustainable.
Striking the right balance between form and function
Luxury and comfort are central to STORY Hospitality’s approach, but designing a hotel is never just about looks. Each design decision must also serve the overall guest journey.
“Functionality is critical,” says CEO Victor Abou-Ghanem.
“Guests should feel at ease in our spaces. But we also understand the impact of aesthetics – sometimes, bending practical rules to captivate the eyes and heart is worth it.”
That means prioritising practicality where it matters most – ergonomic seating, intuitive room layouts, and seamless workspace integration – while allowing for creative expression to tell a broader story. Statement pieces that become social media moments are encouraged, while high-touch surfaces, like corridor walls, are designed with durability in mind.
A story in every space
What sets STORY Hospitality apart is its ability to craft a distinct narrative for each property. Instead of rolling out a standardised design template, the brand takes inspiration from the local culture and history of each destination.
One standout example is STORY Rabat, designed by the renowned Studio MHNA. The hotel pays tribute to Zyriab, the 9th-century visionary who redefined art, music, and culture.
The design blends Moroccan soul with European sophistication, featuring intricate hand-carved details, majestic courtyards, and the warm and inviting glow of traditional lanterns. In the guest rooms, Sabra (vegetable silk derived from aloe vera cacti), a shimmering fibre used in Moroccan garments, adds a rich textural layer to the décor.
This is just one of several examples, where STORY Hospitality delves into the details of local culture and proudly shines a spotlight on them through each property’s design.
Turning concept into creation
A strong concept is only the beginning. Turning a design vision into a functioning hotel, on time and within budget, is one of the loftiest challenges in the industry.
“Execution is always the hardest part,” CEO Victor admits.
“Hospitality projects involve multiple stakeholders, and time is always a factor. Delays cost money, so we have to deliver quality without compromising deadlines.”
Sustainability is another indispensable consideration. All STORY properties hold Green Key certification, an internationally recognised mark of eco-conscious hospitality. From energy-efficient lighting and smart building systems to low-flow water fixtures and locally sourced materials, sustainability is woven into each property’s design philosophy.
Balancing trends with timeless design
Hotels must remain relevant for years, even decades, after they open.
STORY Hospitality approaches this challenge by ensuring that core design elements are timeless, while allowing for flexibility in how spaces are activated. “Sometimes, it’s not about changing the physical space but about how you curate it,” Victor notes. “A conference corridor can feel entirely different depending on how a coffee break is set up. Lighting can completely transform a spa – or any space’s – ambience. These details keep a space feeling fresh.”
Going beyond a place to stay
STORY Hospitality believes that hotels go beyond just places to stay, they’re part of a journey. Whether a guest is travelling for business, relaxation, or adventure, the hotel experience should complement and enhance their trip, shaping their memories along the way.
“We’re in the business of crafting experiences. Travellers don’t just want a bed for the night, they want a connection to the destination. Our role is to be part of that story.”, Victor concludes.
What does the future of hospitality design look like?
As the industry evolves, STORY Hospitality is keeping an eye on emerging trends that align with its brand values. Smart and contactless technology, AI-enabled personalisation, and carbon-neutral hotel initiatives are all on the horizon.
By embracing innovation while staying true to its commitment to cultural authenticity, guest comfort, and sustainability, STORY Hospitality is proving that great design isn’t just about how a hotel looks – it’s about how it makes people feel.
This summer, football fever takes over Dubai as The Coterie Ibn Battuta partners with African + Eastern to launch Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois. Running from June 11 to July 19, the high-energy World Cup fan festival promises giant screens, stadium-style energy and unforgettable match-day moments from first kick to the Final.
Designed to capture the energy and unpredictability that makes football so special, Festiball will transform The Coterie into a stadium-style fan destination packed with live entertainment, immersive activations, crowd energy and non-stop tournament action throughout the summer.
Fans can also expect dedicated match-day food and drinks menus including stacked burgers, pies, pastries and loaded chip cones alongside The Coterie’s signature à la carte menu.
Selected headline fixtures will turn up the energy with CO2 cannons, ultras-style flags, live DJs, drums and MC hosts creating an electric stadium atmosphere right in the heart of Dubai.
Throughout the tournament, fans can expect all-day hops offers, score prediction competitions, match-day prizes and surprise fan moments across every major fixture – with AED 500 vouchers up for grabs during activated games. Ladies can also kick-start selected match days with complimentary drinks before kick-off, while returning fans will unlock exclusive rewards and tournament-long experiences throughout the summer.
Speaking about the launch, Heinrich Spies, General Manager, said:“Festiball is all about bringing people together and recreating the energy, excitement and unpredictability that makes football so special. We wanted to create more than just a place to watch the games – this is a full football festival experience with incredible atmosphere, entertainment and fan moments from start to finish.”
With football fans expected to gather across the city this summer, Festiball at The Coterie Clubhouse by Stella Artois is set to become one of Dubai’s go-to destinations for every goal, chant, celebration and unforgettable match-day moment.
Hospitality
DABUBU CHOCOLATE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN THE UAE AS DUBAI’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLECTIBLE CHOCOLATE BRAND
DABUBU CHOCOLATE has officially arrived in the UAE, launching exclusively online as the first collectible luxury chocolate brand of its kind in Dubai. Blending playful creativity with premium chocolate craftsmanship and Middle Eastern inspired flavours, the brand introduces a completely new confectionery concept designed specifically for the region’s growing luxury and culture-driven consumer market. Consumers can now purchase the launch collection exclusively via www.dabubuchocolate.ae, with delivery available across the UAE.
Created through a collaboration between TACO BRANDS LLC-FZ and A22 FZC, DABUBU CHOCOLATE transforms the iconic Dabubu character into an edible experience inspired by curiosity, nostalgia, art and culture.
The first release introduces a signature 100g chocolate bar featuring a rich blend of salted caramel, dates, baklava and cardamom, a flavour combination never before seen in the UAE, combining familiar regional flavours with a modern premium twist. Each bar also includes DABUBU’s signature mystery chain detail, making every piece instantly recognisable and collectible.
“DABUBU CHOCOLATE was created to be more than just chocolate,” said Werner Coetzee, Co-Founder of TACO BRANDS. “We wanted to build a product that feels playful, premium, visually exciting and deeply connected to the UAE market and culture.”
Manufactured in the UAE and developed specifically for the GCC market, DABUBU CHOCOLATE aims to bridge the gap between luxury gifting, pop culture and modern confectionery. The launch reflects the growing demand for products that are not only high quality, but also experience driven and social media friendly.
Hospitality
SUN, HISTORY & FIVE-STAR LUXURY: WHY THE IXIAN GRAND & ALL SUITES IN RHODES SHOULD BE ON EVERY TRAVELLER’S RADAR THIS SUMMER
Summer is almost here, and a Greek escape to The Ixian Grand & All Suites in Rhodes deserves to be on the agenda this season. Greece’s largest Dodecanese Island has been luring travellers for centuries, with its UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, layers of ancient history, and unmissable Aegean golden-hour glow. This five-star retreat is poised on the serene shores of Ixia Bay, just six kilometres from the charming Rhodes Town.
At The Ixian Grand & All Suites, the all-inclusive experience captures the heart and soul of Mediterranean living, inviting a sense of calm where both mind and body can truly reset. Days drift by effortlessly – poolside lounging, beachfront cocktails, and the freedom to explore six exceptional restaurants and bars at a leisurely pace. Across six exceptional restaurants and bars, guests can journey from bold Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Muza Htista to the Mediterranean flavours of Vis-à-Vis, Alazonia, and Milonges – every meal a fresh, vibrant celebration of the island’s finest ingredients.
This summer, Rhodes comes alive with a packed calendar of events – from the Rhodes Soul Festival (1-8 June) and Lindos Rock Festival (10-17 June), to the Rhodes Street Food Festival (3-12 July) where live music, global flavours and community spirit come together in the ancient town.
Whether after romance, rest, or a reunion with friends, The Ixian Grand & All Suites is the ultimate setting for a summer escape worth remembering.
The Ixian Grand & All Suites is offering those who book directly via the hotel’s website for 7+ nights, Stay & Dine Experience which includes:
• Two Free A la Carte dinners per stay
• One Dine Out Experience at a local restaurant with Authentic Greek Cuisine per stay.
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DABUBU CHOCOLATE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES IN THE UAE AS DUBAI’S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND COLLECTIBLE CHOCOLATE BRAND
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