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SUN SIYAM PASIKUDAH WINS BEST GLOBAL HOTEL DESIGN AT HOMES & GARDENS’ DESIGN AWARDS 2025 FOR STUDIO SIXTY7’S TRANSFORMATIVE REDESIGN

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Elegant dining room at Sun Siyam Pasikudah with tiered woven chandelier, wicker chairs, and wine cellar wall

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of Sun Siyam Resorts’ Privé Collection, has won the coveted Best Global Hotel Design award at the Homes & Gardens Design Awards 2025. The accolade recognises Studio Sixty7, led by founders Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, for a transformative redesign that blended artisanal craftsmanship, cultural authenticity, and sustainability to set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Sri Lanka.

The Homes & Gardens Design Awards celebrate the best in design and decorating, spotlighting inspiring projects and innovations shaping the way we live now and into the future. Within the Best Global Hotel Design category, the judges recognised the transformation of Sun Siyam Pasikudah for its blend of refined hospitality, artisanal craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility.

The 34-room boutique resort on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast was reimagined as a sanctuary of understated luxury, completed within an ambitious four-month timeline and re-opened in November 2023. To reduce waste, much of the original furniture was refurbished and reupholstered, while all new materials were sourced locally and installed by Sri Lankan craftspeople. The team commissioned handwoven textiles, bespoke lighting, and custom joinery, using natural materials such as bamboo, linen, terracotta, and reclaimed wood to create a tactile, grounded experience.

Arshed Refai, General Manager of Sun Siyam Pasikudah, commented: “We are incredibly proud to see Sun Siyam Pasikudah recognised on the global stage. This award is a tribute not only to the vision of Studio Sixty7 but also to the extraordinary craftsmanship of Sri Lankan artisans who brought the design to life. Our resort now reflects the spirit of the island in a way that is both authentic and forward-thinking, offering our guests a truly unique sense of place.”

Traditional construction techniques were seamlessly blended with contemporary interior methods, producing a holistic environment where architectural integrity meets artisanal detail. The result is a collection of immersive spaces, from a restaurant and spa to a boutique and beach shack, each reflecting a strong sense of place and purpose.

The innovation lay in Studio Sixty7’s ability to redefine luxury with locality. Instead of importing generic finishes, the studio partnered with Sri Lankan artisans to create site-specific elements including handwoven ceilings, linen-draped interiors, ochre-hued plaster finishes, and custom lighting. This approach elevated vernacular design into a contemporary hospitality context, proving that innovation is not always about technology but about intentionality and integrity.

Sustainability was at the heart of the project. The design embraced low-impact principles, reusing original furnishings, sourcing locally made materials, and minimising imports, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of both construction and transport. Natural ventilation, open-plan layouts, and tactile finishes reduced operational energy consumption, demonstrating how luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously.

Crucially, the project also championed social sustainability in a region historically impacted by civil conflict. By engaging local artisans, potters, weavers, and joiners, the redesign became a vehicle for economic revitalisation, offering meaningful employment and celebrating traditional skills. The on-site boutique, The Edit, continues this legacy, providing guests with an opportunity to connect directly with Sri Lanka’s craft heritage and support regional makers.

Studio Sixty7 has built a reputation for thoughtful, collaborative design that balances refinement with authenticity. Their ongoing partnership with Sun Siyam Resorts includes projects across the Maldives, further cementing their role as valued creative partners.

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Hospitality

BAB EL BAHR COMBINES FLAVOR AND FUN FOR THE ULTIMATE SUHOOR THIS RAMADAN

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Overhead view of a BAB EL BAHR Suhoor table featuring freshly baked Arabic bread, scrambled eggs, hummus, foul medammas, labneh, pita bread, olives, herbs, and mixed Levantine dishes served with tableware and a lit candle.

This Ramadan, Bab El Bahr by Al Hallab invites guests to embrace the spirit of tradition, flavor, and togetherness with its authentic and indulgent Suhoor experience. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, the restaurant offers a thoughtfully curated a la carte Suhoor menu designed to celebrate the pre-dawn meal in style, comfort, and warmth.

From classic Levantine favorites to contemporary twists, Bab El Bahr’s Suhoor menu caters to every palate. Guests can start with cheese selections such as Shilal, Kashkaval, and Baladiyeh, paired with grilled halloumi or eggs cooked to order, whether sunny side up, scrambled, or as an omelette. Traditional dishes like shakshuka, egg with soujouk, and egg with awarma add hearty, flavorful options for those looking for a protein-packed start to the day.

For those seeking authentic Levantine flavors, Bab El Bahr also serves foul medammas, balila, labneh, goat labneh with walnuts, makdous, and hummus-based dishes, including classic fatteh hummus and fatteh hummus bil lahme. The à la carte menu further highlights mini manakeesh (zaatar, cheese) and kaake traboulsieh (Akawi cheese or smoked turkey & kashkaval).

No Suhoor is complete without something sweet. Bab El Bahr offers jam and butter selections, ashta with honey, Nutella flatbread with bananas and toasted hazelnuts, cheese kunafa, fried katayef, Um Ali, and a seasonal fruit platter, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors to satisfy every craving.

To elevate the communal spirit, the restaurant provides backgammon boards, Jakaru boards, and playing cards, allowing guests to enjoy lighthearted games and connect with family and friends while savoring the pre-dawn meal.

Bab El Bahr’s Suhoor experience combines culinary authenticity, elegant presentation, and a welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal destination for both traditional family gatherings and casual nights with friends during Ramadan.

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Hospitality

COUNTER CULTURE CAFÉ INTRODUCES LIMITLESS COFFEE OFFER

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A freshly prepared latte topped with delicate leaf‑style latte art is served in a pink cup and saucer at COUNTER CULTURE CAFÉ. Placed on a wooden table, the coffee is accompanied by a breakfast platter in the background, featuring a selection of light bites, creating a relaxed café setting ideal for coffee breaks or casual dining.

Counter Culture Café at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites invites coffee enthusiasts and remote workers to experience its new Limitless Coffee offer, available daily from 10:00 AM onwards

Perfect for those looking for a productive workday or an extended stay in a cozy setting, the offer is priced at AED 32 and includes unlimited coffee and tea selections, plus an exclusive 25% discount on food when opting for the Limitless Coffee package.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of hot and iced beverages, including Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Mocha, Frappuccino, Hot Chocolate, and the full selection of Tchaba teas and iced teas, all served in the café’s relaxed and contemporary environment.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, terrace seating is available, and pets are welcome, making it the perfect spot for guests who want to bring their furry friends along.

Located within Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Counter Culture Café offers a welcoming space ideal for remote working, casual meetings, leisurely coffee breaks, or simply relaxing in the heart of Dubai Marina.

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Hospitality

BESH TURKISH KITCHEN UNVEILS “FLAVORS FROM THE SILK ROAD” RAMADAN IFTAR INSPIRED BY TURKEY, THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEYOND

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Guests in traditional Middle Eastern attire share a Ramadan iftar table at BESH TURKISH KITCHEN, with assorted Turkish mezze, grilled kebabs, bread, juices, and lanterns on a patterned table.

 This Ramadan, Besh Turkish Kitchen invites guests on a culinary journey along the Silk Road to savor the rich flavours of Turkey, the Middle East, and Asia. Available daily throughout the holy month, the “Flavors from the Silk Road” Ramadan Iftar is served buffet-style with rotating menus, offering something new throughout the holy month. Perfect for repeat visits with family and friends.

The spread begins with dates and water, followed by a selection of cold mezze and salads, including hummus, moutabal, fattoush, tabbouleh, warak enab and kisir, alongside marinated vegetables and regional cheeses. Hot dishes feature Arabic lentil soup, meat kibbeh, freshly baked Turkish pide and lahmacun, shawarma made to order, and a rotating selection of grilled kebabs. Main courses span multiple cuisines with highlights including lamb ouzi at the carving station, Adana kebab, butter chicken, chicken biryani, seafood tagines, fish sayadieh, as well as beef stroganoff, mac & cheese, fried rice and vegetable noodles, plus plenty of vegetarian options.

Desserts are equally generous, featuring kunafa, baklava, Umm Ali, Turkish delight and sütlaç, alongside Arabic pastries, international cakes, and traditional Indian sweets.

Set within Besh’s warm, Anatolian-inspired interiors on the 5th floor of Sheraton Mall of the Emirates, the Iftar offers a relaxed and welcoming setting to gather, share, and celebrate after sunset.

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