A Note from the Editors

Lately, I’ve been fascinated by the way the hospitality and travel industries are stepping up to address gaps in women's healthcare—creating experiences that support women’s health and reproductive wellness in ways traditional healthcare systems often overlook.

This week, we see it with Equinox introducing a menopause spa treatment, a sign of how wellness brands are recognizing the need for more tailored, high-performance care for women at every stage of life. Menopause retreats are also emerging as a growing trend that we’re keeping an eye on, offering spaces for education, recovery, and renewal. And then, of course, there’s the rise of postnatal retreats—premium care experiences that fill a cultural and medical void in Western societies, providing the kind of structured communal support that has long existed in other parts of the world.

These aren’t just luxury experiential offerings; they’re a response to real needs. It’s a reminder that good care isn’t just about treatment, but the setting, service, and sense of belonging that shape recovery. Maybe the future of healthcare isn’t just in hospitals—it’s in how well we design the experience of healing.

📣 A special shoutout to Basel Hijazi for sharing how much he enjoys the curation we put together each week. The conversations and ideas sparked by this community make The Dyorama what it is, and I’m grateful for every one of you who’s on this journey with us.

– Nureen

P.S. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts—your input fuels what we create. If you like this week’s edition, share with someone who’d appreciate exploring the dynamic intersection of hospitality, design and business in the MENA region. 🌹(Accepting referrals as Valentines this year.) 

What you’ll find in this week’s edition: Visual Vignette // This Week’s Curation // Q&A Interview Profile // Global Spotlight // ICYMI // On Our Radar

Visual Vignette

Through the lens of @lent.iggini, we get a glimpse into Iraq’s architectural heritage, captured in collaboration with @yutori.collective—revealing a rich cultural legacy beyond common narratives.. Credit: @nowness, Instagram.

This Week’s Curation

Fresh Takes: The Concepts and Trends to Watch This Week

🚀 Two homegrown hospitality groups are making bold moves into Europe, bringing their distinctive luxury experiences to new markets. 7 Management, known for its dynamic dining and entertainment concepts, has been appointed as the new operator of Astir Beach, one of Athens' most exclusive coastal destinations, where it will introduce Lucia’s, its celebrated Italian concept. Meanwhile, Dubai-founded Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is set to open METT Suites & Residences in Milan’s Torre Velasca, offering 72 upscale units as part of its strategy to expand its lifestyle-driven hospitality portfolio across major European cities.  

🌀 Our Take: For years, hospitality trends flowed one way—Western brands expanding into the Middle East. Now, Dubai’s homegrown operators are flipping the script. 7 Management is bringing its high-energy, experience-driven model to Athens, taking over Astir Beach, one of the city’s most exclusive coastal destinations. Meanwhile, Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is betting on Milan. But this isn’t just about expansion. Both moves tap into a bigger shift—experience meets exclusivity. SHG’s METT concept aligns with the growing demand for members-only hospitality, where premium service isn’t enough—access is the real luxury. Dubai has already perfected the art of hospitality. Now it’s proving its brands can scale. If these concepts succeed in Europe’s most competitive markets, the question isn’t if more will follow—but where they’ll go next.

🏺 The Grand Egyptian Museum is finally opening! After years of anticipation, the world’s largest archaeological museum will officially open its doors on July 3, 2025, unveiling 100,000 artifacts, including King Tutankhamun’s treasures in the Golden Hall. Situated near the Giza Pyramids, this $550 million project is a fusion of history, culture, and modern design, set to redefine Egypt’s global cultural presence.

🌀 Our Take: This isn’t another mass tourism play. Egypt wants high-spending travelers, not just crowds. The strategy is clear: VIP access, immersive storytelling, exclusive events means less rushed tour buses, more curated experiences. On paper, it makes sense. In practice, it depends on execution. The challenge isn’t attracting visitors, it’s keeping them engaged. Museums alone don’t drive tourism. They need to be part of a larger experience. Luxury hospitality, curated itineraries, and cultural placemaking will determine whether GEM is a global draw or just another stop on the way to the Pyramids. Egypt has the history; now it needs to sell the experience.

🌿 Therme Group has unveiled plans for Therme Dubai – Islands in the Sky, a 100-meter-tall wellness resort in Zabeel Park, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Set to open in 2028, the 500,000-square-foot facility will feature suspended botanical gardens, cascading thermal pools, and immersive cultural spaces, aiming to welcome 1.7 million visitors annually.

🌀 Our Take: In the early 2000’s, Dubai went all in on theme parks. Big investments, big openings, and footfall that didn’t always match the hype. Turns out, chasing rollercoaster economics is a wild ride: high churn, high maintenance, and a never-ending need for reinvention. Wellness parks? No screaming kids, no overpriced popcorn, just a steady stream of high-spending visitors soaking in thermal pools. In Europe, Therme Group has turned relaxation into a business model, blending hot springs with botanical gardens and cultural experiences. Now, they’re bringing it to Dubai. A 100-meter-tall wellness resort in Zabeel Park isn’t just another attraction, it’s a pivot. Dubai has already mastered luxury hospitality. The next move? Turning well-being into an asset class. Fewer gimmicks, lower costs, and demand that doesn’t fade. Theme parks were a thrill. This might just be the smarter, calmer, and more profitable bet.

🚶‍♂️ Dubai has announced the Super Block initiative, aiming to transform areas like Al Fahidi, Abu Hail, Al Karama, and Al Quoz Creative Zone into car-free, pedestrian-friendly zones. This plan aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, focusing on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing residents' quality of life through increased green spaces and shared public areas.

🌀 Our Take: Dubai was built for cars, but that’s starting to change. Car-free zones, night markets, and open-air districts are turning streets into places to gather, not just pass through. The appetite has been validated—Al Karama, Al Rigga, and Ramadan food festivals pull crowds every year. Now, with areas like Al Fahidi and Al Quoz going pedestrian-first, the question is whether this will be a real shift or just another urban experiment. Madrid saw a 9.5% jump in retail takings after restricting cars on Gran Vía. The business case for walkability is strong, but it only works if people actually use these spaces. And while we’re at it, can we move all the consulates out of Al Fahidi, and swap them for boutique hotels and café trottoirs? No one likes going there for paperwork, but we’d all be down for  a stroll for coffee and people-watching.

🔪 After two years, Jaleo by José Andrés will close on February 28, as part of Atlantis The Royal’s strategy to refine its F&B offerings. The resort thanked José Andrés Group, confirming that all staff will transition to new roles while it continues to attract global chefs and develop homegrown dining concepts. 

🌀 Our Take: Dubai built its dining scene on big-name imports, but Jaleo by José Andrés shutting down at Atlantis The Royal raises the question of whether diners are still buying into the hype. Prestige alone isn’t enough, especially when diners have a hundred other places to drop AED 1,000 on dinner. The UAE’s food service market is set to grow from $23.21 billion in 2025 to $52.76 billion by 2030, and much of that is being driven by homegrown brands. Diners aren’t just chasing celebrity chefs anymore. They want restaurants that feel rooted, relevant, and worth coming back to. We think Atlantis swapping Jaleo for a local concept isn’t just a menu change; it’s a sign of where things are headed. If even Dubai’s most extravagant resort is rethinking the “imported prestige” model, global brands might need more than just a famous name to stay in the game.

🎰 Wynn Resorts has secured a $2.4 billion construction loan to develop Wynn Al Marjan Island, the UAE's first integrated resort, set to open in 2027. This seven-year loan, structured as a delayed draw facility, represents the largest hospitality financing transaction in UAE history.

🌀 Our Take: Wynn just secured the UAE’s largest-ever hospitality financing deal, a $2.4 billion wager backed by global heavyweights like Deutsche Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. The smart money isn’t just financing a resort—it’s buying into Ras Al Khaimah’s transformation into a high-stakes luxury destination. The delayed draw facility? A calculated move that lets Wynn pull capital in phases, reducing interest costs and keeping debt aligned with project milestones—a risk-hedging play with direct bottom-line impact. But here’s the real signal: banks don’t back passion projects; they back ROI—and they clearly see it here. With Ras Al Khaimah aiming to triple its visitor count to 3.6 million by 2030 and the Wynn Resort expected to attract over 5.5 million visitors by 2030, the emirate is betting big on experience, and investors are placing their chips accordingly.

Q&A Interview Profile

Hive’s Journey to Facelift the Co-living and Hospitality Industry in MENA: Q&A with Bass Ackermann

Bass Ackermann saw firsthand the pain points of expat housing in Dubai—and turned them into an opportunity. In this interview, the Hive founder discusses with The Dyorama how flexibility, convenience, and design are reshaping the MENA region’s rental market, the unique challenges of building community-centric living spaces, and why he believes co-living is the future of urban housing. Interview edited by Omar Ramy, Staff Writer.

Global Spotlight

⏸️ Equinox Hotels has partnered with Stripes Beauty, founded by actress Naomi Watts, to introduce Pause + Renew, a 2.5-hour menopause-focused spa treatment at their New York location. This $825 experience includes a 45-minute body-shaping therapy using Icoone Roboderm technology paired with Stripes Beauty's squalane hydrating body oil, a 90-minute facial with scalp massage, and a CoQ10 booster shot designed to enhance energy levels and reduce hot flashes. Additionally, Stripes Beauty products are now featured in-room, marking the brand's debut in-hotel offerings. This collaboration aims to destigmatize menopause and make science-backed wellness solutions more accessible to women navigating this life transition. In a similar move, Canyon Ranch has launched M/Power, a three-night retreat in Lenox, Massachusetts, offering comprehensive health assessments, hormonal panels, and expert-led consultations tailored for women navigating menopause and perimenopause. Limited to 15 participants per session, the program blends science-backed diagnostics, personalized wellness strategies, and group education, reinforcing the hospitality industry's shift toward specialized midlife health solutions.

ICYMI

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📊🍬 This week, Youssef kicked off our new series: Will It ROI? We’re diving into the financial feasibility of some of the most buzzworthy concepts—starting with the Museum of Candy. Watch now & follow for more!

On Our Radar

📌 Renowned chef Alain Ducasse has launched a limited-time pop-up restaurant, Ducasse in AlUla, adjacent to Saudi Arabia's ancient heritage site of Jabal Ikmah. The venue offers a fusion of local Saudi ingredients and French culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainability and regional flavors.

📌 Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is backing a proposed $5 billion basketball league spanning Asia and Europe, aiming to rival the NBA by establishing six men's and six women's teams in eight host cities, including potential locations like Macau and Singapore.

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