In pictures: Dubai's Shanghai Me announces new London venue at historic Hilton rooftop
The opening marks the latest step in the group's strategy of exporting UAE-developed concepts to global cities, with Shanghai Me joining Gaia London and La Maison Ani London in the company's UK operations.
'Bringing Shanghai Me to London is a huge moment for us and I am excited to be reviving a Mayfair icon,' said Evgeny Kuzin, Chairman and Founder of Fundamental Hospitality.
'The 28 th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane has long been one of the city's most celebrated landmarks and we are now looking to apply our signature approach to evolve the venue into a vibrant dining and entertainment destination.'
The venue, which previously housed Michelin-starred Galvin at Windows, has a storied 60-year history, including hosting The Beatles in the 1960s when it was the first Traders Vic's. The London Hilton on Park Lane was the city's first skyscraper hotel and tallest building when constructed in 1963.
Shanghai Me, inspired by 1930s Shanghai, will offer Pan-Asian cuisine under the direction of Chef Izu Ani, the creative mind behind GAIA and La Maison Ani, alongside Chef Yukitaka Kitade, the concept's global culinary ambassador. The menu will feature dishes including Yellowtail Carpaccio with Black Truffle and Cantonese Roast Duck with Foie Gras & Caviar.
The 120-seat restaurant will include two private dining rooms with panoramic views from Hyde Park to the Thames. The venue will also house Bund, an intimate bar and lounge featuring DJs until the early hours.
Established in 2011, Fundamental Hospitality has built a portfolio that includes 13 concepts including GAIA, Alaya, La Maison Ani, and franchise operations such as Cipriani Dubai and Cipriani Dolci UAE. The group currently operates venues across the Middle East and Europe, with ongoing expansion plans for the GCC, UK and USA markets.
Shanghai Me represents the continued international growth of the UAE hospitality sector, as Dubai-based groups leverage their experience in the competitive Gulf luxury market to establish global brand presence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
UAE announces major new passport rule
UAE citizens will now be able to renew their passports up to one year before the expiry date, following a new decision by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP). Previously, the renewal period was limited to six months before expiry. The updated rule — announced by ICP Chairman Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi — comes into effect Monday, August 18, 2025, and will be available via the Authority's smart services platform. UAE passport renewal Al Shamsi said the move will improve citizens' quality of life by allowing them to plan international travel further in advance, complete official transactions without delays, and increase the use of secure digital documents. He also highlighted the UAE passport's position as the world's most powerful and trusted travel document, saying the decision will enhance its global standing and reinforce the country's leadership in passport issuance and renewal systems.
Arabian Business
an hour ago
- Arabian Business
How Aisha Hossain turned personal values into brand power
Luxury fashion often celebrates speed, spectacle, and noise. But Aisha Hossain has quietly built something different, a brand that values depth over attention, and impact over immediacy. The founder of Selhaya, a London-based luxury maison, Aisha, brings an unusual background to the industry. Before fashion, she worked in public policy, a world shaped by ethics, structure, and accountability. That foundation didn't fade when she stepped into design. It became the heartbeat of her leadership. Selhaya is intentionally slow, deeply rooted in values, and self-funded from the start. Aisha didn't build it for trends or algorithms. She built it to last. Her collections are limited, her fabrics are non-synthetic, and her growth strategy is steady, not viral. It's a bold stance in an industry driven by what's next. What gives her brand quiet strength is not just the quality of the silk or the elegance of the silhouettes, it's the thought behind every decision. Aisha sees fashion not just as commerce, but as care. Her robes are made to move with the body, respect the skin, and stay relevant for years. For Aisha, clothing is an extension of self-care. Just as women invest in what touches their skin through beauty and wellness, she believes the fabrics worn daily should offer the same standard of comfort, quality, and integrity. That philosophy didn't come from instinct alone. Aisha has invested heavily in building her expertise through global fashion and luxury programs. She completed online fashion management studies through Università Bocconi, design and forecasting courses at Milan Fashion Campus, and sustainability training provided by Copenhagen Business School. She is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School Online's Creating Brand Value program and will soon complete Central Saint Martins' Slow Fashion & Ethical Practices course. These credentials are not just decorative. They shape Selhaya's capsule-based approach and responsible supply chain. Her creative process is equally hands-on. Aisha paints original artworks that are digitised into print motifs for Selhaya's silk scarves and inner dresses. Her upcoming capsule, Waves of Light, features signature designs inspired by personal reflection, including the 'Rina Lemon' piece with a lemon-toned silk lining and the 'Sabi' robe featuring a custom giraffe print. Art doesn't just influence her work, it becomes the work. That emotional connection runs through every aspect of the brand. One of Selhaya's most intimate releases, The Yaqeen Collection debuted on the 9 th of Dhul Hijjah, a date rich with cultural significance. Limited to just nine robes, each piece was meticulously crafted to embody the essence of the moment. This is what sets her designs apart: they carry memory, meaning, and message. And then there's the giving. Aisha has quietly embedded charity into Selhaya's business model. Five per cent of every sale supports orphan care globally. No campaigns. No headlines. Just consistency. It's a subtle but powerful statement that beauty and responsibility are not separate. Recognition has followed, though never forced. Selhaya has been featured in notable fashion editorials and highlighted by industry watchlists. But Aisha remains selective. Aisha doesn't treat exposure as a milestone in itself. She weighs each opportunity with care, choosing only what truly reflects Selhaya's purpose and pace. If it doesn't feel right, she lets it go. That restraint, ironically, is what draws attention. In an age where many brands try to prove themselves louder and faster, Selhaya is doing the opposite, building slowly, choosing carefully, and staying rooted in purpose. For Aisha Hossain, legacy matters more than hype. And by weaving integrity into every stitch, she is setting a new standard for what it means to lead in luxury, with clarity, with calm, and without compromise.
Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
AirBooking achieves strategic milestone as certified Turkish Airlines NDC partner through TKCONNECT platform
Dubai, UAE – AirBooking, the IATA-certified NDC distribution platform, today announced its certification as an official Turkish Airlines TKCONNECT partner. This partnership provides travel agents, corporates, and customers exclusive access to Turkish Airlines content and pricing unavailable through traditional Global Distribution Systems. "This certification with Turkish Airlines represents a significant milestone in our mission to revolutionize airline distribution," said George Rajan, Chief Experience Officer of Airbooking. "Our unique position as a platform certified by major GDS systems and leading NDC airlines means travel agents no longer have to choose between comprehensive inventory and exclusive content. They get both on a single screen, with the cost savings and enhanced functionality that our proven NDC expertise delivers." Unified Distribution Platform Delivers Best of Both Worlds Travel agents now access Turkish Airlines' exclusive NDC content alongside comprehensive GDS inventory through AirBooking's unified platform. Agents benefit from seamless ancillary management for seats, baggage, and upgrades within single transactions, real-time dynamic pricing based on customer profiles, and elimination of the $24 USD GDS distribution surcharge applied since October 2024. Corporate clients receive tailored pricing structures based on travel volume and company-specific agreements, enhanced expense management with consolidated reporting, and policy compliance tools for advanced booking controls. Companies gain direct airline relationship benefits including exclusive promotions and priority support, while enjoying simplified procurement for complex itineraries and dynamic bundling of flights with ancillary services. Strategic Partnership Delivers Market Leadership AirBooking brings proven NDC leadership through its experienced travel technology team's exceptional track record, including the first IATA NDC Level 4 certification in 2019 and successful industry implementations. The platform offers 50-70% cost savings compared to traditional GDS solutions with full IATA NDC 21.3 compliance. "We've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of NDC technology through our industry experience," added George Rajan. "Now with AirBooking, we're scaling that expertise to serve the global travel community. Our partnership with Turkish Airlines exemplifies how modern airline retailing should work - delivering exclusive content, transparent pricing, and significant cost savings while maintaining the comprehensive inventory coverage that travel professionals require."AirBooking is the pioneering NDC-native distribution platform founded by an experienced travel technology team. As a certified partner of major Global Distribution Systems and NDC airline integrations, the company provides travel agents and corporate booking platforms with unified access to comprehensive airline inventory from both traditional GDS and modern NDC sources. This unique dual-certification delivers significant cost savings to travel partners worldwide through modern airline retailing technology while maintaining access to the full breadth of global airline content. Media Contact: Corporate Communications Airbooking Email: contact@ Website:
