Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers
Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers
Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers
Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers

Hospitality excellence and leading resorts add to ORA success story



Master developer ORA has gained a global reputation for delivering luxury lifestyles through its property and hospitality projects.

With a steady stream of flagship projects in cherished locations, the company has become a celebrated name behind prestigious new destinations.

These give great promise for what ORA is preparing to deliver in the UAE with its Ghantoot mixed-use megaproject - one of the country’s largest ever private sector schemes - on the Abu Dhabi and Dubai border.

Among the existing addresses that hallmark ORA Hospitality’s success story is Silversands, Grand Anse in Grenada.

Set on the southernmost island in the Antilles archipelago, this enchanting five-star escape embraces the wild beauty of Grand Anse Beach.

Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers
Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers

The resort incorporates 43 rooms and suites, beachfront and hillside villas, a full-service spa, fitness centre, watersports, and - at 100 metres - the longest pool in the Caribbean.

Guests can indulge their gastronomic aspirations in globally inspired restaurants, Asiatique and the Grenadian Grill.

All of which has been delivered with the architectural excellence and refined living mandate that underpins ORA’s reputation and progress.

Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers
Silversands Grenada. ORA Developers

The story behind Silversands, Grenada is inspirational itself - the project came about after a friend suggested to ORA’s chairman and chief executive officer Naguib Sawiris that he visit Grenada.

Already a well-travelled businessman, he fell in love with the island, which borders the eastern Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean.

And he wished that other world-weary travellers should discover and embrace Grenada’s beauty and charm within a resort that mixes impeccable design, serene landscaping and world-class service.

Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO. ORA Developers
Naguib Sawiris, Chairman and CEO. ORA Developers

Added to that, is easy-to-use technology, including an app that empowers guests’ mobile phones to reserve a beach lounger.

Architects and designers AW², Reda Amalou & Stephanie Ledoux took their cue from Mother Nature, and let Grenada’s beauty inform the detail.

ORA has successful mixed-use developments and residential properties in Greece, Egypt, Pakistan and Cyprus.

Silversands represents another leap forward as one of two experiential ORA hospitality brands.

“The creation of this iconic hotel was very brave,” says Mark Scott, chief executive for ORA Caribbean, “representing a big challenge for ORA.”

Meanwhile, Ashraf El Zahed, chief marketing officer at ORA Hospitality, highlights the villa offering as one of “our key advantages” at Silversands Grenada.

“It is second to none on the level of the Caribbean and even globally,” he adds.

Silversands Beach House, meanwhile, is ORA’s planned luxury boutique hotel, beside Portici Beach, Grenada. Featuring 28 rooms, guests will be able to choose from Hilltop and beachfront tents.

ORA has documented its stellar journey in five engaging episodes for the aspirational documentary A Journey Through Time.

Silversands features prominently in episode three, A Gateway To Timeless Moments, as ORA Hospitality takes centre stage to spotlight how memorable guest experiences are at the heart of everything it seeks to achieve.

The documentary explores ORA’s unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality by pairing world-class amenities with stunning decor, and exceptional service with bespoke experiences.

It showcases Mr Sawiris’ visionary approach and pursuit of excellence by embracing the seamless integration of remarkable amenities, service and architecture to create unforgettable moments for guests.

Underlining this is ORA’s other hospitality brand, Yi Hotel.

Yi Hotel, Mykonos is the company’s dynamic and sustainably minded boutique property, on the beautiful and spirited Greek island of Mykonos.

Yi Hotel Mykonos. ORA Developers
Yi Hotel Mykonos. ORA Developers

It captures the essence of a celebrated location in the Cyclades, with Yi translating as ‘Earth’ in Greek, and ‘one’ in Japanese.

This reflects the four-star hotel’s minimalist yet modern luxury styling and embraces the island’s surrounding natural beauty from its setting close to the stunning Elia Beach.

Guests can choose from suitably named accommodation options such as the Divine Plunge Pool Room with garden, a Superb Sea View Room gazing onto the Aegean Sea, an Embrace Private Pool Room with large outdoor space or an Oasis Suite complete with plunge pool and garden.

Yi Hotel Mykonos. ORA Developers
Yi Hotel Mykonos. ORA Developers

Tailored vacation experiences are available, such as poolside massages or rejuvenating facials, pre-breakfast guided walks or swimming tours to make the most of surrounding natural attractions.

Guests can indulge in an olive oil or wine-tasting session, explore beyond Yi Hotel with a boat excursion to historic Delos island, horseback riding - or even receive a DJ lesson from in-house talent Caelina.

ORA will add to its Greek island presence with Silversands Mykonos. This comprises six resort pools, 88 guest rooms, five free-standing villas, and a floating rock bar.

Silversands Mykonos. ORA Developers
Silversands Mykonos. ORA Developers

Yi and the Silversands brands are managed by ORA’s hospitality team, rather than an outside management brand, enabling them to operate closer to Mr Sawiris’ personal taste and strong vision for the properties, and the high-end service and sophistication he aspires for them.

ORA Hospitality chief executive officer Dimitrios Zarikos says: “Once you offer personalised experiences that cater to each guest’s unique needs, then you can talk about having great service that people will want to come back to.”

In total, the hospitality segment has a total of 200 hospitality rooms, with future expansion plans which include UAE and different areas of Africa.

With insight from Eng. Sawiris, Mr Zerikos and other ORA leaders, episode 3, A Gateway To Timeless Moments explores the dedication and passion of ORA Hospitality in providing outstanding service and memorable guest experiences, designed to set new standards in the industry.

This promises great things for ORA’s substantial entry into the UAE market.

In partnership with Abu Dhabi investment company Q Holding, it will create a smart, sustainable city in Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi.

ORA’s largest development and first footprint in the UAE will be the largest real estate development in the history of the nation’s private sector.

The waterfront project is set to be an up-scale, sustainable and comprehensive city of the future with a total area of 12.6 million sqm which makes it equivalent to 65% of the area of Beirut. Located at a unique and central location - on a sandy stretch of coast between Dubai and Abu Dhabi - the huge project will target residents and tourists seeking a luxurious live-work-play community.

It also provides ORA with the opportunity to create a desirable destination that bridges the UAE’s two most progressive and best-known cities.

Skoda Superb Specs

Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol

Power: 190hp

Torque: 320Nm

Price: From Dh147,000

Available: Now

Captain Marvel

Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L Jackson, Jude Law,  Ben Mendelsohn

4/5 stars

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

The biog:

Languages: Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, basic Russian 

Favourite food: Pizza 

Best food on the road: rice

Favourite colour: silver 

Favourite bike: Gold Wing, Honda

Favourite biking destination: Canada 

THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

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Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

Top financial tips for graduates

Araminta Robertson, of the Financially Mint blog, shares her financial advice for university leavers:

1. Build digital or technical skills: After graduation, people can find it extremely hard to find jobs. From programming to digital marketing, your early twenties are for building skills. Future employers will want people with tech skills.

2. Side hustle: At 16, I lived in a village and started teaching online, as well as doing work as a virtual assistant and marketer. There are six skills you can use online: translation; teaching; programming; digital marketing; design and writing. If you master two, you’ll always be able to make money.

3. Networking: Knowing how to make connections is extremely useful. Use LinkedIn to find people who have the job you want, connect and ask to meet for coffee. Ask how they did it and if they know anyone who can help you. I secured quite a few clients this way.

4. Pay yourself first: The minute you receive any income, put about 15 per cent aside into a savings account you won’t touch, to go towards your emergency fund or to start investing. I do 20 per cent. It helped me start saving immediately.

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

FIGHT%20CARD
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYousuf%20Ali%20(2-0-0)%20(win-loss-draw)%20v%20Alex%20Semugenyi%20(0-1-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBenyamin%20Moradzadeh%20(0-0-0)%20v%20Rohit%20Chaudhary%20(4-0-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%204%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EYoussef%20Karrar%20(1-0-0)%20v%20Muhammad%20Muzeei%20(0-0-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%206%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMarwan%20Mohamad%20Madboly%20(2-0-0)%20v%20Sheldon%20Schultz%20(4-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20featherweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBishara%20Sabbar%20(6-0-0)%20v%20Mohammed%20Azahar%20(8-5-1)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECruiseweight%208%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMohammed%20Bekdash%20(25-0-0)%20v%20Musa%20N%E2%80%99tege%20(8-4-0)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESuper%20flyweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESultan%20Al%20Nuaimi%20(9-0-0)%20v%20Jemsi%20Kibazange%20(18-6-2)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELightweight%2010%20rounds%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EBader%20Samreen%20(8-0-0)%20v%20Jose%20Paez%20Gonzales%20(16-2-2-)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20Tabby%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%20August%202019%3B%20platform%20went%20live%20in%20February%202020%3Cbr%3EFounder%2FCEO%3A%20Hosam%20Arab%2C%20co-founder%3A%20Daniil%20Barkalov%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Payments%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2040-50%20employees%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Arbor%20Ventures%2C%20Mubadala%20Capital%2C%20Wamda%20Capital%2C%20STV%2C%20Raed%20Ventures%2C%20Global%20Founders%20Capital%2C%20JIMCO%2C%20Global%20Ventures%2C%20Venture%20Souq%2C%20Outliers%20VC%2C%20MSA%20Capital%2C%20HOF%20and%20AB%20Accelerator.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder MHEV

Power: 360bhp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Price: from Dh282,870

On sale: now

Updated: December 18, 2023, 7:19 AM