Three brand new world class resorts to mark new milestone for Qatar tourism – from idyllic Maldives style island retreat to largest beachfront village resort in the region, and luxurious spa and hotel resort in wooded oasis in Doha.
WTM – LONDON – REPORT: Al Rayyan Hospitality, the new Doha-based hospitality development group, plans to help put Qatar on the map at World Travel Market (WTM) as a new world class resort destination for travelers seeking authentic hospitality experiences. Models of all three brand new resorts – the first to be developed in Qatar – will all be on display at WTM on Qatar stand ME100.
To date, Al Rayyan Hospitality (ARH) has created eight exquisitely designed Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, nestled in the bustling traditional market in Doha. The group has also restored an elegant 19th century Victorian townhouse, Adria Boutique Hotel in South Kensington, London, offering round the clock butler service for the sophisticated traveller.
In Qatar, the new super-luxurious Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, developed by Al Rayyan Hospitality, will soon open as an idyllic 32 acre holiday retreat with Maldives style over-water villas, offering surf, sand and serenity. With the first Wellness Centre in a Middle East resort, this 5-star vacation destination offers a tailored holistic approach to health and well-being to revive its guests with treatment rooms, gyms, hydro-pool, indoor botanical garden and yoga areas.
From bowling alley and putting green to a reef conservation centre, it will offer every conceivable recreational and family entertainment facility that one would expect of a world class resort.
Currently, ARH is planning more resorts including the region’s largest beach resort, a massive new 362 room waterfront destination, the Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, on 257 acres (or 30 million sq m) of prime coastline in southwest Qatar. Capturing sweeping views of Arabian Gulf, the property features a luxury hotel, two beachfront villages of family villas, as well as a marina, yacht club, waterpark, dive centre, cinemas and shopping malls, health club and spa, and much more.
In a prime location in central Doha situated within a lush green landscape of 33 acre and a 13 hectare site, ARH is also developing the Al Messila Resort & VIP Spa. With a 5-star 120 room hotel, 30 luxury villas and fitness centre with the largest and most luxurious spa in Qatar, the resort aims to inspire guests to unwind and focus on health and well-being while enjoying the magnificent facilities and lush green surroundings.
Shaikha Al Mudahka, PR and Communications Manager, said: “At WTM we are unveiling an exciting choice of distinctive luxury resorts for the first time in Qatar, to delight and surprise holiday visitors who want to experience something new and different. These impressive resorts are contemporary, innovative and engaging and aim to encourage visitors to relax and enjoy all the activities and features on offer in their stunning locations and luxurious surroundings. They will mark an important new milestone draw for visitors to the country.”
The hotels
In keeping with tradition, the boutique hotels have taken their names from surrounding residential neighborhoods. In the heart of the souq, steeped in heritage and one of the best shopping, culinary and cultural experiences in the Gulf, guests are provided with a dedicated airport limousine service.
Each hotel is a haven of privacy and relaxation and offers superb facilities and services to enhance guests’ stay. These include valet parking; a business centre and free wi-fi; state-of-the-art gyms and fitness centres; spa, beauty and relaxation treatments; a private outdoor swimming pool; a library and reading room; personal shopping services; a baby-sitting service; in-suite dining prepared by a private chef and tailor-made city tours. This is in addition to the range of cuisines and culinary delights across the hotel collection – from informal courtyard cafes to five-star seafood restaurants and rooftop grills – each with its own inimitable style and inviting ambience.
To take each in turn, Arumaila Boutique Hotel is the perfect 21st century retreat with its vibrant décor and sophisticated yet funky atmosphere. Rooms have private balconies overlooking the Souq and a mini-gym with Technogym cardio machines and weights along with Spa and treatment facilities provided by Anantara Spa and massage and beauty treatment rooms all add to the hotel’s appeal. Hotel offers Al Canteen’s international all day dining and Al Matbakh rooftop grill, overlooking the harbor and city skyline, with stone, charcoal and authentic tandoor grilled specialities.
Al Bidda Boutique Hotel offers a chic sanctuary with contemporary flair from leading international designers. All suites feature kitchenettes and deluxe amenities. A female salon and nail spa and an entertainment room includes billiards table, baby foot facility, cartoon screenings & board/card games also feature. There is a business centre with business services and two conference rooms and three restaurants, La Piazza, La Patissereie and Shades offer Italian, patisserie and contemporary cuisine.
Al Jasra Boutique Hotel is an elegant retreat with rooms and designer suites decorated and furnished in bold colours with rich materials. Al Jasra provides a fully-equipped gym overlooking Souq Waqif and traditional Elements Spa with authentic Moroccan hammam, as well as in-room dining with private chef, personal shopper services and a business centre, offering business services. Its restaurants include The Drawing Room, a trendy and intimate lobby lounge for snacks and light meals; Al Sanbouk seafood restaurant; and Argan, a true Moroccan hospitality experience with sumptuous seating, serving authentic Moroccan cuisine.
Al Jomrok Boutique Hotel is a stylish haven offering comfort, hospitality and casual dining facilities. An historic hotel it has been fully restored to its original splendor with wooden floors and wall decorations inspired by Qatari heritage. Combining local charm and elegance, Al Jomrok guests can enjoy artwork by leading international designers as well as a memorable view over Souq Waqif. The alfresco Al Shurfa Arabic Lounge opened this year with a retractable roof feature to maintain the best temperature and offers cold mezzes and tapas as well as spectacular grills to order.
Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel is the gateway into Souq Waqif market and one of the largest in the collection with designer suites, fully-equipped fitness centre, temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and business facilities. An ideal venue for a corporate event or private gathering, it offers two conference rooms and Al Rayyan Theatre, an indoor 980-seat, state-of-the-art amphitheatre as well as an outdoor rooftop theatre with seating capacity of 300. It has a Lebanese Lounge, Al Terrace, serving Lebanese cuisine.
Musheireb Boutique Hotel is a true Qatari-styled boutique property, a majlis retreat in local tradition. The hotel rooms and designer suites reflect Khaleeji boutique elegance, as they combine the discretion of a private residence with five-star service. The rooms are decorated with fine woods and traditional Oriental-style furniture. Guests have access to spa and treatment facilities at Al Jasra’s Elements Spa and other services in the collection.
Al Najada Boutique Hotel was built by combining three authentic Qatari homes to create a seamless luxury hotel. All rooms and designer suites are decorated in stunning Arabic style, with distinctive features, including expansive balconies, private terraces and indoor patios. With a range of exclusive facilities and personalised services, Al Najada also offers a rooftop mini-gym, a treatment room, and a library and reading room Fusion restaurants, the Courtyard and the Dining Room, bring together Arabic, Japanese, South East Asian and European cuisine in a unique combination.
Bismillah Boutique Hotel is a historical gem, a hideaway in the charming alleyways of Souq Waqif. This exclusive bijou property offers splendid views of the Souq from any of its private balconies. Bismillah also offers a unique blend of five-star personalized services from the collection and the intimate and exclusive environment of a luxurious private residence. With two sumptuous suites, each equipped with kitchen, finely appointed dining room, sitting room and bathrooms, it is ideal for a family or guest party seeking exceptional style and exclusivity in the heart of Doha.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
