Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R) have just announced the signing of a management contract for a major new project in Qatar`s capital, Doha…
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R) have just announced the signing of a management contract for a major new project in Qatar`s capital, Doha. The pioneering agreement is the Swiss domiciled company`s first diversification in the Middle East from the concept of a city or resort hotel: the property is planned as a Residence and is due to open in 2006.
The joint signatories were Ibrahim H. Al Asmakh, President of the Regency Group and Andreas Mattmuller, Senior Vice President Middle East Movenpick Hotels & Resorts. The Al Asmakh family is one of the most influential families in Qatar, whose company`s main activities revolve around real estate, construction and a major travel agency.
We are very proud to be associated with such a distinguished company, said Jean Gabriel Peres, President and CEO of Movenpick Hotels & Resorts. The Movenpick Residence & Suites Doha will be our second property in Qatar, a country with a thriving economy based on oil and gas production, which is heavily investing in a tourism expansion programme.
We are delighted to be in partnership with Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, commented Ibrahim H. Al Asmakh. Movenpick Hotels & Resorts enjoy an excellent reputation in the Middle East and are known for Swiss quality of the highest standard.
MH&R is reaping the rewards of an enviable reputation for true Swiss hospitality, excellent gastronomy, exemplary service and hand-picked management teams, which enables the group to continue its strategy of rapid growth in the region. MH&R also have the skill to identify and capture new markets and diversify their product to meet the ever more demanding expectations of business and leisure travellers.
The futuristic design of the 25-storey Movenpick Residence & Suites Doha will create a landmark in the wealthy and prestigious area of West Bay. It will be built in the heart of the commercial district that is enjoying rapid growth and situated just 15 minutes from Doha International Airport.
Most of the 204 studios and 140 one-bedroom apartments have kitchenettes but also enjoy round the clock room service. The flexibility of the interior design with connecting doors between the studios and one-bedroom apartments will allow for 86 two-bedroom and 14 three-bedroom apartments when required.
The meeting facilities are comprised of a 240 square metre function room, six meeting rooms of varying dimensions and a fully equipped business centre housed on the first floor. The main restaurant, accommodating 120 persons is also located on the first floor, while a Speciality Restaurant and Terrace and the Lobby Lounge/Cafe and Terrace will be on the ground floor.
A further dining venue will be the Pool BBQ on the 25th floor specifically designed for recreation featuring swimming pools, a games room for children and a Health and Fitness centre with four massage rooms and separate sections for ladies and men. The 24th floor will accommodate a large gymnasium accessible from the 25th floor.
Andreas Mattmuller: Our focus will be on business travellers from local and regional based multinationals from the key markets of the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and European based multinational accounts. There will be long term management, clients contractors and consultants, on various project missions to Doha related to water and electricity, municipal infrastructure, oil and gas projects or airport related expansion projects.
We are pushing ahead with our expansion strategy in the Middle East and the Gulf region in particular. We are delighted that Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has been chosen to manage this unique property, which will be a very valuable addition to our portfolio, Jean Gabriel Peres concluded.
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