InterContinental Doha The City has officially opened in Qatar, offering a range of luxury accommodation and facilities, including InterContinental Residence Suites, the country’s highest dining experience and in-house chocolatier.

The hotel is set to be the destination of choice for both well-travelled visitors and residents, and adding 302 rooms and 58 suites to Qatar’s growing hospitality sector. In addition, the 176 luxurious residence suites will include a range of one to four bedroom apartments.

Mohamed bin Ajaj Al Kubaisi, owner of InterContinental Doha The City, said: “Qatar is leading the way in cultural and sporting events as well as hosting numerous global conferences. Visitors to Doha are looking for an experience that blends the familiar with the innovative, comfort with luxury, and modernity with the traditions of the region.”

“We are delighted to bring InterContinental Doha The City to the heart of the capital. The hotel will be a tremendous asset to the hospitality industry, and the skyline in Qatar, enhancing its reputation as a world-class destination,” Al Kubaisi said.

The hotel offers six restaurants - Strata on levels 55 and 56 will be Doha’s highest restaurant with superb views and an unparalleled chilled seafood menu, Nai will offer traditional Lebanese cuisine, Prime is the new destination for meat-lovers, the Square will be an eclectic all-day dining restaurant with interactive cooking stations, and Criollo will offer handmade chocolate treats.

It also has two lounges - Lobby Lounge which will provide light snacks and drinks, and Hive, a statement from the hotel said.

The new hotel will also feature the InterContinental Concierge lounge, which enables guests to discover the hidden gems of Qatar based on recommendations of the concierge team, who are expertly versed in authentic local knowledge.

The hotel also offers unrivalled facilities catering to all sizes of events, with a 1,015 sq m pillar-less ballroom, which can accommodate up to 950 guests, four meeting rooms and a business centre, the statement said.

Other highlights include the exclusive Club InterContinental lounge on level 45 with an east-facing view of West Bay. Leisure facilities include a rooftop swimming pool overlooking Doha’s skyline, a health and fitness club, steam and sauna rooms and male and female whirlpools.

Ignace Bauwens, vice president of operations, Gulf, IHG, said: “The opening of InterContinental Doha The City is a reflection of the city’s emergence as a hub for business, leisure and events, and will be a great addition to Qatar’s hospitality scene.”

“The InterContinental brand is well known throughout the region and this hotel, with its understated service and style, will ensure the brand continues to go from strength to strength. This opening is a great start to the year and we look forward to introducing more hotels of this calibre across the region throughout 2012,” Bauwens said.

There are 169 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in more than 60 countries around the world, with an additional 51 hotels in the global development pipeline, the statement said.

IHG has 110 hotels across India, Middle East and Africa, operating under the InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands. 

The company has more than 80 hotels in the region’s development pipeline which are due to open over the next three to five years, it said. – TradeArabia News Service