Hilton Worldwide today announced the launch of its new Curio – A Collection by Hilton brand in the Middle East with the signing of a 207-guest room hotel project in the Mall of Qatar with investors Al Jaryan Trading & Contracting.   

The new luxury hotel will embrace the unique character and identity befitting Mall of Qatar, one of Qatar's most exciting, new and distinctive retail marketplace and cultural destinations, said a statement.

The formal name of the Mall of Qatar hotel will be announced soon and will embody the new brand and celebrate the rich history of Qatar, it said.

Just as the word “curio” means something of interest or something unique, this global collection focuses on bringing together hotels with distinctive identities that are often a part of the fabric of their destination, it said.

Designed for travellers seeking local discovery, Curio will offer guests authentic experiences evoking individuality, personality and style, seamlessly combined with the quality and service level expected from the world’s pre-eminent hospitality provider. Expected to open in 2016, the hotel development will bring a newly defined dimension to the Qatar hospitality landscape, said Hilton.

Christian Grage, vice president, operations, Hilton Worldwide Arabian Peninsula, and Shem Kray, deputy managing director, Mall of Qatar, were at the signing.

Dianna Vaughan, global head, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, said: “Today’s announcement is momentous for Hilton Worldwide as we launch our new brand into the vibrant, fast-paced Middle East hospitality market. Curio is inspired by a sense of local discovery and independence – qualities which will characterise the design and style of this hotel.”

Located at the heart of a dynamic new district in Doha known as Al Rayyan Gate, the hotel will form part of Mall of Qatar, destined to become the largest mall in the country when it opens in the latter part of 2015. The hotel will be directly linked to the exclusive fashion court that is being developed at Mall of Qatar.

The new hotel will create a chic luxury retreat with a premium range of features and well appointed rooms including 19 lavish suites fashioned by some of the world’s leading designers. Amenities will include two upscale restaurants, a lobby lounge, two outdoor pools, a fitness centre featuring dedicated treatment rooms and a range of versatile meeting and event space including two boardrooms, two meeting rooms and a multi-function banquet hall.  

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa, said: “We are thrilled at the prospect of launching the new Curio brand to the Middle East, a market we have proudly served for more than 40 years with a pioneering flair and a firm belief in delivering stylish hospitality. As Qatar emerges as a global hospitality force, today’s landmark news will add tremendous value to our growing country-wide development portfolio which currently includes brands as diverse as the elegant luxury of Waldorf Astoria to the affordable, award winning hospitality of Hilton Garden Inn.”  

Hamad Khalifa Abdullah Al Attiya of Al Jaryan Trading & Contracting, said: “We are proud to partner with Hilton Worldwide to debut this exciting new brand in the Middle East and to establish a presence for Curio – A Collection by Hilton in Qatar’s flourishing tourism market. Our success is based on providing high standards of service, and I am confident our local expertise, combined with Hilton Worldwide’s widely recognised hospitality experience, will create a world-class hotel for Doha’s thriving community.”  -TradeArabia News Service