Shangri-La Hotel, Doha, the gleaming 50-storey property located in the commercial district of West Bay, celebrated its grand opening yesterday with His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior for the State of Qatar, local dignitaries and other city officials attending a unique ribbon-cutting ceremony that reflects the hotel’s signature blend of Asian and Arabian hospitality. A life-sized portrait of His Royal Highness the Emir and His Royal Highness the Father Emir will also be unveiled.
The hotel, designed to resemble a falcon’s head in recognition of Qatari falconry – the country’s historic and elite pastime – is adorned with museum-quality art pieces honouring the rich heritage of the Qatari peninsula which are on loan from the Sheikh Faisal Collection. Strategically located close to the business and diplomatic areas, Shangri-La Hotel, Doha offers a direct link to the City Centre Mall, the city’s largest mall, and is only five minutes from the waterfront promenade.
References to a traditional Arabian welcome begin when guests arrive at the hotel. In the driveway, a prodigious bottle tree greets visitors, while a falconer in traditional garb with the recognisable bird of prey perched on his arm shows the warmth of welcome intrinsic to this part of the world. Guests are presented with a cup of rich coffee, made by the hotel’s specialist coffee maker according to a nomadic recipe, to reflect another warm Arabian gesture that is the hotel’s signature blend of East meets East hospitality.
Light-filled luxury accommodation includes 272 guestrooms and suites and 42 serviced apartments. The guestrooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular views of the city and Gulf, feature warm earth tones and amenities including a 47-inch Wi-Fi-enabled smart TV and Shangri-La’s signature mattress. Complementing the chic interiors are spacious marble bathrooms fitted with premium toiletries, a deep-soaking tub and walk-in shower.
Taking advantage of the 360-degree panoramic vista of the skyline and the glistening Arabian Gulf is the Horizon Club Lounge. Here in the private sanctuary, located on level 42 of the hotel, Horizon Club and suite guests can enjoy private check-in service, complimentary refreshments all day and a host of exclusive privileges.
Travellers on business and holiday alike will be spoilt for choice by the hotel’s leisure facilities. An aquamarine lagoon-shaped pool lies invitingly on the 2,000-square-metre deck dotted with loungers – ideal for luxuriating in the year-round sunshine. A shaded splash pool is located nearby for little guests to frolic in. Surrounded by over 70 trees, the pool deck is a leafy, tranquil oasis in the middle of the urban cityscape. Next to the pool area is the Health Club that offers a fully-equipped 24-hour fitness centre, sauna and steam rooms.
A haven of relaxation can be found at CHI, The Spa, the first luxury Asian-themed spa in Doha, where Asian wellness traditions are blended with botanical extracts, aromatic essential oils and natural Arabian elements to nourish the body and reinvigorate the senses. An outdoor hydrotonic pool and eight private treatment rooms are available.
Shangri-La Hotel, Doha captures the essence of exceptional and international dining options with seven food and beverage outlets. Sridan provides an interactive all-day dining experience where distinctive arches, intricate lamps and vividly coloured tiles recreate a lively souq (market) atmosphere for guests.
The excitement of the Argentine pampas is modernised at Fuego, the only restaurant in the city to offer certified Argentine Kobe beef. Decorated in deep burgundy hues with miniature horse sculptures displayed in the dining area and horseshoes dotting the wall, the informal and lively atmosphere is heightened by live folk music performed by an Argentine duo.
Yabby, the seafood restaurant, takes its name from the popular Australian crayfish and showcases the largest live seafood selection in Doha, and is a spirited celebration of the ocean’s remarkable flavours.
The entrancing Shanghai Club, opening later in the year, will be located on level 42 and 43 of the hotel. At a height of 162.3 metres above ground, the venue will be Doha’s highest Chinese restaurant with authentic food presentations for lunch and dinner, as well as after-work drinks. The Den, a European-inspired piano lounge, resplendent in polished wood and supple leather harks back to the glamour of a bygone era.
Providing seamless event and meeting facilities are nine function spaces, including the hotel’s grand pillar-less Shangri-La Ballroom that is classically inspired with high ceilings and six ornate chandeliers. Additional function rooms, located next to the Business Centre, provide plenty of versatility for a range of occasions and access to secretarial services.
In celebration of its grand opening, Golden Circle members reserving the “Thrice the Welcome in Doha” offer, valid until 30 June 2016, will receive triple Golden Circle award points and a 25 per cent discount on the Best Available Rate, food and beverage and CHI, The Spa.
