Hospitality Design February-March 2023 - 105

The vaulted-ceiling Urban Signature suites at the Raffles
Doha open onto large terraces with stunning views
A gallery-style wall of objects defines the Junction
deli and café at the Pullman Doha West Bay
Bright colors pop against white walls in
the lobby of the Pullman Doha West Bay
Mr. and Mrs. Hawker brings a slice of Singapore
to the Andaz Doha, shown in a rendering
According to STR, 49 hotel projects
are under construction in Doha, leading to
13,841 new guestrooms. One of the more
bullish hospitality heavyweights making an
impact on the city is Accor. " Accor has been
present in Qatar since 2001, with the opening
of Mövenpick Hotel Doha. Since then, the
portfolio has grown to 11 properties with
more than 2,800 keys in the city, " says Maya
Ziadeh, senior vice president of development
for premium, midscale, and economy brands
in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. " We
see demand for properties in this market
continuing as the city remains to be attractive
for travelers not only visiting for business
purposes, but leisure. "
Ziadeh points to forthcoming international
events such as the Formula 1 Qatar Grand
Prix, the Geneva International Motor Show,
and the AFC Asian World Cup as helpful in
cementing Doha's appeal as a destination. The
Qatari government entity Qatar Museums also
hopes to reel in more tourists by invigorating
its already impressive arts scene (including
the Jean Nouvel-designed National Museum
of Qatar) with a trifecta of future institutions:
the Lusail Museum by Herzog & de Meuron, the
Qatar Auto Museum by OMA, and the Art Mill by
Elemental.
In 2022 alone, Accor opened six properties
in the city, with plans in 2023 for the Rixos
Qetaifan Island Doha and the Swissôtel Doha
Corniche Park Towers Hotel and Residences.
Also notably forthcoming: Doha is slated to
welcome a 200-room EDITION in 2024.
Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha and Pullman Doha
West Bay
Doha, like its more crowded neighbor Dubai,
is awash in futuristic architecture and
luxurious interior design, and some of these
new Accor arrivals reinforce that spirit. The
350 guestrooms of Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha,
Qatar's first all-inclusive resort, are spread out
across two towers in the former Gulf Hotel,
which opened as the country's first 5-star
property in 1973. Dominated by an earthy
palette, it features private garden cabanas and
the capstone sea view Katara suite, while at
the 375-room, 93-apartment Pullman Doha
West Bay, the spa flaunts an outdoor pool and
Moroccan hammam.
Fairmont Doha and Raffl es Doha
Housed within the striking crescent-shaped
Katara Towers skyscraper by architecture
firm Dar-Al-Handasah are both the Fairmont
and Raffles hotels. The former takes cues
from swanky yachts, inviting guests in with a
soaring chandelier glimmering over swoops of
marble, and dressing its 362 guestrooms and
baths in glossy dark wood, white leather, and
18k gold tiles. Over at the 132-suite Raffles, the
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Hospitality Design February-March 2023

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