By Pratap John/Chief Business Reporter


The Doha-based Aiana Hotels & Resorts might look at different types of products from hotels to resorts and serviced apartments in a city that provides “excellent opportunities”, said Amrudha Nair, the JV’s joint managing director and chief executive officer.
“Our first property in Qatar will be a serviced apartment in West Bay, which is expected to be operational in a year,” she said in an interview with Gulf Times.
“Surely Aiana will have more properties in Doha, but we have not announced the details of the project as yet. We are in the design process and will see what will work in this market. It is important for me to have a presence in Doha, because the model we finally introduce in this market will be replicated in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. So this (Doha) will be our flagship project,” Amrudha said.
Aiana Hotels & Resorts is a joint venture between prominent Qatari entrepreneur HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani and Amruda, scion of the famous Leela Hotel Group family in India.
The joint venture, with both partners having an equal share, will be based in Doha and operate under the name Aiana Hotels & Resorts.
She said besides Qatar and the UAE, the global hotel management company was also looking at India and Thailand among other key places for expansion.
“In India we are looking at greenfield sites – at Bangalore, Coorg, Sankleshpur (Karnataka) and Thekkady in Kerala.
“The reason why I am very keen on South India at the moment is that there are not many branded products available there. We are looking at fitting into that niche market because we can offer a slightly more consistent product offering across multiple locations,” Amrudha said.
Aiana, meaning “eternal blossom” in Sanskrit, also means a place of refuge or retreat.  
“The Leela Hotel Group, founded by Captain Krishnan Nair, is very well known for its Indian service ethos. Green element is the key feature of the Leela concept, which my late grandfather (Captain Nair) was passionate about. I connect with that. Through Aiana, I want to bring to the table the great Indian service ethos,” Amrudha said.
From a “design perspective”, she said “it was important that the properties fit into the local destination.”
“Our service concept will still be Indian,” she said.
Amrudha said both partners shared the common vision of creating a brand that would appeal to young professionals and global travellers and provide its guests with unique, and enriching experiences, as well as bringing the first Asia-inspired hotel to Qatar.
The new joint venture will embody a hospitality brand of upper upscale hotels and leading operator of hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in the Middle East, the Sub-Continent and South East Asia.
Amrudha said, “With the launch of Aiana Hotels and Resorts, I am delighted to be introducing a brand I am confident will become the preferred choice of travellers seeking authentic and immersive experiences that will stay with them long after they have checked out. I was fortunate to meet HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani who shared my passion for hospitality and supported my dreams and ambitions of creating an Indian brand with a global presence. Our service, design, and operating philosophy are geared to exceed the expectations of a new generation of savvy travellers. We call it Hospitality 2.0.”