By Sarmad Qazi
Europe’s oldest luxury hoteliers, Kempinski, will manage one of the tallest and most-striking buildings in the West Bay under an alliance with Qatar’s Alfardan Group.
The 62-storey ‘Kempinski Residences & Suites’, slated for a March 2010 opening, sees a paradigm shift in Kempinski’s strategy which sees use of serviced units as a compliment to its niche of hotel properties, president and chief executive officer, Reto Wittwer said yesterday.
“The uniquely square-structured project is developed by the Alfardan Group, whose name is associated with luxury in the market. This strong alliance is believed to bring synergies of mutual benefits,” Alfardan Group officials said.
Currently in the final phases of construction and outfitting, the 370-super-luxury serviced residences will be available for short- (“as brief as one day”), mid-, and long-term rentals.
With superb views of the Arabian Gulf, residents will be able to access variety of facilities including two indoor swimming pools for adults and families, a gym area with state-of-the-art fitness equipment, male and female steam rooms, treatment rooms, and a day-care centre for kids, officials said.
“Additionally, the residence tower hosts various restaurants and cafes including an all-day dining restaurant, a high-end gourmet shop and café, a leisure area as well as 24-hour room service.”
Alfardan Group president Omar Alfardan said: “Kempinski Hotels is considered one of the world’s most renowned luxury operators and has long reflected the finest traditions of European hospitality. The alliance with Kempinski Hotels underpins Alfardan’s long-term strategy of collaborating with leading innovative companies. Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha personifies elegance and privacy.”
A world-class Kempinski hotel and resort at The Pearl-Qatar has also been planned, said Wittwer.
Kempinski Hotels Middle East and Africa president Ulrich Eckhardt said: “Qatar is an oil-rich country of strategic interest to Kempinski Hotels group, due to its investment in social and economic sectors, and its development as a ‘brand’ model for the Middle East.”
Meanwhile, the fully-furnished residences vary between one- and three-bedroom apartments in addition to various four- to six-bedroom duplex and triplex penthouses on the top floors with in-house private lifts. All apartments come equipped with kitchens and feature contemporary interior design.
Hoteliers since 1897, Kempinski plans to have an ambitious portfolio comprising over 100 properties by 2012, despite a current global meltdown. Currently it manages 62 of some of the most pace-setting modern establishments, older hotels and palaces of distinguished heritage in the world. |
