Ramada Encore opens

By Peter Townson

The new Ramada Encore hotel, welcoming guests already but set to officially open later this month

The Wyndham Hotel Group has announced its expansion into the Middle East following the soft opening of the Ramada Encore in Doha last month, with officials explaining that the hotel is due to open officially during the next month.
Opening its doors on Christmas day, the hotel has been welcoming guests over the past fortnight, and sales and marketing manager, Waseef Ahmed explained that the initial response to the property had been very encouraging.
The Ramada Encore name falls under the Wyndham Group umbrella, and represents the second branded property to be opened in Qatar. 
However, the Ramada Encore is the first Encore in the world to be managed by Wyndham, and represents a "major step” for the group’s ambitious expansion plans in the region.
The hotel, which is owned by Regency Group, is the first Ramada Encore in the Middle East, and general manager Saqib Anwar told Gulf Times that the property aimed to cater to a predominantly corporate clientele.
"There is huge potential in the market following FIFA’s announcement of 2022,” he said, adding "the Wyndham Group wanted to develop with that in mind.”
"We identified a niche market for mid-scale business travellers coming to Qatar, and we want to fill the current gap in this market,” he said.
Anwar, who was based in Dubai before coming to Qatar, described the property as offering "value for money.”
"It’s not very elaborate, but it offers everything you need,” he claimed.
"We have all been working very hard to get the property ready, and we are looking forward to a very healthy business year,” added Anwar.
Located in the Al Asmakh area of the city, less than 5km from the airport, the hotel offers a more affordable service for business travellers looking for quality accommodation.
Wyndham Hotel Group senior vice president and managing director for EMEA, Michael Poynter said: "As the economic centre of Qatar, Doha continues to be a rapidly developing city that serves as home to a growing number of companies as well as a rising number of international travellers.”
"The addition of this newest hotel not only helps solidify our presence in this important market but will serve as a shining example of the quality found within the Ramada Encore name,” he added.
The hotel offers 111 guestrooms over 13 floors, and also includes the signature offering of all Ramada Encore properties, The Hub, as well as a coffee bar in the hotel lobby, and 24-hour room service.
"All guestrooms feature queen or twin beds, a spacious work desk, LCD television with satellite channels, IDD phones, voice mail, mini fridge, tea/coffee maker and an electronic safe,” explained a spokesperson, adding "rooms on non-smoking floors and interconnecting rooms are also available upon request.”