Sheikh Mohamed al-Thani, second right, along with other top executives at the briefing yesterday
Leading global lodging company Marriott International celebrated yesterday the Qatar debut of its three brands with the opening of the Doha City Center hotels which offer a total of 584 rooms.
A live performance by popular artist Hamdan al-Abri welcomed the 257-room Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, 204-room Courtyard by Marriott Doha City Center and 123-unit Marriott Executive Apartments Doha City Center to Qatar.
“Our aim was to bring further choice and differentiation to Doha’s prime hotels offering as consumer demand continues to grow in step with Doha’s profile as a destination for both business and leisure,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani said at a pre-launch briefing.
All three properties are located within two 48-storey towers connected to the Doha City Center Mall, which features more than 340 shops and attractions.
Each hotel has its own unique look and feel, while sharing many floors within the complex, including three expansive lobbies, nine restaurants and bars, 1200sqm of meeting space, a Vitality Zone health club and Marriott International’s signature Saray Spa, known for offering traditional Middle Eastern treatments.
“The opening of the three hotels is a major step forward in reinforcing Doha’s futuristic vision and surging tourism potential in Qatar,” Marriott International’s chief operating officer (Middle East & Africa) Mark Satterfield said.
He said that Marriott now has six properties in the country, which is quickly becoming a key business and leisure destination in the Middle East.
The other properties are the 374-room The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, the 362-room Doha Marriott Hotel, and the 174-room Sharq Village & Spa (managed by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company).
Marriott’s Doha City Center properties’ general manager Oliver Kahf emphasised the West End concept offering dining, entertainment and relaxation over seven floors.
Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel stands out with its colourful fabrics, bold design and indigenous touch brought to life through artwork from Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani’s collection of cultural and historical art.
The hotel, equipped with the finest amenities and innovative technology, has 17 meeting rooms across 1,200sqm.
The Courtyard by Marriott Doha City Center combines comfort and functionality.  Guestrooms offer a smart and flexible design that is ideal for both work and relaxation.
The highlights include a spacious work desk, high-speed Internet, laptop size safe, flat screen television, deluxe bedding and mini-bar.
The hotel offers access to all 17 meeting rooms of the Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel.
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, Loren Nalewanski (vice president, global brand management, MEA, Courtyard) and Matt Balcik (global brand advocate, Renaissance Hotels) were also present.