From left: Andrew Clough, senior vice-president (development) of Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Asia Pacific, Jagersbacher, Buzwair, Chris Nassetta, president & CEO of Hilton Worldwide, Vanderslice and Khneisser.
Hilton Worldwide plans to expand its Waldorf Astoria brand presence in the Middle East with a new property in Qatar, following the signing of a management agreement with Doha-based La Jolla.
The famous hotel brand will debut in Doha with Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, a 42-storey property located on a prominent headland and commanding panoramic views of the city and the Arabian Gulf.
The hotel, which is expected to open by 2016, will be in the heart of the modern business and diplomatic district, close to Qatar Exchange and near the upcoming Doha Convention Centre.
John T A Vanderslice, global head for luxury and lifestyle brands at Hilton Worldwide, said: “The aim of all Waldorf hotels and resorts is to offer unparalleled service and quality, and build on the brand’s legacy of timeless luxury and personalised experiences. Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay will undoubtedly achieve this aim and guests can expect the highest levels of luxury in exceptional
surroundings.”
The hotel will feature 250 guest rooms and suites as well as 80 large serviced apartments. Facilities will include a huge ballroom, state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities and a wide range of bars and restaurants. A rooftop pool and a two-storey bespoke health club and spa will also be
developed for the property.
Rudi Jagersbacher, president of Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa, said: “Introduction of the Waldorf Astoria brand is an important step in offering greater guest choice with what will, arguably, be one of the strongest and most enviable property portfolios in the country.”
As one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Qatar is enjoying a surge in visitor numbers as it enters a sustained, decade-long period of growth and development supported by a government-backed $65bn investment programme. Headline plans for the country include a new airport capable of handling 50mn passengers annually, a $5bn deepwater seaport with a large cruise ship terminal and a network of projects required to support the staging of the Fifa World Cup in 2022.
Saad Mohamed Fahad Buzwair, owner of La Jolla, said: “We are honoured to be working with the world’s leading hospitality company to welcome the famous Waldorf Astoria brand to Qatar. By combining our design excellence with one of the finest luxury hospitality brands, we will create an unrivalled hotel with world-class features and
attributes.”
