By Peter Townson/Staff ReporterCrowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park was opened yesterday by the chairman of Trans Orient Establishment, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad al-Thani, who checked into a room at the hotel to mark the occasion.Sheikh Mohammed was welcomed to the hotel by a human chain of hotel employees and contractors, who lined the entrance to the new property in preparation for his arrival.The hotel is the first to launch in the region under the new Crowne Plaza branding, and offers 288 rooms and suites and 90 one-to-two bedroom residence suites.A spokesperson for the hotel said: “Crowne Plaza – The Business Park is set to appeal to international visitors and Qatar residents alike. With eight meeting rooms and an executive boardroom all equipped with the latest in technologies allowing you to video conference your meeting, to the event centre and a variety of well-equipped facilities and ergonomically-designed beds promising a great night’s rest, the hotel is designed to meet both business and leisure travellers’ every need.”The hotel also features six food and beverage outlets: a Brazilian Churrascaria (steakhouse), Rodizio; Misturado, the Brazilian lounge; Mediterranean all-day dining restaurant, Aramede; Savor lounge; Liquidity; and, the Crowne Plaza Club Lounge.Sheikh Mohammed commented: “I’m delighted to be the first guest here at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park. Our vision was to develop a hotel that would offer unparalleled meeting and conference facilities and exciting new restaurants for the booming Doha market.”“This hotel does exactly that and under International Hotels Group’s management we’re certain it will be a success,” he added.The Event Centre, the glass-domed building at the centre of the business park, contains two ballrooms, while guests can also make use of a rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre and spa.The hotel is owned by Trans Orient Establishment and was signed with International Hotels Group (IHG) in 2008. Construction on the property began in mid-2009.The hotel’s general manager is Savino Leane.Chief operating officer for IHG in the Middle East and Africa, Pascal Gauvin, said: “We congratulate Trans Orient Establishment on the opening of Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park. We’re very proud to manage this unique hotel, which is a fantastic example of the Crowne Plaza brand.”“The team has worked around the clock to ensure that we are ready to welcome His Excellency as our first guest and we now look forward to welcoming many more guests to their new home in Doha,” he added.IHG manages 390 Crowne Plaza hotels worldwide, including 22 in the Middle East and African region.