Qatar's hospitality sector got a further boost from the growing demand for staycation packages and dine-in options offered by many hotels and hotel restaurants in Doha under the ‘new normal’, according to industry experts.

“We see a healthy mix of 'staycationers' as well as local business clientele booking stays with us, for reasons like privacy, personalised attention from our Ladies & Gentlemen and our exemplary service standards,” Sharq Village & Spa hotel manager Yazan Latif told Gulf Times.

He noted that the resort’s various competitive features – having its very own stretch of private beach, overlooking the Doha skyline (a big attraction for guests looking to unwind) – make it one of the best leisure and business destinations in Doha.

Several other hotel offerings and promotions, as well as traditional dining experiences, at reasonable rates and in safe environments with Covid-19 protocols in place have also attracted many residents.

For Sharq, Latif said that The Royal Villa remains their key attraction – their equivalent of a Presidential Suite but only much larger in space and fit for royalty. This extraordinary suite has its own private pool and waterfall, spa room, steam, sauna and Chefs pantry.

“The spacious Ritz-Carlton Spa housed within the resort is another design marvel and takes visitors through a journey along winding old-world style alleys and traditional spa therapy rooms and treatments, which our patrons absolutely love,” he added.

“An ever-evolving landscape of unique dining experiences, Sharq Village & Spa is re-imagining the culture of ‘eating out’ to meet and exceed the expectations of Doha’s well-travelled food connoisseur.”

The resort is offering a one-of-its-kind package that appeals to guests called 'Your Local Paradise’, which includes staying in a luxurious resort view room, complimentary breakfast for two persons, and QR150 resort credit daily applicable on specific services, among others.

“Diners can look forward to enjoying a plethora of options when choosing to eat out in the city at the hotel’s award-winning venues and outdoor dining experiences during the winter season,” Latif said. “The resort offers guests variety in terms of regional Arabic as well as international cuisines like Persian and Latin, from amongst a choice a restaurants and lounges.”

He noted that the resort’s signature Zarb ‘Bedouin’ style dining experience is a must-try. “It is a true testament to traditional cooking adopted many years ago in the Arabian desert land and which to this day is popularly adapted for quicker cooking in homes and restaurants because of the unmatched flavour it provides to the end dish.”

“Zarb cooking involves protecting the food placed underground by wrapping it securely in palm leaves back in the day, which is now replaced with foil sheets to secure the heat generated during the cooking process,” Latif said. “Through the years with modern techniques coming into play, offering express preparation and cooking, the ‘Zarb’ oven still produces the most flavoursome dishes owing to the resting stage when the marination of the meat allows the juices to properly absorb and thereafter cook perfectly.”

Ritz-Carlton Doha’s sales and marketing director Georges Akar said that “staycation packages contribute to the success of the F&B offerings as some of these packages are inclusive of F&B added values, especially the one related to families and kids.”


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