Starwood has opened its fourth hotel in Doha, and the first under its trendy W Hotels brand.
W Doha has 291 guest rooms including 31 suites and 154 residences, plus two restaurants under chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a champagne bar and event space.
Situated in the West Bay of Doha on the Qatar Peninsula, the hotel is across from the city centre and approximately 15 minutes by car from the airport. The Doha Golf Club is around a 10-minute drive away.
W Doha is the second hotel under the brand in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, following the opening of W Istanbul last year (see online news April 3, 2008). W Barcelona is due to open this autumn, and forthcoming properties are also due in Paris (see online news February 17), Manchester and London (see online news September 3, 2008).
"W began as a New York wonder, grew to be an American phenomenon and is now becoming a global powerhouse in the design-driven luxury space with 10 years of proven success," said Frits van Paasschen, Starwood’s CEO."With plans to nearly triple its footprint of 27 hotels by 2011, W has the strongest growth momentum of any luxury hotel brand in the most sought after markets in Europe and the world."
Starwood also operates the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, with two other properties - Four Points by Sheraton Doha and the St Regis Doha - both due to open in 2010.
For more information visit starwoodhotels.com.
Report by Holly Willis