Doha, Qatar – November 15th, 2012: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Emir of Qatar, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels marks its Grand Opening with a new brand identity and the official inauguration of its unique boutique properties. The exclusive ceremony was attended by His Highness The Emir and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Crown Prince of Qatar. The ceremony was also attended by high officials and esteemed media. Showcasing a creative edge that is synonymous with the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels brand, the opening ceremony featured the first ever immersive 3D mapping show of this scale in Doha, revealing the story behind each of the Boutique Hotels. The celebration reiterated the brand’s promise to provide the best of Qatari hospitality, while raising the profile of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels in the international hospitality industry. For Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, the aim of the Grand Opening was to ensure that guests familiarise with one umbrella brand, offering them a unified experience no matter which of the unique properties they choose to stay at. The revived brand identity is designed to be a tribute to Qatari history, culture and sophistication – all of which are at the core of Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels’ management philosophy. Commenting on the occasion, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Al Rayyan Hospitality said: “Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels’ vision travels far beyond offering the best in hospitality, allowing guests to enjoy an unparalleled experience. Our expansion plans include adding four new hotels under the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels brand, which is in sync with Qatar’s elevating need for leisure accommodation and will further cement our position in the region. “One of the key things that sets our brand apart is it location – discreetly dotted around the souq, our hotels offer a five stars experience, allowing guests to stay in one hotel yet enjoy the refined hospitality of all the other hotels. We are focused on reaching out to guests from the Arab region and across the globe, ensuring that we tailor our plans to meet their needs. “In addition to our five stars offering, we also host two daily complementary trips on traditional Dhow boats to all our guests, promoting our Qatari history in a refined five stars experience,” he add. Symbolising Qatar’s hospitality heritage, the ceremony showcased all five operational hotels including the unveiling of Al Jasra – the latest boutique destination which is bound to add a modern twist to the more traditionally designed existing properties. The fifth in the exquisite collection boutique hotels, Al Jasra contains 22 rooms and 4 suites which have been styled and furnished by leading designers from across the world. Al Jasra houses The Drawing Room, an artistically decorated lounge serving light snacks and beverages; Al Sanbouk, a five-star seafood restaurant offering a personalised range of fresh fish, lobsters, shrimps, and other items; and Argan, an authentic fine dining outlet featuring traditional Moroccan cuisine. With a concept that stands for, “Choose Your Own Flavour”, all boutique hotels are equipped with a full range of state of the art facilities and offer tailored services to fit the needs of all guests. Currently, Al Najada, Al Mirqab, Arumaila, Musheireb, and Al Jasra Boutique Hotels are operational, while additional boutique offering will be revealed to the public in 2013. ILQ NEWS

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