Trans Orient Establishment and IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) celebrated the grand opening of Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park, the first Crowne Plaza hotel in Qatar, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Hotel owner, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani, hosted His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and a number of VIP guests at the private event, which was also attended by representatives from IHG.

The hotel, the first Crowne Plaza in the country, is located in the heart of Doha’s banking district. Just two kilometres from Doha International Airport, it is part of the new Business Park area in Doha and features 378-rooms, including 288 hotel rooms and suites and 90 one to two bedroom resident suites.

Following the ribbon cutting, guests were taken on a tour of the hotel and treated to a private lunch at Rodizio, the Brazilian churrascaria restaurant at the hotel.

Commenting at the grand opening H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani said: “Since it was signed in 2008, we have eagerly anticipated the opening of this hotel. We started out with a vision 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 IHG’s management we’re certain it will be a success.”

In the evening, the hotel welcomed more than 500 guests at a second ceremony which also was held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohamad Bin Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani. Guests were taken on a journey showcasing the past, present and future of Doha, at an exhibition held at the hotel’s Event Centre. The evening’s entertainment featured the music of a Middle Eastern string quintet, an Arabic sword performance and a display of Arabic calligraphy, as well as a raffle draw at the end of the evening with prizes offering stays in IHG hotels around the world.

Owned by the Trans Orient Establishment, Crowne Plaza – The Business Park was signed in 2008 and began construction in mid-2009.

General Manager, Savino Leone stated: “Four years ago IHG, Trans Orient Establishment and AEB started working on this magnificent corporate hotel. This hotel is designed for guests who are traveling for success and seeking seamless service. We are very excited to be officially opening the hotel today and we look forward to many successful years ahead.”

Crowne Plaza – The Business Park appeals to international visitors and Qatari residents alike. With well-equipped facilities and ergonomically-designed beds promising a great night’s rest, the hotel will meet both business and leisure travellers’ every need.

The hotel offers six food and beverage outlets: Rodizio, Brazilian Churrascaria; Misturado, the Brazilian lounge; Aramede, a Mediterranean all-day dining restaurant; Savor, an elegant lounge; Liquidity, the lively pool-side lounge; as well as the refined Crowne Plaza Club Lounge. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. The hotel’s iconic glass-domed meeting venue, The Event Centre, is situated in the middle of the park complex and contains two state-of-the-art ballrooms.

IHG has 395 Crowne Plaza hotels across the globe with 22 in the Middle East and Africa specifically. The company has another 96 Crowne Plaza hotels in the development pipeline due to open over the next three to five years, five of which will open in the region.